Cushioning device

Abstract

An example of a cushioning device that can encourage customers to leave the store is disclosed. [Solution] A variable reaction force mechanism for changing the reaction force generated by the cushion body 3 is provided, which is capable of changing the reaction force between a first state and a second state. The variable reaction force mechanism maintains the reaction force in the first state until a predetermined time has elapsed after sitting down, and then maintains the reaction force in the second state after that time has elapsed. As a result, the sitting comfort changes after a predetermined time has elapsed after sitting down, which may encourage the user to leave their seat. Consequently, it may be possible to encourage the user to leave the store.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cushion device that supports the buttocks of a seated person.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, for the purpose of "providing a checkout notification system that can improve the turnover rate of users and contribute to an increase in sales", when the checkout promotion time has elapsed, a notification prompting the user to check out is given.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure discloses an example of an invention capable of prompting a user to check out from a different perspective from that of Patent Document 1.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The cushion device preferably includes at least one of the following constituent elements. That is, the constituent element is a cushion body (3) that supports the buttocks of a seated person, and a variable reaction force mechanism (7) provided on the cushion body (3) and capable of changing the reaction force generated in the cushion body (3), and the variable reaction force mechanism (7) capable of executing a variable function of changing the reaction force between a first state and a second state.

[0006] Furthermore, it is desirable that the variable reaction force mechanism (7) maintains a first reaction force state until a predetermined time has elapsed after sitting, and then maintains a second reaction force state after that time has elapsed. This changes the seating comfort after a predetermined time has elapsed after sitting, which may encourage the user to leave their seat. Consequently, it may be possible to encourage the user to leave the premises.

[0007] The cushioning device may also have the following configuration, for example. In other words, in the second state, the reaction force is unbalanced in the width direction, and in the first state, it is desirable that the reaction force is more uniform in the width direction compared to the second state. As a result, the seated person will definitely notice the change in seating comfort, which may encourage the user to leave their seat.

[0008] Furthermore, in the second state, it is desirable that the reaction force in the center in the width direction be larger than in other parts. In addition, it is desirable to have a seating sensor (9) that detects whether or not someone is seated, and a timer (7C) that measures time based on the time when seating is detected by the seating sensor (9).

[0009] Incidentally, the symbols in each of the parentheses above are just examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations etc. described in the embodiments described later, and this disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations etc. indicated by the symbols in the parentheses above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows a chair according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the structure of the cushion body according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the structure of the cushion body according to the first embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The following "Embodiments of the Invention" are examples of embodiments that fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. In other words, the features defining the invention as described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the embodiments below.

[0012] This embodiment is an example in which the cushioning device according to this disclosure is applied to a chair 1 (see Figure 1) used in restaurants such as cafes. The arrows and diagonal lines indicating direction in each figure are included to facilitate understanding of the relationships between the figures and the shapes of the components or parts.

[0013] Therefore, the cushioning device is not limited to the directions shown in each figure. The directions shown in each figure are those of the vehicle seat according to this embodiment when it is assembled in a vehicle. Diagonal lines do not always indicate a cross-sectional view.

[0014] Unless otherwise specified, such as "one," each component or part described with a reference numeral is provided at least once. The cushioning device shown in this disclosure comprises at least one of the components, such as each component or part described with a reference numeral, and at least one of the illustrated structural parts.

[0015] (First Embodiment) <1. Overview of the chair> Chair 1, as shown in Figure 1, includes at least a seat cushion 3 and a seat back 5. The seat cushion 3 is the part that supports the seated person's buttocks. The seat back 5 is the part that supports the seated person's back.

[0016] Furthermore, the cushion device according to this disclosure is applied to the seat cushion 3. In other words, in this embodiment, the seat cushion 3 is the cushion device. Hereafter, the seat cushion 3 will also be referred to as the cushion body 3.

[0017] <2. Details of the cushioning device> <2.1 Configuration of the cushioning device> The cushion device, that is, the cushion body 3, is configured to include a variable reaction force mechanism 7, a seating sensor 9, an S spring 11, a cushion frame 13, etc., as shown in FIG. 2. The cushion frame 13 is a strength member that constitutes the skeleton of the cushion body 3.

[0018] The variable reaction force mechanism 7 is a mechanism for changing the reaction force generated in the cushion body 3. The variable reaction force mechanism 7 can change the reaction force between the first state and the second state. The reaction force according to the present embodiment is a restoring force accompanying elastic deformation of the S spring 11, the pad 15, etc.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the S spring 11 is a spring constituted by a wire formed in a wave shape. In the present embodiment, at least three S springs 11A to 11C are provided. Each of the S springs 11A to 11C is connected to the cushion frame 13 so that the direction corresponding to the wave propagation direction coincides with the front-rear direction of the seat.

