Biological support device

Abstract

To provide a bio-support device that can improve user experience. [Solution] The biological support device 1 comprises a pad member 3b, a unit drive device 10, and a filling member 3f. The unit drive device 10 is housed in a recess 3d. The filling member 3f extends longitudinally along the recess 3d and is positioned to fill the space between the unit drive device 10 and the support surface 3e. In the unit drive device 10, the moving unit 20 comprises connecting parts 30 and 40 connected to belts 16a and 16b, and a displacement part 50. The connecting parts 30 and 40 are connected to belts 16a and 16b. The displacement part 50 is configured to be displaceable to move closer to and further away from the guide rail 11.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a living body support device configured to support a living body.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a moving unit continuously moves along a guide rail and performs massage by pressing a desired body part of a user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, as a result of the inventors' detailed examination, it has been found that the technique of Patent Document 1 has a problem that the feeling of use by the user is poor. The configuration of Patent Document 1 includes the epidermis between the moving unit and the user, but the moving unit generally directly touches the user. Further, a pad for relaxing the stimulation to the user's back is not disposed in the region where the moving unit moves. For this reason, the user does not feel comfortable with the feeling in this region, and the feeling of use is poor.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a living body support device that can improve the feeling of use by a living body such as a user while having a massage function.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The living body support device (1) preferably includes at least one of the following constituent elements, for example. One aspect of the present disclosure is a biological support device (1) configured to support a living organism. The biological support device (1) comprises a pad member (3b), a unit drive device (10), and a filling member (3f). The pad member (3b) has a longitudinally extending recess (3d) and a support surface (3e), and has a preset thickness and flexibility.

[0007] The unit drive device (10) is housed in the recess (3d). The filling member (3f) extends longitudinally along the recess (3d) and is positioned to fill the space between the unit drive device (10) and the support surface (3e).

[0008] The unit drive device (10) comprises a guide rail (11), a moving unit (20), and at least one drive unit (16a, 16b). The guide rail extends in the longitudinal direction and has at least one guide groove (15a, 15b) extending along the longitudinal direction. The moving unit (20) is configured to be displaceable along the guide rail (11). The drive units (16a, 16b) are arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction inside the guide groove (15a, 15b) and are configured to be displaceable along the longitudinal direction independently of each other.

[0009] The moving unit (20) comprises at least one connecting part (30, 40) connected to at least one drive part (16a, 16b), and a displacement part (50). At least one connecting part (30, 40) is connected to the drive part (16a, 16b). The displacement part (50) is configured to be displaceable to move closer to and further away from the guide rail (11).

[0010] In other words, the unit drive device (10) is housed in the recess (3d) of the pad member (3b), and the filling member (3f) is positioned to fill the space between the unit drive device (10) and the support surface (3e).

[0011] With this configuration, the displacement part (50) of the unit drive device (10) comes into contact with the user's body via the filling member (3f). In addition, the pad member (3b) and the filling member (3f) support the user. Therefore, while providing a massage function, the user experience can be improved.

[0012] One aspect of the present disclosure may include a first drive unit (16a) and a second drive unit (16b) as at least one drive unit (16a, 16b). The moving unit (20) may further include a first connecting unit (30) and a second connecting unit (40) as at least one connecting unit (30, 40), and a mechanism unit (60). The mechanism (60) is connected to the first connecting part (30) and the second connecting part (40). The first connecting part (30) is connected to the first drive part (16a). The second connecting part (40) is connected to the second drive part (16b) and is configured to be displaceable relative to the first connecting part (30) in the longitudinal direction. The mechanism (60) is configured to displace the displacement part (50) so as the second connecting part (40) is displaced relative to the first connecting part (30) in the longitudinal direction, so as the second connecting part (40) is displaced relative to the first connecting part (30), the mechanism (60) is displaced so as to move closer to and further away from the guide rail (11).

[0013] With this configuration, the mobile unit (20) can be displaced along the guide rail (11) without incorporating a power source such as a motor into the mobile unit (20). Furthermore, the displacement part (50) can be displaced, for example, in the vertical direction, to move closer to and further away from the guide rail (11). As a result, the mobile unit (20) can be made smaller.

