Supporting device and network type supporting device system

Abstract

To provide a support mechanism by which a user can relatively rock the upper body for the lower body, in the event that the user takes a nap or a break with the lower body flexed.SOLUTION: A support mechanism 20 for supporting a user U who takes a nap or a break in a standing posture includes: a first support part 210 which has an upper facing slope in a vertical direction and supports a human body from a lower part by coming into contact with one or both of the knee and the lower leg from the front side of the human body; a second support part 220 which supports the human body from a lower part by coming into contact with one or both of the hip and the thigh from the back side of the human body; a third support part 230 which comes into contact with at least any one of the upper extremity, the head and the upper body of the human body to support the human body from at least one side in a front and rear direction; and a rocking mechanism 90 which rocks the first support part 210 and the second support part 220 for the third support part 230 relatively around the axial periphery of a shaft CL.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a support mechanism, a support device, and a program for supporting a user taking a nap or resting in an upright position. [Background technology]

[0002] As shown in FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1, a structure for accommodating a human body (sleeping enclosure) is disclosed which has a storage space for accommodating a human body and is configured to support the human body stored in the storage space in an upright position. This sleeping enclosure comprises: (1) a first support portion that supports the buttocks of the human body stored in the storage space so as to support at least a portion of the weight of the human body from below; (2) a second support portion that supports the upper body of the human body stored in the storage space so as to prevent the upper body from moving horizontally; and (3) a third support portion that supports the knees of the human body stored in the storage space so as to prevent the knees from moving forward. According to Patent Document 1, this sleeping enclosure is capable of supporting the human body in an upright position without requiring a large horizontal space, by including the above-mentioned parts (1) to (3) as its components.

[0003] Paragraph "0039" of Patent Document 1 states that the front support portion, which constitutes part of the second support portion of this sleeping enclosure, "is a protruding member having a triangular cross section when viewed from the side. By using a protruding member of this shape, the space below the front support portion 21A can be made larger, allowing people to rest and sleep more comfortably." Therefore, this sleeping enclosure is intended for use by a user, with the user's upper body supported from below by the front support portion and with parts of the user's body positioned in the space below the front support portion and above the third support portion. This sleeping enclosure can be said to be used by a user, with the user's upper limbs supported by the front support portion while the user's upper body is aligned vertically. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-99444 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When taking a nap using the sleeping enclosure, the user places their upper limbs on the upper surface of the front support section from above and rests their head on the upper limbs. Furthermore, the user maintains this posture throughout their nap, i.e., while using the sleeping enclosure. In other words, the sleeping enclosure does not allow the user to change their posture during or after use. Specifically, the upper body cannot be swung relative to the lower body.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a support mechanism that allows a user to swing the upper body relative to the lower body when taking a nap or resting with the lower body bent. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The support mechanism of the first aspect is A support mechanism that supports a user taking a nap or resting in an upright position, a first support part having an inclined surface facing upward in the vertical direction and contacting one or both of the knee and the lower leg of the human body from the front side of the human body to support the human body from below; a second support part that is disposed at a position different from the first support part when viewed from the up-down direction and that contacts one or both of the buttocks and upper thighs of the human body from the rear side of the human body to support the human body from below; a third support section that is disposed at a position higher than the first support section and the second support section, and that comes into contact with at least one of the upper limbs, head, and upper body of the human body so that the upper limbs and head of the human body are positioned within a predetermined range in the front-to-rear direction, and supports the human body from at least one side in the front-to-rear direction; a swing mechanism that swings the first support portion and the second support portion around an axis set between the first support portion and the second support portion relative to the third support portion when viewed from the up-down direction; and Equipped with.

[0008] The support mechanism of the second aspect is In the support mechanism of the first aspect, The third support section has (1) an upper limb support section that is arranged above the first support section in the vertical direction and supports the upper limbs of the human body from below, and (2) a head support section that is arranged above the upper limb support section in the vertical direction and contacts the forehead of the human body to support the head from the front in the front-to-back direction.

[0009] The support mechanism of the third aspect is In the support mechanism of the second aspect, a movement mechanism that moves one or two of the first support unit, the second support unit, the upper limb support unit, and the head support unit in the up and down direction relative to the one or one other than the two of the first support unit, the second support unit, the upper limb support unit, and the head support unit; Further provided are:

[0010] The support mechanism of the fourth aspect is In the support mechanism of the third aspect, The movement mechanism moves the head support section relative to the upper limb support section in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction.

[0011] The support mechanism of the fifth aspect is In the support mechanism according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a fourth support section that is disposed at a position lower than the first support section and the second support section and closer to the second support section in the front-rear direction than the first support section when viewed from the vertical direction, that contacts the soles of the feet of the human body to support the human body from below so that the feet of the human body are inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and that is swung around the axis of the shaft relative to the third support section together with the first support section and the second support section by the swing mechanism; Further provided are:

[0012] The support device of the first aspect is a support mechanism according to the fourth or fifth aspect; a control unit that controls the moving mechanism and the swinging mechanism; Equipped with.

[0013] The support device of the second aspect is In the support device of the first aspect, the control unit controls the movement mechanism so that the second support unit moves relatively to the first support unit in the up-down direction, and controls the swing mechanism so that the first support unit, the second support unit, and the fourth support unit swing around the axis of the shaft relatively to the third support unit, It is composed of:

[0014] The support device of the third aspect is In the supporting device of the second aspect, the control unit has a timer that counts the time the device is used by the user, the control unit controls the swing mechanism so that the first support unit, the second support unit, and the fourth support unit swing around the axis of the shaft relative to the third support unit when the usage time has elapsed a predetermined time, It is composed of:

[0015] The support device of the fourth aspect is In the support device of the third aspect, the control unit has a timer that counts the time the device is used by the user, the control unit controls the movement mechanism so that, when the usage time has elapsed a predetermined time, the second support unit, the upper limb support unit, and the head support unit move relative to the first support unit in the up and down direction with the same waveform and in the same phase. It is composed of:

[0016] The support device of the fifth aspect is In the support device of the first aspect, a plurality of sensors attached to each of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the head support portion, for measuring a load or pressure received from a human body in contact therewith, the plurality of sensors being communicatively connected to the control portion; Furthermore, The control unit controls the movement mechanism so that a ratio of the measurement values ​​of the plurality of sensors falls within a predetermined ratio range.

[0017] The support device of the sixth aspect is In the support device of the fourth aspect, a user interface communicatively connected to the control unit and configured to transmit requests from a user to the control unit; Furthermore, When a request to start use is transmitted from the user via the user interface, the control unit controls the movement mechanism so that the ratio of the measurement values ​​of the plurality of sensors falls within the range of the predetermined ratio.

[0018] The support device of the seventh aspect is In the support device of the sixth aspect, The control unit controls the moving mechanism so that when a usage time request is transmitted from the user via the user interface and the usage time has elapsed, the ratio of each measurement value of the multiple sensors, which is within the specified ratio range, goes outside the specified ratio range.

[0019] The support device of the eighth aspect is In the supporting device of the seventh aspect, The control unit controls the movement mechanism so that the ratio of the measurement values ​​of the multiple sensors fluctuates within the specified ratio range during the period from when a usage time request is transmitted from the user via the user interface until the usage time has elapsed.

[0020] The support device of the ninth aspect is In the support device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the second support portion has a seat that contacts one or both of the buttocks and the upper thighs of the human body and a link mechanism that connects the seat and the movement mechanism; The seat changes its position so that the angle formed between the seat and the link along the vertical direction increases as the seat is moved upward by the movement mechanism.

[0021] In one embodiment, the program A program for controlling the support device of the fifth aspect, Using the control unit, a measurement function that causes the plurality of sensors to measure the load or pressure received from a human body in contact with the sensor; a movement function that controls the movement mechanism to move the second support unit relative to the first support unit in the up and down direction so that a ratio of the measurement values ​​of the plurality of sensors falls within a predetermined ratio range; a swing mechanism that controls the swing mechanism to swing one or both of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion, or the third support portion around the axis of the shaft so that the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion swing relative to the third support portion; Execute the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the support mechanism of the first aspect, when the user takes a nap or rests with the lower body bent, the user can swing the upper body relative to the lower body.

[0023] According to the support mechanism of the second aspect, compared to a configuration in which the third support part is composed only of an upper limb support part, it is possible to provide the user with a more satisfying nap or rest when taking a nap or rest with the lower body bent.

[0024] According to the support mechanism of the third aspect and the support devices of the first and second aspects, the support position of the human body can be adjusted in accordance with a plurality of users.