[0020] And the S spring 11A is arranged at the center in the seat width direction. The S spring 11B is arranged at a position shifted to one end side in the seat width direction with respect to the S spring 11A. The S spring 11C is arranged at a position shifted to the other end side in the seat width direction with respect to the S spring 11A. Hereinafter, the S spring 11 means a general term for the S springs 11A to 11C. [[ID=​​​​​​​​​​​The variable reaction force mechanism 7 according to this embodiment changes the reaction force between a first state and a second state by changing the initial tension of the S-spring 11A. The initial tension is the tension in the front-rear direction of the seat generated by the S-spring 11 when no one is seated.

[0024] Therefore, if the initial tension of spring 11A is greater than the initial tensions of springs 11B and 11C, the reaction force becomes non-uniform in the width direction, such that the reaction force in the center in the width direction is greater than in other parts. This state is the "second state" described above.

[0025] When the initial tension of spring 11A becomes equal to the initial tension of springs 11B and 11C, the reaction force becomes more uniform in the width direction compared to the second state. This state is the "first state" described above. In other words, in the first state, the reaction force is approximately the same in all parts in the width direction.

[0026] The variable reaction force mechanism 7 includes a tension tape 7A and an actuator 7B, etc. The tension tape 7A connects the S-spring 11A and the actuator 7B. The actuator 7B generates a force to wind up the tension tape 7A.

[0027] When the tension tape 7A is wound up by the actuator 7B, the initial tension of the S-spring 11A increases. When the tension tape 7A wound up on the actuator 7B is loosened, the initial tension of the S-spring 11A decreases.

[0028] In other words, the variable reaction force mechanism 7 according to this embodiment switches the reaction force between a first state and a second state by operating the actuator 7B. In this embodiment, the actuator 7B integrates an electric motor (not shown) and a control unit (not shown).

[0029] The actuator 7B (specifically, the control unit) has a timer 7C which constitutes a timing unit, and the actuator 7B receives a signal from the seating sensor 9. The actuator 7B maintains a first reaction force state until a predetermined time has elapsed after seating, and then maintains a second reaction force state after that time has elapsed.

[0030] Specifically, the timer 7C measures time based on the moment when seating is detected by the seating sensor 9. Then, when the measured time has elapsed, the actuator 7B winds up the tension tape 7A to increase the initial tension of the S spring 11A.

[0031] Furthermore, if the seating sensor 9 detects that the seat is not occupied after the reaction force has been set to the second state, the control unit loosens the tension tape 7A wound around the actuator 7B, returning the reaction force to the first state.

[0032] <3. Features of the sheet according to this embodiment> The variable reaction force mechanism 7 maintains a first reaction force state until a predetermined time has elapsed after sitting down, and then changes the reaction force to a second state after that time has elapsed. As a result, the seating comfort changes after a predetermined time has elapsed after sitting down, which may encourage the user to leave their seat. Consequently, it may be possible to encourage the user to leave the store.

[0033] Furthermore, in the second state, the reaction force becomes uneven in the width direction, while in the first state, the reaction force becomes more uniform in the width direction compared to the second state. As a result, the seated person will definitely notice the change in seating comfort, which may encourage them to leave their seat. Incidentally, most seated people feel that the seating comfort has worsened in the second state compared to the first state.

[0034] (Other embodiments) In the second state according to the embodiment described above, the reaction force at the center in the width direction was larger than that at other parts. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may, for example, have a configuration in the second state where the reaction force at the center in the width direction is smaller than that at other parts.

[0035] The variable reaction force mechanism 7 according to the above embodiment was configured to change the initial tension of the S-spring 11. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may also be configured, for example, to generate the reaction force with an air spring and change the reaction force by changing the air pressure.

[0036] In the embodiments described above, the cushioning device according to this disclosure was applied to a chair. However, the application of the invention disclosed herein is not limited to this. That is, the disclosure can also be applied to cushions such as zabuton (Japanese floor cushions).

[0037] Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is sufficient to be consistent with the intent of the disclosures described in the embodiments described above. Therefore, it may be a configuration in which at least two of the embodiments described above are combined, or a configuration in which any of the illustrated components or components described with reference numerals in the embodiments described above are omitted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 1… Chair 3… Seat cushion (cushion body) 5… Seat back 7. Variable reaction mechanism 7A… Tension tape 7B… Actuator 7C… Timer 9… Seat sensor 11… S-spring 13… Cushion frame 15… Pad

Claims

1. The cushion body that supports the seated person's buttocks, The cushion body is provided with a variable reaction force mechanism capable of changing the reaction force generated by the cushion body, and the variable reaction force mechanism is capable of performing a variable function to change the reaction force between a first state and a second state. The variable reaction force mechanism is a cushioning device in which the reaction force is in a first state until a predetermined time has elapsed after sitting, and the reaction force is in a second state after that time has elapsed.

2. In the preceding second state, the reaction force becomes non-uniform in the width direction. Furthermore, the cushioning device according to claim 1, wherein in the first state, the reaction force is more uniform in the width direction compared to the second state.

3. The cushioning device according to claim 2, wherein in the second state, the reaction force at the center in the width direction is larger than that at other parts.

4. A seating sensor that detects whether or not someone is seated, A timer that measures the time based on the time when seating is detected by the seating sensor. A cushioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

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