[0014] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the guide rail (11) may have a plurality of connecting members (12, 13, 14) arranged longitudinally and rotatably connected to one another. With this configuration, the guide rail (11) can deform to conform to the shape of the user's body in response to external forces received from the user. The unit drive device (10) can displace the mobile unit (20) to conform to the shape of the user's body, and the displacement part (50) can press against a predetermined body part. Furthermore, by displacing the mobile unit (20) to conform to the shape of the body while maintaining the state of pressing against a body part by the displacement part (50), a predetermined body part can be targeted.

[0015] One aspect of the present disclosure may further include at least one actuator (M1, M2) that actsuates at least one drive unit (16a, 16b). The at least one actuator (M1, M2) may be located outside the movable area of ​​the mobile unit. With this configuration, the mobile unit (20) can be made smaller than when the mobile unit (20) is equipped with actuators (M1, M2).

[0016] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the moving unit (20) may be configured to move while in contact with the first-direction side surface of the filling member (3f). Furthermore, the first-direction side surface (3g) of the filling member (3f) in a portion where the moving unit is absent may be located on the first-direction side of the moving unit's outermost portion (71) on the second-direction side. However, the first direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to the support surface (3e) and toward the bottom of the recess (3d), and the second direction is defined as the direction opposite to the first direction.

[0017] With this configuration, the moving unit (20) is configured to move longitudinally while expanding the filling member (3f), meaning that the biological support device (1) is equipped with a thicker filling member (3f). Therefore, the user or other living organism can use the biological support device (1) without being aware of the boundary between the pad member (3b) and the filling member (3f), and without being overly aware of the presence of the unit drive device (10). Thus, the user experience can be further improved.

[0018] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the moving unit (20) may further include a contact reduction portion (71) for reducing the contact resistance with the filling member (3f) at at least the longitudinal end and the end on the second direction side.

[0019] According to such a configuration, in the configuration in which the moving unit (20) moves in the longitudinal direction while spreading the filling member (3f), the contact resistance with the filling member (3f) can be reduced, so that the moving unit (20) can move smoothly in the longitudinal direction.

[0020] In one aspect of the present disclosure, as the contact reduction portion, the moving unit (20) may further include an inclined surface (71a) configured to approach the guide rail 11 as it approaches the longitudinal end of the moving unit (20). According to such a configuration, the contact resistance with the filling member (3f) can be reduced by the inclined surface (71a).

[0021] In one aspect of the present disclosure, as the contact reduction portion, the moving unit (20) may further include a roller (71b). According to such a configuration, the contact resistance with the filling member (3f) can be reduced by the curved surface or the roller (71b).

[0022] Note that the reference numerals in the above parentheses are examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations and the like described in the embodiments to be described later, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations and the like indicated by the reference numerals in the above parentheses.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the entire living body support device. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing the living body support device excluding the epidermis. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing the unit drive device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4A is a side view showing the unit drive device, and FIG. 4B is a side view of the filling member. [Figure 5] It is an enlarged view of FIG. 4A. [Figure 6] Figure 6A is a perspective view showing the mobile unit in a non-operating state, and Figure 6B is a perspective view showing the mobile unit in an operating state. [Figure 7] This is a side view showing a modified unit drive mechanism. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. [1. Embodiments] [1-1. Overall Structure] The biological support device 1 shown in Figure 1 is configured to support a living body. The biological support device 1 is configured as a seat for a vehicle and, in particular, has a massage function. The biological support device 1 only needs to have the function of supporting a living body and can be applied to chairs such as sofas and massage chairs, beds, mats, futons, etc., in addition to vehicle seats. Furthermore, although the living body in this embodiment is intended to be a human (hereinafter also referred to as the user), the living body may be an animal other than a human. Animals may include pets such as dogs and cats, and livestock such as cows and pigs.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the biological support device 1 comprises a side support section 2a, a back support section 2b, a headrest section 2c, a unit drive device 10, and a filling member 3f.

[0026] The side support section 2a is the part that supports the user's side. The side support section 2a is constructed by covering the side pad member 3a (see, for example, Figure 2) with the outer layer 2d. The back support section 2b is the part that supports the user's back. The back support section 2b is constructed by covering the back pad member 3b (see, for example, Figure 2) with the outer layer 2d.

