Leg unit of chair and gas cylinder integrated with load sensor

Abstract

To realize a leg unit of a chair in which a mechanoelectric conversion device is not exposed to the outside.SOLUTION: A leg unit (30) comprises a cylinder (31) for elevating and lowering a seat (21), a housing (32) housing the cylinder, and a sensor (33) incorporated in the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a leg unit used in a chair and a gas cylinder with an integrated load sensor provided in the leg unit. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is known an electromechanical transducer that is provided on a chair and generates electric power when a user sits on or leaves the chair (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6926949 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The electromechanical transducer disclosed in Patent Document 1 is exposed to the outside, which detracts from the design of the chair. In addition, the exposed device may be damaged by a user's leg or other parts colliding with it.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to realize a chair leg unit or the like in which a sensor is not exposed to the outside. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a chair leg unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a chair leg unit that constitutes a chair whose seat height can be raised and lowered, and includes a cylinder for raising and lowering the seat, a housing that accommodates the cylinder, and a load cell built into the housing.

[0007] Furthermore, a gas cylinder with an integrated load sensor according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a cartridge-type gas cylinder having a cartridge filled with gas and a piston rod that moves in and out of the cartridge, in which a thin ring load cell having a thin ring that expands and contracts in the direction of the central axis in response to the load and a strain gauge arranged on the circumferential surface of the thin ring is arranged at the tip of the piston rod coaxially with the central axis of the piston rod. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to realize a chair leg unit or the like in which the sensor is not exposed to the outside. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an analysis system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a chair. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a ground-contact leg of a chair and its vicinity. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a cylinder. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a sensor 33. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a main part of a management device. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of display information displayed on a display unit. [Figure 8] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the periphery of a sensor of a leg unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the sensor in FIG. 8 in an exploded state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an analysis system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Embodiment 1] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0011] (Analysis System) 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an analysis system 10 according to embodiment 1. The analysis system 10 includes a chair 2 and a management device 6. The analysis system 10 is a system that analyzes the state of an occupant seated in the chair 2 using the management device 6.

[0012] (chair) An example configuration of a chair 2 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the chair 2. Reference numeral 201 in Fig. 2 indicates a front perspective view of the chair 2. Reference numeral 202 in Fig. 2 indicates a rear perspective view of the chair 2.

[0013] Chair 2 is a swivel chair used in, for example, an office or a conference room. Chair 2 is not limited to a swivel chair and may be other types of chairs such as an office chair, a folding chair, or a sofa. In the following description, chair 2 is assumed to be a swivel chair.

[0014] The chair 2 comprises, as main components, a seat 21, a backrest 22, a back frame 23 to which the backrest 22 is attached, and ground-contact legs 24. The chair 2 may also comprise, for example, armrests 25 and a headrest 26 as optional accessories.

[0015] The chair 2 has a rocking function that allows the backrest 22 to tilt backward, which allows the occupant to sit in the chair 2 with their body relaxed, allowing them to continue using the chair for long periods of time.

[0016] The ground legs 24 are legs that come into contact with the floor surface. In the illustrated example, the ground legs 24 are, for example, a five-legged type that branches into five. The ground legs 24 include casters 27. The casters 27 are attached to the lower ends of each of the five legs. The casters 27 are, for example, swivel-type casters that can rotate horizontally. This allows the chair 2 to be easily moved. Note that the ground legs 24 are not limited to a five-legged type.

[0017] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the ground-contact leg 24 of the chair 2 and its vicinity. As shown in FIG. 3, the chair 2 includes a cylinder 31, a housing 32, and a sensor 33 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 2. In the chair 2, the cylinder 31, the housing 32, and the sensor 33 form a leg unit 30. In the chair 2, the seat 21 and the ground-contact leg 24 are connected by the leg unit 30.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the appearance of cylinder 31. Cylinder 31 is a cartridge-type gas cylinder having cartridge 31a containing gas and piston rod 31b that moves in and out of cartridge 31a. Cartridge 31a is connected to seat 21. Piston rod 31b is connected to ground-mounted leg 24. Seat 21 moves up and down as piston rod 31b moves in and out of cartridge 31a. That is, in chair 2, the height of seat 21 can be increased or decreased.