[0025] According to the support mechanism of the fourth aspect, the head support position can be adjusted to suit a plurality of users, compared to the aspect in which the position of the head support section relative to the upper limb support section is fixed.

[0026] The support mechanism of the fifth aspect allows the user to take a forward-leaning posture, making it possible to provide the user with a more satisfying nap or rest than in an aspect that does not include the fourth support section.

[0027] According to the support devices of the first to third aspects, when a user takes a nap or rests with the lower body bent, the user can swing the upper body relative to the lower body.

[0028] According to the support device of the fourth aspect, when the user's usage time has elapsed for a predetermined time, the angle of the user's neck relative to the vertical direction can be maintained and the user can be notified that the predetermined time has elapsed, compared to a configuration in which the upper limb support unit and the head support unit move relatively in the vertical direction out of sync with each other.

[0029] According to the support device of the fifth aspect, the support position of the human body can be adjusted more appropriately compared to an aspect in which the load or pressure received from the human body is not measured by a plurality of sensors.

[0030] According to the support device of the sixth aspect, the movement mechanism that more appropriately adjusts the support position of the human body can be used to notify the user of the passage of usage time through a bodily sensation.

[0031] According to the support device of the seventh aspect, compared to the aspect in which the ratio of the measurement values ​​of the multiple sensors remains constant, the areas where the user receives reaction force from the support mechanism can be dispersed during the period from the start of use until the elapse of usage time.

[0032] According to the support device of the eighth aspect, the support position of the human body can be more appropriately adjusted to suit the different leg lengths of multiple users, compared to an aspect in which the posture of the seat is not changed to align in the vertical direction as the seat moves upward.

[0033] According to one aspect of the program, the support position of the human body can be adjusted according to different leg lengths of multiple users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a front view of the nap box of this embodiment with the door closed. [Figure 1B] This is a diagram of the nap box of this embodiment, a front view with the door open. [Figure 1C] This is a diagram of the nap box of this embodiment, a front view with the door open. [Figure 1D] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a state in which a user is using the nap box of this embodiment. [Figure 1E] This is a top view of the third support part provided in the nap box of this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system for the nap box according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the control flow of the nap box of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the initial operation when the nap box of this embodiment is first used. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the nap box of the fourth modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the control flow of the nap box of the fifth modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the control flow of the nap box of the sixth modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the control flow of the nap box of the seventh modified example. [Figure 9A] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a control system for a nap box according to an eighth modified example. [Figure 9B] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the control flow of the nap box of the eighth modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the control flow of the nap box of the ninth modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the control flow of the nap box of the tenth modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a control system for a nap box according to an eleventh modified example. [Figure 13A] FIG. 23 is a block diagram of the control system of the nap box of the twelfth modified example. [Figure 13B] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an AI model according to the twelfth modified example. [Figure 13C] FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing the control flow of the nap box of the twelfth modified example. [Figure 14A] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram for explaining the rocking mechanism provided in the nap box of the thirteenth modified example. [Figure 14B] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the rocking mechanism provided in the nap box of the thirteenth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Overview The following describes the nap box 10 (an example of a support device, see Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, etc.) of this embodiment. Next, several modified examples will be described. Please note that in this specification, the same or similar symbols are used for components with similar functions in each of the drawings referenced in the several modified examples described below.

[0036] <<Present Embodiment>> First, the configuration and function of the nap box 10 of this embodiment will be described, followed by a description of the operation of the nap box 10. Next, the effects of the nap box 10 will be described.

[0037] <Configuration and functions of the nap box> FIG. 1A is a diagram of the nap box 10 of this embodiment, and is a front view with the door 442 of the housing 40 closed. FIGS. 1B and 1C are each a front view of the nap box 10 with the door 442 open. FIG. 1D is a diagram illustrating the state in which a user is using the nap box 10. FIG. 1E is a top view of the third support part 230 provided on the nap box 10. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control system CS of the nap box 10.

[0038] 1B and 1C, nap box 10 of this embodiment includes support mechanism 20, multiple sensors 30, housing 40, control unit 50, and user interface 60 (hereinafter referred to as UI 60). Nap box 10 is a device used to support user U (see FIG. 1D) in an upright position and allow user U to take a nap or rest.

[0039] Here, if user U is to take a nap or rest, it may seem appropriate to have user U lie on his / her side using a bed or the like rather than standing. However, allowing user U to take a nap or rest in an upright position, as with nap box 10 of the present embodiment, has two technical significances: (1) the installation area can be made smaller than that of a bed or the like, and (2) user U can be made to take a nap or rest at levels 1 and 2, which are the shallower of the four levels (levels 1 to 4) of deep sleep in non-REM sleep.

[0040] [Support mechanism, multiple sensors, and housing] Support mechanism 20 is a major part of the hardware in nap box 10, and has the function of supporting user U in a standing position. As shown in Figures 1B and 1C, support mechanism 20 has first support section 210, second support section 220, third support section 230, fourth support section 240, movement mechanism 250, and multiple pillars 260 (four pillars in this embodiment, as an example). The first support portion 210, the second support portion 220, the third support portion 230, the fourth support portion 240 and the movement mechanism 250 are the main components of the nap box 10 of this embodiment and will be described later.

[0041] The plurality of sensors 30 (four in this embodiment, for example) are configured to measure load or pressure and include a first sensor 32, a second sensor 34, a third sensor 36, and a fourth sensor 38. The plurality of sensors 30 are attached to a first support portion 210, a second support portion 220, a third support portion 230, and a fourth support portion 240, respectively (see FIGS. 1B and 1C), and are communicatively connected to a control unit 50 (see FIG. 2). The first sensor 32, the second sensor 34, the third sensor 36, and the fourth sensor 38 have the function of measuring the load or pressure received from the body of a user U that they come into contact with, and transmitting the measurement data to the control unit 50. The first sensor 32, the second sensor 34, the third sensor 36, and the fourth sensor 38 are the main components of the nap box 10 of this embodiment and will be described later.

[0042] The housing 40 is the exterior of the nap box 10 and has the function of accommodating the support mechanism 20, the multiple sensors 30, the control unit 50, and the UI 60 therein. In other words, the housing 40 surrounds the support mechanism 20. As shown in FIG. 1A, the housing 40 has a ceiling wall 42, a peripheral wall 44, a bottom wall 46, and a base 48. As shown in FIG. 1A, the housing 40 has a substantially symmetrical shape when viewed from the front side of the nap box 10. Here, the dashed dotted line CL in the figure indicates the center line of the nap box 10. The ceiling wall 42 and the bottom wall 46 are each formed in a polygonal shape, for example, by diamond-cutting the outer surface of a hemisphere. The peripheral wall 44 is a tube connecting the lower end of the ceiling wall 42 and the upper end of the bottom wall 46, and has a regular polygonal shape when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The peripheral wall 44 is made up of multiple long plates arranged in the circumferential direction, and a door 442 that allows the user U to enter and exit is attached by hollowing out a portion of the wall. As an example, the door 442 is a double-door type. The base 48 supports the top wall 42, the peripheral wall 44 and the bottom wall 46 from below.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1B and 1C, when viewed from the door 442 side (viewed from the front side of the nap box 10), the multiple pillars 260 are arranged in pairs along the vertical direction on both sides of the bottom wall 46, one on the front side and one on the back side, and both ends of each are fixed to the bottom wall 46 and the ceiling wall 42. In this specification, when viewed from the front side of the nap box 10, the left side is the front side, the right side is the rear side, and the straight line connecting them is the front-to-rear direction.

[0044] [Major components] The main components of this embodiment will be described below.

[0045] (First support and first sensor) The first support portion 210 has a function of contacting one or both of the knees and lower legs of the user U from the front side of the body, thereby supporting the body from below (see FIG. 1D). As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the first support portion 210 includes, for example, a base 212 and a cushion 214. As an example, the base 212 is flat and rectangular when viewed in its thickness direction. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the base 212 is disposed on the left side when viewed from the front side of the nap box 10, and is inclined so that the upper surface faces upward and toward the center line CL (inward). Therefore, the upper surface forms a slope. As an example, the inclination angle of the base 212 is set to 20° to 60°. The base 212 is fixed to a cylinder of a second actuator 254 (described later) provided in the movement mechanism 250. The cushion 214 is, for example, in the form of a flat plate, and when viewed in the thickness direction, is formed in a rectangular shape that is slightly smaller than the base 212. The cushion 214 is fixed to the upper surface of the base 212.

[0046] 1B and 1C, the first sensor 32 is disposed between the base 212 and the cushion 214. The first sensor 32 measures the load or pressure applied from one or both of the knee and the lower leg of the user U's body that contacts the cushion 214, and transmits the measurement data to the control unit 50.

