Horizontal rocking device for beds

Abstract

To provide an oscillation-type sleep induction bed that enables a person having insomnia to efficiently fall into a sleep not using rotational or high frequency vibrator-like oscillation but using slow oscillation in a mainly lateral direction in a substantially horizontal plane.SOLUTION: A horizontal oscillation apparatus 11 comprises: a tabular and substantially rigid oscillation panel 13; a support apparatus 12 that supports the oscillation panel 13; and drive means for reciprocating the oscillation panel 13 in a horizontal direction with respect to the support apparatus 12. Between a bed body 2 and a mattress 3 or between the bed body 2 and a floor surface is installed the horizontal oscillation apparatus 11 set so that amplitude D of reciprocation of the oscillation panel 13 by the drive means is variable within a range of 0 cm<D≤10 cm, preferably within a range of 1.5 cm≤D≤8 cm, and a frequency f is variable within a range of 0 Hz<f≤0.8 Hz, preferably within a range of 0.1 Hz≤f≤0.7 Hz.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rocking sleep-inducing bed and a horizontal rocking device for a bed, which can help a bed user to fall asleep. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been developed vibration beds that apply micro-vibrations using a vibration device embedded in the mattress portion of the bed, and rocking beds that rock the bed itself.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a vertical rocking type rocking bed as a medical bed for preventing complications caused by immobility in seriously ill patients or patients with long-term restrictions on movement. The bed has one telescopic drive means attached to the head side and one to the leg side, respectively, at the longitudinal center of the bed, allowing the bed to rotate up and down in the vertical direction.

[0004] Patent Document 2 also discloses a rocking bed for medical use, in which the upper end of an arm is fixed to the output shaft of a reducer of a motor mounted on the underside of a rest frame for mounting a mattress, and when a roller at the tip of the arm is guided up and down along a vertical guide member as the motor rotates forward and backward, the output shaft is swung left and right, and the rest frame rotates quietly and gently around the rocking axis.

[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses a sleep-promoting rocking bed that promotes sleep by minimizing up and down rocking of the human head while providing the body with the comfortable rocking motion necessary for sleep. The bed includes a bed base, a rocking frame supported on the bed base for rocking motion, a bed floor supported by the rocking frame, and a rocking drive means for driving the rocking frame to rock together with the bed floor, with the rocking central axis of the rocking frame extending along the height direction of a user lying supine on the bed floor and passing vertically through the user's head.

[0006] Patent Document 4 discloses a rocking bed which comprises a base, a rocking body supported so as to be capable of reciprocating movement in the width direction of the bed, a drive attached to the base for reciprocating the rocking body, and a bed body on which the sleeper rests, and which basically moves the waist bed body part on which the sleeper rests back and forth in the width direction of the bed to provide a comfortable sleep by providing a pleasant lateral rocking stimulation and movement to the muscles and joints, mainly in the waist area.

[0007] Patent Document 5 discloses a bed with a sleep induction function in which a vibrating plate on the bed is equipped with a continuous micro-vibration generator that generates continuous micro-vibrations such as those generated by a moving train, and an intermittent single-shot vibration generator that generates single-shot vibrations that repeat at a roughly constant cycle such as those generated at rail joints, and the continuous micro-vibrations and the intermittent single-shot vibrations are applied in combination to the lying human body to induce good sleep.

[0008] Patent Document 6 discloses a medical adjustable bed system that can safely and quietly change the position of a person being cared for without disturbing their sound sleep, in which the inclination angle of each part of the bed bottom, which is divided into left and right halves along the longitudinal direction, is adjusted using a linear actuator.

[0009] Patent Document 7 discloses a rocking mat that is laid on a bed with a back-raising function, and includes a flexible plate-like first member, a flexible plate-like second member arranged on the first member, and a drive unit that reciprocates the second member to rock the second member. When the back is raised on a bed on which the rocking mat is installed, the head side of the bed rises and the upper body is tilted, and the first member bends the buttocks portion with the upper body being tilted as the bed tilts, the first member rises, and the second member also bends the buttocks portion with the upper body being tilted in response to the tilt of the first member.

