Body surface shape measuring device, bedding, bedding manufacturing method, computer program, pillow, and pillow manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a body surface shape measurement device, bedding, a bedding manufacturing method, a computer program, a pillow, and a pillow manufacturing method capable of measuring a shape of a body surface including a shape of a bone corresponding to an actually sleeping posture of a relaxed human body.SOLUTION: A body surface shape measurement device comprises: a supporting base; and a molding material which is placed on the supporting base and molds a measured portion of a human body in a sleeping posture. Preferably, the device includes the plurality of supporting bases, the supporting bases can be respectively moved up / down, and the molding material is placed on the supporting base that supports the measured portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 30

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a body surface shape measuring device, bedding, a method for manufacturing bedding, a computer program, a pillow, and a method for manufacturing a pillow. [Background technology]

[0002] According to the results of the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey, 19.7% of people did not get enough rest through sleep in the past month, and this percentage is increasing year by year. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's "Sleep Guidelines for Health Promotion 2014," it has been confirmed that problems with sleep increase anxiety and stress hormones, leading to accidents and a greater susceptibility to depression. It has been shown that short sleep duration and insomnia can cause problems such as obesity, high blood pressure, impaired glucose tolerance, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. In order to improve these various sleep problems, consumers are considering replacing their bedding. According to a survey, the number one thing consumers care about and the items they use to get a good night's sleep is their pillow.

[0003] Conventionally, various pillows have been developed to meet the demand for a good night's sleep. Some conventional pillows have some kind of material placed on the surface to make it soft, or have a member placed inside for adjusting the height (for example, Patent Document 1, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-92974 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When the head is placed on a soft urethane or urethane / gel pillow with gel on it, the distribution rate of body pressure varies between users, and some people sink too deeply or too high. The same applies when height adjustment members are provided. The same goes for pipe pillows; even if you control the height by adjusting the amount of pipes, they will easily deform over time and soon become unsuitable, so you will need to go to the store multiple times to have them adjusted. Although there are services that will adjust them as many times as you like, going to the store is a hassle for consumers, and it can lead to them buying other products.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a body surface shape measuring device that can measure body surface shapes including bone shapes that match the actual sleeping posture of a relaxed human body, bedding, a manufacturing method for bedding, a computer program, a pillow, and a manufacturing method for a pillow. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A body surface profile device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a support base and a molding material that is placed on the support base and molds a portion of a human body to be measured in a lying position. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a mold can be used to obtain a body surface shape including a bone shape that matches an actual human body in a relaxed sleeping position. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main body and contact portion of the pillow. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] 11A to 11C are explanatory diagrams for explaining a method of manufacturing the contact portion. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the state in which the main body is housed in the inner cover. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the state in which the main body is housed in the inner cover. [Figure 6] 2 is a plan view of the pillow showing the inner cover housed in the outer cover. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a rear view of the pillow showing the inner cover housed in the outer cover. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 6. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the main body and contact portion of the pillow according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a bedding manufacturing system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a body surface shape measuring device. [Figure 16] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a body surface shape measuring device is used to acquire a body surface shape of a user in a lying position. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a body surface shape measuring device according to embodiment 5. [Figure 18] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a body surface shape measuring device is used to acquire a body surface shape of a user in a lying position. [Figure 19] 1 is a plan view showing a mat produced using the body surface shape measuring device of this embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. [Figure 21] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the buttocks portion of the mat of the first modified example. FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a bedding manufacturing system according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a mat manufacturing process performed by a control unit of a PC. [Figure 24] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a mat of a second modified example. [Diagram 25]FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a measurement unit of a body surface shape measuring device of Modification 3. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a body surface shape measuring device of a fourth modified example. [Figure 27] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a body surface shape measuring device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a learning model. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a body surface shape measuring device according to an eighth embodiment. [Diagram 30] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the molding material after molding. [Diagram 31] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a body surface shape measuring device according to a ninth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (Overview of the embodiment) First, the embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described. At least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0011] A body surface shape measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a support section that supports a part of the human body other than the part to be measured in a lying position, and one or more measurement sections into which the part to be measured fits, wherein the part to be measured fits into the measurement section and the part other than the part to be measured is supported by the support section, and the body surface shape of the part to be measured is measured.

[0012] According to the above configuration, it is possible to measure the body surface shape including the bone shape that matches the actual sleeping posture of a relaxed human body (suspended in midair). "Suspended in midair" refers to a state in which the whole body is relaxed, the limbs are stretched and in a natural position, breathing is not difficult, and the subject feels comfortable. The protruding parts of the body surface shape are the parts on which the user's weight (load) is applied, and at the same time, information on the distribution of body pressure can be obtained. It is possible to create bedding such as pillows and mats that allow the parts on which the user's weight is applied to be in close contact with the bedding, dispersing body pressure well, suppressing pain in the head, shoulders, neck, and lower back, and providing a comfortable, comfortable sleep.

[0013] The above-mentioned body surface shape measuring device may include a plurality of the support parts, and the plurality of support parts may be arranged in parallel such that the measuring part is interposed between the support parts.

[0014] According to the above configuration, it is possible to rearrange the support parts and adjust the gap between the support parts in accordance with the area to be measured, thereby adjusting the width of the measurement part.

[0015] In the above-mentioned body surface shape measuring device, a net is stretched across the measuring section, and a small amount of the net is and a net support portion for supporting at least both sides of the net, and the measurement portion is opposed to the plane of the net. The body surface shape of the measurement portion may be measured by subjecting the body to the measurement.

[0016] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the part to be measured can be supported by the net. Also, when measuring the head shape, the hair can be brought into close contact with the net, and the body surface shape can be measured well.

[0017] The above-mentioned body surface shape measuring device may further include a lifting unit that lifts and lowers the net support unit.

[0018] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the height can be adjusted so that the part to be measured is properly suspended in mid-air. Also, the height can be adjusted to suit the bedding used by the user.

[0019] In the above-mentioned body surface shape measuring device, the width of the net may be expandable and contractible in the direction in which the support parts are arranged side by side.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the width of the measuring part can be adjusted to suit the physique and shape of the user.

[0021] A body surface shape measuring device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a support base and a molding material that is placed on the support base and that molds a portion of a human body to be measured in a lying position.

[0022] According to the above configuration, the mold can be used to obtain a body surface shape, including bone shape, that matches the actual sleeping position of a relaxed human body, and bedding such as pillows and mats can be produced that ensure close contact between the parts of the user's body that bear weight and the bedding, effectively distributing body pressure and preventing pain in the head, shoulders, neck, and lower back, providing a comfortable, good night's sleep.