[0019] The housing 32 accommodates the cylinder 31. The housing 32 may have, for example, a cylindrical shape, but is not limited to this. The cylinder 31 and the housing 32 are arranged so that the direction from the seat 21 toward the ground leg 24 is the longitudinal direction. When the housing 32 has a cylindrical shape, the longitudinal direction of the housing 32 coincides with the axial direction of the cylindrical shape.

[0020] Sensor 33 acquires data of an occupant sitting on seat 21. Sensor 33 is built into housing 32. This prevents sensor 33 from detracting from the design of chair 2. It also reduces the possibility of sensor 33 being damaged by the occupant's feet or other parts colliding with it.

[0021] Furthermore, the cylinder 31 may be a gas cylinder with an integrated load sensor. Specifically, the sensor 33 may be included in the cylinder 31. However, the sensor 33 may be separate from the cylinder 31.

[0022] 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of sensor 33. Sensor 33 is a load cell. When sensor 33 is a load cell, sensor 33 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the load applied to seat 21 as a detection result. Alternatively, chair 2 may be provided with another sensor as sensor 33, such as a Doppler sensor, for acquiring data on the seated occupant.

[0023] 5, the sensor 33 has a ring-like shape. This allows the sensor 33 to be easily accommodated in the housing 32. The outer diameter of the sensor 33 may be set appropriately within a range that allows the sensor 33 to be accommodated in the housing 32. The thickness of the sensor 33 may be set appropriately depending on the material of the sensor 33, the required load resistance, and the magnitude of distortion.

[0024] Specifically, the sensor 33 is a thin ring load cell. That is, as shown in Fig. 5, the sensor 33 has a thin ring 33a and a strain gauge 33b. The thin ring 33a has an annular shape and expands and contracts in the direction of its central axis in response to the load. The strain gauge 33b distorts in response to the expansion and contraction of the thin ring 33a, and outputs a signal in response to the magnitude of the distortion. The strain gauge 33b is disposed on the circumferential surface of the thin ring 33a.

[0025] The sensor 33 is disposed at the tip of the piston rod 31b coaxially with the central axis of the piston rod 31b, so that the sensor 33 can output a signal corresponding to the load on the piston rod 31b.

[0026] Specifically, the thin ring 33a expands and contracts in response to the load on the seat 21. The strain gauge 33b outputs a signal in response to the load on the seat 21.

[0027] The magnitude of the load applied to the seat 21 depends on the weight of the seated person. Furthermore, the magnitude of the load applied to the seat 21 varies over time depending on the breathing and heart rate of the seated person. Therefore, when the sensor 33 is a load cell, data on the weight, breathing rate, and heart rate of the seated person can be obtained based on the waveform of the detection result of the sensor 33.

[0028] There may be multiple strain gauges 33b. In this case, the multiple strain gauges 33b may be arranged at different positions on the circumferential surface of the thin ring 33a. This allows the strain gauges 33b to output signals corresponding to the load on the thin ring 33a even if there is a bias in the expansion and contraction of the thin ring 33a in the circumferential direction.

[0029] The circumferential surface of the thin ring 33a on which the strain gauges 33b are disposed may be the outer circumferential surface of the thin ring 33a. In this case, the strain of the strain gauges 33b in response to the load on the thin ring 33a becomes larger than when the strain gauges 33b are disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the thin ring 33a. This improves the accuracy of the signals output by the strain gauges 33b.

[0030] In the installed state, the sensor 33 is disposed on the opposite side of the cylinder 31 from the seat 21. In the chair 2, the load caused by an occupant sitting on the seat 21 is directed toward the opposite side of the cylinder 31 from the seat 21. Therefore, by disposing the sensor 33 as described above, the load caused by the occupant sitting can be detected by the sensor 33, which is a load cell.

[0031] When a person sits on seat 21, piston rod 31b is displaced downward within housing 32. Sensor 33 is disposed at a position where piston rod 31b, which extends in the opposite direction from seat 21, will come into contact with sensor 33 when a load is applied to seat 21. Also, inside housing 32, guide 32b is provided to guide piston rod 31b so that it comes into contact with sensor 33.