[0027] The side pad member 3a and the back pad member 3b are members having a predetermined thickness and flexibility, and are made of, for example, foamed urethane. The back pad member 3b has a support surface 3e that supports the user, and a recess 3d extending in the longitudinal direction L is formed in this support surface 3e. The longitudinal direction L is the direction along the support surface 3e, and in Figure 2 it is approximately the vertical direction. The unit drive device 10 is housed in the recess 3d.

[0028] The filling member 3f extends longitudinally L along the recess 3d and is positioned to fill the space between the unit drive device 10 and the support surface 3e (see, for example, Figure 4A). Details of the filling member 3f will be described later.

[0029] The outer layer 2d is a member that integrally covers the support surface 3e of the side pad member 3a, the back pad member 3b, and the filling member 3f. The outer layer 2d is set to be thinner than the pad members 3a and 3b and is made of, for example, leather, synthetic leather, or cloth.

[0030] The headrest portion 2c is the part that supports the user's neck. The headrest portion 2c is covered with a different skin than the skin 2d.

[0031] [1-2. Filling material 3f] As shown in Figure 1, the filling member 3f is placed inside the recess 3d. Here, as shown in Figure 4A, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L (for example, the support surface 3e) and toward the bottom of the recess 3d is defined as the first direction, and the direction opposite to the first direction is defined as the second direction.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4B, the filling member 3f is formed in a curved shape such that it becomes flush with the support surface 3e when placed in the recess 3d. In other words, the surface 3g on the second direction side of the filling member 3f connects smoothly to the support surface 3e without any steps. On the other hand, the surface 3h on the first direction side of the filling member 3f is configured to be approximately flat.

[0033] Therefore, the thickness of the filling member 3f varies depending on the location. For example, as shown in Figure 4A, the thickness at the lower end is T2, and the thickness at the upper end is T3. In this embodiment, T2 > T3, and T3 is the thickness of the thinnest part. On the other hand, the thickness T1 of the skin 2d is generally constant regardless of the location. As shown in Figure 4A, the thickness T1 of the skin 2d is set to be thinner than the thicknesses T2 and T3 of the filling member 3f.

[0034] Incidentally, when the surface 3h on the first direction side is positioned in the recess 3d, it comes into contact with the moving unit 20 and is pushed in the second direction side by the moving unit 20, causing it to deform. At this time, for example, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4B, the surface 3h on the first direction side moves to the deformed surface 3x.

[0035] In other words, in the filling member 3f, the surface 3h on the first direction side in the area where the moving unit 20 is not present is configured to be located on the first direction side of the moving unit 20's outermost part in the second direction (for example, the contact reduction part 71 described later). For example, the surface 3h on the first direction side is located on the first direction side of the contact reduction part 71 by the distance D shown in Figure 5.

[0036] [1-3. Contact reduction section 71] In the above-described biological support device 1, the mobile unit 20 is configured to move while contacting the first-direction side surface 3h of the filling member 3f and expanding the space for the mobile unit 20 to move. In such a configuration, contact resistance such as frictional resistance occurs between the mobile unit 20 and the filling member 3f, but the mobile unit 20 is equipped with a mechanism to reduce this contact resistance.

[0037] For example, as shown in Figure 5, the moving unit 20 is equipped with two contact reduction portions 71. The two contact reduction portions 71 are members positioned at the ends of the moving unit 20 in the longitudinal direction L and at the ends on the second direction side in order to reduce contact resistance with the filling member 3f. The two contact reduction portions 71 are positioned on the upper surfaces of the flat plate portion 34 of the first connecting portion 30 and the flat plate portion 47 of the second connecting portion 40, respectively.

[0038] Each contact reduction section 71 is, for example, entirely made of a low-friction material. A low-friction material is a material that has been processed to have a lower coefficient of friction than general resins or metal materials. Examples of low-friction materials include resins with a smoothly processed surface, low-friction films, friction-reducing tapes, and coatings.