[0047] (Second support and second sensor) The second support part 220 is positioned at a different position from the first support part 210 when viewed from the top-bottom direction (in this embodiment, at a position behind the first support part 210 in the front-to-back direction) (see Figures 1B and 1C), and has the function of contacting one or both of the buttocks and upper thighs of the user U from the back side of the body, thereby supporting the body from below (see Figure 1D). As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the second support portion 220 includes, for example, a seat 222 and a link mechanism 224.

[0048] For example, the seat 222 has a base 222A and a cushion 222B. The seat 222 is a portion that comes into contact with one or both of the buttocks and upper thighs of the user U's body. As an example, base 222A is flat and rectangular when viewed in its thickness direction. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, base 222A is located on the right side (rear side in the front-to-rear direction) when viewed from the front side of nap box 10, and is tilted so that its upper surface faces upward and toward center line CL (inward). Therefore, the upper surface forms a slope. The upper end portion of the back surface of base 222A is swingably attached to the upper end of first actuator 252 (described later) included in movement mechanism 250. The cushion 222B is, for example, in the shape of a flat plate, and when viewed in the thickness direction, is formed in a rectangular shape that is slightly smaller than the base 222A. The cushion 222B is fixed to the upper surface of the base 222A.

[0049] 1B and 1C, link mechanism 224 has the function of connecting seat 222 and first actuator 252. Link mechanism 224 has link 224A and two joints 224B fitted into through holes at both ends of link 224A. One end of link 224A is attached to a lower end portion of base 222A by joint 224B, and the other end is attached to two adjacent pillars of multiple pillars 260 by joints 224B. With the above configuration, the seat 222 is set to change its posture so that the angle formed with the link 224A increases in the vertical direction as the seat 222 is moved upward by the first actuator 252 (see FIG. 4). The amount and range of extension and contraction of the first actuator 252 are set in advance. In this embodiment, the tilt angle of the seat 222 is set to, for example, 45° at its lowest position and 80° at its highest position.

[0050] 1B and 1C, the second sensor 34 is disposed between the base 222A and the cushion 222B. The second sensor 34 measures the load or pressure applied from one or both of the buttocks and upper thighs of the user U's body that are in contact with the cushion 222B, and transmits the measurement data to the control unit 50.

[0051] (Third support part and third sensor) 1B and 1C, the third support unit 230 is disposed at a position higher than the first support unit 210 and the second support unit 220. The third support unit 230 has the function of contacting the upper limbs and head of the user U so that the upper limbs and head of the human body are positioned within a predetermined range in the front-to-rear direction, and supporting the human body from at least one side in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIGS. 1C and 1E, the third support section 230 has an attachment section 232, an upper limb support section 234, a connecting section 236, and a head support section 238. 1B and 1C, the third support part 230 is attached to the upper end of the second actuator 254. Therefore, the third support part 230 is movable within a preset range in the up and down direction in accordance with the operation of the second actuator 254.

[0052] The mounting portion 232 is attached to the second actuator 254 . The upper limb support section 234 is pivotally attached to the attachment section 232 by a hinge HG (see FIG. 1E). As shown in FIG. 1D, the upper limb support section 234 has the function of supporting the upper limbs of the user U from below. As shown in FIG. 1E, the upper limb support section 234 is C-shaped when viewed from above. The upper limb support section 234 includes a base 234A and a cushion 234B fixed to the upper surface of the base 234A. As an example, the base 234A and the cushion 234B are formed into substantially the same C-shape. The upper limb support section 234 is designed so that when not in use, it is positioned at a right angle to the attachment section 232, and when in use, the user U tilts it approximately 90 degrees so that its opening faces the vicinity of the user U's chest. When in use, the user U places their upper limbs on the upper limb support section 234.

[0053] 1C and 1D, head support section 238 is disposed above mounting section 232 and upper limb support section 234 in the up-down direction, and has the function of contacting the forehead of user U and supporting the head from the front in the front-to-back direction. Head support section 238 has a base plate 238A and a cushion 238B. Base plate 238A has a rectangular shape and is disposed with its thickness oriented along the front-to-back direction and its short side oriented along the up-to-down direction. As an example, cushion 238B is formed in a rectangular shape that is approximately the same shape as base plate 238A, and is fixed to the surface of base plate 238A (the surface facing rearward in the front-to-back direction). One end of connecting portion 236 is fixed to the rear surface of substrate 238A, and the other end of connecting portion 236 is fixed to mounting portion 232. That is, head support portion 238 is positioned relative to mounting portion 232 via connecting portion 236. As an example, connecting section 236 is configured to be extendable and contractible. Therefore, for example, when user U extends or contracts connecting section 236, head support section 238 is configured to be able to change the position in the up-down direction relative to upper limb support section 234. In addition, an extendable and contractible member (not shown) is arranged between connecting section 236 and base plate 238A of head support section 238. Therefore, for example, when user U moves head support section 238 in the front-to-rear direction, the extendable member extends or contracts, and head support section 238 is configured to be able to change the position in the front-to-rear direction relative to connecting section 236.

[0054] 1C, the third sensor 36 is disposed between the substrate 238A and the cushion 238B. The third sensor 36 measures the load or pressure applied by the head (for example, the forehead) of the user U's body that is in contact with the cushion 238B, and transmits the measurement data to the control unit 50.

[0055] (Fourth support part and fourth sensor) 1B and 1C, the fourth support section 240 is disposed in a position lower than the first support section 210 and the second support section 220 and closer to the second support section 220 in the front-to-rear direction than the first support section 210 when viewed from the vertical direction (a position substantially directly below the second support section 220 when viewed from the vertical direction). As shown in FIG. 1D, the fourth support section 240 contacts the soles of the feet of the user U and supports the body from below so that the feet of the user U are inclined relative to the vertical direction. The fourth support section 240 is a V-shaped member when viewed from the front side of the nap box 10, and is configured with two long plates (a fixed plate and an inclined plate) that run from the front side to the back side, forming an angle of approximately 45°, for example. One of the long plates (fixed plate) is fixed to the upper surface (floor surface) of the bottom wall 46.

[0056] 1B and 1C, the fourth sensor 38 is disposed on the inclined plate of the fourth support unit 240. The fourth sensor 38 measures the load or pressure applied by the feet of the user U's body that are in contact with the inclined plate, and transmits the measurement data to the control unit 50.

[0057] (moving mechanism) As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the movement mechanism 250 includes a first actuator 252 and a second actuator 254. As described above, the first actuator 252 has an upper end to which the seat 222 of the second support unit 220 is attached so as to be able to swing. The first actuator 252 utilizes the fact that the link 224A of the link mechanism 224 is attached to two adjacent pillars of the plurality of pillars 260, and has the function of changing the vertical position and tilt angle (or posture) of the seat 222 by moving the rod upward. Here, in this embodiment, the first support unit 210 and the fourth support unit 240 are configured not to move in the vertical direction. Therefore, it can be said that the first actuator 252 has the function of moving one of the first support unit 210, the second support unit 220, and the fourth support unit 240 (for example, the second support unit 220) in the vertical direction relative to the other one of the first support unit 210, the second support unit 220, and the fourth support unit 240 (the first support unit 210 or the fourth support unit 240). As described above, the second actuator 254 has the mounting portion 232 of the third support portion 230 attached to its upper end. The second actuator 254 has a function of changing the vertical position of the third support portion 230 (including the upper limb support portion 234 and head support portion 238) by moving its rod in the vertical direction.

[0058] [Control Unit] The control unit 50 has a function of controlling the moving mechanism 250 based on commands sent from a UI 60 (described later) and a program PG stored in a storage device 54 that the control unit 50 has. 2, the control unit 50 is communicatively connected to the UI 60, the moving mechanism 250, and the plurality of sensors 30 via an I / O port (input / output port). The control unit 50 also has a calculation unit 52, a storage device 54, and a timer 56.

[0059] Arithmetic unit 52 is a so-called central processing unit, and executes program PG stored in first storage unit 542 of storage device 54. The contents of program PG will be explained later in the description of the operation of nap box 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the storage device 54 has a first storage unit 542 and a second storage unit 544. The first storage unit 542 is, for example, a read-only memory (ROM (=Read Only Memory)). The first storage unit 542 stores a program PG for operating the movement mechanism 250. The second storage unit 544 is, for example, a readable and writable memory (RAM (=Random Access Memory)). The second storage unit 544 temporarily stores data on the operation of the movement mechanism 250 while the nap box 10 is in use, etc. The timer 56 mainly counts the execution time of the program PG.