[0032] In this case, the position of the sensor 33 within the housing 32 is constant regardless of the position of the piston rod 31b. This makes it easier to extract a signal from the sensor 33. For example, it becomes easy to pull out the signal line 33c for extracting a signal from the sensor 33 to the outside of the housing 32 from the through-hole 32a provided at any position in the housing 32.

[0033] Alternatively, the sensor 33 may be housed in the housing 32 through an opening formed in the side surface of the housing 32. In this case, a signal line 33c for extracting a signal from the sensor 33 can be drawn out from the opening formed in the side surface of the housing 32.

[0034] In particular, the sensor 33 may be disposed near the end of the housing 32 opposite the seat 21. In other words, the sensor 33 may be disposed near the bottom end of the housing 32. In this case, the sensor 33 is supported by the end surface of the housing 32. This makes the position of the sensor 33 within the housing 32 more constant.

[0035] The top side of the sensor 33 is covered by a first plate 361, and the bottom side is covered by a second plate 362. Here, the top side refers to the side of the seat 21, and the bottom side refers to the side of the ground-contact leg 24. The first plate 361 and the second plate 362 have sufficient rigidity to prevent deformation and breakage due to the load caused by a person sitting on the seat 21. The piston rod 31b transmits the load to the sensor 33 via the first plate 361. The bottom of the housing 32 supports the sensor 33 via the second plate 362. This allows the load to be transmitted smoothly from the piston rod 31b to the sensor 33.

[0036] The chair 2 may further include a battery 40 that supplies power to the sensor 33. The battery 40 may be a non-rechargeable dry cell battery or a rechargeable battery. By including the battery 40 in the chair 2, the range of movement of the chair 2 is not limited compared to when power is supplied to the sensor 33 via a power line from a household power source or a contactless power supply unit, for example. Note that the battery 40 is not essential for the chair 2, and power may be supplied to the sensor 33 via the power line from the household power source or the contactless power supply unit described above.

[0037] (Management device) An example of the configuration of the management device 6 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main parts of the management device 6. Fig. 4 also shows a chair 2.

[0038] The management device 6 generates data for analyzing the state of the seated person using the chair 2. As an example, the management device 6 may be a personal computer. The management device 6 includes a communication unit 61, a storage unit 62, a control unit 63, and a display unit 64.

[0039] The communication unit 61 acquires data on the seated occupant from the sensor 33 via a network. The data on the seated occupant may be stored in the storage unit 62. In the case of wireless communication, a method using radio waves or infrared rays may be applied. As a method using radio waves, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) may be applied.

[0040] The memory unit 62 stores data on seat occupants acquired from the sensor 33. The memory unit 62 is also a storage device that stores various computer programs read by the control unit 63 and data used in various processes executed by the control unit 63. The memory unit 62 is configured, for example, by a recording device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD) provided in the management device 6, a volatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM), and / or a portable storage medium such as a flash memory. The memory unit 62 can store current and past analysis results. The memory unit 62 can store current and past analysis results by linking them to users. The memory unit 62 may be substituted by a server or the like external to the management device 6.

[0041] The control unit 63 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 63 controls the communication unit 61, the storage unit 62, and the display unit 64, and also performs all control related to the overall operation of the management device 6. The control unit 63 includes an acquisition unit 631 and a data generation unit 632.

[0042] The acquisition unit 631 acquires the detection results of the sensor 33. The data generation unit 632 generates data for analyzing the state of the seated occupant based on the detection results acquired by the acquisition unit 631. The data generated by the data generation unit 632 includes data indicating the weight, respiratory rate, and heart rate of the seated occupant.

[0043] For example, it takes one minute to obtain the actual measured values ​​for the data indicating the respiratory rate and heart rate. Until one minute has passed since the occupant sat on seat 21, data generating unit 632 may generate estimated values ​​for the respiratory rate and heart rate for one minute based on the actual measured values ​​for a time shorter than one minute.

[0044] For example, the data generating unit 632 may generate data on the respiration rate and heart rate for one minute, estimated based on the actual measured values ​​of the respiration rate and heart rate for 10 seconds, when 10 seconds have passed since the occupant sat on the seat 21. This allows the data generating unit 632 to shorten the time it takes to generate the respiration rate and heart rate data.