[0010] Patent Document 8 discloses a human body rocking device that is a rocking bed for providing massage or rehabilitation or inducing sleep while the user lies down, and that includes a fixed part that is placed at an installation location, a rocking part that is placed on top of the fixed part, a rocking drive part that moves the rocking part back and forth, a first sliding mechanism that rocks the rocking part in the rocking direction relative to the fixed part, a second sliding mechanism that regulates lateral movement of the rocking part by a vertical surface, a control part that controls each drive part, various sensors, and an operation panel.

[0011] Non-Patent Document 1 describes the results of a control experiment conducted to verify the relaxation effect related to aiding sleep onset and drowsiness, in which rhythmic stimulation of about 0.33 to 0.67 Hz (about 30 times / min) was performed for 10 minutes, compared to when rhythmic stimulation was not performed, showing that when rhythmic stimulation was performed, the level of awareness of wakefulness decreased and a physiologically and subjectively relaxed response was obtained. It also cites the following statement: When the mother is healthy and emotionally stable, the rhythmic heartbeat is said to be a sound and vibration that gives a sense of security to the fetus, and hand clapping, for example, is said to exhibit "1 / f fluctuation," which is said to be comfortable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3124453 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3329787 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 4590238 [Patent Document 4] Patent No. 5086696 [Patent Document 5] JP 2004-024678 A [Patent Document 6] JP 2016-067429 A [Patent Document 7] JP 2017-124087 A [Patent Document 8] JP 2018-139766 A [Non-patent literature]

[0013] [Non-Patent Document 1] Hiroi, Sumi et al., The effect of 10 minutes of periodic rhythmic stimulation on the level of awakening consciousness, Japan Academy of Nursing Technology, Japan Academy of Nursing Technology, 2010, Vol.9, No.2, pp 29-38 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] The rocking beds described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are medical beds that can be rotated back and forth or side to side to prevent bed sores and complications in bedridden patients, for example, and are not intended to induce sleep.

[0015] The rocking bed described in Patent Document 3 is a rocking bed for promoting sleep, but it rotates left and right around the axis of the human body and the bed tilts left and right, so it is not necessarily designed to provide a good night's sleep.

[0016] Furthermore, in the case of the rocking drive means used in the sleep-promoting rocking bed of Patent Document 3, a large space is required to install the brake motor, eccentric plate, eccentric shaft, connecting rod, rocking arm, and rocking frame, which not only increases the size of the entire bed, but also creates a large gap between the lower bed base and the upper bed floor.

[0017] The rocking bed described in Patent Document 4 is said to promote blood circulation and provide a massage effect by stimulating and exercising side-to-side rocking with an eccentricity of 1 to 10 mm from the center of rotation around the lower back, and a rotation speed of the eccentric means of 400 to 800 rpm, thereby providing a comfortable sleep. Although it has a massage effect due to the micro-vibrations and high frequencies like those of a vibrator, it is difficult to expect a sleep-inducing effect for people suffering from insomnia.

[0018] The bed with sleep induction function described in Patent Document 5 uses a continuous micro-vibration generator that imitates the vibrations of a train, in combination with an intermittent single-shot vibration generator that imitates the vibrations generated at rail joints, but it is not clear how and to which parts of the body the vibration generator applies low-frequency vibrations, and what their effect is.

[0019] The adjustable bed system described in Patent Document 6 is for medical and nursing care applications, and uses a linear actuator to safely and quietly change the position of a patient or person being cared for in bed to a lateral position, but is not intended to induce sleep in the user.

[0020] The rocking mat described in Patent Document 7 is intended to be placed on a bed with a backrest function, and is assumed to be flexible.

[0021] The rocking bed described in Patent Document 8 is structured to rock the bed in the front-rear direction and is provided with a means for restricting lateral displacement of the rocked part, but rocking in directions other than the front-rear direction is not taken into consideration.