[0023] The above-mentioned body surface shape measuring device may have a plurality of support tables, each of which can be raised and lowered independently, and the impression material may be placed on the support tables which support the portion to be measured.

[0024] According to the above configuration, the height of each support part can be adjusted so that the part to be measured is suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position, and the height can also be adjusted to suit the bedding used by the user.

[0025] A bedding according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a bedding body, a plurality of concave and convex portions provided in the bedding body based on the shape of the body surface of a human body suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position, and a plurality of abutment portions that fit into the plurality of concave portions and abut against which parts of the human body on which the weight of the body in a sleeping position rests.

[0026] According to the above configuration, a recess is provided based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping position of the relaxed human body, and abutment parts that are formed based on the body surface shape and contact parts where weight is applied are fitted into the recess. A protrusion is provided on the bedding body corresponding to the recessed part of the body surface shape. The unevenness of the body, including the part where weight is applied, and the bedding are in close contact, so body pressure is well distributed, there is no discomfort, and stiff shoulders and neck, as well as headaches are suppressed. The user can turn over smoothly and with fewer turns, resulting in a good night's sleep.

[0027] A bedding item according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a bedding body, a number of cutting sections cut into the bedding body based on the shape of the body surface of a human body suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position, and abutment sections made of synthetic resin that are layered on the parts of the cutting sections on which the weight of the human body is placed and against which the cutting sections abut.

[0028] According to the above structure, a synthetic resin is laminated on the cut part based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping position of the relaxed human body to form a contact part where the weight is applied. The unevenness of the body, including the part where the weight is applied, is in close contact with the bedding, and the body pressure is well distributed, there is no discomfort, and the occurrence of stiff shoulders and neck and headaches is suppressed. The user can turn over smoothly and with fewer turns, resulting in a good night's sleep.

[0029] The bedding according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of synthetic resin blocks arranged based on the shape of the body surface of a human body suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position.

[0030] According to the above structure, the synthetic resin blocks are arranged based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping posture of the relaxed human body. The weight-bearing part and the bedding are in close contact with each other, and body pressure is well distributed, so there is no discomfort and stiffness in the shoulders and neck, as well as headaches are suppressed. The user can turn over smoothly and with fewer turns, resulting in a good night's sleep.

[0031] A method of manufacturing bedding in one aspect of the present invention involves obtaining data relating to the body surface shape of the measured part of the human body when suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position, providing a number of recesses and protrusions in the bedding body based on the body surface shape, and fitting abutment parts into the recesses, against which the parts of the human body on which the weight is placed abut.

[0032] According to the above configuration, a recess is provided based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping position of the relaxed human body, and abutment parts that are formed based on the body surface shape and that contact parts on which weight is applied are fitted into the recess. A protrusion is provided on the bedding body corresponding to the recessed part of the body surface shape. The unevenness of the body, including the part on which weight is applied, and the bedding are in close contact, so body pressure is well distributed, there is no discomfort, shoulder and neck stiffness and headaches are suppressed, and good sleep can be obtained.

[0033] A method of manufacturing bedding in one aspect of the present invention involves obtaining data relating to the body surface shape of the measured part of the human body when suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position, cutting the bedding body based on the body surface shape, and laminating synthetic resin on the load-bearing part of the cut-out part where the body weight is applied, to provide an abutment part against which the load-bearing part abuts.

[0034] Here, the term "laminated" is not limited to a multi-layer structure, but also includes a single layer structure. According to the above structure, a synthetic resin is laminated on the cut portion based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping position of the relaxed human body to form a contact portion against which the weight of the body comes into contact. The weight-bearing portion and the bedding come into close contact, dispersing body pressure well, without discomfort, and preventing stiff shoulders and neck as well as headaches, allowing for a good night's sleep.

[0035] In the above-mentioned method for manufacturing bedding, the synthetic resin may be layered in a state in which the amount applied to the load-bearing portion is controlled so that the synthetic resin will not collapse under its own weight and conforms to the body surface shape. According to the above configuration, the contact portion is well formed.

[0036] A method of manufacturing bedding in one aspect of the present invention involves obtaining data relating to the body surface shape of the measured part of the human body while suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position, and arranging a number of synthetic resin blocks of different materials, hardness, or heights based on the body surface shape.

[0037] According to the above structure, the synthetic resin blocks are arranged based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping posture of the relaxed human body. The weight-bearing part and the bedding are in close contact with each other, the body pressure is well distributed, and the user can get a good night's sleep without feeling uncomfortable, and the occurrence of stiff shoulders and neck and headaches is suppressed.

[0038] In the above-mentioned method for manufacturing bedding, the part to be measured may be molded to obtain data relating to the body surface shape of the part to be measured.

[0039] According to the above configuration, for bedding such as pillows and mats, the shape of the recessed or cut-out portion that serves as a receptacle for the user's body can be directly obtained as a mold, and data on the height of the blocks can also be obtained, making it possible to easily and quickly produce the bedding.

[0040] In the above-mentioned method for manufacturing bedding, first data relating to the body surface shape of the human body in an upright or sitting position is obtained, and the first data relating to the body surface shape of the human body in an upright or sitting position and second data relating to the body surface shape of the measured part of the human body suspended in mid-air in a lying position are used as teacher data, and the obtained first data is input into a learning model that outputs second data when first data is input, thereby obtaining the second data of the human body. According to the above configuration, the second data can be easily acquired.

[0041] A computer program according to one embodiment of the present invention acquires data relating to the body surface shape of the measured part of the human body in a sleeping position while suspended in mid-air, and causes a computer to execute a process of cutting the bedding body based on the body surface shape, laminating synthetic resin on the load-bearing part of the cut part on which the body weight is applied, and providing an abutment part against which the load-bearing part abuts.

[0042] A pillow according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a pillow body and a contact portion made of a material different from the pillow body, fitted into the pillow body, and adapted to contact the head in a sleeping position.

[0043] Here, even if the resins are of the same type, such as urethane resin, they are considered to be different materials if they have different densities, specific gravity, hardness, and the like. According to the above configuration, by using a material of different hardness for the contact part from the material of the pillow body, it is possible to prevent the head from sinking too far and control the sleeping posture. In other words, it is possible to obtain a good distribution of body pressure along the shape of the head and to maintain the shape of the sleeping posture. In addition, by selecting a material that can withstand changes over time for the material of the contact part, it is also possible to suppress the functional deterioration of the pillow over time.