[0060] [User Interface] As shown in FIG. 2, the UI 60 is communicatively connected to the control unit 50 via an I / O port. The UI 60 has a function of transmitting requests from the user U to the control unit 50. As an example, the UI 60 is in the form of either a touch panel or a voice interaction, or a combination of these. Specific requests input to the UI 60 will be described later in the description of the operation of the nap box 10.

[0061] The above is a description of the configuration and functions of the nap box 10 of this embodiment.

[0062] <Nap Box Operation> Next, the operation of the nap box 10 of this embodiment will be described mainly with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a flow diagram showing the control flow of the nap box 10 (algorithm of the program PG).

[0063] First, a user U using the nap box 10 opens the door 442 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) of the housing 40, moves into the nap box 10, and closes the door 442. Then, the user U faces forward in the front-to-back direction and places both feet on the fourth support portion 240.

[0064] Next, when the user U operates the UI 60 to input the usage time (the time to take a nap) into the UI 60, the UI 60 transmits the information to the control unit 50 (S10 in the control flow of FIG. 3). Accordingly, the control unit 50 starts operating based on the program PG stored in the first storage unit 542. The transmitted information on the usage time is temporarily stored in the second storage unit 544.

[0065] Next, the control unit 50 confirms that the user U is standing in a fixed position via the UI 60. Specifically, the UI 60 inquires the user U on a screen (not shown) or by voice, asking, "Are you standing with both feet on the fourth support unit 240?", and when the user U inputs or speaks an affirmative answer (S20 in the control flow of FIG. 3), the control unit 50 starts the next operation (S30 in the control flow of FIG. 3) involving a judgment step.

[0066] At this time, the UI 60 also suggests to the user U by display on the screen (not shown) or by voice that (1) the user lean the upper limb support section 234 of the third support section 230 (see FIG. 1C ) and place both arms on the upper limb support section 234, and (2) the user bring their forehead into contact with the head support section 238. Receiving this suggestion, the user U can move the head support section 238 in the up-down and back-and-forth directions. Here, the diagram shown in FIG. 4 as the initial state is a simplified diagram including the first support section 210, the second support section 220, the third support section 230, and the fourth support section 240 arranged in the positional relationship before use begins.

[0067] Next, the control unit 50 first receives each measurement data from the multiple sensors 30 in the initial state and determines (1) whether the head support portion 238 of the third support portion 230 is receiving a load or pressure from the user U's body (head) that is greater than a predetermined value, and (2) whether the ratio of the load or pressure received from the user U's body that each support portion (first support portion 210, second support portion 220, and fourth support portion 240) comes into contact with is within a predetermined ratio range (S30 in the control flow of Figure 3). Here, (1) the load or pressure that the head support portion 238 receives that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is, for example, as follows. Load above the specified value: Load above 1.0 kgf Pressure above the specified value: 100 kgf / m 2 pressure Furthermore, (2) the range of the specified ratio of the load or pressure received by each support part (first support part 210, second support part 220, and fourth support part 240) is, for example, as shown in the following relational expression (hereinafter referred to as the specified ratio relational expression): First support part 210 : Second support part 220 : Fourth support part 240 = 45% or more but less than 55%: 25% or more but less than 35%: 15% or more but less than 25% (However, the total ratio of all support parts is 100%) If the control unit 50 makes a positive determination in S30, it performs the next operation (S40). On the other hand, if the control unit 50 makes a negative determination in S30, it performs S32 without starting S40. In S32, the control unit 50 controls the first actuator 252 to raise the second support unit 220 by a predetermined height (for example, 1 cm), and performs the determination in S30 again. This subroutine of S30 and S32 is performed until the control unit 50 makes a positive determination in S30 (see adjustment state 1 and adjustment state 2 in FIG. 4). Here, information on the load or pressure received by each support part relative to the height of the second support part 220 is stored in the second storage unit 544 each time a measurement is taken. If the control unit 50 makes a determination in S30 while raising the height of the second support part 220 by 1 cm at a time over the entire movable range of the first actuator 252 and does not make a positive determination in S30, the control unit 50 operates the first actuator 252 to move the second support part 220 to a height close to the relationship defined by the above-mentioned relational expression, and performs the subroutines S30 and S32 while moving the second support part 220 at intervals shorter than 1 cm. This can be achieved because the results of the subroutines S30 and S32 are sequentially stored in the second storage unit 544. It should be noted that the adjustment of the vertical position of the third support portion 230 by the second actuator 254 is also performed, for example, in conjunction with the operation of S30.

[0068] Next, in S40, the timer 56 starts counting.

[0069] Next, in a determination step S50, if the count number of the timer 56 is equal to or exceeds the usage time stored in the second storage unit 544 (if the control unit 50 makes a positive determination in S50), the UI 60 notifies the user U in S60 that the usage time has expired. The notification in S60 is performed, for example, by sound, by turning on a light inside the housing 40 that was turned off during use, or the like.

[0070] Next, when the user U wakes up from a nap and operates the UI 60 to acknowledge that the usage time has elapsed, the control unit 50 controls the first actuator 252 to return the second support part 220 to the initial position (see Figure 4), thereby completing the operation of the nap box 10 of this embodiment.

[0071] The above is a description of the operation of the nap box 10 of this embodiment.

[0072] <Effects of the nap box> Next, the effects of the nap box 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0073] [First effect] 1C, 1D, etc., the support mechanism 20 of this embodiment includes a first support portion 210, a second support portion 220, and a third support portion 230. The third support portion 230 also includes a head support portion 238. Incidentally, in the case of a configuration in which support mechanism 20 does not include only head support section 238 (not shown, hereinafter referred to as a comparative configuration), user U uses a nap box equipped with a support mechanism of the comparative configuration by contacting both arms from above with the upper surface of upper limb support section 234 and further resting his / her head on both arms. Therefore, even when the same user U uses the nap box, the reaction forces and the ratio of the reaction forces that user U receives from first support section 210 and second support section 220 will vary depending on where in the front-to-back direction of user U's body both of the user's arms and head are located on upper limb support section 234. However, in this embodiment, the third support section 230 has a head support section 238. When the user U places his / her head in contact with the head support section 238, the user U assumes a posture in which the upper body tilts forward in the vertical direction (see FIG. 1D). By using the nap box 10 in this posture, the positions of the user U's head, shoulders, etc. are always uniform. Therefore, the reaction forces that the user U receives from the first support section 210 and the second support section 220 and the ratio of these reaction forces are unlikely to vary. Therefore, the support mechanism 20 and nap box 10 of this embodiment can provide the user U with a highly satisfying nap or rest when taking a nap or rest with the lower body bent.

[0074] [Second effect] The support mechanism 20 of this embodiment moves the second support section 220, of the first support section 210, the second support section 220, the third support section 230, and the fourth support section 240, in the vertical direction relative to the first support section 210, the third support section 230, or the fourth support section 240 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the support mechanism 20 and the nap box 10 of this embodiment can adjust the support position of each human body for each of a plurality of users U having different leg lengths. In particular, in the case of this embodiment, as shown in S30 of the control flow of Figure 3, the positioning operation of the relative positional relationship between the first support part 210 and the second support part 220 is carried out by (1) satisfying that the head support part 238 of the third support part 230 is receiving a load or pressure of a predetermined value or more from the body (head) of the user U, and (2) determining whether the ratio of the load or pressure received from the body of the user U that each support part (first support part 210, second support part 220, and fourth support part 240) comes into contact with is within a predetermined ratio range. Therefore, this embodiment is advantageous in that it is possible to provide a more optimal support position for the human body for each user U, compared to the comparative configuration described above.

[0075] [Third effect] In the nap box 10 of this embodiment, sensors (first sensor 32, second sensor 34, third sensor 36, and fourth sensor 38) are arranged on each of the multiple support sections (first support section 210, second support section 220, third support section 230, and fourth support section 240) of the support mechanism 20, and each support section is configured to measure the load or pressure exerted by the body of the user U (see FIGS. 1C and 2). Furthermore, in the nap box 10 of this embodiment, the control unit 50 operates the first actuator 252 while obtaining measurement data from each sensor (first sensor 32, second sensor 34, and fourth sensor 38) based on the program PG, and adjusts the relative positional relationship of the multiple support sections (first support section 210, second support section 220, and fourth support section 240) so that the values ​​of each sensor satisfy a predetermined ratio relational expression (see S30 and S32 in FIG. 3). Therefore, compared to an embodiment that does not use multiple sensors to measure the load or pressure applied by the human body, the nap box 10 of this embodiment can appropriately adjust the support position of each human body for each of multiple users U who have different leg lengths. Accordingly, by using the program PG of this embodiment, the support position of the human body can be adjusted according to the different leg lengths of multiple users U.