[0022] To provide a rocking bed for inducing sleep, which rocks mainly in a lateral direction substantially in a horizontal plane, rather than rotating or vibrating like a high-frequency vibrator, and which enables a person suffering from insomnia to fall asleep efficiently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0023] The first form of the rocking sleep induction bed of the present invention includes a flat and substantially rigid rocking panel, a support device for supporting the rocking panel, and a driving means for reciprocating the rocking panel horizontally with respect to the support device. The amplitude D in the reciprocating motion of the rocking panel by the driving means is within a specific range of 0 cm < D ≤ 10 cm, and the frequency f is variable within a specific range of 0 Hz < f ≤ 0.8 Hz. A horizontal rocking device is interposed between the bed body and the mattress, and is characterized in that it is set to be variable within a specific range.

[0024] The second form of the rocking sleep induction bed of the present invention includes a flat and substantially rigid rocking panel, a support device for supporting the rocking panel, and a driving means for reciprocating the rocking panel horizontally with respect to the support device. The amplitude D in the reciprocating motion of the rocking panel by the driving means is within a specific range of 0 cm < D ≤ 10 cm, and the frequency f is variable within a specific range of 0 Hz < f ≤ 0.8 Hz. A horizontal rocking device is interposed between the floor surface and the bed body, and is characterized in that it is set to be variable within a specific range.

[0025] The first form is divided into a bed bottom or a bed frame constituting the bed body and a mattress installed thereon, and it is a case where a horizontal rocking device can be sandwiched between the bed body and the mattress.

[0026] Interposing between the bed body and the mattress means including the case where the horizontal rocking device is freely removable and the case where the horizontal rocking device is built into the bed. In addition, when the horizontal rocking device is freely removable, it is desirable to cover that part with a cover member or the like so that the horizontal rocking device is not exposed. Further, the cover member is preferably deformable following the rocking.

[0027] The second form is applicable when the bed body and a mattress or the like installed on top of it are integrated, or when it is difficult to sandwich a horizontal swing device between the bed body and the mattress even if they are separated, or when the function of the bed body such as the bed bottom is partially impaired by sandwiching the horizontal swing device. In this case, the support device may be provided with legs for installation on the floor surface. By providing legs, a space can be formed between the floor surface. The shape of the legs is not particularly limited, and depending on the shape of the bed body, it may be not only rod-shaped legs but also block-shaped legs.

[0028] Regarding the second form as well, it includes the case where the horizontal swing device is removable and the case where the horizontal swing device is built into the lower part of the bed. Even when the horizontal swing device is removable, it is desirable to cover that part with a cover member or the like so that the horizontal swing device is not exposed. The cover member is preferably one that can deform following the swing.

[0029] The fact that the amplitude D is within a specific range within the range of 0 cm < D ≤ 10 cm means that various designs are possible within this range, for example, 1.5 cm ≤ D ≤ 8 cm, 2 cm ≤ D ≤ 6 cm, depending on the design. Similarly, the fact that the frequency f is within a specific range within the range of 0 Hz < f ≤ 0.8 Hz means that various designs are possible within this range, for example, 0.1 Hz ≤ f ≤ 0.7 Hz, 0.15 Hz ≤ f ≤ 0.6 Hz, depending on the design.

[0030] Note that the amplitude D is a single amplitude, and the overall displacement will be 2D during one period T. Also, the movement time from end to end of the vibration width (the distance of 2D) is T / 2 = 1 / 2f seconds.

[0031] Within this specific range, the operation of the driving means of the horizontal swing device or the accompanying power transmission mechanism can be adjusted by switching a switch or a dial according to the physical characteristics of each user, the physical condition and mood of that day, etc. Also, it can be automatically stopped after a certain period of time by setting a timer device or the like.

[0032] The rocking sleep-inducing bed of the present invention differs from conventional beds in that it rotates left and right or front and back around the body of the user lying on the bed, or stimulates the user by using a vibration generator that gives high-frequency vibrator-like vibrations. In principle, the bed rocks slowly, usually from side to side, around the user's body while the user is lying on the bed, in a nearly horizontal plane, and this quiet rocking motion with little stimulation, on the order of the frequency of human breathing and heartbeat, is designed to naturally and efficiently induce sleep.