[0044] In the above-mentioned pillow, the pillow body may have a recess with an open upper side, and the abutment portion may be fitted into the recess. According to the above configuration, the contact portion is securely fixed to the pillow body.

[0045] In the pillow described above, the contact portion may have a first through hole. For users with a protruding back of the head, the protruding part places a load on the pillow body, creating a gap between the periphery of the protruding part and the pillow body, causing the head, neck, and shoulder line to become convex upward. By providing the first through hole, the protruding part fits inside the first through hole, absorbing the protrusion and solving the above problem. The ideal head, neck, and shoulder line can be easily formed for people with any shape of the back of the head.

[0046] In the pillow described above, the recess may have a second through hole, and the first through hole may communicate with the second through hole. According to the above configuration, it becomes easier to form an ideal line of the head, neck and shoulders, and the breathability of the pillow is also improved.

[0047] The pillow described above may include a tubular portion that fits into the first through hole and the second through hole, and a first cover that covers the pillow body. According to the above configuration, the shapes of the first through hole and the second through hole can be maintained.

[0048] In the pillow described above, the curved shape of the peripheral portion of the first through hole of the contact portion may have a shape corresponding to the bone shape of the head and the sleeping position. With the above configuration, the user's head and the pillow are in close contact with each other, body pressure is well distributed, and there is no discomfort, and stiff shoulders and neck, as well as headaches are suppressed. The user can turn over smoothly and with fewer turns, resulting in a good night's sleep.

[0049] In the above pillow, an adjustment member is disposed on the back side of the pillow body to adjust the height, and the adjustment member The pillow may further include a straightening member and a second cover that covers the pillow body. According to the above configuration, the height of the pillow can be easily adjusted while the movement of the adjustment member is restrained.

[0050] In the pillow described above, the contact portion may include a three-layer structure made of a hard synthetic resin, a urethane resin, and a gel. The above configuration allows for a high degree of freedom in designing the distribution of body pressure along the shape of the head and the maintenance of the shape of the sleeping posture. By selecting a material that can withstand changes over time, the functional deterioration of the pillow over time can also be suppressed.

[0051] The pillow described above may have three contact portions according to sleeping positions. According to the above configuration, for example, by arranging a contact part in the center for sleeping on one's back and contact parts on both sides for sleeping on one's side, even if the user starts sleeping on his / her back and then turns to the side, the body pressure is well distributed according to the shape of the head and the shape of the sleeping position is maintained, resulting in a good sleep. The same effect can be obtained by arranging three contact parts that change shape according to sleeping on one's side.

[0052] In the pillow described above, the contact portion may be detachable. According to the above configuration, the contact portion can be used as a travel pillow, placed on a cushion and used for taking a nap, etc.

[0053] A method of manufacturing a pillow according to one aspect of the present invention involves using the above-mentioned body surface shape measuring device to obtain data relating to the body surface shape, including the bone shape of the head, of a human body in a lying position, forming a contact portion that contacts the head in a lying position based on the data, and fitting the contact portion into the pillow body to manufacture the pillow.

[0054] According to the above configuration, a pillow that matches the actual sleeping posture of the user can be obtained. The pillow is manufactured based on the body surface shape including the bone shape including the back of the head of the user, which bears the most weight on the pillow when sleeping, or the changes in the body surface shape based on the sleeping posture, so the pillow can be in close contact with the user's body, body pressure is well distributed, there is no discomfort, and stiffness in the shoulders and neck, as well as headaches are suppressed. The user can turn over smoothly and only need to do it a few times, resulting in a good night's sleep.

[0055] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a plan view of the main body 2 and abutment portions 4, 5 in embodiment 1, FIG. 2 is an oblique view of the main body 2 and abutment portions 4, 5, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing the abutment portion 4, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the main body 2 housed in the inner cover 6, FIG. 5 is a back view showing the main body 2 housed in the inner cover 6, FIG. 6 is a plan view of the pillow 1 showing the inner cover 6 housed in the outer cover 9, FIG. 7 is a back view of the pillow 1 showing the inner cover 6 housed in the outer cover 9, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 6, FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the pipe accommodating portion 7, and FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the plate portion 8. The pillow 1 includes a main body 2, contact portions 3, 4, and 5, an inner cover 6, a pipe housing portion 7, a plate portion 8, and an outer cover 9.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the main body 2 contains a synthetic resin material such as low-resilience urethane, has a semicircular shape in a plan view, and has a shape that is concave from both ends of the string toward the center. The main body 2 has a shape in the center of the longitudinal direction of the pillow 1 that is close to a sleeping posture in which the spine forms a gentle S-shape when sleeping on one's back, for example, without exerting any force. The shape of the main body 2 is preferably determined based on the bone shape from the head to the shoulders of an average person. The shape of the main body 2 is not limited to this case. The main body 2 has a recess 21 extending in the short direction at the center in the longitudinal direction of the pillow 1, and has recesses 23, 23 extending in the short direction at both end sides in the longitudinal direction.

[0057] The contact part 3 is located in the center of the main body 2, and the contact parts 4 and 5 are fitted into the recesses 21 and 23, respectively, on both sides of the contact part 3. The contact part 3 has a shape based on the bone shape of the user's head and the user's back sleeping position. This shape is based on the bone shape from the back of the head to the neck and shoulders, the body surface shape of the skull, and the body surface shape changed by the sleeping position. The contact parts 4 and 5 have shapes based on the bone shape of the user's head and the left sideways sleeping position and the right sideways sleeping position. The contact parts 3, 4, and 5 are formed based on the average head data (bone shapes) of Japanese men and women, as described later. The above users refer to users of both sexes. The contact parts 3, 4, and 5 may be prepared in multiple types for men and women.

[0058] The contact portion 3 has a through hole 31 at the approximate center in the longitudinal direction. The recess 21 has a through hole 22 that communicates with the through hole 31. The through hole 22 may not be provided, and the lower end of the through hole 31 may be blocked by the bottom surface of the recess 21. In the case of a user with a protruding back of the head, the protruding part applies a load to the pillow, creating a gap between the peripheral part of the protruding part and the pillow, causing the head, neck, and shoulder line to be convex upward. By providing the through hole 31, the protruding part fits within the through hole 31, and the above problem is solved. The ideal head, neck, and shoulder line can be easily formed even for people with different back of the head shapes. And, if the through hole 31 is connected to the through hole 90 of the outer cover 9 described later, that is, if the hole penetrates from the front side to the back side, the breathability is good (see FIG. 8).