[0076] [Fourth Effect] In the nap box 10 of this embodiment, the second support part 220, whose vertical height is adjusted by the first actuator 252, has a sheet 222 and a link mechanism 224 (see FIGS. 1B and 1C). The sheet 222 is configured to change its position so that the angle formed with the link 224A increases as the sheet 222 is moved upward by the first actuator 252, so that it is aligned vertically (see FIG. 4). With this configuration, the nap box 10 of this embodiment is arranged so that the height of the seat 222 is higher for users U with longer legs, and the inclination angle of the seat 222 is adjusted so that each support part (first support part 210, second support part 220, and fourth support part 240) makes appropriate surface contact with each user U even when used by multiple users U with different leg lengths. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the inclination angle of the seat 222 cannot be adjusted, the nap box 10 of this embodiment can appropriately adjust the support position of each human body for each of multiple users U, each with different leg lengths.

[0077] The above is a description of the effects of the nap box 10 of this embodiment. The above is a description of the nap box 10 of this embodiment.

[0078] <<Variations>> Next, several modified examples (see Table 1 below) will be described. The changes in Table 1 refer to changes from the above-described embodiment. For each modified example, only the differences from the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0079] [Table 1]

[0080] [First Modified Example] Changes: No multiple sensors The nap box 10 of the above-described embodiment is configured such that sensors (first sensor 32, second sensor 34, third sensor 36 and fourth sensor 38) are arranged on each of the multiple support parts (first support part 210, second support part 220, third support part 230 and fourth support part 240) of the support mechanism 20, and is configured so that the load or pressure received from the user U's body can be measured at each support part (see Figures 1C and 2). However, a configuration in which some or all of these sensors are not present (first modified example (not shown)) may also be used. In the case of this modification, the third effect of the above-described embodiment is not achieved, but the first, second and fourth effects are achieved.

[0081] [Second Modification] Changes: The support part that the movement mechanism moves is different. In the nap box 10 of the above-described embodiment, the second support part 220 attached to the first actuator 252 of the moving mechanism 250 moves in the vertical direction, causing the second support part 220 to move relative to the first support part 210, the third support part 230, and the fourth support part 240 (see Figure 4). However, as an example, if the moving mechanism 250 can move one or two of the first support part 210, the second support part 220, the third support part 230 and the fourth support part 240 relative to one other than the one or two in the vertical direction, it may be in a form different from that of the above-described embodiment (second modified example (not shown)). For example, in a second modified example, the first support portion 210, the second support portion 220, and the fourth support portion 240 may each be attached to a different movement mechanism (not shown) so that they can move relative to one another. Alternatively, for example, the second support portion 220 may be configured so as not to move vertically, and the first support portion 210 and the fourth support portion 240 may be configured so as to be movable vertically together with the floor by a movement mechanism (not shown). Alternatively, for example, the second support portion 220 and the fourth support portion 240 may be configured so as not to move vertically, and the first support portion 210 may be configured so as to be movable vertically by the second actuator 254. Furthermore, in this case, the first support portion 210, which is configured with the base 212 and the cushion 214, may be configured with an additional link mechanism (a link mechanism attached to the base 212 (not shown)), like the second support portion 220, so that the tilt angle of the first support portion changes as the first support portion moves vertically. Even in the case of these second modified examples, the above-mentioned first and second effects or effects equivalent to these effects are achieved compared to the configuration in which the first support part 210, the second support part 220, the third support part 230 and the fourth support part 240 cannot move relative to each other.

[0082] [Third Modification] Changes: The structure of the third support part is different. In the nap box 10 of the above-described embodiment, the third support part 230 is attached to the upper end of the second actuator 254 and is movable in a predetermined range in the vertical direction in response to the operation of the second actuator 254 (see FIGS. 1B and 1C). In this configuration, for example, the mechanism for moving the third support part 230 in the vertical direction may be manual. In addition, in the nap box 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the third support part 230 has an attachment part 232 attached to the second actuator 254, an upper limb support part 234 that supports both arms of the user U from below, and a head support part 238 (see Figures 1C and 1D). However, the third support unit 230 only needs to function to support the user U's upper limbs and / or head from at least one side in the front-to-rear direction by contacting the upper limbs and / or head of the user U so that the upper limbs and / or head are positioned within a predetermined range in the front-to-rear direction. The third support unit 230 may have a configuration different from that of the above-described embodiment (third modified example (not shown)) as long as it is configured to perform this function. A modified example of the third support unit may be a string-like member or other member that supports the bases of both arms and / or the chin from the ceiling or the rear side in the front-to-rear direction to prevent the upper body of the user U from falling over. Instead of the upper limb support unit 234, a configuration that supports the front side of the user U's upper body (e.g., the chest) may also be used (not shown).

[0083] [Fourth Modification] Changes: The structure of the second support part is different. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the main part of a nap box 10A according to a fourth modified example. In the nap box 10 of the above-described embodiment, the second support part 220 has a seat 222 and a link mechanism 224 (see FIGS. 1B and 1C). The seat 222 is configured to change its position so that the angle formed with the link 224A increases as the seat 222 is moved upward by the first actuator 252 (see FIG. 4). However, the second support part may have a different configuration from that of the present embodiment as long as it is moved in the up-down direction by the movement mechanism 250. For example, like the second support part 220A of the nap box 10A of the fourth modified example shown in Fig. 5, it may be composed of a shaft body 220A1 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction, a cylindrical member 220A2 that covers the outer periphery of the shaft body 220A1, part of the outer periphery being a flat surface, and that can be positioned by rotating around the shaft body 220A1, and a cushion 220A3 attached to the flat surface. In the case of the fourth modified example, the posture of the second support part 220A does not change with the movement in the up and down direction, but the user U can adjust the inclination angle of the cushion 220A3 by changing the inclination angle of the cushion 220A3 by himself / herself. Therefore, this modified example is also effective in that it easily fits the body of users U with different leg lengths.

[0084] [Fifth Modification] Changes: The notification method for when the usage time ends is different. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing the control flow of a nap box 10B according to the fifth modified example. In the operation of the nap box 10 of the above-described embodiment (see the control flow in FIG. 3), if the control unit 50 makes a positive determination in S50, the UI 60 notifies the user U in S60 that the time for use has arrived. The notification in S60 is performed, for example, by sound or by turning on the lights in the housing 40 that were turned off during use. Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, the UI 60 requires a component that generates sound (a speaker, for example). However, the notification method may be different from that of the above-described embodiment as long as it can notify the user U that the usage time has elapsed. For example, as in the control flow of a fifth modified example shown in FIG. 6, S60 in the above-described embodiment (see the control flow of FIG. 3) may be replaced with S60B, and the control unit 50 may control the movement mechanism 250 so that the ratio of the measurement values ​​of the multiple sensors 30, which is within a predetermined ratio range, becomes a ratio outside the predetermined ratio range. In this case, to notify the user U that the usage time has elapsed, the movement mechanism 250 may, for example, move the second support unit 220 up and down multiple times so that the relative positional relationship of the support units 220, 230, etc. becomes a positional relationship corresponding to being within and outside the predetermined ratio range. This operation notifies the user U who has been napping that the scheduled usage time has elapsed, as the posture of the user's body is changed due to a change in the support position from each of the support units 210, 220, etc. When the user U, who has been notified, inputs into the UI 60 that he or she agrees to the termination, the control unit 50 returns each of the support units 210, 220, etc. to their initial positions, and the operation of this modified example ends. Unlike the above-described embodiment, this modified example is effective in that notification can be achieved by utilizing the support units 210, 220 and the movement mechanism 250. In other words, according to this modified example, the user U can be notified of the passage of usage time through a physical sensation by utilizing the movement mechanism 250, which more appropriately adjusts the support position of the human body.

[0085] [Sixth Modification] Changes: The notification method for the end of usage time is different (2) 7 is a flow chart showing the control flow of a nap box 10C according to the sixth modification. In this modification, S60B in the fifth modification (see FIG. 6) is changed to S60C. Specifically, in this modified example, when the usage time for the user U has elapsed a predetermined time (end), the control unit 50 controls the movement mechanism 250 so that the second support unit 220, the upper limb support unit 234 and the head support unit 238 (third support unit 230) move vertically relative to the first support unit 210 with the same waveform and phase as each other, i.e., while maintaining the same relative positional relationship. According to this modification, when use is finished, the user U is notified by the lower body being stretched and contracted while the upper body remains in the same position as when use was started, i.e., the neck angle is maintained. Therefore, the neck angle does not suddenly change when taking a nap. Other effects of this modification are the same as those of the fifth modification.