[0033] The direction of rocking is not necessarily limited to the left-right direction, and may be configured to rock in two directions, left-right and vertical. Also, a lifting mechanism and a rotation mechanism (either or both of rotation in a horizontal plane and rotation around the axis of the body direction of the lying user) may be added or used together. By synchronizing the up-down movement by the lifting mechanism and the rotational movement by the rotation mechanism with the horizontal rocking, a sleep-inducing effect can be expected that is different from the stimulation in the horizontal direction alone, and the user can select the movement as desired.

[0034] A maximum amplitude D (single amplitude) of about 10 cm in the reciprocating motion of the rocking panel is considered to be the limit for providing a safe and comfortable sleep, and it is preferable to make the amplitude adjustable within the range of about 1.5 cm≦D≦8 cm. If the amplitude is too small, the rocking effect is small, and if it is too large, a force equivalent to the acceleration is applied in relation to the vibration frequency, making it difficult to maintain a restful state. Also, if D=8 cm or D=10 cm, it is relatively easy to design in relation to the drive mechanism, and contact with objects around the bed is unlikely to be an issue.

[0035] The frequency f of the reciprocating motion of the rocking panel is related to the amplitude, but a maximum of about 0.8 Hz is considered to be the limit for providing a safe and comfortable sleep, and it is preferable to make it possible to adjust the frequency within the range of about 0.1 Hz≦f≦0.7 Hz. If the frequency is too small, the rocking effect is small, and if it is too large, a force equivalent to the acceleration is applied in relation to the frequency, making it difficult to maintain a restful state.

[0036] For example, 0.15Hz is 9 round trips (9T) per minute, so the timing of the movement to one side (half cycle of vibration) is about the normal breathing rate of an adult, and 0.6Hz is 36 round trips per minute, so the timing of the movement to one side (half cycle of vibration) is 72 times per minute, which is about the same as the heartbeat in a resting state. This range can also be considered preferable based on the description in the experiment in Non-Patent Document 1 of the lowering of the level of awakening consciousness and the relaxing effect caused by rhythmic stimulation of 0.33 to 0.67Hz, the sense of security that the rhythmic heartbeat gives to the fetus when the mother is healthy and emotionally stable, and the comfort of hand clapping.

[0037] In other words, the experiment in Non-Patent Document 1 does not involve a reciprocating motion like the oscillation in the present invention, but rather the timing of impact, so the timing of stimulation is close to the timing of stimulation by oscillation in the present invention (e.g., 0.15 Hz x 2 to 0.6 Hz x 2).

[0038] Suitable driving means for the rocking sleep-inducing bed of the present invention include a linear servo motor (including a linear actuator, a shaft motor, etc.) or a means equipped with a ball screw and a rotary motor that imparts rotary motion to the ball screw.

[0039] In the case of linear servo motors and ball screws, the horizontal oscillation of the oscillation panel can be realized by linear reciprocating motion using a compact mechanism, and variable control of amplitude and frequency is also easy. In addition, when multiple linear servo motors or ball screws are used, they can be easily controlled in synchronization.

[0040] These driving means may be provided in a position sandwiched between the support device and the swaying panel located above and below, or the outer periphery of the swaying panel may be protruded outward from the outer periphery of the support device and installed between the outer periphery of the support device, such as the side of the support device, and the underside of the swaying panel.

[0041] By configuring the outer periphery of the swaying panel in its horizontal cross section to protrude outward from the outer periphery of the support device, and by configuring at least a part of the driving means to be installed between the underside of the outer periphery of the swaying panel in its horizontal cross section and the outer periphery of the support device, it is possible to prevent a mattress or futon, etc. placed on the swaying panel from interfering with the support device during swinging, and the driving device can be fitted compactly.

