Fluid mattress

Abstract

To provide a fluid mattress having a high bedsore suppressing effect.SOLUTION: A fluid mattress includes a fluid passage through which a fluid can flow, a fluid supply and discharge means for supplying and discharging the fluid to and from the fluid passage, a plurality of first cells connected to each other, a plurality of second cells connected to each other, and a control unit that controls the fluid supply and discharge means, switches whether or not to connect the plurality of first cells to the fluid passage, and switches whether or not to connect the plurality of second cells to the fluid passage. The control part makes the fluid supply / discharge means supply the fluid to the fluid passage when increasing the pressure in the first cell or the second cell, and makes the fluid supply / discharge means discharge the fluid from the fluid passage when decreasing the pressure in the first cell or the second cell.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to a fluid mattress. [Background technology]

[0002] In hospitals and other medical institutions, air mattresses are sometimes placed on beds. Air mattresses contain multiple air cells, and by controlling the pressure within the air cells, they can maintain a comfortable sleeping experience for the user. Furthermore, by sequentially deflating the air cells, they can prevent the development of bedsores. However, depending on the user, they may not be able to effectively prevent bedsores. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-049435 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a fluid mattress that is highly effective in reducing pressure sores. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A fluid mattress according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fluid passage through which a fluid can flow, a fluid supply / drainage means for supplying and discharging the fluid to and from the fluid passage, a plurality of first cells connected to one another, a plurality of second cells connected to one another, and a control unit for controlling the fluid supply / drainage means to switch between connecting and disconnecting the plurality of first cells to the fluid passage and between connecting and disconnecting the plurality of second cells to the fluid passage. The control unit controls the fluid supply / drainage means to supply the fluid to the fluid passage when increasing the pressure in the first cell or the second cell, and controls the fluid supply / drainage means to discharge the fluid from the fluid passage when decreasing the pressure in the first cell or the second cell. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a fluid mattress that is highly effective in suppressing bedsores can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an air cell of a fluid mattress according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a fluid mattress according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 3(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the pump unit of the fluid mattress according to the first embodiment, where (a) shows the air supply mode and (b) shows the air exhaust mode. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fluid mattress according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 5(a) to 5(c) are graphs showing the change in pressure inside each air cell, with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing the pressure inside each air cell. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a fluid mattress according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a fluid mattress according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an air cell of a fluid mattress according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a fluid mattress according to this embodiment. 3(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the pump unit of the fluid mattress according to this embodiment, where (a) shows the air supply mode and (b) shows the air exhaust mode.

[0009] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the fluid mattress 1 according to this embodiment is used, for example, by placing the air cells on a bed 100. A user sits on the air cells of the fluid mattress 1. The bed 100 is, for example, a bed for newborns or infants, and the user of the fluid mattress 1 is, for example, a newborn or infant.

[0010] The fluid mattress 1 is provided with a pump unit 10, a fluid passage 20, air cells 31-33, solenoid valves 41-44, a pressure sensor 50, and a control unit 60. The pump unit 10 is a fluid supply / discharge means. The pump unit 10 is connected to the fluid passage 20, and is capable of supplying air as a fluid from the atmosphere outside the fluid mattress 1 to the fluid passage 20, and of discharging air from the fluid passage 20 to the outside. In this specification, "connected" means that a fluid can flow.

[0011] A plurality of air cells 31 to 33 are provided, and are repeatedly arranged along the longitudinal direction of the bed 100, that is, the direction from the head side to the foot side. The air cells 31 to 33 are made of a soft sheet material and can be filled with air.

[0012] Each air cell is rod-shaped and extends in the width direction of the bed 100. For each air cell, the length in the width direction of the bed 100 is the longest, the length in the up-down direction is the next longest, and the length in the longitudinal direction of the bed 100 is the shortest. Hereinafter, the length of the air cell in the longitudinal direction of the bed 100 will be referred to as the "thickness" of the air cell.