[0086] [Seventh Modification] Changes: The relative positions of the support parts change during use. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the control flow of a nap box 10D according to the seventh modified example. In the operation of the nap box 10 of the above-described embodiment (see the control flow in FIG. 3), the relative positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc. do not change during the period from the start to the end of use by the user U. However, if the user U can take a nap or rest during the use time, the relative positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc. may be changed during the use time. Specifically, the control flow of the seventh modified example shown in Fig. 8 may be used. The details of the control flow of the seventh modified example are as follows. In S30D, the moving mechanism 250 (the first actuator 252 thereof) is intentionally operated over a wide range, and the control unit 50 ascertains a combination for the user U that results in a predetermined ratio of the measurement values ​​of the multiple sensors 30. Information on this combination is temporarily stored in the second storage unit 544 of the storage device 54 (see FIG. 2). Next, in S40D, the control unit 50 operates the movement mechanism 250 to set each of the support units 210, 220, etc. within the range of the above combination, and starts the timer 56 to count. Next, in S50D and S52D, the control unit 50 changes the relative positions of each support unit 210, 220, etc. using the movement mechanism 250 so that when 1 / 3 of the usage time has elapsed since use began, the relative positions of each support unit 210, 220, etc. are different from those immediately before and become one of the combinations grasped in S30C. Next, in S54D and S56D, the control unit 50 changes the relative positions of each support unit 220, 230, etc. using the movement mechanism 250 so that when 2 / 3 of the usage time has elapsed since use began, the relative positions of each support unit 220, 230, etc. are different from those immediately before and become one of the combinations grasped in S30D. Next, in S58D, the control unit 50 changes the relative positions of the support units 210, 220, etc., by the movement mechanism 250 so that the relative positions of the support units 210, 220, etc. become a combination other than the combination determined in S30D when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of use (see S60B in FIG. 8). As a result, the user U who was napping is notified that the scheduled usage time has elapsed, as the posture of the user's body is also changed due to the change in the support positions from the support units 210, 220, etc. Then, when the user U inputs to the UI 60 that he or she agrees to end the operation, the control unit 50 returns the support units 210, 220, etc. to their initial positions, and the operation of this modified example ends. In this modified example, the relative positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc. change during use in accordance with the combination determined in S30A. Therefore, according to this modified example, it is possible to change the parts of the user U's body that receive reaction forces from the support parts 210, 220, etc. during use. Therefore, according to this modified example, the areas where the reaction force is received by the user U's body from the support mechanism 20 can be dispersed during the period from the start of use until the elapse of usage time, compared to when the ratio of the measurement values ​​of the multiple sensors 30 remains constant. In this modified example, the relative positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc. are changed at 1 / 3 and 2 / 3 of the usage time, but they may also be changed at integer fractions such as 1 / 4 or 1 / 5 of the usage time, or the period until the change may be shortened each time the usage time elapses.

[0087] [Eighth Modification] Changes: Mobile devices can be connected to the control unit (1) Fig. 9A is a block diagram of a control system CSE of a nap box 10E of the eighth modified example, and Fig. 9B is a flow diagram showing the control flow of the nap box of this modified example. The nap box 10 of the above-described embodiment employs a configuration in which the user U transmits a request (such as the usage time) to the nap box 10 via the UI 60 (see FIG. 3). However, for example, a mobile device 70 (a mobile device 70 refers to a smartphone, smart watch, mobile phone, or other portable information terminal) owned by a user U may be connected to the control unit 50 of the nap box 10 using a wireless communication line such as WiFi or BLUETOOTH (registered trademark) (see the control system CSE of the eighth variant in Figure 9A). In this case, the mobile device 70 uses dedicated application software for connecting to the nap box 10 as a user interface for communication, and transmits a profile (body type information) relating to the user U's body type, such as height and weight, entered via the application software. From another perspective, the control unit 50 receives the body type information and usage time information from the mobile device 70 (S10 in FIG. 9B). Next, the control unit 50 confirms via the UI 60 that the user U is standing at a fixed position (S20 in FIG. 9B), similar to the case of S20 in the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 3). Next, the control unit 50 adjusts the relative positions of the support units 210, 220, etc. corresponding to the user U stored in the program PG based on the received body type information, using the movement mechanism 250 (S30D in FIG. 9B). The subsequent control flow is performed in the same manner as in the seventh modified example (see FIG. 8), as shown in FIG. 9B, for example. In this way, when the user U uses the device, it is possible to omit the adjustment of the relative positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc. using the moving mechanism 250 (see, for example, S30 and S32 in Figure 3), which is performed in the initial operation of the above-mentioned embodiment. In this modified example, the control flow from S40D onwards may be the control flow from S40 onwards in the above-described embodiment (see FIGS. 3, 6 and 7).

[0088] [Ninth Modification] Changes: Mobile devices can be connected to the control unit (2) FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing the control flow of the nap box 10F of the ninth modified example. This modification is a further modification of the eighth modification. In the eighth modification, S40D is performed after S30D (see FIG. 9B ), but in this modification, the following steps are performed between S30D and S40. Specifically, after S30D, in S70, the UI 60 asks the user U whether to fine-tune the relative positions of the supports 210, 220, etc. If the user U wants to fine-tune the automatically adjusted relative positions of the supports 210, 220, etc. (i.e., if the user U responds yes), the user U inputs this into the UI 60. Then, after a period of use has elapsed, the UI 60 conducts a survey of the user U as to whether the support positions were optimal. If the user U responds yes, information associating the connected mobile device 70 with the optimal support position may be written to, for example, the first storage unit 542, or an external server 80 connected to the mobile device 70 or the nap box 10 via the Internet (S62). In this way, the next time the user U uses the nap box 10, the optimal support position can be reproduced. In particular, if this information is written to the storage device of the mobile device 70 or the external server 80, it is effective in that the optimal support position can be reproduced even when using a nap box 10 that is available in another location.

[0089] [Tenth Modification] Changes: Mobile devices can be connected to the control unit (3) FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing the control flow of a nap box 10G according to the tenth modified example. This modification is a further modification of the ninth modification. In the ninth modification, a subroutine (S50) for measuring the usage time is performed between S40 and S60B (see FIG. 10). In this modification, if a negative determination is made in S50, the following steps are performed. Specifically, in S80, it is determined whether the heart rate is equal to or higher than a predetermined heart rate. If the mobile device 70 is, for example, a smartwatch capable of measuring the heart rate, this can be achieved by enabling the smartwatch to communicate with the control unit 50. Here, the predetermined heart rate refers to the upper limit of the heart rate at which the user U is determined to be napping (in REM sleep). If a positive determination is made in S80, i.e., if it is determined that the user U is not napping, the relative positions of the support units 210, 220, etc. are adjusted in S82, i.e., the support positions are fine-tuned. According to this modification, the support position can be adjusted more appropriately by using information from the mobile device 70 that can measure the heart rate.

[0090] [Eleventh Modification] Changes: User authentication in UI FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control system CSH of a nap box 10H according to the eleventh modification. 12, in this modification, a UI60H with a personal authentication function capable of personal authentication is adopted instead of the UI60. Here, personal authentication is, for example, authentication based on face authentication, fingerprint authentication, vocal cord authentication, or a combination of these. In this modification, when a user U uses the nap box for the second or subsequent time, information about the support position that suited the user U at the time of the previous use is stored in storage device 54 or external server 80 along with the authentication information of user U. Therefore, when user U uses the nap box for the second or subsequent time, this information is retrieved from storage device 54 or external server 80 and used. According to this modification, when using the device for the second time or later, it is not necessary to adjust the support positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc., as in the case of the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 3).

[0091] [Twelfth Modification] Changes: Use of AI technology Fig. 13A is a block diagram of the control system CSI of the nap box 10I of the twelfth modified example. Fig. 13B is a schematic diagram of the AI ​​model of this modified example. Fig. 13C is a flow diagram showing the control flow of the nap box of this modified example. A control unit 50I of this modification is modified by adding a model generating unit 58 to the control unit 50 (see FIG. 9A) of the control system CSE of the eighth modification described above.