[0045] In this case, the data generating unit 632 may increase the length of time for measuring the actual measured values ​​of the respiratory rate and heart rate used to generate data on the respiratory rate and heart rate for one minute, as the time that the occupant remains seated on seat 21 becomes longer. After the time that the occupant remains seated on seat 21 reaches one minute, the data generating unit 632 may generate data indicating the actual measured values ​​of the respiratory rate and heart rate for the most recent minute. In this way, the data generating unit 632 can improve the accuracy of the data on the respiratory rate and heart rate as the time that the occupant remains seated on seat 21 becomes longer.

[0046] The data generated by the data generating unit 632 may also include information about the mental state of the seated person. This allows the user of the management device 6 to analyze the mental state of the seated person. Examples of the mental state include stress, concentration level, and / or emotions.

[0047] Furthermore, the data generated by the data generating unit 632 may include information about the drowsiness or fatigue state of the seated occupant, which allows the user of the management device 6 to analyze the drowsiness or fatigue state of the seated occupant.

[0048] The mental state, drowsiness, and fatigue state of the seated occupant are expressed as specific trends in the output signal of the sensor 33. Therefore, the data generating unit 632 can generate data including information about the mental state, etc., by grasping the trends in the output signal of the sensor 33 according to the mental state, etc.

[0049] Furthermore, the data generated by the data generating unit 632 may include alarm information for alerting the occupant regarding their condition. The occupant's condition here may be the aforementioned weight, respiratory rate, and heart rate, or may be their mental state, or may be drowsy or fatigued. For example, the data generating unit 632 may determine whether one or more of the values ​​indicating the occupant's condition are within a normal range, and generate alarm information if they are not within the normal range.

[0050] When alarm information is included in the data generated by the data generating unit 632, the management device 6 may be provided with a speaker and / or a light emitting device for issuing an alarm, or may be communicably connected to an external speaker and / or a light emitting device, etc. This allows the management device 6 to alert the seated person or people around them about the condition of the seated person as necessary.

[0051] The control unit 63 further includes a display information generation unit 633. The display information generation unit 633 generates display information for displaying information about the seated occupant on the display unit 64 based on the data generated by the data generation unit 632. This allows the user of the management device 6 to immediately grasp information about the seated occupant from the display content of the display information generated by the display information generation unit 633.

[0052] The display unit 64 is a display device that displays display information to the user of the management device 6. The display unit 64 may be a display device provided in the management device 6, or may be a display device external to the management device 6.

[0053] In recent years, the spread of telecommuting has led to an increase in the number of people experiencing stress due to a lack of face-to-face communication. If this disclosure is implemented, reducing stress in the office environment (including at home) can improve employees' psychological health and provide opportunities for rest and refreshment. This will increase employee productivity and achieve a better work-life balance. These effects will contribute to the improvement of health and well-being, as outlined in the SDGs.

[0054] (Display example) Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of display information displayed on display unit 64. As shown in Fig. 7, in the display information, area 701 displays whether or not an occupant is seated on seat 21. Furthermore, area 702 displays the heart rate, area 703 displays the respiratory rate, and area 704 displays the load. Furthermore, area 705 displays the heart rate waveform of the seated occupant, and area 706 displays the respiratory waveform of the seated occupant. The positions and sizes of areas 701 to 706 are not limited to the example shown in Fig. 7.

[0055] Furthermore, the display information displayed on the display unit 64 may include a waveform of the change over time in the detection result itself by the sensor 33. Furthermore, the display information may include information about the mental state, drowsiness, or fatigue state of the seated occupant, as described above. When the display information includes information about the mental state, drowsiness, or fatigue state of the seated occupant, the information may be only information at the time the display information is generated, or may include information about changes over time from before that time.

[0056] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0057] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a cylinder 31A according to embodiment 2. Fig. 8 also shows a housing 32. In Fig. 8, the cartridge 31a is omitted.