[0013] The bed 100 has a head support region 110 and a torso support region 120. The head support region 110 supports the head of the user U, and the torso support region 120 supports the torso of the user U. In this embodiment, the thickness of the air cells 31 to 33 arranged in the head support region 110 is thinner than the thickness of the air cells 31 to 33 arranged in the torso support region 120.

[0014] In one example, the thickness t1 of the air cells 31-33 arranged in the head support region 110 is approximately 2 cm, and the thickness t2 of the air cells 31-33 arranged in the torso support region 120 is approximately 6-8 cm. This is because the diameter of a newborn's head is approximately 8 cm, and in order to support the head with three or more air cells, the thickness t1 of each air cell needs to be thinned to approximately 2 cm. Note that the thickness t2 of the air cells 31-33 arranged in the torso support region 120 may also be approximately the same as the thickness t1 of the air cells 31-33 arranged in the head support region 110.

[0015] Each of the solenoid valves 41 to 44 has a first end and a second end, and can switch between permitting and prohibiting the flow of air between the first end and the second end. The plurality of air cells 31 (first cells) are connected to each other and are connected to a first end of the solenoid valve 41 (first solenoid valve). The plurality of air cells 32 (second cells) are connected to each other and are connected to a first end of the solenoid valve 42 (second solenoid valve). The plurality of air cells 33 (third cells) are connected to each other and are connected to a first end of the solenoid valve 43 (third solenoid valve).

[0016] That is, in the fluid mattress 1, a plurality of air cells arranged in a row are divided into three flow paths by solenoid valves 41 to 43. A first end of solenoid valve 44 (external solenoid valve) is connected to the outside of the fluid mattress 1 and is capable of drawing in and discharging atmospheric air as air. Second ends of solenoid valves 41 to 44 are connected to fluid passage 20. Pressure sensor 50 measures the pressure of the air in fluid passage 20.

[0017] The control unit 60 receives the measurement results of the pressure sensor 50 and controls the pump unit 10 and the solenoid valves 41 to 44. The control unit 60 controls the solenoid valve 41 to switch whether or not the multiple air cells 31 are connected to the fluid passage 20. The control unit 60 also controls the solenoid valve 42 to switch whether or not the multiple air cells 32 are connected to the fluid passage 20. The control unit 60 also controls the solenoid valve 43 to switch whether or not the multiple air cells 33 are connected to the fluid passage 20. The control unit 60 can perform a bedsore prevention operation. When the control unit 60 performs a bedsore prevention operation, it repeatedly executes a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode, which will be described later.

[0018] 3(a) and 3(b), the pump unit 10 includes a pump 11, a three-way valve 12, and a three-way valve 13. The pump 11 moves air in one direction. The pump 11 is, for example, a diaphragm pump.

[0019] The three-way valve 12 has a first end 12a, a second end 12b, a third end 12c, and a switching mechanism 12d. The switching mechanism 12d switches between connecting the first end 12a to the second end 12b or the third end 12c. The first end 12a of the three-way valve 12 is connected to the inlet side 11a of the pump 11, the second end 12b is connected to the fluid passage 20, and the third end 12c is connected to the outside, allowing the atmospheric air to be drawn in and discharged.

[0020] The three-way valve 13 has a first end 13a, a second end 13b, a third end 13c, and a switching mechanism 13d. The switching mechanism 13d switches between connecting the first end 13a to the second end 13b or the third end 13c. The first end 13a of the three-way valve 13 is connected to the outlet side 11b of the pump 11, the second end 13b is connected to the fluid passage 20, and the third end 13c is connected to the outside, allowing the atmospheric air to be drawn in and discharged.

[0021] Next, the operation of the fluid mattress 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fluid mattress according to this embodiment. 5(a) to (c) are graphs showing the change in pressure in each air cell, with time on the horizontal axis and pressure in each air cell on the vertical axis. FIG. 5(a) shows the change in pressure in air cell 31, FIG. 5(b) shows the change in pressure in air cell 32, and FIG. 5(c) shows the change in pressure in air cell 33.