[0039] Furthermore, each contact reduction portion 71 is provided with an inclined surface 71a at both ends in the longitudinal direction L, which are on the second direction side. These inclined surfaces 71a allow the contact reduction portion 71 and the filling member 3f to be in surface contact, thereby reducing contact resistance compared to the case where the contact reduction portion 71 and the filling member 3f are in line contact.

[0040] [1-4. Unit drive device 10] As shown in Figure 3, the unit drive unit 10 is positioned between the left and right side frames 4a and fixed to the under frame 4b. The left and right side frames 4a and the under frame 4b are components that make up the skeleton of the side support section 2a and the back support section 2b. The under frame 4b connects the left and right side frames 4a at the lower part of the back support section 2b.

[0041] The unit drive device 10 comprises a guide rail 11, first and second belts 16a and 16b, motors M1 and M2, and a moving unit 20. The guide rail 11 is an elongated, flattened member that forms an annular shape.

[0042] The guide rail 11 comprises a plurality of plates 12, a connecting member 13, and a motor mounting portion 14. The plurality of plates 12, the connecting member 13, and the motor mounting portion 14 are arranged in the circumferential direction and connected in a manner that allows them to rotate relative to each other, thereby forming an annular shape. The guide rail 11 also has two guide grooves 15a and 15b (see, for example, Figure 6A) extending along the circumferential direction on its outer surface.

[0043] The multiple plates 12 are flat members that extend in the circumferential direction. As shown in Figure 5, the multiple plates 12 are arranged in two layers, upper and lower, and the first and second belts 16a and 16b are held in each layer in a drivable manner.

[0044] Furthermore, each plate 12 has connecting portions 122a and 122b at its first and second ends in the circumferential direction. The connecting portion 122a of each plate 12 is rotatably connected to the connecting portion 122b of the other plate 12.

[0045] The connecting member 13 and the motor mounting portion 14 are members that connect the ends of multiple plates 12 arranged in two layers. The motor mounting portion 14 is the part to which motors M1 and M2 for driving the first and second belts 16a and 16b are attached. Motor M1 for driving the first belt 16a and motor M2 for driving the second belt 16b are attached to the motor mounting portion 14.

[0046] At the connecting member 13 and the motor mounting section 14, the first and second belts 16a and 16b are rotated 180 degrees and transported. In other words, the multiple plates 12 arranged in the upper layer, the connecting member 13, the multiple plates 12 arranged in the lower layer, and the motor mounting section 14 are connected in sequence to form an annular path for the transport of the first and second belts 16a and 16b.

[0047] The unit drive device 10 is equipped with multiple cover portions 12a. The multiple cover portions 12a are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction L and cover the areas on the multiple plates 12 where the first and second belts 16a and 16b are located from the side of the moving unit 20.

[0048] [1-4-1. First and second belts 16a, 16b] The first and second belts 16a and 16b are, for example, annular toothed belts. However, they are not limited to this; the first and second belts 16a and 16b may also be belts without teeth, or they may be chains or wires.

[0049] The first belt 16a is positioned in the guide groove 15a and is driven by motor M1 to rotate around the guide rail 11. The second belt 16b is positioned in the guide groove 15b and is driven by motor M2 to rotate around the guide rail 11. In other words, the first and second belts 16a and 16b are displaceable independently along the guide rail 11.

[0050] [1-4-2. Motors M1, M2] Motors M1 and M2 output driving force to drive the mobile unit 20. Motor M1 outputs driving force to displace the first belt 16a along the guide rail 11. Motor M2 outputs driving force to displace the second belt 16b along the guide rail 11. Here, as shown in Figure 4A, the mobile unit 20 is configured to be movable within the movable region R, and motors M1 and M2 are located outside the movable region R. This configuration contributes to miniaturization of the mobile unit 20 because it eliminates the need for an area within the movable region R to accommodate motors M1 and M2.