[0058] The cylinder 31A may be provided in the chair 2 in place of the cylinder 31. As shown in Fig. 8, the cylinder 31A differs from the leg unit 30 in that it includes a sensor unit 34 including the sensor 33 in place of the sensor 33.

[0059] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an exploded state of the sensor unit 34 in Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 9, the sensor unit 34 includes a bearing 341, a first plate 342, a sensor 33, a support 343, a second plate 344, a retaining ring 345, and a circular rubber 346.

[0060] The bearing 341 supports the piston rod 31b rotatably relative to the sensor unit . Therefore, in the cylinder 31A, the piston rod 31b is rotatable about the central axis relative to the sensor unit .

[0061] The first plate 342 and the second plate 344, like the first plate 361 and the second plate 362, respectively, facilitate the transmission of the load from the piston rod 31b to the sensor 33.

[0062] The support pillar 343 reduces displacement of the sensor 33 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the piston rod 31b. The support pillar 343 is located between the first plate 342 and the second plate 344 and inside the ring-shaped sensor 33. The support pillar 343 has multiple protrusions 343a protruding toward the first plate 342. The first plate 342 has multiple recesses 342a corresponding to the multiple protrusions 343a, respectively. The protrusions 343a fit into the recesses 342a, thereby fixing the position of the support pillar 343 relative to the first plate 342. Therefore, displacement of the sensor 33, inside which the support pillar 343 is located, is reduced.

[0063] The retaining ring 345 prevents the second plate 344 from falling off the piston rod 31b. The retaining ring 345 is located near the lower end of the piston rod 31b. For example, the outer circumferential surface of the tip of the piston rod 31b and the inner circumferential surface of the retaining ring 345 may be provided with threads that screw together.

[0064] Piston rod 31b passes through first plate 342 and second plate 344. In cylinder 31A, retaining ring 345 also prevents sensor 33 and first plate 342, which are located above second plate 344, from falling off piston rod 31b. Therefore, displacement of sensor 33 relative to piston rod 31b does not occur.

[0065] The circular rubber 346 reduces bias in the load on the sensor 33. The circular rubber 346 is made of an elastic material. When the circular rubber 346 is deformed, bias in the load on the sensor 33 is reduced.

[0066] In the cylinder 31A having the above configuration, the sensor 33 can also output a signal according to the load on the piston rod 31b. Furthermore, the leg unit including the cylinder 31A also achieves the same effects as the leg unit 30 described in the first embodiment.

[0067] [Modification] Further embodiments of the present disclosure are described below.

[0068] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an analysis system 10A according to a modified example. The analysis system 10A is a modified example of the analysis system 10 described in embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the analysis system 10A includes a chair 2, a management device 210, and a display unit 220.

[0069] Like the management device 6, the management device 210 generates data for analyzing the state of a seated person using the chair 2. The management device 210 includes a load signal amplifier 102, a respiratory filter 103A, a heart rate filter 103B, a biological offset tracking unit 104, a biological signal amplifier 106, biological A / D converters 108A and 108B, a biological signal detector 110, a load A / D converter 112, a load detector 114, a seat detector 116, and a communication unit 118.

[0070] The display unit 220 displays information about the seated occupant based on the data generated by the management device 210. The display unit 220 may be a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet. The display unit 220 includes a weight display unit 221, a respiratory rate display unit 222, and a heart rate display unit 223.

[0071] In the analysis system 10A, the output of the sensor 33 provided in the chair 2 is input to a load signal amplifier 102, as shown in Fig. 10. The output of the sensor 33 amplified by the load signal amplifier 102 is input to a biological offset tracking unit 104 via a respiratory filter unit 103A or a heartbeat filter unit 103B.

[0072] The filters of the respiratory filter unit 103A and the heartbeat filter unit 103B perform filtering with time constants suitable for extracting the respiratory waveform and the heartbeat waveform, respectively. As a result, the filters of the respiratory filter unit 103A and the heartbeat filter unit 103B reduce the influence of external noise that varies depending on the sensor 33 and the weight of the chair 2 above the sensor 33.