[0022] First, the operation of the pump unit 10 will be described. In the operation of the fluid mattress 1, which will be described later, when the pressure in any of the air cells needs to be increased, the control unit 60 sets the pump unit 10 to "air supply mode" and supplies air from outside into the air cells. On the other hand, when the pressure in any of the air cells needs to be decreased, the control unit 60 sets the pump unit 10 to "exhaust mode" and expels air from the air cells to the outside. The specific operation of the pump unit 10 will be described below.

[0023] 3(a), in the "air supply mode," the control unit 60 controls the switching mechanism 12d to connect the first end 12a to the third end 12c of the three-way valve 12, and controls the switching mechanism 13d to connect the first end 13a to the second end 13b of the three-way valve 13. As a result, air 200 flows from the outside through the third end 12c of the three-way valve 12, the first end 12a, the inlet side 11a of the pump 11, the pump 11, the outlet side 11b of the pump 11, the first end 13a and second end 13b of the three-way valve 13, and the fluid passage 20 in this order, and is supplied into the target air cell.

[0024] 3(b), in the "exhaust mode," the control unit 60 controls the switching mechanism 12d to connect the first end 12a to the second end 12b of the three-way valve 12, and controls the switching mechanism 13d to connect the first end 13a to the third end 13c of the three-way valve 13. As a result, air 200 flows from the target air cell through the fluid passage 20, the second end 12b and first end 12a of the three-way valve 12, the inlet side 11a of the pump 11, the pump 11, the outlet side 11b of the pump 11, and the first end 13a and third end 13c of the three-way valve 13 in this order, and is then discharged to the outside.

[0025] Next, the overall operation of the fluid mattress 1 will be described. As shown in step S1 of Fig. 4 and Figs. 5(a) to (c), the control unit 60 realizes the initial state M0. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2 and Figs. 5(a) to (c), the control unit 60 opens the solenoid valves 41 to 43 and closes the solenoid valve 44, putting the pump unit 10 into the air supply mode. As a result, air is injected from the pump unit 10 into the air cells 31 to 33 via the fluid passage 20 and the solenoid valves 41 to 43.

[0026] Then, when the measurement value of the pressure sensor 50 reaches the first pressure P1, the pump unit 10 is stopped. Because the solenoid valves 41 to 43 are open, the air cells 31 to 33 are interconnected and at the same pressure. In this way, the pressures in all the air cells 31 to 33 are set to the first pressure P1.

[0027] The first pressure P1 is a pressure that maintains all of the air cells 31-33 in a moderately inflated state when the user is standing on the fluid mattress 1, and allows the air cells 31-33 to comfortably support the user. The first pressure P1 is higher than atmospheric pressure. For example, the first pressure P1 is a pressure that maximizes the contact area between the air cells 31-33 and the user. The first pressure P1 is set in advance according to, for example, the weight of the user.

[0028] Next, the control unit 60 determines whether the bedsore prevention operation is on or off, as shown in step S2 of Fig. 4. If the bedsore prevention function is on, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0029] In step S3, the first mode M1 is executed. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5(a) to 5(c), the control unit 60 closes the solenoid valves 42, 43, and 44 while leaving the solenoid valve 41 open. Then, the pump unit 10 is set to the exhaust mode. This causes air in the air cell 31 to be discharged to the outside via the solenoid valve 41, the fluid passage 20, and the pump unit 10. As a result, the air cell 31 contracts. This causes the user to no longer be pressed by the air cell 31, and blood flow in the area that had been pressed by the air cell 31 until then is promoted.

[0030] In the first mode M1, the pressure in the air cells 32 and 33 is defined as a first pressure P1, and the pressure in the air cell 31 is defined as a second pressure P2. The second pressure P2 is lower than the first pressure P1. For example, the second pressure P2 is equal to or lower than atmospheric pressure. As a result, the user is supported by the air cells 32 and 33, but not by the air cell 31. The duration of the first mode M1 is, for example, five minutes.