[0092] Hereinafter, the features of the AI ​​function in this modified example will be described with reference to FIG. 13B. (Teacher data) The training data in this modified example includes (1) the heights of multiple users U, each with a different height (leg length), (2) the support posture of each user U when using the nap box (the relative positions of each support part 210, 220, etc.), and (3) information regarding the heart rate obtained by each user U from a mobile device 70 that can measure heart rate, such as a smart watch, which is the actual measured heart rate value after a certain time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed since the nap box began to be used. The actual height measurements are input to the UI 60 by each user U, uploaded from a mobile device 70, or obtained from a height gauge (for example, a non-contact ultrasonic type) attached to the nap box. This information is stored as training data in the storage device 54, for example. (Model generation part) The model generation unit 58 generates an estimation model by machine learning, which estimates what supporting posture is optimal for napping for a user U of a certain height, from the accumulated training data, i.e., data on the correlation between height, heart rate, and supporting posture. The program for generating the estimation model is stored in the first storage unit 542 as a program PGI, which is a program PG for controlling the moving mechanism 250, to which an AI program including a program for generating the estimation model has been added (see FIG. 13A). (Control unit 50I (an example of a reception unit and a processing unit)) The control unit 50I receives as input the height and heart rate of the user U from the UI 60 or the mobile device 70. Then, the control unit 50I uses the above-described estimation model to output the optimal supporting posture of the user U from the input received by the control unit 50I from the UI 60 or the mobile device 70. This concludes the description of the features of the AI ​​function of this modified example. An invention having the AI ​​characteristics of this modified example (for example, an estimation system) can be expressed as follows, for example. ================================================================================ a model generation unit that generates an estimation model by machine learning to estimate the user's posture from the height and heart rate using the height, the user's posture for that height, and actual measurements of the heart rate obtained from the mobile device as training data; a reception unit that receives the height and heart rate of a user as input; a processing unit that outputs a supporting posture of the user from the input received by the receiving unit using the estimation model; An estimation system comprising: ================================================================================

[0093] Next, the operation of the nap box of this modified example will be described with reference to FIG. 13C. The initial steps, S10D and S20, are the same as those in the eighth modified example (see FIG. 9B) and the ninth modified example (see FIG. 10) described above. Next, in S30D, the relative positions of the support units 210, 220, etc. are adjusted by the movement mechanism 250 based on, for example, body type information received from the mobile device 70. In this case, in this modification, a trained model (estimated model) derived by the AI ​​function described above is used. Here, in the aforementioned estimation model, the height and heart rate of the user U are used as input, but in this step, the height and a heart rate corresponding to REM sleep (i.e., a heart rate that has not been actually measured) are used as input. As a result, the optimal support posture (relative positions of the support units 210, 220, etc.) for the user U of that height is derived as output. Based on this result, the control unit 50I operates the movement mechanism 250. Next, in S40, the timer 56 starts counting. Next, in S70, the UI 60 asks the user U whether the user U is using the mobile device 70 and whether, if so, the user U can measure the heart rate. When the user U inputs a positive result into the UI 60, the UI 60 transmits the result to the control unit 50A. Thereafter, in S74I, the control unit 50I starts recording the heart rate while communicating with the mobile device 70 and continues counting the usage time (see S50). The heart rate data transmitted from the mobile device 70 is stored in the storage device 54. The recorded result is used by the model generation unit 58 as new training data to update the estimation model. On the other hand, if the user U inputs a negative result (that is, that the mobile device 70 capable of measuring heart rate is not being used) into the UI 60 in S70, the counting of the usage time continues (see S50). Then, when the usage time has elapsed, S60B is performed and the operation of this modified example ends. The above is a description of the operation of this modified example.

[0094] According to this modification, when using the device for the second time or later, it is not necessary to adjust the support positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc., as in the case of the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 3). In addition, the nap box operating in this modified example may be the nap box 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment, and it is also effective in that a more appropriate support posture can be output if the support parts other than the second support part 220, such as the first support part 210 and the third support part 230, are in a form in which the vertical position and tilt angle can be changed (not shown).

[0095] [13th Modification] (overview) Changes: Equipped with a swing mechanism Fig. 14A is a schematic diagram illustrating a rocking mechanism 90 included in a nap box 10J of a thirteenth modified example. Fig. 14B is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the rocking mechanism 90 included in the nap box 10J.

[0096] (Configuration, functions and basic operations) The nap box 10J of this modified example further includes a swinging mechanism 90 in addition to the nap box 10 of the above-described embodiment or the nap boxes 10A, 10B, etc. of the modified examples. The swing mechanism 90 has the function of swinging the first support part 210, the second support part 220 and the fourth support part 240 around the axis CL set between the first support part 210 and the second support part 220 when viewed from the vertical direction, relative to the third support part 230.

[0097] 14A, the swing mechanism 90 has a gear 92 and a power source 94. In this modification, the disk-shaped bottom wall 46 of the above embodiment is changed to a bottom wall 46J. 14B, an arc-shaped notch NTC is formed in the outer periphery of the bottom wall 46J along the circumferential direction thereof. The outer diameter of the bottom wall 46J is set smaller than the outer diameter of the bottom wall 46. 14A, the gear 92 is disposed between the base 48 and the bottom wall 46J. For example, the axis of the gear 92 is set to coincide with the center line CL of the nap box 10. The gear 92 is fixed to the bottom wall 46J and positioned so as to be rotatable about its axis relative to the base 48. The power source 94 has a motor 94A and a gear 94B fixed to the shaft of the motor 94A. The gear 94B is disposed in a position where it meshes with the gear 92. The configuration of the moving mechanism 90 described above is merely an example, and is not limited to the above example, as long as it can achieve the function of swinging the first support part 210, the second support part 220, and the fourth support part 240 around the axis CL set between the first support part 210 and the second support part 220 relative to the third support part 230, with the axis CL as the center when viewed from the vertical direction.

[0098] In this modification, unlike the previously described embodiment (see FIG. 1C, etc.), the first support portion 210 is fixed to the bottom wall 46 by a shaft 216. Also, unlike the previously described embodiment, the second actuator 254 passes through a notch NTC in the bottom wall 46J and is fixed to the base 48. The first actuator 252 is fixed to the bottom wall 46J, as in the previously described embodiment. Unlike the previous embodiment, the plurality of pillars 260 are fixed to the base 48 (not shown).

[0099] With the above-described configuration, nap box 10J of this modified example is configured so that when power source 94 drives motor 94A to rotate gear 94B, gear 92, which receives the driving force from gear 94B, rotates and bottom wall 46J also rotates. However, the diameter of gear 94B is set, for example, to a fraction of the diameter of gear 92, so that when gear 94B rotates several times, gear 92 swings only a set angle (for example, about 25°).

[0100] (Specific actions and their effects) Next, a description will be given of the specific operation and effect of the swing mechanism 90 of this modified example. The power source 94 of the swing mechanism 90 operates under the control of the control unit 50.

[0101] "First Example" For example, after user U starts using nap box 10J, control unit 50 rotates power source 94 several times in both the forward and reverse directions at predetermined timings during the period until the usage time (the usage time counted by timer 56 stored in second memory unit 544) has elapsed. Accordingly, first support unit 210, second support unit 220, and fourth support unit 240 swing about axis CL relative to third support unit 230. As a result, the upper half of user U who is napping swings relative to his or her lower half. This allows user U to take a nap while being stretched.

[0102] "Second Example" For example, when the user U's usage time of the nap box 10J (the usage time counted by the timer 56 stored in the second memory unit 544) has elapsed, the control unit 50 causes the power source 94 to rotate several times in both the forward and reverse directions at a predetermined timing. Accordingly, the first support unit 210, the second support unit 220, and the fourth support unit 240 swing around the axis CL relative to the third support unit 230. As a result, the upper body of the user U who is napping swings relative to the lower body. This allows the user U to stretch after taking a nap in a predetermined position. The second example is the same as the sixth modified example (see FIG. 7), except that S60C is replaced with a swinging operation.

[0103] (Further modification of the 13th modification) In addition to or instead of controlling the relative positions of the support sections 210, 220, 230, and 240 by the movement mechanism 250 in the above-described modified examples, a swinging operation by the swinging mechanism 90 may be performed. In this case, the swinging operation may be performed simultaneously with the relative position control operation, or may be performed at different timings. Furthermore, a questionnaire for the ninth variant (see FIG. 9) and the tenth variant (see FIG. 10) is conducted regarding the comfort of the rocking action (rocking speed, timing, rocking angle, etc.), and if the user U answers that it is optimal, information relating the connected mobile device 70 to the optimal support position may be written, for example, to the first memory unit 542, or to an external server 80 connected to the mobile device 70 or nap box 10 via the Internet (S62, S62D).

[0104] The above is a description of several modified examples.