[0051] [1-4-3. Configuration of Mobile Unit 20] The movable unit 20 is positioned on the outer surface of the guide rail 11 and is displaceable along the guide rail 11 (see Figures 1 and 2). When the movable unit 20 is positioned on the guide rail 11, the front-to-back direction of the movable unit 20 is parallel to the extension direction (i.e., the longitudinal direction L) of the guide rail 11. Also, when the movable unit 20 is positioned on the guide rail 11, the left-to-right direction of the movable unit 20 is parallel to the width direction of the guide rail 11, and the up-to-down direction of the movable unit 20 is perpendicular to the outer surface of the guide rail 11. Furthermore, from now on, the direction toward the outer surface of the guide rail 11 along the up-to-down direction, in other words, the direction away from the guide rail 11 (i.e., the second direction), will be defined as upward, and the opposite direction (i.e., the first direction) will be defined as downward.

[0052] As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the movable unit 20 comprises first and second connecting parts 30 and 40, a displacement part 50, and a mechanism part 60. Hereafter, with respect to the left-right central part of the movable unit 20, the side where the left-right ends are located will be referred to as the outside, and the side opposite the outside will be referred to as the inside. Note that the contact reduction part 71 is not shown in Figures 6A and 6B.

[0053] <First connection part 30> The first connecting portion 30 is a plate-shaped part comprising a flat plate portion 34 and two side plate portions 35. The flat plate portion 34 is a plate-shaped part with its thickness in the vertical direction. The two side plate portions 35 are plate-shaped parts that protrude downward from both ends of the flat plate portion 34 in the left-right direction. The flat plate portion 34 is located above the guide grooves 15a and 15b and is connected to the first belt 16a which is positioned in the guide groove 15a. The two side plate portions 35 are located on the outside of the guide rail 11.

[0054] <Second connection part 40> The second connecting portion 40 is a plate-shaped portion located behind the first connecting portion 30, and comprises a flat plate portion 47 and two side plate portions 48. The flat plate portion 47 is a plate-shaped portion with its thickness in the vertical direction. The two side plate portions 48 are plate-shaped portions that protrude downward from both ends of the flat plate portion 47 in the left-right direction. The flat plate portion 47 is located above the guide grooves 15a and 15b and is connected to the second belt 16b located in the guide groove 15b. The two side plate portions 48 are located outside the guide rail 11.

[0055] <Mechanism section 60> The mechanism 60 is connected to the first connecting portion 30 and the second connecting portion 40. The first connecting portion 30 is connected to the first belt 16a. The second connecting portion 40 is connected to the second belt 16b and is configured to be displaceable relative to the first connecting portion 30 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0056] The mechanism 60 is configured to displace the displacement portion 50 so as the second connecting portion 40 is displaced relative to the first connecting portion 30 in the longitudinal direction L, so as the displacement portion 50 moves closer to and further away from the guide rail 11.

[0057] In detail, the mechanism 60 comprises a plate-shaped portion 63, two first arm portions 64, and two second arm portions 65. The plate-shaped portion 63 is a curved plate-shaped part with its thickness in the vertical direction and extending in the front-rear direction.

[0058] The two first arm portions 64 are elongated plate-like parts that protrude downward from the front ends at both ends in the left-right direction of the plate-like portion 63 and curve forward. The tip of each first arm portion 64 is rotatably connected to the side plate portion 35.

[0059] The two second arm portions 65 are elongated plate-like parts that protrude downward from the rear ends at both ends in the left-right direction of the plate-like portion 63 and curve backward. The tip of each second arm portion 65 is rotatably connected to the side plate portion 48.

[0060] <Displacement section 50> The displacement section 50 is a part configured to be displaceable so as to move closer to and further away from the guide rail 11. More specifically, the displacement section 50 is a part of the plate-shaped section 63 (for example, the central part of the plate-shaped section 63).

[0061] [1-4-4. Operation of Mobile Unit 20] The operation of the mobile unit 20 in this embodiment will now be described. When the moving unit 20 of this embodiment is positioned on the guide rail 11, the first and second connecting parts 30 and 40 are connected to the first and second belts 16a and 16b, respectively. Therefore, when the first and second belts 16a and 16b are displaced at a constant velocity, the relative positions of the first and second connecting parts 30 and 40 do not change. In this case, the vertical position of the displacement part 50 does not change, and the moving unit 20 is displaced along the guide rail 11.