[0031] Next, the process proceeds to step S4, where the second mode M2 ​​is executed. As shown in Figures 2 and 5(a) to (c), the control unit 60 switches the pump unit 10 to the air supply mode. As a result, air is supplied from the outside into the air cell 31 via the pump unit 10, the fluid passage 20, and the solenoid valve 41. As a result, the pressure in the air cell 31 returns to the first pressure P1, and the air cell 31 expands.

[0032] Next, the control unit 60 closes the solenoid valve 41 and opens the solenoid valve 42. The solenoid valves 43 and 44 remain closed. The pump unit 10 is then set to the exhaust mode. This causes the air in the air cell 32 to be discharged to the outside via the solenoid valve 42, the fluid passage 20, and the pump unit 10. As a result, the air cell 32 contracts. This causes the user to no longer be pressed by the air cell 32, and blood flow to the area that had been pressed by the air cell 32 is promoted.

[0033] In the second mode M2, the pressure in the air cell 31 is returned to the first pressure P1, and the pressure in the air cell 32 is set to the second pressure P2. As a result, the user is supported by the air cells 31 and 33, but not by the air cell 32. The duration of the second mode M2 ​​is, for example, five minutes. Note that FIG. 2 shows the second mode M2.

[0034] Next, the process proceeds to step S5, where the third mode M3 is executed. As shown in Figures 2 and 5(a) to (c), the control unit 60 switches the pump unit 10 to the air supply mode. As a result, air is supplied from the outside into the air cell 32 via the pump unit 10, the fluid passage 20, and the solenoid valve 42. As a result, the pressure in the air cell 32 returns to the first pressure P1, and the air cell 32 expands.

[0035] Next, the control unit 60 closes the solenoid valve 42 and opens the solenoid valve 43 while keeping the solenoid valves 41 and 44 closed. The pump unit 10 is then placed in the exhaust mode. This causes the air in the air cell 33 to be discharged to the outside via the solenoid valve 43, the fluid passage 20, and the pump unit 10. As a result, the air cell 33 contracts. This releases the user from pressure from the air cell 33, and promotes blood flow in the area that had been pressed by the air cell 33.

[0036] In the third mode M3, the pressure in the air cell 32 is returned to the first pressure P1, and the pressure in the air cell 33 is set to the second pressure P2. As a result, the user is supported by the air cells 31 and 32, but not by the air cell 33. The duration of the third mode M3 is, for example, 5 minutes.

[0037] Next, returning to step S2, if the bedsore prevention operation is ON, proceed to step S3 again and repeat the first mode M1, second mode M2, and third mode M3. If the bedsore prevention operation is OFF, proceed to step S6 and realize the initial state M0, after which the control unit 60 ends operation. Even after the control unit 60 ends operation, the internal pressure of the air cells 31-33 maintains the first pressure P1.

[0038] In this way, when the bedsore prevention operation is on, the control unit 60 sequentially reduces the pressure in the plurality of air cells 31, the plurality of air cells 32, and the plurality of air cells 33 to the second pressure P2, causing them to contract. This causes parts of the user's body that are not pressed by the air cells to move little by little, suppressing the occurrence of bedsores.

[0039] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the pump unit 10 can operate in an air supply mode and an air exhaust mode. When the pump unit 10 operates in the air exhaust mode, air is forcibly exhausted from the air cells, causing the air cells to contract. As a result, air cells 31, 32, and 33 contract in sequence, preventing the occurrence of bedsores.