[0042] In the rocking sleep-inducing bed of the present invention, the rocking panel may be supported by the support device via a sliding surface made of a low-friction material. Specifically, a structure in which a stainless steel plate is attached to the upper surface of the support device and a fluororesin sheet or panel is attached to the lower surface of the rocking panel can be applied, similar to the sliding bearings used in seismic isolation devices for buildings.

[0043] The inclusion of a sliding surface reduces frictional resistance at the contact surface between the swaying panel and the support device, allowing it to be swung with a compact drive unit with low output. On the other hand, by increasing the contact area of ​​the sliding surface, the vertical force (weight of the bed or human body, etc.) applied to the swaying panel and support device can be stably supported.

[0044] Another means for reducing frictional resistance at the contact surface between the swaying panel and the support device is to support the swaying panel via multiple unidirectional rollers or ball rollers that function in all directions, but this has the disadvantage that the contact area is smaller than in the case of a sliding surface.

[0045] Another means for reducing frictional resistance at the contact surface between the swaying panel and the support device is to support the swaying panel via multiple unidirectional rollers or ball rollers that function in all directions, but this has the disadvantage that the contact area is smaller than in the case of a sliding surface.

[0046] In addition, two or more guide rails may be provided extending in the left-right direction along the upper surface of the support device, and the swing panel may slide along the guide rails.

[0047] In the present invention, the swing panel is a flat, substantially rigid swing panel because a panel that is easily deformed, such as a flexible panel, may interfere with the reciprocating movement of the swing panel relative to the support device, making smooth swinging difficult.

[0048] Specifically, in addition to metal panels, reinforced plastics such as polycarbonate or reinforced glass can be used. Although these are not rigid panels in the strict sense, they should have a thickness and structure that makes them as difficult to deform as possible. In addition, the swing panel is not limited to a flat plate, and may be a lattice-shaped or perforated flat plate for weight reduction, or a thin plate with stiffening ribs to make it difficult to deform. Effect of the Invention

[0049] The rocking sleep-inducing bed of the present invention differs from conventional beds in that it rotates left and right or front and back around the body of the user lying on the bed, or stimulates the user by using a vibration generator that gives high-frequency vibrator-like vibrations. In principle, the bed rocks slowly, usually from side to side, around the user's body while the user is lying on the bed, in a nearly horizontal plane, and this quiet rocking motion with little stimulation, on the order of the frequency of a person's breathing or heartbeat, can naturally and efficiently induce sleep.

[0050] If a linear servo motor or a ball screw and a rotary motor that imparts rotational motion to the ball screw are used as the driving means, the horizontal oscillation of the swaying panel can be achieved by linear reciprocating motion using a compact mechanism, and variable control of the amplitude and vibration frequency can also be easily achieved.

[0051] In the case of drive mechanisms using linear servo motors or ball screws, almost no mechanical noise is generated, so sleep is not disturbed, and adjustment of amplitude and frequency is precise, enabling stable control.

[0052] If the swing panel is supported by the support device via a sliding surface made of low-friction material, the friction resistance at the contact surface between the swing panel and the support device will be small, so that it can be swung by a compact drive device with low output. In that case, if the drive means is located outside the support device, the height of the horizontal swing device can be kept low. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0053] [Figure 1] 1 shows one embodiment of a bed of the present invention, where (a) is an elevational view and (b) is an AA cross-sectional view thereof. [Diagram 2] 1 shows another embodiment of the bed of the present invention, where (a) is an elevational view and (b) is a BB cross-sectional view thereof. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is an elevational view showing yet another embodiment of the bed of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of yet another embodiment of a bed of the present invention, in which ball rollers are provided on the upper surface of the support device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of yet another embodiment of the bed of the present invention, in which a guide rail is provided on the upper surface of the support device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0054] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of a bed of the present invention. In this embodiment, a mattress 3 is placed on the upper surface of a bed body (bed bottom) 2 having legs 4 via a horizontal rocking device 11.

[0056] In this embodiment, the horizontal rocking device 11 has multiple (six in the figure) linear servo motors 14 as drive devices provided on the upper surface of a support device 12 attached to the upper surface of the bed body 2, and a horizontal rocking panel 13 attached to the upper surface of the drive devices 14.