[0073] The output of the biological offset tracking unit 104 is input to a biological signal amplifier 106 that includes a filter with a fixed time constant. The output of the biological signal amplifier 106 is converted into a digital signal by a biological A / D converter 108A or a biological A / D converter 108B, and then input to a biological signal detector 110. The biological signal detector 110 includes a respiration detector 110A, a heartbeat detector 110B, and a biological offset tracking processor 110C.

[0074] The range of change in the biological signal relative to the range of change in the overall load value of the output signal from the sensor 33 is very small. Therefore, the biological offset tracking processor 110C performs processing to find the biological signal. Based on the signal processed by the biological offset tracking processor 110C, the breathing detector 110A detects breathing, and the heartbeat detector 110B detects the heartbeat.

[0075] Furthermore, the signal amplified by the load signal amplifier 102 is input to a load A / D converter 112 and A / D converted. The output of the load A / D converter 112 is input to a load detector 114. The load detector 114 may cancel external noise caused by vibrations of the floor and air, etc., to improve the accuracy of biological detection. The output of the load detector 114 is input to a seat detector 116, which detects whether a person is sitting or leaving their seat.

[0076] The outputs of the seating detection unit 116 and the biological signal detection unit 110 are input to the communication unit 118. The output of the communication unit 118 is input to and displayed on a display unit 220 that includes a weight display unit 221, a respiratory rate display unit 222, and a heart rate display unit 223.

[0077] In the analysis system 10A, the seating detection unit 116 and the biosignal detection unit 110 function as a data generation unit. That is, the data generated by the seating detection unit 116 and the biosignal detection unit 110 includes data for analyzing the state of the seated person. Furthermore, the data generated by the seating detection unit 116 and the biosignal detection unit 110 reflects the mental state, drowsiness, or fatigue state of the seated person. That is, the data generated by the seating detection unit 116 and the biosignal detection unit 110 may include information regarding the mental state of the seated person, etc.

[0078] [Software implementation example] The functions of the management device 6 (hereinafter referred to as the "device") can be realized by a program that causes a computer to function as the device, and a program that causes a computer to function as each control block of the device (particularly each part included in the control unit 63).

[0079] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The control device and storage device execute the program, thereby realizing the functions described in each of the above embodiments.

[0080] The program may be non-transitory and may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0081] In addition, some or all of the functions of each of the control blocks can be realized by logic circuits. For example, integrated circuits in which logic circuits that function as each of the control blocks are formed are also included in the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the functions of each of the control blocks can also be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0082] Furthermore, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may run on the control device or on another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0083] 〔summary〕 The present disclosure can also be expressed as follows:

[0084] The chair leg unit according to aspect 1 of the present disclosure is a chair leg unit that constitutes a chair capable of raising and lowering the seat height, and includes a cylinder for raising and lowering the seat, a housing that accommodates the cylinder, and a load cell built into the housing.

[0085] With this configuration, the load on the seat can be detected by the load cell. The load cell is built into the housing and is not exposed to the outside. This does not detract from the design of the chair. It also reduces the possibility of the load cell being damaged by the user's foot or other object colliding with it.

[0086] A chair leg unit according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the same as the first aspect, in which the load cell has a ring shape.

[0087] According to the above configuration, the load cell can be easily accommodated in the housing.

[0088] A chair leg unit according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the same as that of the first or second aspect, in which the load cell is disposed on the opposite side of the cylinder from the seat when installed.

[0089] According to the above configuration, the load applied by the user sitting on the seat can be detected by the load cell.

[0090] The leg unit of a chair according to aspect 4 of the present disclosure is any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the cylinder further includes a piston rod extending inside the housing along the longitudinal direction of the housing, and the load cell is positioned at a position where the piston rod extending in the opposite direction to the seat abuts when a load is applied to the seat.

[0091] According to the above configuration, the position of the load cell is constant, making it easier to extract a signal.

[0092] A chair leg unit according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is similar to the fourth aspect, in that the load cell is disposed near the end of the housing opposite the seat.

[0093] According to the above-described configuration, the load cell is supported by the end surface of the housing, so that the position of the load cell becomes more constant.

[0094] A chair leg unit according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the same as any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the load cell is covered on the top side with a first plate and on the bottom side with a second plate.

[0095] According to the above configuration, the load can be smoothly transmitted to the load cell.