[0040] On the other hand, if the pump unit 10 were unable to achieve the exhaust mode and attempted to exhaust air from the air cells solely through the user's weight, the following problems could occur. To ensure the air cell's airtightness, shape retention, and durability, the air cell material must have a certain degree of strength. This provides the air cell with a certain degree of rigidity. Furthermore, as described above, in the head support region 110, the air cell thickness t1 must be thinned to support the user's head with three or more air cells. Thinning the air cell further increases the overall rigidity of the air cell due to the scale effect. Meanwhile, a newborn weighs approximately 3 kg at birth, significantly lighter than an adult. Therefore, if the user is a newborn or infant, the air cell may not contract sufficiently due to the user's weight alone, potentially preventing effective pressure ulcer suppression.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first pressure P1 is set higher than atmospheric pressure. This ensures that the air cells expand and support the user. On the other hand, the second pressure P2 is set lower than atmospheric pressure. This ensures that the air cells contract and prevent bedsores.

[0042] <Second embodiment> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a fluid mattress according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the fluid mattress 2 according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the fluid mattress 1 according to the first embodiment, but is also provided with a plurality of polyurethane foams 71. The polyurethane foams 71 are disposed in the air cells 31 to 33, respectively. The polyurethane foams 71 are disposed in a portion of each air cell, for example, in the upper portion. The polyurethane foams 71 may be disposed in the lower portion of each air cell, or may be disposed over the entirety of each air cell.

[0043] In the fluid mattress 2, polyurethane foam 71 is disposed within each air cell, providing the user with a softer feel. Meanwhile, because the polyurethane foam 71 is porous, when the pump unit 10 evacuates the air cells, the air contained within the polyurethane foam 71 is also expelled, causing the polyurethane foam 71 to contract. This does not impede the contraction of the air cells. Other configurations, operations, and effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0044] <Third embodiment> FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a fluid mattress according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the fluid mattress 3 according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the fluid mattress 1 according to the first embodiment, but is also provided with one polyurethane foam 72. The polyurethane foam 72 is in the form of a sheet, and is continuously arranged on the air cells 31 to 33. The polyurethane foam 72 may be divided into multiple sheets.

[0045] In the fluid mattress 3, polyurethane foam 72 is disposed on each air cell, providing the user with a softer feel. Furthermore, because the polyurethane foam 72 is soft, when some of the air cells contract due to the above-mentioned bedsore prevention operation, the polyurethane foam 72 also deforms accordingly. Therefore, the effect of suppressing bedsores is not hindered. Furthermore, by interposing the polyurethane foam 72 between the air cells and the user, it is possible to prevent parts of the user's body from becoming trapped in the gaps between the air cells. Other configurations, operations, and effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0046] The above-described embodiments are examples of realizing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, the present invention also includes embodiments in which some components or steps are added, deleted, or modified in the above-described embodiments.

[0047] For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which three systems of air cells are provided is shown, but this is not limited thereto. Two systems of air cells may be provided, or four or more systems of air cells may be provided. Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which multiple air cells are arranged in one direction from the head side to the foot side of the bed is shown, but this is not limited thereto, and they may be arranged in the left-right direction.

[0048] Furthermore, while the above-described embodiments have been described using air as the fluid for driving the cells, this is not limiting. For example, water, gel, or oil may be used as the fluid. In this case, a tank for holding the fluid may be provided outside the fluid mattress, and the third end 12c of the three-way valve 12 of the pump unit 10, the third end 13c of the three-way valve 13, and the first end of the solenoid valve 44 may be connected to this tank. Furthermore, the fluid mattress may be provided with both the polyurethane foam 71 described in the second embodiment and the polyurethane foam 72 described in the third embodiment.

[0049] The present invention includes the following aspects.

[0050] (Appendix 1) a fluid passage through which a fluid can flow; a fluid supply / discharge means for supplying and discharging the fluid to and from the fluid passage; a plurality of interconnected first cells; a plurality of interconnected second cells; a control unit that controls the fluid supply / discharge means, switches between connecting and disconnecting the plurality of first cells to the fluid passage, and switches between connecting and disconnecting the plurality of second cells to the fluid passage; Equipped with The control unit when increasing the pressure in the first cell or the second cell, causing the fluid supply / discharge means to supply the fluid to the fluid passage; A fluid mattress that causes the fluid supply / discharge means to discharge the fluid from the fluid passage when the pressure in the first cell or the second cell is reduced.

