Seat cushion

Abstract

Provided is a seating surface cushion which can achieve both stability and body pressure dispersion for the ischium of a user and which enables the cushioning properties thereof to be controlled in accordance with the user's desires.　This seating surface cushion (10) comprises a second air cell part (42) which is positioned in the rear part of a seating surface and a third air cell part (43) which is positioned further rear than the second air cell part (42). The second air cell part (42) and the third air cell part (43) are adjacent at a boundary (50) which extends obliquely in the forward-rear direction with respect to the seating surface. The ischium of the user fits in the boundary (50).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat cushion. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, cushions have been proposed that can stabilize the position of the buttocks of a seated person and effectively prevent the occurrence of bedsores. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cushion that can softly support the vicinity of the ischial bones in the vertical and horizontal directions by each first air cell, and that has a convex portion provided forward of the air cell group in the front-rear direction of the seating surface, and has inclined convex portions on both sides of the convex portion in the width direction of the seating surface, so that the movement of both thighs in the width direction of the seating surface is suppressed by the convex portion, and the forward movement of the buttocks is suppressed by the convex portion and each inclined convex portion, thereby stabilizing the position of the buttocks of a seated person and effectively preventing the occurrence of bedsores. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-63744 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the arrangement of air cells in conventional cushions, it was difficult to achieve both stability and body pressure dispersion in the user's ischial region, and conventional vertical, horizontal, checkerboard and staggered arrangements lacked stability and had the problem that the user's posture was easily distorted forward.

[0005] The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a seat cushion that combines body pressure distribution and stability in the user's ischial region, while also allowing the cushioning properties to be controlled according to the user's wishes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is realized by the following configuration. (1) A first aspect of the present invention is a seat cushion comprising a second air cell portion located at the rear of the seat and a third air cell portion located further rearward than the second air cell portion, the second air cell portion and the third air cell portion being adjacent to each other with a boundary extending obliquely in the front-to-rear direction relative to the seat, and a user's ischial region being located within the boundary.

[0007] (2) In the configuration of (1) above, the second air cell portion supports the user's buttocks in front of the ischial region, and the third air cell portion supports the user's buttocks behind the ischial region.

[0008] (3) In the configuration of (1) or (2) above, a control unit is further included, and the control unit controls so that the second air cell portion and the third air cell portion are alternately depressurized.

[0009] (4) In the above configuration (3), when the second air cell portion and the third air cell portion are alternately decompressed, the control unit controls the decompression time of the second air cell portion or the third air cell portion to be within 3 seconds to 120 seconds.

[0010] (5) In the configuration of (3) or (4) above, the control unit generates ventilation through a slit separating the second air cell portion and the third air cell portion, which are provided inside the position corresponding to the boundary, and a groove formed in the base material of the seat cushion, by a decompression operation, thereby suppressing stuffiness around the ischial region of the user.

[0011] (6) In any one of the above configurations (1) to (5), a first air cell portion is further provided in a front portion of the seat surface, and is disposed forward of the second air cell portion.

[0012] (7) In the above configuration (6), the first air cell portion supports the thigh of the user.

[0013] (8) In the above configuration (3), a first air cell portion is further provided at the front of the seat surface and located forward of the second air cell portion, the first air cell portion supporting the thigh of the user, and the control unit controls the first air cell portion to constantly support the thigh of the user. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a seat cushion which achieves both the ability to distribute body pressure in the ischial region of the user and stability, and further allows the cushioning properties to be controlled according to the desires of the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1A is a perspective view showing a seat cushion according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) shows the appearance with a cover, (b) shows the appearance without the cover, and (c) shows the division of air cells. [Diagram 2] 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation panel of the seat cushion. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control unit for the seat cushion. [Figure 4] 11 is a time chart of the internal pressure in decompression control. [Diagram 5] 11 is a table showing an example of pressure values ​​of air cell internal pressures. [Figure 6] 11 is a table showing an example of exhaust / switching time in depressurization mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as an "embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the description of the embodiment.

[0017] (Embodiment) Fig. 1(a) shows the appearance of the seat cushion 10 according to this embodiment, which is covered with a breathable and stretchable cover 11, and an operation panel 21 of a control unit 20 is exposed on the front side. Fig. 1(b) shows the appearance without the cover 11, and air cells 40 capable of supplying and exhausting air are arranged on a base material 30 (e.g., urethane foam). As will be described in detail later, a control unit 20 is built inside the seat cushion 10 and controls the supply / exhaust of air to the air cells 40.