[0059] The contact portions 4, 5 have through holes 41, 51 that correspond to the shape, size, and position information of the ear when the user is lying on his / her side. The recesses 23, 23 have through holes 224, 24 that communicate with the through holes 41, 51. The through holes 41, 51 are preferably shaped to be, for example, 0.5 cm to 2 cm larger than the outer edge of the user's ear. This makes it easier to turn over in sleep, and the peripheral parts of the through holes 41, 51 of the contact parts 4, 5 can adequately support the weight of the head. It is more preferable that the through holes 41, 51 are shaped to be 1 cm to 1.5 cm larger than the outer edge.

[0060] The ears protrude from the sides of the head, and in a sideways sleeping position, the body pressure of the head is concentrated on the ears. Therefore, blood flow stops at the ears, and the person turns over more frequently to avoid blood flow stagnation, and may wake up before or after turning over. Taking an unnatural posture to avoid crushing the ears may cause stiffness in the neck or shoulder muscles. In this embodiment, the ears are accommodated in the through holes 41, 51 corresponding to the shape, size, and position information of the user's ears, and the load of the side of the head and cheeks is distributed on the peripheral parts of the through holes 41, 51, so this problem does not occur. Conventionally, pillows that take the ears into consideration have existed, but the above problem could not be solved because the size, shape, and position of the ears based on the head data were not taken into consideration. It is also possible to eliminate the through hole 24 and have the lower end of the through hole 41 closed by the bottom surface of the recess 23 .

[0061] The contact portion 3 includes a first layer 32 made of gel, a second layer 33 made of urethane, and a third layer 34 made of hard synthetic resin (see FIG. 8). The gel may be an elastic gel having a hardness of 0 to 12 measured according to SRIS0101, a standard of the Society of Rubber Industry of Japan. The synthetic resin may be PP, PE, PC, ABS, or the like. The contact portion 4 includes a first layer 42 made of, for example, gel, a second layer 43 made of urethane, and a third layer 44 made of a hard synthetic resin (see FIG. 9). The contact portion 5 has a similar configuration to the contact portion 4 . The contact parts 3, 4, and 5 are not limited to the above-mentioned three-layer structure. They may have a structure of four or more layers. In order to adjust the shape of the periphery of the through holes 31, 41, and 51, an adjustment plate designed in a predetermined shape may be placed on the upper or lower side of the above-mentioned three-layer structure. As the adjustment plate, urethane, gel, other synthetic resins, etc. having different densities, specific gravities, and hardnesses can be used. The first layer, second layer, and third layer of the contact portions 3, 4, and 5 are prepared in multiple numbers, and the first layer, second layer, and third layer can be selected according to each user, and an adjustment plate can be selected as necessary, to customize the contact portions 3, 4, and 5.

[0062] A method for producing the contact portion 4 will be described below. For example, average head data for Japanese men and women from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology is obtained. As shown in FIG. 3, the average head data (A data) 10 is rotated by reverse engineering software such as 3DCAD software to generate data on the left sideways sleeping posture, and data on a three-dimensional shape including the through hole 41 of the contact part 4 (B data) is generated. Based on the B data based on the bone shape and the sleeping posture, the first layer 42, the second layer 43, the third layer 44, etc. of the contact part 4 are produced by NC cutting or robot arm cutting, etc. They may also be produced by 3D printing. The adjustment plate for correction for each user may also be produced. For example, when sleeping on the left side so that the angle between a cross section of the head cut along a line passing through the longitudinal direction of the ears and the plane of the main body 2 is 45 degrees, the shape of the peripheral part of the through hole 41 is determined so that the height of the peripheral part on the right side of the through hole 41 is higher. Alternatively, an adjustment plate designed so that the height of the peripheral part on the right side of the through hole 41 is higher is inserted on the upper side of the first layer 42 or under the second layer 43.

[0063] Also, a model of a head may be made based on the above-mentioned average head data, rolled on the main body 2, and sleeping posture data may be obtained by motion capture to generate data B. Also, sleeping posture data of a person with an average physique may be obtained by motion capture, and combined with the head data to generate data B. Similarly, data B for the contact parts 3 and 5 is generated, and the contact parts 3 and 5 are fabricated. The produced contact portions 3 , 4 , and 5 are fitted into the recesses 21 , 23 , and 23 of the main body 2 .

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the main body 2 with the contact portions 3, 4, and 5 fitted into the recesses 21, 23, and 23 is covered with the inner cover 6. The inner cover 6 is bag-shaped. Various fibers can be used as the material for the inner cover 6, including natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, silk, and wool, fibers made from resin materials such as polyester, and fibers made from processed natural materials such as cellulose fiber. However, the material is not limited to fibers, and resin materials or processed natural materials can also be used, as long as they can be used as a coating material. The inner cover 6 has three through holes 60 corresponding to the through holes 31, 41, and 51. A tubular portion 61 is provided in the central through-hole 60, aligned with the through-hole 31 and the through-hole 22 of the contact portion 3. The tubular portion 61 has a sewn portion 62 at its upper end, which is sewn to the upper edge of the through-hole 60. The tubular portion 61 has a plurality of fixing portions 63 arranged radially at its lower end, which are fixed to the rear surface of the inner cover 6 by, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener structure. Similarly, cylindrical portions 61 are provided in the through holes 60 on both ends.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with the pipe receiving portion 7 and the plate portion 8 disposed below the inner cover 6, the inner cover 6 is covered with the outer cover 9. As shown in FIG.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 10, the pipe housing 7 has a plurality of partitioned housing chambers 72 for housing materials such as urethane chips and soft polyester pipes. The height of the pillow 1 is adjusted by adjusting the amount of the materials housed in the housing chambers 72. The pipe housing 7 has three through holes 71 corresponding to the through holes 31, 41, and 51. The number of the housing chambers 72 is not limited to the case shown in Fig. 10. Height adjustment can be achieved by incorporating a measuring tape capable of measuring the distance between data on the screen into the computer program and measuring the required distance. When using the body surface shape measuring device 14 described below, the head is suspended by the measuring unit 15, so the height to be adjusted can be easily determined.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 11, the plate portion 8 is a thin plate, for example made of urethane, having a thickness of 1 to 2 cm, and is stacked one or more to adjust the height of the pillow 1. The plate portion 8 has a through hole 81 that corresponds to the through holes 31, 41, and 51 and extends in the longitudinal direction. Conventional urethane plates for adjusting height are prone to movement and are thick overall to maintain their shape, but the plate portion 8 of this embodiment has a through hole 81 and the movement of the plate portion 8 is restricted by the tube portions 61 and 91. Since the movement of the plate portion 8 can be restricted, the plate portion 8 can be placed in a desired position.