[0051] (Appendix 2) The control unit a first mode in which the pressure in the second cell is a first pressure and the pressure in the first cell is a second pressure lower than the first pressure; a second mode in which the pressure in the first cell is the first pressure and the pressure in the second cell is the second pressure; A fluid mattress as described in Appendix 1, which is capable of realizing the above.

[0052] (Appendix 3) the first pressure is greater than atmospheric pressure; 3. The fluid mattress of claim 2, wherein the second pressure is less than atmospheric pressure.

[0053] (Appendix 4) The fluid supply / discharge means A pump and a first three-way valve having a first end connected to the inlet side of the pump, a second end connected to the fluid passage, and a third end connected to the outside; a second three-way valve having a first end connected to the outlet side of the pump, a second end connected to the fluid passage, and a third end connected to the outside; and The control unit when the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to supply the fluid to the fluid passage, a first end of the first three-way valve is connected to a third end of the first three-way valve, and a first end of the second three-way valve is connected to a second end of the second three-way valve; A fluid mattress described in any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein when the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to discharge the fluid from the fluid passage, the first end of the first three-way valve is connected to the second end of the first three-way valve, and the first end of the second three-way valve is connected to the third end of the second three-way valve.

[0054] (Appendix 5) a first solenoid valve having a first end connected to the plurality of first cells and a second end connected to the fluid passage; a second solenoid valve having a first end connected to the plurality of second cells and a second end connected to the fluid passage; Furthermore, The control unit also controls the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve, The control unit When increasing the pressure in the first cell, the first electromagnetic valve is opened, the second electromagnetic valve is closed, and the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to supply the fluid to the fluid passage; When reducing the pressure in the first cell, the first electromagnetic valve is opened, the second electromagnetic valve is closed, and the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to discharge the fluid from the fluid passage; When increasing the pressure in the second cell, the second electromagnetic valve is opened, the first electromagnetic valve is closed, and the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to supply the fluid to the fluid passage; A fluid mattress described in any one of Appendices 1 to 4, wherein when the pressure in the second cell is reduced, the second solenoid valve is opened, the first solenoid valve is closed, and the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to discharge the fluid from the fluid passage.

[0055] (Appendix 6) a plurality of interconnected third cells; a third solenoid valve having a first end connected to the plurality of third cells and a second end connected to the fluid passage; Furthermore, The control unit also controls the third solenoid valve, The control unit when increasing the pressure in the third cell, the third electromagnetic valve is opened, the first electromagnetic valve and the second electromagnetic valve are closed, and the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to supply the fluid to the fluid passage; A fluid mattress as described in Appendix 5, wherein when the pressure in the third cell is reduced, the third solenoid valve is opened, the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve are closed, and the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to discharge the fluid from the fluid passage.

[0056] (Appendix 7) A fluid mattress as described in Appendix 6, wherein the first cell, the second cell, and the third cell are arranged on a bed and are repeatedly arranged from the head side to the foot side of the bed.

[0057] (Appendix 8) 8. The fluid mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising polyurethane foams disposed in the first cells and the second cells, respectively.