[0096] The chair leg unit according to aspect 7 of the present disclosure is any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the cylinder further includes a piston rod extending inside the housing along the longitudinal direction of the housing, the load cell is connected to the piston rod with the top side covered by a first plate and the bottom side covered by a second plate, the piston rod penetrates the first plate and the second plate, and further includes a retaining ring on the opposite side of the second plate from the load cell to prevent the second plate from falling off the piston rod.

[0097] According to the above-described configuration, the rod and the load cell are displaced together, eliminating the need for a guide to guide the rod so that it abuts against the load cell.

[0098] The load sensor-integrated gas cylinder according to aspect 8 of the present disclosure is a cartridge-type gas cylinder having a gas-filled cartridge and a piston rod that moves in and out of the cartridge, and a thin ring load cell having a thin ring that expands and contracts along the central axis in response to load and a strain gauge arranged on the circumferential surface of the thin ring is arranged at the tip of the piston rod coaxially with the central axis of the piston rod.

[0099] According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to realize a gas cylinder with an integrated load sensor in which the sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the load on the piston rod.

[0100] A ninth aspect of the present disclosure provides a gas cylinder with an integrated load sensor, in accordance with the eighth aspect, in which the strain gauges are multiple.

[0101] According to the above configuration, even if there is a bias in the expansion and contraction of the thin ring in the circumferential direction, a signal corresponding to the load on the thin ring can be output.

[0102] A gas cylinder with an integrated load sensor according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure is the same as the eighth aspect, in which the circumferential surface is the outer peripheral surface of a thin ring.

[0103] With this configuration, the strain of the strain gauge in response to a load on the thin ring is greater than when the circumferential surface of the thin ring on which the strain gauge is disposed is the inner circumferential surface, thereby improving the accuracy of the signal output by the strain gauge.

[0104] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 2 chairs 21 seats 24 Ground leg 27 Caster 30 leg units 31, 31A cylinder 31a cartridge 31b Piston rod 32 Housing 33 Sensor (load cell) 361, 342 First Plate 362, 344 Second Plate 345 retaining ring 40 Battery 6, 210 Management device 631 Acquisition Department 632 Data Generation Unit 633 Display information generation unit 10, 10A Analysis System

Claims

1. A leg unit of a chair that constitutes a chair whose seat height can be adjusted, a cylinder for raising and lowering the seat; a housing that accommodates the cylinder; a load cell housed in the housing; A chair leg unit comprising:

2. The chair leg unit according to claim 1 , wherein the load cell has a ring shape.

3. The chair leg unit according to claim 1 , wherein the load cell is disposed on an opposite side of the cylinder from the seat in an installed state.

4. The cylinder further includes a piston rod extending inside the housing along the longitudinal direction of the housing, 2. The leg unit of a chair according to claim 1, wherein the load cell is disposed at a position where the piston rod extending in a direction away from the seat comes into contact with the load cell when a load is applied to the seat.

5. 5. The chair leg unit according to claim 4, wherein the load cell is disposed near an end of the housing opposite to the seat.

6. 2. The chair leg unit according to claim 1, wherein the load cell is covered on a top surface side with a first plate and on a bottom surface side with a second plate.

7. The cylinder further includes a piston rod extending inside the housing along the longitudinal direction of the housing, the load cell is connected to the piston rod with a top surface covered by a first plate and a bottom surface covered by a second plate; the piston rod passes through the first plate and the second plate; 2. The chair leg unit according to claim 1, further comprising a retaining ring on the opposite side of the second plate from the load cell, the retaining ring preventing the second plate from coming off the piston rod.

8. A cartridge containing gas, a piston rod extending in and out of the cartridge; A thin ring that expands and contracts along the central axis in response to load, a strain gauge disposed on the circumferential surface of the thin ring; a thin ring load cell having the above-mentioned structure is disposed at the tip of the piston rod coaxially with the central axis of the piston rod.

9. 9. The gas cylinder with an integrated load sensor according to claim 8, wherein the strain gauge is a plurality of strain gauges.

10. 9. The gas cylinder with integrated load sensor according to claim 8, wherein the circumferential surface is the outer circumferential surface of a thin ring.

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