[0062] On the other hand, if the displacement speeds of the first and second belts 16a and 16b are different, or if one is stationary while the other is displaced, the relative positions of the first and second connecting parts 30 and 40 will change. In this case, as the second connecting part 40 is displaced forward relative to the first connecting part 30, the displacement part 50 will be displaced upward relative to the guide rail 11. Also, as the second connecting part 40 is displaced backward relative to the first connecting part 30, the displacement part 50 will be displaced downward relative to the guide rail 11.

[0063] When the first connecting portion 30 is furthest from the second connecting portion 40, the plate-like portion 63 is flat (see Figure 6A). In other words, the curvature of the plate-like portion 63 is zero. Now, when the second connecting portion 40 is displaced relative to the first connecting portion 30, the first arm portion 64 rotates counterclockwise and the second arm portion 65 rotates clockwise when viewed from the left (see Figure 6B). As a result, the plate-like portion 63 curves so as to protrude upward (in other words, the curvature of the plate-like portion 63 increases). And as the curvature of the plate-like portion 63 increases, the displacement portion 50 is displaced upward. Therefore, as the second connecting portion 40 is displaced forward and backward relative to the first connecting portion 30, the curvature of the plate-like portion 63 changes, and the displacement portion 50 is displaced vertically relative to the guide rail 11.

[0064] [1-5. Effects] The embodiments described in detail above produce the following effects. (1a) The above-described biological support device 1 is configured to support a living organism. The biological support device 1 comprises a pad member 3b, a unit drive device 10, and a filling member 3f. The pad member 3b has a recess 3d extending in the longitudinal direction L and a support surface 3e, and has a preset thickness and flexibility.

[0065] The unit drive device 10 is housed in the recess 3d. The filling member 3f extends along the recess 3d in the longitudinal direction L and is positioned to fill the space between the unit drive device 10 and the support surface 3e.

[0066] The unit drive device 10 comprises a guide rail 11, a moving unit 20, and belts 16a and 16b. The guide rail 11 extends in the longitudinal direction L and has guide grooves 15a and 15b that extend along the longitudinal direction L. The moving unit 20 is configured to be displaceable along the guide rail 11. The belts 16a and 16b are arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction L inside the guide grooves 15a and 15b and are configured to be displaceable independently along the longitudinal direction L.

[0067] The moving unit 20 includes connecting parts 30 and 40 connected to belts 16a and 16b, and a displacement part 50. The connecting parts 30 and 40 are connected to belts 16a and 16b. The displacement part 50 is configured to be displaceable to move closer to and further away from the guide rail 11.

[0068] With this configuration, the displacement part 50 of the unit drive device 10 comes into contact with the user via the filling member 3f. In addition, the pad member 3b and the filling member 3f support the user. Therefore, while providing a massage function, the user experience can be improved.

[0069] (1b) In the above-described biological support device 1, the mobile unit 20 further comprises a first connecting portion 30, a second connecting portion 40, and a mechanism portion 60. The mechanism portion 60 is connected to the first connecting portion 30 and the second connecting portion 40. The first connecting portion 30 is connected to the first belt 16a. The second connecting portion 40 is connected to the second belt 16b and is configured to be displaceable relative to the first connecting portion 30 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0070] The mechanism 60 is configured to displace the displacement portion 50 so as the second connecting portion 40 is displaced relative to the first connecting portion 30 in the longitudinal direction L, so as the displacement portion 50 moves closer to and further away from the guide rail 11.

[0071] With this configuration, the mobile unit 20 can be displaced along the guide rail 11 without incorporating a power source such as a motor into the mobile unit 20, and the displacement part 50 can be displaced, for example, vertically, to move closer to and further away from the guide rail 11. Therefore, the mobile unit 20 can be made smaller.

[0072] (1c) In the above-described biological support device 1, the guide rail 11 has a plurality of connecting members arranged in the longitudinal direction L, which are a plurality of plates 12, a plurality of connecting members 13, and a motor mounting portion 14, which are a plurality of connecting members that are rotatably connected to each other. The plurality of plates 12, the plurality of connecting members 13, and the motor mounting portion 14 are rotatably connected to each other.