[0018] The air cell 40 includes a first air cell portion 41 disposed in front of the seating surface SA, a second air cell portion 42 disposed rearward of the first air cell portion 41, and a third air cell portion 43 disposed rearward of the second air cell portion 42. The second air cell portion 42 and the third air cell portion 43 are adjacent to each other with a boundary 50 extending obliquely in the front-rear direction with respect to the seating surface SA, and are formed so that the user's ischial region fits within the boundary 50 when the user sits down. Inside the position corresponding to the boundary 50, a slit (not shown) is provided that separates the second air cell portion 42 and the third air cell portion 43, and a groove (not shown) is formed in the base material 30.

[0019] 1(c), the second air cell portion 42 and the third air cell portion 43 are formed in a V-shape that is pointed forward, and the boundary 50 between them is also V-shaped. In order to accommodate the user's ischial region in the valley of the boundary 50, the second air cell portion 42 and the third air cell portion 43 do not necessarily have to be formed in a V-shape, and there are no limitations on the shape as long as they are adjacent to each other with the boundary 50 extending obliquely in the front-rear direction with respect to the seat surface SA.

[0020] The first air cell portion 41 supports the user's thighs, the second air cell portion 42 supports the user's buttocks in front of the ischial region, and the third air cell portion 43 supports the user's buttocks behind the ischial region.As the ischial region fits into the valley of the diagonally extending boundary 50, the ischial region is embraced from the front and back, achieving both body pressure distribution and stability in the ischial region.

[0021] As described above, the seat cushion 10 includes the control unit 20 for supplying air to each air cell 40 or discharging air from each air cell 40. As will be described in detail later, the control unit 20 controls the first air cell portion 41 to always support the thighs of the user and the second air cell portion 42 and the third air cell portion 43 to alternately release (exhaust) pressure. Since the seat cushion 10 does not support the area directly below the ischial bone, even if the second air cell portion 42 or the third air cell portion 43 is released, the buttocks can be prevented from sinking, and the user's posture is less likely to be disturbed. This makes the seat cushion 10 suitable for use as a seat for moving objects, such as a wheelchair.

[0022] When the second air cell portion 42 and the third air cell portion 43 are alternately decompressed, the control unit 20 controls the decompression time of the second air cell portion 42 or the third air cell portion 43 to be within 3 to 120 seconds. This is to set the decompression time short in order to maintain stability. In addition, the control unit 20 controls the second air cell portion 42 to be evacuated, and then to evacuate the third air cell portion 43 when the pressure has stabilized after air is supplied. This shortens the decompression time when the second air cell portion 42 and the third air cell portion 43 are alternately decompressed, thereby ensuring stability.

[0023] 2 shows an enlarged view of the operation panel 21 of the control unit 20 provided on the front surface of the seat cushion 10. The operation panel 21 is provided with a power input section 22 for power input (illustrated as a microUSB in FIG. 2), a POWER switch 23 for turning the power ON / OFF and a POWER lamp 231 that lights up / off in response to the operation, a MOVE switch 24 for selecting the support mode of the seat cushion 10 and a MOVE lamp 241 that lights up / off in response to the operation, a FIT switch 25 for selecting the firmness of the cushion and three FIT lamps 251 (L, M, H) that indicate the selected firmness. Specific operations and functions of these will be described again below as the control unit.

[0024] (Control Unit) Based on the seat cushion 10 having the above-mentioned configuration, the control unit 20 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 3 to 6. Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of the control unit 20 for the seat cushion, Fig. 4 shows a time chart of the internal pressure in the decompression control, Fig. 5 shows an example of the pressure value of the air cell internal pressure, and Fig. 6 shows an example of the exhaust / switching time of the decompression mode. It should be noted that the configuration of the control unit 20 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 3. There are other possible means for realizing the operation of the seat cushion 10, but the embodiment described below with reference to Fig. 3 is a preferable configuration for realizing power saving, compactness, and low cost.

[0025] 3, the control unit 20 of the seat cushion 10 pressurizes / depressurizes the air cell DT41 (the first air cell portion), the air cell ZF42 (the second air cell portion), and the air cell ZB43 (the third air cell portion) via the air pump, the solenoid valves 1-3, and the air nozzle based on the operation on the operation panel 21 described above. The solenoid valve 1 is connected to the board via a connector 1, the air pump via a connector 2, and the solenoid valves 2 and 3 via a connector 3. The configuration and procedure of the control of the seat cushion 10 will be described in detail below.