[0057] Fig. 1(b) shows the AA cross section of Fig. 1(a), and a linear servo motor 14 is attached to a flat support device 12 of a horizontal oscillating device 11 via an installation plate 15. The linear servo motor 14 has two shafts 17, both ends of which are supported by brackets 16 fixed to the installation plate 15, along which movable elements 18 arranged in tandem move left and right, and an oscillating panel 13 is fixed to the upper surface of the movable elements 18.

[0058] With this configuration, by synchronously driving the linear servo motors 14, the oscillating panel 13 and the mattress 3 placed thereon oscillate with a predetermined amplitude D and a predetermined vibration frequency f.

[0059] By selecting the linear servo motor 14 used in manufacturing, the amplitude D can be adjusted within the range of, for example, 1.5 cm≦D≦8 cm, and the frequency f can be adjusted within the range of, for example, 0.1 Hz≦f≦0.7 Hz. The user adjusts the frequency within the set ranges according to their own physical characteristics, physical condition, mood, etc. by operating the switch buttons or dials on the remote control.

[0060] In the figure, the horizontal oscillation device 11 is exposed for drawing purposes, but in practice it is desirable to cover the horizontal oscillation device 11 with a cover member so that it is not visible from the outside and to prevent dust and the like from entering.

[0061] Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of the bed of the present invention. In this embodiment, a mattress 3 is installed on the upper surface of a bed body (bed bottom) 2 having legs 4 via a horizontal rocking device 11.

[0062] The horizontally oscillating device 11 in this embodiment has a structure in which the oscillating panel 13 is installed via a sliding surface 20 on the upper surface of a support device 12 having a planar cross section smaller than that of the oscillating panel 13 .

[0063] Figure 2(b) shows the cross section BB of Figure 2(a), and linear servo motors 14 are installed as driving devices between multiple (four in the figure) hanging members 19 hanging from the outer periphery of the swaying panel 13 and the outer periphery side of the support device 12.

[0064] The sliding surface 20 can be, for example, a structure in which a stainless steel plate is attached to the upper surface of the support device 12 and a fluororesin sheet or panel is attached to the lower surface of the swinging panel 13. By providing the sliding surface 20, frictional resistance at the contact surface between the swinging panel 13 and the support device 12 is reduced, allowing the swinging panel 13 to be swung with a compact drive device.

[0065] On the other hand, vertical loads such as those from a bed or a human body are supported over a fairly wide area of ​​the sliding surface, resulting in a stable structure.

[0066] As shown by the dashed line in Figure 2(a), the linear servo motor 14 has a tandem-arranged movable element 18 that moves left and right along a shaft 17 whose both ends are supported by brackets 16, and a hanging member 19 hanging from the oscillating panel 13 is fixed to the movable element 18.

[0067] With this configuration, by driving each linear servo motor 14 synchronously, the oscillating panel 13 installed on the support device 12 via the sliding surface 20 and the mattress 3 placed on top of it oscillate with a predetermined amplitude D and a predetermined vibration frequency f.

[0068] By selecting the linear servo motor 14 used in manufacturing, the amplitude D can be adjusted within the range of, for example, 1.5 cm≦D≦8 cm, and the frequency f can be adjusted within the range of, for example, 0.1 Hz≦f≦0.7 Hz. The user adjusts the frequency within the set ranges according to their own physical characteristics, physical condition, mood, etc. by operating the switch buttons or dials on the remote control.

[0069] In the figure, the horizontal oscillation device 11 is exposed for drawing purposes, but in practice it is desirable to cover the horizontal oscillation device 11 with a cover member so that it is not visible from the outside and to prevent dust and the like from entering.

[0070] Fig. 3 shows yet another embodiment of the bed of the present invention. In this embodiment, a horizontal rocking device 11 is interposed between the floor surface and the bed body 2, and a mattress 3 is placed on the upper surface of the bed body 2, similar to a normal bed. In this embodiment, legs 5 are provided on the lower surface of the horizontal rocking device 11.