[0068] The outer cover 9 is bag-shaped. The outer cover 9 has three through holes 90 corresponding to the through holes 31, 41, and 51. As the material for the outer cover 9, various fibers can be used, including natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, silk, and wool, fibers made from resin materials such as polyester, and processed natural materials such as cellulose fiber, but it is not limited to fibers, and resin materials or processed natural materials can also be used, as long as they can be used as a coating material. A tubular portion 91 is provided in the central through-hole 90 so as to fit along the tubular portion 61 of the inner cover 6. The tubular portion 91 is sewn to the upper edge of the through-hole 90. The tubular portion 91 has a plurality of fixing portions 92 arranged radially at the lower end, and the fixing portions 93 are fixed to the rear surface of the outer cover 9 by, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener structure. Similarly, cylindrical portions 91 are provided in the through holes 90 on both ends. The cylindrical portion 91 may be prepared in a variety of cylindrical lengths and gusset widths depending on the user.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 8, the through holes 22, 60, 71, 81, and 90 of the main body 2, the inner cover 6, the pipe housing portion 7, the plate portion 8, and the outer cover 9 are connected to the through hole 31. Note that the cylindrical portion 61 and the cylindrical portion 91 are omitted in Fig. 8. 9, the through holes 24, 60, 71, 81, and 90 of the main body 2, the inner cover 6, the pipe housing portion 7, the plate portion 8, and the outer cover 9 are connected to the through hole 41. Note that the cylindrical portion 61 and the cylindrical portion 91 are omitted in FIG.

[0070] According to this embodiment, the contact parts 3, 4, and 5 can distribute the body pressure well along the shape of the head and maintain the shape of the sleeping position. In addition, by using a material that can withstand changes over time for the contact parts 3, 4, and 5, the functional deterioration of the pillow over time can be suppressed. For example, the angle between the axis of the neck to chin and the bed top when sleeping on one's back is approximately 15 degrees, which is considered to be the ideal sleeping posture, and the head, neck, spine, and hip bones are connected in a straight line when sleeping on one's side. Therefore, many people cannot get out of their ideal sleeping posture because their usual sleeping posture is different for some reason. Some people find it difficult to get into the ideal sleeping posture. Under the proper guidance of an expert, it is possible to correct the current sleeping posture to the ideal sleeping posture for the user by gradually adjusting the angle. For example, by increasing the angle by 2 degrees or 4 degrees, the user can get closer to the ideal sleeping posture that should be for the user, while checking the S-shaped curve of the neck and breathing, so that they can get a better sleep. In such guidance, in the past, a new product would have to be purchased every time the angle was changed, but in the case of this embodiment, it is only necessary to select from multiple contact parts 3, 4, and 5, or to insert an adjustment plate into the upper or lower part of the contact part.

[0071] (Embodiment 2) Fig. 12 is a plan view of the main body 2 and the contact portion 4 according to embodiment 2. In the figure, the same parts as those in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the main body 2 according to the second embodiment, three contact portions 4 are fitted. The contact part 4 in the center has a shape corresponding to the sleeping position when the angle between a cross section of the head data 10 cut by a line passing through the longitudinal direction of the ears and the plane of the main body 2 is 90 degrees, similar to the head data 10 in Fig. 3. The contact part 4 on the right side of Fig. 12 has a shape corresponding to the sleeping position when the angle between the cross section and the plane of the main body 2 is 45 degrees. The contact part 4 on the left side of Fig. 12 has a shape corresponding to the sleeping position when the angle between the cross section and the plane of the main body 2 is 135 degrees. The present invention is not limited to the case where the three contact portions 4 have different shapes, and the shapes of the left and right contact portions 4 may be adjusted using the above-mentioned adjustment plate.

[0072] With the above configuration, a user who sleeps on their left side will initially sleep on the center contact part 4 in the 90 degree sleeping position. When the user sleeps at the 45 degree angle, the head will come into contact with the right contact part 4. When the user sleeps at the 135 degree angle, the head will come into contact with the left contact part 4. A good sleeping position can be achieved depending on the angle of the side sleeper. During the initial period of falling asleep, having a pillow shape that fits the user's sleeping position reduces unnecessary tossing and turning caused by restricted blood circulation, improving the quality of sleep.

[0073] (Embodiment 3) In the pillow 1 according to the third embodiment, the contact part 3 is configured to be detachable. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the contact portion 3. As shown in FIG. The contact portion 3 can be removed and used as a travel pillow, with the head resting against the seat of a train or airplane. In addition, the contact portion 3 can be placed on a cushion to take a nap.

[0074] (Embodiment 4) In the fourth embodiment, the bone shape of each user is measured, sleeping posture data is generated based on data A relating to the bone shape, and the contact parts 3, 4, and 5 are manufactured based on data B which is based on the sleeping posture data. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a bedding manufacturing system 13 according to the fourth embodiment. The bedding manufacturing system 13 includes an acquisition device 11 that acquires imaging data, and a PC 12 as a generating device that extracts A data related to the bone shape of the user's head and the shape, size, and position of the ears from the imaging data, and generates B data for forming the contact parts 3, 4, and 5. The acquisition device 11 may be, for example, a 3D scanner. A camera may also be used as the acquisition device 11. In addition, position information of the head movement when the user turns over to sleep on his / her side may be acquired by motion capture, and the contact parts 4, 5 may be manufactured based on the A data and the position information.

[0075] The PC 12 includes a control unit 121, a storage unit 122, an input unit 124, and an interface unit 125. These units are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other. The input unit 124 accepts input of imaging data from the acquisition device 11. The interface unit 125 is configured with, for example, a LAN interface and a USB interface, and performs wired or wireless communication with the acquisition device 11. Data may be transferred using a USB memory or the like, without being limited to wired or wireless communication.

[0076] The storage unit 122 is configured, for example, with a hard disk drive (HDD) or the like, and stores various programs and data. For example, a pillow manufacturing program 123 is stored in the storage unit 122. The pillow manufacturing program 123 is provided in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium 16, for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a USB memory, or the like, and is stored in the storage unit 122 by installing it in the PC 12. In addition, the pillow manufacturing program 123 may be acquired from an external computer (not shown) connected to a communication network and stored in the storage unit 122. The storage unit 122 may store a mat manufacturing program for manufacturing a mat.