[0026] (Input specifications) The control unit 20 is provided with various input means, and first, the operation panel 21 is provided with a power input section 22 for power input (exemplified as a microUSB female Type C in FIG. 3), the above-mentioned start / stop switch 1 (the above-mentioned POWER switch 23), the support mode selection switch 2 (the above-mentioned MOVE switch 24), and the hardness selection switch 3 (the above-mentioned FIT switch 25) as shown in Fig. 3. The internal board is provided with a pressure sensor 1 for determining the internal pressure of the air cell.

[0027] (Output specifications) The control unit 20 is equipped with various output means. First, the operation panel 21 is provided with an LED1 (the POWER lamp 231 described above) which lights up when the power is turned on, an LED2 which lights up when the stable mode is selected as the support mode (the stable mode can be indicated by turning off the next LED3, and in the following description, LED2 will be omitted), an LED3 (the MOVE lamp 241 described above) which lights up when the decompression mode is selected as the support mode, an LED4 (the L of the FIT lamp 251 described above) which lights up in response to the selection of "soft" as the hardness selection, an LED5 (the M of the FIT lamp 251 described above) which lights up in response to the selection of "normal" as well, and an LED6 (the H of the FIT lamp 251 described above) which lights up in response to the selection of "hard". An air pump that supplies air to air cells 40 (41-43), solenoid valve 1 (2-way valve) that opens and closes the air pump, solenoid valve 2 (3-way valve) that exhausts the air cell ZB43 system, and solenoid valve 3 (3-way valve) that exhausts the air cell ZF42 system are provided inside control unit 20. In addition, a buzzer is provided to warn of operation and errors.

[0028] (Control procedure <input>) The control procedure for input is as follows. When stopped, pressing and holding the start / stop switch 1 starts the control unit 20, turns on the LED 1, and transitions to a standby state. Conversely, when started, pressing and holding the start / stop switch 1 stops the control unit 20, turns off the LED 1, and transitions to "stop control."

[0029] The support mode selection switch 2 starts up in the support mode that was selected the previous time. In "decompression mode", LED3 is lit, and in "stable mode", LED3 is turned off. Each time the support mode selection switch 2 is pressed, the support mode switches in the following order: "stable" ⇒ "decompression" ⇒ "stable" ⇒ ...

[0030] The hardness selection switch 3 starts up with the hardness from the previous startup, and the corresponding one of LEDs 4 to 6 lights up. Each time the hardness selection switch 3 is pressed, the hardness changes in the following order: "normal" ⇒ "hard" ⇒ "soft" ⇒ "normal" ⇒ ...

[0031] (Control procedure <Operation mode control> The stable mode of "normal control" is a process for adjusting the internal pressure of the air cell in the stable mode when the user is sitting. The process proceeds to "internal pressure adjustment control" for adjusting the internal pressure of the corresponding air cell 40, and the pressure sensor 1 is acquired. When the set pressure value is less than -0.5 kPa or the set pressure value is +0.5 kPa or more for 30 seconds, the process returns to "internal pressure adjustment control". In addition, when the support mode is changed, the process proceeds to the decompression mode. Note that the values ​​of the set pressure value and the elapsed time described here are merely examples, and are not limited to the present embodiment.

[0032] The decompression mode of "normal control" is a process for adjusting the internal pressure of the air cell in the automatic mode when the user is seated. It transitions to "internal pressure adjustment control" which adjusts the internal pressure of the corresponding air cell 40, and then transitions to "decompression control" when 15 minutes or more have passed since the previous "decompression control", and returns to "internal pressure adjustment control" when it acquires pressure sensor 1 and the set pressure value is less than -0.5 kPa or the set pressure value is +0.5 kPa or more for 30 seconds. If the support mode is changed, it transitions to stable mode.

[0033] The "stop control" is a process for stopping the device. The process moves to the "internal pressure adjustment control" for adjusting the internal pressure of the corresponding air cell 40, and the device waits for input from switches 1, 2, and 3, and all outputs are turned off.

[0034] (Control procedure <Air cell internal pressure control>) "Decompression control" is a process for decompressing the air cell 40. As shown in Figure 4, which is an example of a time chart of the internal pressure in "decompression control", first, air cell ZF42 is vented for a set time. For the set switching time, the internal pressure of the corresponding air cell 40 is adjusted by "internal pressure adjustment control". Then, air cell ZB43 is vented for a set time. At this time, the internal pressure of the corresponding air cell 40 is also adjusted by "internal pressure adjustment control".

[0035] "Internal pressure adjustment control" is a process for adjusting the internal pressure of the corresponding air cell 40. The internal pressure of the corresponding air cell 40 is acquired by the pressure sensor 1, and if the internal pressure of the air cell 40 is less than the set pressure value -0.5 kPa and continues for one second, the process transitions to "air supply control", and if the internal pressure of the air cell 40 is equal to or greater than the set pressure value +0.5 kPa and continues for one second, the process transitions to "air exhaust control". In all other cases, the process returns to the original control.