[0073] With this configuration, when the unit drive device 10 is mounted on a chair with a massage function, the guide rail 11 can deform to conform to the shape of the user's body in response to the external force received from the user. Furthermore, the unit drive device 10 can displace the moving unit 20 along the shape of the user's body and press a predetermined body part with the displacement part 50. In addition, by displacing the moving unit 20 along the shape of the body while maintaining the state of pressing a body part with the displacement part 50, a predetermined body part can be stimulated.

[0074] (1d) The above-described biological support device 1 further includes motors M1 and M2 as actuators for operating the belts 16a and 16b. The motors M1 and M2 are located outside the area in which the mobile unit 20 can move. With this configuration, the mobile unit 20 can be made smaller than when the mobile unit 20 is equipped with motors M1 and M2.

[0075] (1e) In the above-described biological support device 1, the moving unit 20 is configured to move while in contact with the first-direction side surface of the filling member 3f. However, the first direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to the support surface 3e and toward the bottom of the recess 3d from the support surface 3e, and the second direction is defined as the direction opposite to the first direction. Furthermore, in the filling member 3f, the first-direction side surface 3g in the area where the moving unit 20 is not present is configured to be located on the first-direction side of the moving unit 20's furthest second-direction side portion (e.g., the contact reduction portion 71).

[0076] With this configuration, the moving unit 20 is configured to move in the longitudinal direction L while expanding the filling member 3f, meaning that the biological support device 1 is equipped with a thicker filling member 3f. Therefore, the user can use the biological support device 1 without being aware of the boundary between the pad member 3b and the filling member 3f, and without being overly aware of the presence of the unit drive device 10. Thus, the user experience can be further improved.

[0077] (1f) In the above-described biological support device 1, the moving unit 20 further includes a contact reduction portion 71 for reducing contact resistance with the filling member 3f at least at the end in the longitudinal direction L and the end on the second direction side.

[0078] With this configuration, the moving unit 20 moves in the longitudinal direction L while spreading the filling member 3f, and since the contact resistance with the filling member 3f can be reduced, the moving unit 20 can move smoothly in the longitudinal direction L.

[0079] (1g) The above-described biological support device 1 further includes an inclined surface 71a in the contact reduction section 71 that approaches the guide rail 11 as it moves toward the end of the moving unit 20 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0080] With this configuration, the inclined surface 71a can reduce the contact resistance with the filling member 3f. [2. Other Embodiments] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0081] (2a) In the above embodiment, the contact reduction section 71 is provided with an inclined surface 71a configured to approach the guide rail 11 as it approaches the end of the moving unit 20 in the longitudinal direction L, but it is not limited to this. For example, a curved surface may be formed instead of the inclined surface 71a. The curved surface may be an arc-shaped curved surface whose cross-section is convex toward the second direction.

[0082] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7, the contact reduction section 71 in the moving unit 20 may be equipped with rollers 71b at the end in the longitudinal direction L and at the end in the second direction. With such a configuration, the contact resistance with the filling member 3f can be reduced by the curved surface and rollers 71b.

[0083] (2b) In the above embodiment, two belts 16a and 16b are provided, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, only one belt may be provided, or three or more belts may be provided. For example, if only one belt is provided, the displacement unit 50 may be displaced in any manner. For example, the moving unit 20 may be provided with an actuator.

[0084] (2c) The mechanism 60 may be divided in the center of the plate-shaped portion 63 so that two dividing members are aligned in the front-rear direction. Hereafter, the front dividing member of the mechanism 60 will be referred to as the first piece, and the rear dividing member as the second piece. In this case, the displacement part may be a member (for example, a hinge) that rotatably connects the first and second pieces to each other.

[0085] With this configuration, when the second connecting portion 40 is displaced relative to the first connecting portion 30 so as to move closer to it, the first piece rotates counterclockwise and the second piece rotates clockwise when viewed from the left. As a result, the plate-like portion 63 bends at the displaced portion so as to protrude upward (in other words, the angle between the first and second pieces at the displaced portion decreases). As the angle between the first and second pieces at the displaced portion decreases, the displaced portion is displaced upward. Therefore, as the second connecting portion 40 is displaced forward and backward relative to the first connecting portion 30, the angle between the first and second pieces at the displaced portion changes, and the displaced portion is displaced vertically relative to the guide rail 11.