[0077] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the body surface shape measuring device 14, and FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the body surface shape measuring device 14 is used to obtain the body surface shape of a user in a lying position. The body surface shape measuring device 14 includes box-shaped support sections 141, 141, 141 that support a user in a lying position, and a measuring section 15. The measuring unit 15 includes a platform 151, pillars 152, 152 that can be moved up and down by an actuator, a rectangular net 153, and a net support unit 154. The net support unit 154 is provided on the upper ends of the pillars 152, 152, supports both sides of the net 153, and includes support plates 154a, 154a that move up and down in accordance with the up and down movement of the pillars 152, 152, and a top plate 154b that is U-shaped in a plan view and is attached to the support plates 154a, 154a.

[0078] The net 153 is a net-like structure, rectangular, and attached to the inner circumference of the U-shape of the net support part 154. As the material of the net 153, various fibers can be used, including natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, silk, and wool, fibers made of resin materials such as polyester, and fibers made of processed natural materials such as cellulose fiber. However, it is not limited to fibers, and resin materials or processed natural materials can be used, and any material can be used as long as it can be used as a coating material. The net 153 is attached to the net support part 154 so that it has a tension to fit closely to the head in a state where the head protruding horizontally from the body does not drop when measuring the body surface shape including the bone shape of the head as shown in FIG. 16. Too much tension is not preferable because it does not conform to the shape and may cause pain to the person being measured. It is preferable to loosen the tension moderately and gently fit the human body, but it is not essential because the measurement itself is possible. The mesh is preferably large enough to prevent hair or flesh from sticking out. The mesh is more preferably 4 mm or less on a side, and even more preferably about 2 mm on a side. The net 153 is preferably one through which the surface of the object to be measured can be seen, and is more preferably thin, but is not limited to this. The reason why it is better to be able to see through the screen is so that the person being measured can easily recognize that he or she has been measured when looking at the measurement screen, but it is not essential. The thickness affects the measured shape; the thicker the film, the more it is deformed; however, since the measurement itself is possible, it is not essential that the film be thin.

[0079] The support portion 141 is not limited to being box-shaped. The number of support portions 141 is not limited to three. The support portions 141 are arranged so as to correspond to the part of the user's body that is to be measured. When the part to be measured is the head, the measuring unit 15 is disposed on one end side of the support units 141, 141, 141 aligned in the longitudinal direction so that the head faces the net 153, as shown in FIG. When the part to be measured is the lumbar region, the measuring unit 15 is placed so as to face the lumbar region, and the supporting units 141, 141, and 141 are placed so that the measuring unit 15 is sandwiched between the supporting units 141, 141.

[0080] The shape of the net 153 is not limited to a square shape. It is preferable that the thickness of the net 153 is thin so that the bone shape can be clearly recognized. For example, the support section 141 may be configured to have several types of bedding or similar samples prepared in advance, on which the user can place the bedding used by the user at home, allowing measurement in a sleeping position similar to that at home.

[0081] As shown in Fig. 16, when the head is placed facing the net 153 of the measuring unit 15, the part from the shoulders to the top of the head is protruded from the support part 141 so as to be suspended in the air, and the other parts of the user are supported by the support parts 141, 141, 141. Then, with the net 153 adjusted to fit the bone shape from the head to the base of the neck in a lying position, the body surface shape including the bone shape is measured by the acquisition device 11. It is preferable to adjust the net 153 by raising and lowering the net support part 154 to determine the position and posture while checking whether breathing is easy and whether there are any parts that cause discomfort or discomfort when lying down.

[0082] When taking measurements, the net support part 154 is raised and lowered to adjust the relative height of the support part 141 and the measuring part 15. Taking into consideration the mat and futon used by the user, the pillow 1 is manufactured so that the user can sleep in a relaxed position with a natural curve of the spine. The body surface shape measuring device 14 can measure the nerves from the back of the head to the shoulders, the shape of the neck bones, and the surface shape of the skull. If the gaps between the skull, neck bones, and nerves are filled comfortably, a person can sleep peacefully and turn over easily. This gap varies from person to person and is small, but it is a very important part when falling asleep.

[0083] When the pillow 1 is manufactured by the body surface shape measuring device 14 in the manner described above, data A relating to the body surface shape including the head bone shape of each user is obtained. The PC 12 rotates the A data using reverse engineering software such as 3D CAD software to generate data on the sleeping posture such as lying on one's back and lying on one's side, and generates data (B data) on the three-dimensional shape of the contact parts 3, 4, and 5. Based on the B data based on the bone shape and the sleeping posture, the first layer, second layer, third layer, etc. of the contact parts 3, 4, and 5 are produced by cutting such as NC cutting or robot arm cutting, or by 3D printing, etc. The adjustment plate may be produced and adjusted for each user. In addition, the change in the body surface shape according to the sleeping position may be obtained as data, and the data may be converted into output data (B data) such as STL data and surface data by reverse engineering, to produce the contact portion 3. The manufactured contact parts 3, 4, 5 are fitted into the recesses 21, 23, 23 of the main body 2, and the pillow 1 is manufactured.

[0084] Instead of using the body surface shape measuring device 14, the user may be photographed in a standing or sitting position with a camera to obtain data on the bone shape of the head. When measuring the shape of the side of the head, the bone shape around the ears, which is particularly important for distributing body pressure, and similarly for the back of the head, the bone shape from the top of the back of the head to the neck, are obscured due to hair, so measurements are taken using a swimming cap or other device that can hold or tie up the hair. When a person is standing, the body is tense to support the spine, and when the person is sleeping, the body is relaxed and the muscles are loose. Therefore, the shape of a person's bones and muscles differs between a standing or sitting position and a lying position. The curve of the human spine is to support the standing posture, and is a physiological phenomenon in which muscles work to support the body, so if the depth of the neck curvature is measured in a standing or sitting position and reflected in the shape of the contact part, the person may feel uncomfortable when lying down. It is preferable to obtain the A data using the body surface shape measuring device 14. When the body surface shape measuring device 14 is used, the shape of the head to shoulders can be obtained when the person is lying down on his / her back or side and suspended, that is, when the person is hanging in the air with relaxed tension.