[0071] The horizontal rocking device 11 has the same configuration as the embodiment in Fig. 2. That is, the rocking panel 13 is installed on the upper surface of the support device 12, which has a smaller horizontal cross section than the rocking panel 13, via a slide surface 20, and a linear servo motor 14 is provided as a drive device between a plurality of hanging members 19 hanging down from the outer periphery of the rocking panel 13 and the outer periphery side surface of the support device 12.

[0072] The sliding surface 20 can be, for example, a structure in which a stainless steel plate is attached to the upper surface of the support device 12 and a fluororesin sheet or panel is attached to the lower surface of the swinging panel 13. By providing the sliding surface 20, frictional resistance at the contact surface between the swinging panel 13 and the support device 12 is reduced, allowing the swinging panel 13 to be swung with a compact drive device.

[0073] On the other hand, vertical loads such as those from a bed or a human body are supported over a fairly wide area of ​​the sliding surface, resulting in a stable structure.

[0074] As shown by the dashed line in Figure 3, linear servo motor 14 has a tandemly arranged movable element 18 that moves left and right along shaft 17, both ends of which are supported by brackets 16, and a hanging member 19 hanging down from oscillating panel 13 is fixed to movable element 18.

[0075] With this configuration, by driving each linear servo motor 14 synchronously, the swaying panel 13 installed on the support device 12 via the sliding surface 20 and the bed body 2 installed on top of it, together with the mattress 3, will sway at a predetermined amplitude D and a predetermined vibration frequency f.

[0076] FIG. 4 is a partial schematic plan view showing yet another embodiment of the bed of the present invention in which ball rollers 31 are provided on the upper surface of the support device 2. In FIG. That is, the rocking panel (not shown) is supported on the support device 2 via a plurality of rollers or ball rollers 31, thereby reducing the frictional resistance at the contact surface between the rocking panel and the support device 2. The driving device and the like can be the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0077] 5 is a partial schematic plan view of yet another embodiment of the bed of the present invention, in which two or more guide rails 41 are provided on the upper surface of the support device 2, and a rocking panel (not shown) slides along the guide rails 41. In this case as well, the same drive devices and the like as those in the above-mentioned embodiment can be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1...rocking bed, 2...bed body, 2a...legs, 3...mattress, 4...legs, 5...legs, 11: horizontal oscillation device, 12: support device, 13: oscillation panel, 14: linear servo motor (drive device), 15: mounting plate, 16: bracket, 17: shaft, 18: movable element, 19: hanging member, 20: sliding surface, 31...ball roller, 41...guide rail

Claims

1. A horizontal rocking device for a bed, which is installed between a bed body and a mattress or between a floor surface and the bed body, comprises a single, flat, substantially rigid rocking panel corresponding to the planar shape of the bed body, a support device for supporting the rocking panel, and a drive means for horizontally reciprocating the rocking panel relative to the support device, wherein an amplitude D of the reciprocating movement of the rocking panel by the drive means is set to be variable within a specific range within a range of 0 cm<D≦10 cm, and a frequency f is set to be variable within a specific range within a range of 0 Hz<f≦0.8 Hz, The swing panel is supported on the support device via a sliding surface using a low friction material, or The swing panel is supported on the support device via a plurality of rollers or ball rollers, or The swing panel is supported so as to slide on two or more guide rails extending in the left-right direction along the upper surface of the support device, The outer periphery of the swing panel in the horizontal cross section protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the support device in the horizontal cross section, and at least a part of the driving means is installed between the lower surface of the outer periphery of the swing panel in the horizontal cross section and the outer periphery of the support device. A horizontal rocking device for a bed, comprising:

2. 2. The horizontally rocking device for a bed according to claim 1, wherein said driving means is a linear servo motor.

3. 2. A horizontally rocking device for a bed according to claim 1, wherein said driving means comprises a ball screw and a rotary motor for imparting rotary motion to said ball screw.

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