[0086] (2d) In the above embodiment, the guide rail 11 was a member having a plurality of plates 12, a plurality of connecting members 13, and a motor mounting portion 14 that were rotatably connected to each other. However, it is not limited to this, and the guide rail 11 may be a member formed as a single unit.

[0087] (2e) Multiple functions of one component in the above embodiment may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Furthermore, some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be omitted. Furthermore, at least some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configurations of other above embodiments.

[0088] (2f) Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is consistent with the intent of the disclosures described in the embodiments described above. Therefore, the present disclosure may be a combination of at least two of the embodiments described above, or a configuration in which any of the illustrated components or components described with reference numerals in the embodiments described above is omitted.

[0089] [3. Correspondence between wordings] The first and second belts 16a and 16b in the embodiment correspond to examples of the first and second drive units, respectively. The plurality of plates 12, connecting members 13 and motor mounting parts 14 in the embodiment correspond to examples of the plurality of connecting members. The motors M1 and M2 in the embodiment correspond to examples of actuators. The back pad member 3b in the embodiment corresponds to an example of a pad member. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 1...Bio-support device, 2d...Skin, 3a,3b...Pad, 3d...Recess, 3e...Support surface, 3f...Filling member, 10...Unit drive device, 11...Guide rail, 12...Plate, 13...Connecting member, 14...Motor mounting part, 15a,15b...Guide groove, 16a,16b...Belt, 20...Movement unit, 30,40...Connecting part, 50...Displacement part, 60...Mechanism part, 71...Contact reduction part, 71a...Inclined surface, 71b...Roller.

Claims

1. A biological support device configured to support a living organism, A pad member having a recess and support surface extending in the longitudinal direction, and having a predetermined thickness and flexibility, The unit drive device housed in the recess, A filling member extending in the longitudinal direction along the recess and positioned to fill the space between the unit drive device and the support surface, Equipped with, The aforementioned unit drive device is A guide rail having an extension in the longitudinal direction and at least one guide groove extending along the longitudinal direction, A movable unit configured to be displaceable along the aforementioned guide rail, At least one drive unit is arranged within the guide groove so as to extend along the longitudinal direction and is configured to be displaceable independently along the longitudinal direction, Equipped with, The aforementioned mobile unit is At least one connecting portion connected to the at least one drive unit, A displacement part configured to be displaceable so as to move closer to and further away from the guide rail, A biological support device equipped with the following features.

2. A biological support device according to claim 1, The aforementioned at least one drive unit comprises a first drive unit and a second drive unit, The aforementioned mobile unit is The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are, as the at least one connecting portion, A mechanism connected to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, Furthermore, The first connecting portion is connected to the first drive portion, The second connecting portion is connected to the second drive portion and is configured to be displaceable relative to the first connecting portion in the longitudinal direction. The mechanism is configured such that, as the second connecting portion is displaced relative to the first connecting portion in the longitudinal direction, the displaced portion moves toward and away from the guide rail. A biological support device.

3. A biological support device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The guide rail has a plurality of connecting members arranged in the longitudinal direction and rotatably connected to one another, in a biological support device.

4. A biological support device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The system further comprises at least one actuator for operating the aforementioned at least one drive unit, The at least one actuator is located outside the movable region of the moving unit. A biological support device.

5. A biological support device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The direction perpendicular to the support surface and toward the bottom of the recess is defined as the first direction, and the direction opposite to the first direction is defined as the second direction. The moving unit is configured to move while in contact with the first direction side surface of the filling member, In the filling member, the surface on the first direction side in the portion where the moving unit is absent is located on the first direction side than the portion of the moving unit that is on the second direction side. A biological support device.

6. A biological support device according to claim 5, The moving unit further includes, at least at the longitudinal end and the second direction end, a contact reduction portion for reducing contact resistance with the filling member. A biological support device.

7. A biological support device according to claim 6, The contact reduction section further includes an inclined surface configured to approach the guide rail as it moves toward the longitudinal end of the moving unit. A biological support device.

8. A biological support device according to claim 6, The contact reduction section further comprises rollers. A biological support device.

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