[0085] It is known that humans turn over in their sleep to regulate body temperature, recover from mental and physical fatigue, improve immunity, organize memories, repair internal tissues, etc. When using the body surface shape measuring device 14, it is necessary to perform the measurement in a position that allows easy turning over. Experiments have confirmed that the positions that make it easy to turn over in bed when sleeping on your side are when the head, neck, spine, and hips are parallel to the bottom of the bedding and connected in as straight a line as possible, and when sleeping on your back, when the body from the neck down is connected in as straight a line as possible to the bottom of the bedding and the head is angled slightly above a straight line, which are not uncomfortable sleeping positions. A test was conducted to determine the angle at which turning over in bed is easy. When the angle between the axis of the head and the horizontal line was in the range of 10 to 20 degrees, a comfortable pillow was provided to all subjects. After the user assumes a sleeping position, the height of the net support part 154 is adjusted and measured so that the angle is comfortable, based on the standard range of 10 to 20 degrees, and then it is preferable to adjust it by the pipe storage part 7 and the plate part 8 when manufacturing the pillow 1.

[0086] As described above, the shape of bones and muscles differs between the standing or sitting position and the sleeping position. In this embodiment, the A data is acquired with the head of the user in the sleeping position suspended above the torso, so that the pillow 1 can be manufactured to match the shape of the actual sleeping position.

[0087] When making a pillow 1 for a user who sleeps on his / her stomach, the body surface shape measuring device 14 acquires data A relating to the bone shape of the face from both cheeks and the bone shape from the neck to the chest when the user is lying on his / her stomach. Then, data relating to the sleeping position of each user is acquired, and data B for making a contact part is generated based on the acquired data. The contact part for sleeping on the stomach has a shape that allows the chin to be placed on the center of the upper part of the main body 2. The pillow 1 may be made exclusively for sleeping on the stomach, or a contact part for sleeping on one's side may be made taking into account the sleeping position on one's side. For users with symptoms of sleep apnea syndrome, data on the ideal sleeping position for the user, which prevents the base of the tongue from sinking and narrowing the upper airway, is obtained in cooperation with doctors and others, and data B is generated.

[0088] When using body surface shape measuring device 14 to measure a part to be measured other than the head, such as the lower back, top plate 154b is removed, measuring section 15 is positioned so that the part to be measured faces net 153, and the part other than the part to be measured is positioned so that it is supported by support section 141, and the body surface shape of the part to be measured is measured.

[0089] (Embodiment 5) Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a body surface profile measuring device 14 according to embodiment 5, and Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the body surface profile measuring device 14 is used to obtain the body surface profile of a user in a lying position. In Figs. 17 and 18, the same parts as those in Figs. 15 and 16 are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations will be omitted. The body surface shape measuring device 14 comprises a head measuring section 150, a base 158, pillars 157, 157 which can be moved up and down by an actuator and can slide left and right, a net 156, net support sections 155, 155, a support section 159, and a base 160. For example, six nets 156 and five support sections 159 are provided. The net 156 is stretched across the measuring section between the support sections 159, 159. The number and arrangement of the nets 156 and support sections 159 are not limited to those in FIG. 17. The net support parts 155, 155 are provided at the upper ends of the pillars 157, 157, support both sides of the net 156, and move up and down in accordance with the up and down movement of the pillars 157, 157. The tension and deflection of the net 156 are adjusted in accordance with the left and right sliding of the pillars 157, 157.

[0090] The net 156 is a rectangular net-like structure. Various fibers can be used for the material of the net 156, including natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, silk, and wool, fibers made of resin materials such as polyester, and processed natural materials such as cellulose fiber. However, the net is not limited to fibers, and may be made of resin materials or processed natural materials, and may be any material that can be used as a coating material.

[0091] The head measuring section 150 has a similar configuration to the measuring section 15 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0092] The support section 159 is box-shaped and placed on a base 160. The support section 159 may be made of a material capable of supporting the body weight and maintaining a natural sleeping position, for example, a resin such as urethane or gel, or a recycled material made of fiber, feathers, cellulose fiber, etc., that has cushioning properties and can maintain a sleeping position. The platform 160 may be provided with casters and may be movable up and down. The support portion 159 supports the parts of the user's body that are not to be measured. 18, head measuring unit 150 is placed at one end of net 156 arranged in the longitudinal direction so that the head faces net 153. The area from the user's head to neck faces net 153. Starting from the head side, each net 156 is placed facing the neck to the shoulder blades, the shoulder blades to the lower back, the lower back to the lower part of the buttocks, the lower part of the buttocks to the lower part of the knees, the lower part of the knees to the ankles, and the ankles to the heels. The part of the user to be measured that the nets 156 are placed facing is not limited to the above case. The shape of the net 156 is not limited to a square shape. It is preferable that the thickness of the net 156 is thin so that the shape of the body surface can be clearly recognized.

[0093] In FIG. 17, the base 151 is shown in a state where it is cut off at the end on the foot side, but as shown in FIG. 18, the base 151 extends to the foot side. The base 151 has a guide unit 161 for the acquisition device 11 extending in the longitudinal direction at the center of the short side. As shown in FIG. 18, when the user lies on his / her back on the body surface shape measuring device 14, the acquisition device 11 moves from the head side to the heel side, and acquires the body surface shape of the measured parts from the head to the neck, from the neck to the shoulder blades, from the shoulder blades to the lumbar cavity, from the lumbar cavity to the lower part of the buttocks, from the lower part of the buttocks to the lower part of the knees, from the lower part of the knees to the ankles, and from the ankles to the heels. For example, casters are attached to the acquisition device 11, and the acquisition device 11 can be moved along the guide unit 161 to capture the whole body at once. It is preferable that the casters are capable of going back and forth at the same place like a railroad track, but this is not limited thereto. The acquisition device 11 may be moved by an actuator. Anything other than casters can be used to make the acquisition device 11 mobile. For example, the acquisition device 11 can be mounted on a drone, pulley, radio-controlled cart, dolly, conveyor, etc., and used to take pictures in a lying position. The key is to be able to move underneath the user while they are lying down and take the picture.

[0094] The body surface shape is acquired for each measurement part while it is supported and suspended by the net 156. A body surface shape that matches the actual human body lying on its back in a relaxed position is obtained. The parts that protrude below the body surface shape are the parts on which the body weight (body pressure, load) is applied, and information on the body pressure distribution can also be obtained well. A sheet for measuring body pressure distribution may be placed on the net 156 to measure the body pressure distribution in addition to the body surface shape.

[0095] The body surface shape when the user sleeps on his / her side or on his / her stomach is also acquired in the same manner. In order to acquire the body surface shape when the user sleeps on his / her side without distortion, the acquisition device 11 may be movable not only along the center but also along the right and left ends. Three acquisition devices 11 may be provided and moved in parallel at the same time.