[0058] (Appendix 9) 8. The fluid mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising polyurethane foam arranged successively on the first cells and the second cells. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1, 2, 3 Fluid Mattress 10 Pump unit 11 Pump 11a Entrance side 11b Exit side 12 Three-way valve 12a 1st end 12b 2nd end 12c 3rd end 12d Switching Mechanism 13 Three-way valve 13a 1st end 13b 2nd end 13c 3rd end 13d Switching mechanism 20 Fluid passage 31, 32, 33 Air Cell 41, 42, 43, 44 Solenoid valves 50 Pressure Sensor 60 Control Unit 71, 72 Polyurethane foam 100 beds 110 Head support area 120 Torso support area 200 Air t1, t2 Air cell thickness U user

Claims

1. a fluid passage through which a fluid can flow; a fluid supply / discharge means for supplying and discharging the fluid to and from the fluid passage; a plurality of interconnected first cells; a plurality of interconnected second cells; a control unit that controls the fluid supply / discharge means, switches between connecting and disconnecting the plurality of first cells to the fluid passage, and switches between connecting and disconnecting the plurality of second cells to the fluid passage; Equipped with The control unit when increasing the pressure in the first cell or the second cell, the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to supply the fluid to the fluid passage; A fluid mattress in which, when the pressure in the first cell or the second cell is reduced, the fluid supply / discharge means discharges the fluid from the fluid passage.

2. The control unit a first mode in which the pressure in the second cell is a first pressure and the pressure in the first cell is a second pressure lower than the first pressure; a second mode in which the pressure in the first cell is the first pressure and the pressure in the second cell is the second pressure; The fluid mattress according to claim 1, which is capable of realizing the above.

3. the first pressure is greater than atmospheric pressure; 3. The fluid mattress of claim 2, wherein the second pressure is less than atmospheric pressure.

4. The fluid supply / discharge means A pump and a first three-way valve having a first end connected to the inlet side of the pump, a second end connected to the fluid passage, and a third end connected to the outside; a second three-way valve having a first end connected to the outlet side of the pump, a second end connected to the fluid passage, and a third end connected to the outside; and The control unit when the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to supply the fluid to the fluid passage, a first end of the first three-way valve is connected to a third end of the first three-way valve, and a first end of the second three-way valve is connected to a second end of the second three-way valve; A fluid mattress as described in claim 1, wherein when the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to discharge the fluid from the fluid passage, the first end of the first three-way valve is connected to the second end of the first three-way valve, and the first end of the second three-way valve is connected to the third end of the second three-way valve.

5. a first solenoid valve having a first end connected to the plurality of first cells and a second end connected to the fluid passage; a second solenoid valve having a first end connected to the plurality of second cells and a second end connected to the fluid passage; Furthermore, The control unit also controls the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve, The control unit When increasing the pressure in the first cell, the first electromagnetic valve is opened, the second electromagnetic valve is closed, and the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to supply the fluid to the fluid passage; When the pressure in the first cell is to be reduced, the first electromagnetic valve is opened, the second electromagnetic valve is closed, and the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to discharge the fluid from the fluid passage; When increasing the pressure in the second cell, the second electromagnetic valve is opened, the first electromagnetic valve is closed, and the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to supply the fluid to the fluid passage; A fluid mattress as described in claim 1, wherein when the pressure in the second cell is reduced, the second solenoid valve is opened, the first solenoid valve is closed, and the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to discharge the fluid from the fluid passage.

6. a plurality of interconnected third cells; a third solenoid valve having a first end connected to the plurality of third cells and a second end connected to the fluid passage; Furthermore, The control unit also controls the third solenoid valve, The control unit when increasing the pressure in the third cell, the third electromagnetic valve is opened, the first electromagnetic valve and the second electromagnetic valve are closed, and the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to supply the fluid to the fluid passage; A fluid mattress as described in claim 5, wherein when the pressure in the third cell is reduced, the third solenoid valve is opened, the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve are closed, and the fluid supply / discharge means is caused to discharge the fluid from the fluid passage.

7. The fluid mattress according to claim 6 , wherein the first cells, the second cells, and the third cells are arranged on a bed and are repeatedly arranged from the head side to the foot side of the bed.

8. The fluid mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising polyurethane foam disposed within the first cells and the second cells, respectively.

9. 8. The fluid mattress according to claim 1, further comprising a polyurethane foam disposed successively on the first cells and the second cells.

Images