[0036] "Air supply control" is a process for increasing the internal pressure of the corresponding air cell 40. The air pump is turned "ON", and when the internal pressure of the air cell 40 is equal to or greater than the set pressure value +0.5 kPa, the air pump is turned "OFF".

[0037] "Exhaust control" is a process to lower the internal pressure of the air cell 40. The corresponding solenoid valve is opened to exhaust the air. The difference between the pressure sensor 1 and the set pressure value is set to X kPa for X seconds, and the corresponding solenoid valve is closed after X seconds.

[0038] (Control procedure <Setting value table>) In the control unit 20 according to the present embodiment, the internal pressure of the air cell 40 is set as the pressure value, for example, as shown in Fig. 5. That is, when the hardness is "soft", the internal pressure is set to 4.0 kPa in the "stable mode" and 4.2 kPa in the "decompression mode", when the hardness is "normal", the internal pressure is set to 5.2 kPa and 5.5 kPa, respectively, and when the hardness is "hard", the internal pressure is set to 6.5 kPa and 6.8 kPa, respectively. However, when providing the seat cushion 10, the values ​​are not limited to these values.

[0039] In the control unit 20 according to the present embodiment, the exhaust / switching time in the "decompression mode" is set to, for example, 12 seconds for the "air cell ZF42", 20 seconds for "switching", and 10 seconds for the "air cell ZB43" when the hardness is "soft", 13 seconds, 22 seconds, and 11 seconds when the hardness is "normal", and 14 seconds, 24 seconds, and 12 seconds when the hardness is "hard". Thus, in this embodiment, the switching time between the "air cell ZF42" and the "air cell ZB43" (20 seconds for "soft", 22 seconds for "normal", and 24 seconds for "hard") is controlled so that the air cell ZB43 exhausts immediately after the air supply to the air cell ZF42 is completed. This allows both decompression and stability of the ischium to be achieved even if the "air cell ZF42" and the "air cell ZB43" are decompressed alternately. However, when providing the seat cushion 10, the present invention is not limited to these numerical values.

[0040] By the decompression operation described above, the control unit 20 generates ventilation through the slit separating the second air cell portion 42 and the third air cell portion 43, which are provided inside at a position corresponding to the boundary 50, and the groove formed in the base material 30, thereby suppressing stuffiness around the user's ischial region.

[0041] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. In addition, it is clear from the claims that forms with such modifications or improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10…Seat cushion 11…Cover 20…Control unit 21...Operation panel 22…Power input section 23...POWER switch (start / stop switch 1) 231...POWER lamp (LED1) 24…MOVE switch (support mode selection switch 2) 241…MOVE lamp (LED3) 25...FIT switch (hardness selection switch 3) 251…FIT lamp (LED4~6) 30...Base material (urethane foam) 40…Air cell 41...Air cell DT (first air cell portion) 42...Air cell ZF (second air cell part) 43...Air cell ZB (third air cell part) 50…Boundary (between AirCell ZF and AirCell ZB)

Claims

1. A seat cushion, a second air cell portion disposed at a rear portion of the seat surface; a third air cell portion disposed further rearward than the second air cell portion, The second air cell portion and the third air cell portion are adjacent to each other with a boundary that is pointed forward and extends obliquely in the front-rear direction with respect to the seat surface, and the ischial bone of the user fits into the boundary, the second air cell portion supports the user's buttocks in front of the ischial region, the third air cell portion supports the buttocks of the user behind the ischial region, Further comprising a control unit, The control unit controls the second air cell portion and the third air cell portion so that the pressure is released alternately.

2. The seat cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the second air cell portion and the third air cell portion are alternately decompressed, the control unit controls so that the decompression time of the second air cell portion or the third air cell portion is within a range of 3 seconds to 120 seconds.

3. The seat cushion according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit generates ventilation through a slit separating the second air cell portion and the third air cell portion, which are provided inside the position corresponding to the boundary, and a groove formed in a base material of the seat cushion, by a decompression operation, thereby suppressing stuffiness around the ischial region of the user.

4. 3. The seat cushion according to claim 1, further comprising a first air cell portion disposed in a front portion of the seat surface and forward of the second air cell portion.

5. 5. The seat cushion according to claim 4, wherein the first air cell portion supports the thighs of the user.

6. a first air cell portion disposed in a front portion of the seat surface and forward of the second air cell portion, the first air cell portion supports a thigh of the user, 2. The seat cushion according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the first air cell portion to constantly support the thighs of the user.

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