[0105] As described above, the present invention has been described using the above-described embodiment and several modified examples as an example of the present invention, but the forms included in the technical scope of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment and several modified examples. The technical scope of the present invention also includes the following forms. For example, some of the components, control methods, etc. of one of the above-described embodiments and modified examples may be replaced with parts of another embodiment other than the one embodiment. Furthermore, some of the components, control methods, etc. of another embodiment other than the one embodiment may be added to one of the above-described embodiments and modified examples. In other words, the above-described embodiments and modified examples may be combined or interchanged with each other. Specifically, a configuration (not shown) may be created by combining the nap box 10A of the fourth modified example (see FIG. 5) with the above-described first modified example (a configuration without the multiple sensors 30).

[0106] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the third support unit 230 contacts one or both of the upper limbs and head of the user U so that the upper limbs and head of the user U are positioned in a predetermined range in front of the user U in the front-to-back direction, thereby supporting the user U from the front in the front-to-back direction (see FIG. 1D ). However, the third support unit 230 only needs to have the function of contacting one or both of the upper limbs and head of the user U so that the upper limbs and head of the user U are positioned in a predetermined range in the front-to-back direction, thereby supporting the user U from at least one side in the front-to-back direction. For example, the third support unit may contact at least the back of the head or neck of the user U so that the upper half of the user U's body is positioned in a predetermined range behind the user U in the front-to-back direction, thereby supporting the user U from at least the rear in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the third support section 230 may be arranged at a position higher than the first support section 210 and the second support section 220, and may be in contact with at least one of the upper limbs, head, and upper body of the human body so that the upper limbs and head of the human body are arranged within a predetermined range in the front-to-rear direction, thereby supporting the human body from at least one side in the front-to-rear direction. For example, the third support section 230 may not include the head support section 238, and may be composed of only the upper limb support section 234.

[0107] Furthermore, in the description of the thirteenth modified example above, it was stated that the first actuator 252 is fixed to the bottom wall 46J, and the second actuator 254 and the plurality of pillars 260 are fixed to the base 48, so that the first support portion 210, the second support portion 220, and the fourth support portion 240 swing about the axis CL relative to the third support portion 230. However, it is also possible that the second actuator 254 and the plurality of pillars 260 are fixed to the bottom wall 46J, and the first actuator 252 is fixed to the base 48. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10 Nap Box 10A Nap Box 10B Nap Box 10C Nap Box 10D Nap Box 10E Nap Box 10F Nap Box 10G Nap Box 10H Nap Box 10I Nap Box 10J Nap Box 20 Support mechanism 210 1st support part 212 Foundation 214 Cushion 220 Second support part 220A 2nd support part 220A1 shaft 220A2 Cylindrical member 220A3 Cushion 222 seats 222A Base 222B Cushion 224 Link Mechanism 224A Link 224B Joint 230 Third support part 232 Mounting part 234 Upper limb support part 234A Base 234B Cushion 236 Joint 238 Head support 238A board 238B Cushion 240 4th support part 250 Moving mechanism 252 First Actuator 254 Second Actuator 260 pillars 30 Multiple Sensors 32 First sensor 34 Second Sensor 36 Third Sensor 38 4th Sensor 40 Housing 42 Ceiling Wall 44 Peripheral wall 442 doors 46 Bottom wall 46J bottom wall 48 units 50 control section 50I Control unit 52 Arithmetic unit 54 Storage device 542 1st memory section 544 2nd memory section 56 Timer 58 Model Generation Unit 60 User Interface (UI) 60A UI with personal authentication function 70 Mobile Devices 80 external servers 90 Swing mechanism 92 Gears 94 Power source 94A motor 94B Gear CL center line CS control system CSE Control Systems CSH control system CSI control system HG Hinge NTC notch PG Program PGI Program U User

Claims

1. A support mechanism that supports a user taking a nap or resting in an upright position, a first support portion having an inclined surface facing upward in the vertical direction and contacting one or both of the knee and the lower leg of the human body from the front side of the human body to support the human body from below; a second support portion that is disposed at a position different from the first support portion when viewed from the up-down direction and that contacts one or both of the buttocks and upper thighs of the human body from the rear side of the human body to support the human body from below; a third support section that is disposed at a position higher than the first support section and the second support section, and that comes into contact with at least one of the upper limbs, head, and upper body of the human body so that the upper limbs and head of the human body are positioned within a predetermined range in the front-to-rear direction, thereby supporting the human body from at least one side in the front-to-rear direction; a swing mechanism that swings the first support portion and the second support portion around an axis set between the first support portion and the second support portion relative to the third support portion when viewed from the up-down direction; and Equipped with Support mechanism.

2. The third support section includes: (1) an upper limb support section that is disposed above the first support section in the up-down direction and that supports the upper limbs of the human body from below; and (2) a head support section that is disposed above the upper limb support section in the up-down direction and that contacts the forehead of the human body to support the head from the front in the front-to-back direction. The support mechanism of claim 1 .

3. a movement mechanism that moves one or two of the first support unit, the second support unit, the upper limb support unit, and the head support unit in the up and down direction relative to the one or one other than the two of the first support unit, the second support unit, the upper limb support unit, and the head support unit; Further provided with The support mechanism according to claim 2 .

4. The movement mechanism moves the head support unit relative to the upper limb support unit in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. The support mechanism according to claim 3 .

5. a fourth support portion that is disposed at a position lower than the first support portion and the second support portion and closer to the second support portion in the front-rear direction than the first support portion when viewed from the vertical direction, that contacts the soles of the feet of the human body to support the human body from below so that the feet of the human body are inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and that is swung around the axis of the shaft relative to the third support portion together with the first support portion and the second support portion by the swing mechanism; Further provided with The support mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The support mechanism according to claim 4; a control unit that controls the moving mechanism and the swinging mechanism; Equipped with Support device.

7. the control unit controls the movement mechanism so that the second support unit moves relatively to the first support unit in the up-down direction, and controls the swing mechanism so that the first support unit, the second support unit, and the fourth support unit swing around the axis of the shaft relatively to the third support unit.

7. The support device of claim 6.

8. the control unit has a timer that counts the time the device is used by the user, the control unit controls the swing mechanism so that the first support unit, the second support unit, and the fourth support unit swing around the axis of the shaft relative to the third support unit during a period until the usage time has elapsed.

7. The support device of claim 6.

9. the control unit has a timer that counts the time the device is used by the user, the control unit controls the swing mechanism so that the first support unit, the second support unit, and the fourth support unit swing around the axis of the shaft relative to the third support unit when the usage time has elapsed a predetermined time.

7. The support device of claim 6.

10. the control unit has a timer that counts the time the device is used by the user, The control unit controls the movement mechanism so that, when the usage time has elapsed, the second support unit, the upper limb support unit, and the head support unit move relative to the first support unit in the up and down direction with the same waveform and phase as each other.

10. The support device of claim 9.

11. a plurality of sensors attached to each of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the head support portion, for measuring a load or pressure received from a human body in contact therewith, the plurality of sensors being communicatively connected to the control portion; Furthermore, the control unit controls the movement mechanism so that a ratio of the measurement values ​​of the plurality of sensors falls within a predetermined ratio range.

7. The support device of claim 6.

12. a user interface communicatively connected to the control unit and configured to transmit requests from a user to the control unit; Furthermore, When a request to start use is transmitted from the user via the user interface, the control unit controls the movement mechanism so that a ratio of the measurement values ​​of the plurality of sensors falls within the predetermined ratio range.

12. The support device of claim 11.

13. the control unit controls the movement mechanism when a usage time request is transmitted from the user via the user interface and the usage time has elapsed, so that the ratio of the measurement values ​​of the plurality of sensors, which is within the range of the predetermined ratio, goes out of the range of the predetermined ratio.

13. The support device of claim 12.

14. the control unit controls the movement mechanism so that the ratio of the measurement values ​​of the plurality of sensors varies within the set ratio range during a period from when a usage time request is transmitted from the user via the user interface until the usage time has elapsed.

14. The support device of claim 13.

15. the second support portion has a seat that contacts one or both of the buttocks and the upper thighs of the human body, and a link mechanism that connects the seat and the movement mechanism; the seat changes its posture so that the angle formed between the seat and the link along the vertical direction increases as the seat is moved upward by the movement mechanism; A supporting device according to any one of claims 6 to 14.

16. A program for controlling the support device according to claim 11, Using the control unit, a measurement function that causes the plurality of sensors to measure the load or pressure received from a human body in contact with the sensor; a movement function of controlling the movement mechanism to move the second support unit relative to the first support unit in the up and down direction so that a ratio of the measurement values ​​of the plurality of sensors falls within a predetermined ratio range; a swing mechanism that controls the swing mechanism to swing one or both of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion, or the third support portion around the axis of the shaft so that the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion swing relative to the third support portion; Execute program.

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