[0096] The multiple nets 156 may be integrated together.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 18, when the head is placed facing the net 153 of the head measuring unit 150, the part from the neck to the top of the head is protruded so as to be suspended in the air, and the other parts of the user are supported by the net 156 and the support unit 159. Then, with the net 153 adjusted to fit the bone shape from the head to the base of the neck in a sleeping position, the body surface shape including the bone shape is measured by the acquisition device 11. It is preferable to adjust the net 153 by raising and lowering the net support unit 154 to determine the position and posture while checking whether breathing is easy and whether there are any parts that are uncomfortable or uncomfortable to sleep on. In addition, it is preferable that the height be such that the user can turn over without any motion and without exerting any force. For parts to be measured other than the head, the net 156 is adjusted so as to conform to the shape of the body surface in the lying position. It is also preferable to adjust the height and lateral position of the pillars 157.

[0098] When taking the measurement, the net support part 154 is raised and lowered to adjust the relative heights of the net 156 and support part 159 and the head measurement part 150. Taking into consideration the mattress used by the user, the fabricated mat 17 is designed to provide a sleeping posture that allows the user to sleep in a relaxed and natural spinal curve.

[0099] According to the body surface shape measuring device 14 of this embodiment, the body surface shape from the head to the heels can be measured satisfactorily. A pillow 1 can be made that comfortably fills the gap between the skull, neck bones, and nerves. It is possible to manufacture a mattress 17, which will be described later, that fits the contours of the user's body surface shape, allows the spine to form a gentle S-shape when sleeping on one's back, and allows the user to achieve a relaxed sleeping position. When there is no gap between the body surface shape and the bedding, a person can sleep peacefully and can easily turn over in bed.

[0100] FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a mat 17 produced using the body surface shape measuring device 14 of this embodiment. The mat 17 includes a main body 170, a recess 171 based on the body surface shape in a sleeping position lying on one's back, a recess 172 based on the body surface shape in a sleeping position lying on one's side, a contact part 18 that fits into the recess 171, and a contact part 19 that fits into the recess 172. The main body 170 includes a synthetic resin material such as low-resilience urethane. The main body 170 has a shape that is close to a sleeping position in which the spine forms a gentle S-shape when sleeping on one's back, and no force is applied. The shape of the main body 170 has recesses and protrusions based on the body surface shape of each user measured individually by the body surface shape measuring device 14. The thickness of the mat 17 is, for example, 5 to 8 cm, and it may be used as a mat by itself or may be placed on top of other bedding.

[0101] The contact portions 18 contact the protruding parts at the base of the neck, the shoulder blades, the protruding parts at the lower angles of the shoulder blades, the spine, the backs of the elbows, the upper protruding parts of the hip bones, the center of the buttocks (the center of the hip bones), both ends of the buttocks, and the heels. The contact portion 18 has a through hole 181. The peripheral portion of the through hole 181 has a curved shape that fits the shape of the surface of the part of the human body that it comes into contact with. The contact parts 19 come into contact with the outer parts of the shoulder blades, the elbows, both ends of the thighs, and the knees. The contact parts 19 have a through hole 191. The periphery of the through hole 191 has a curved shape that fits the shape of the body surface against which it comes into contact. In Fig. 19, contact parts 18 and 19 are drawn as perfect circles, but in reality they have a circumferential shape that matches the shape of the body surface they come into contact with. In Fig. 19, contact parts 19, which are shown to be located inside the hands, come into contact with both ends of the thighs when sleeping on one side. The protrusions are provided at positions corresponding to the concave portions of the measured body surface shape, from the neck to the shoulders, between the shoulder blades, from the back to the waist, the knees, and the ankles, and come into contact with these portions. Incidentally, if the recessed and protruding portions are made to fit the shape of the body surface too closely, it will be difficult to turn over in sleep, so it is preferable that they are made slightly smaller.

[0102] FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mat 17. As shown in FIG. The contact portion 18 is fitted into the recess 171. The contact portion 18 has a through hole 181, and the recess 171 has a through hole 170a communicating with the through hole 181. The contact portion 18 includes a first layer 182 made of gel, a second layer 183 made of urethane, and a third layer 184 made of hard synthetic resin. The gel may be an elastic gel having a hardness of 0 to 12 measured according to SRIS0101, a standard of the Society of Rubber Industry of Japan. The synthetic resin may be PP, PE, PC, ABS, or the like. The contact portion 18 is manufactured separately from the main body 170 and is fitted into a recess 171 provided in the main body 170 . The other contact portions 18 and 19 have the same configuration. The contact parts 18, 19 are not limited to the above-mentioned three-layer structure. They may have a structure of four or more layers. In order to adjust the shape of the periphery of the through holes 181, 191, an adjustment plate designed in a predetermined shape may be placed on the upper or lower side of the above-mentioned three-layer structure. As the adjustment plate, urethane, gel, other synthetic resins, etc. having different densities, specific gravities, and hardnesses can be used. As described above, a convex portion is formed from the back to the waist.

[0103] The main body 170 is covered by an inner cover 6 and an outer cover 9 . The inner cover 6 is bag-shaped. As the material for the inner cover 6, various fibers can be used, including natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, silk, and wool, fibers made of resin materials such as polyester, and processed natural materials such as cellulose fiber. However, it is not limited to fibers, and resin materials or processed natural materials can also be used, as long as they can be used as a coating material. The inner cover 6 has a through hole 60 corresponding to the through hole 170a. The outer cover 9 is bag-shaped. The outer cover 9 has a through hole 90 corresponding to the through hole 170a. As the material for the outer cover 9, various fibers can be used, including natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, silk, and wool, fibers made of resin materials such as polyester, and processed natural materials such as cellulose fiber. However, the material is not limited to fibers, and resin materials or processed natural materials can also be used, as long as it is usable as a coating material. A plate portion 8 is inserted between the lower inner cover 6 and the outer cover 9. The plate portion 8 is a thin plate, for example made of urethane, having a thickness of 1 to 2 cm, and is stacked in one or more pieces to adjust the height of the mat 17. The plate portion 8 has a through hole 81 that corresponds to the through hole 170a and extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0104] According to the above configuration, the recesses 171, 172 are provided based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping position of the relaxed human body, and the contact parts 18, 19 that are formed based on the body surface shape and contact the part on which the weight is applied are fitted into the recesses 171, 172. The protrusions are provided in correspondence with the recessed parts of the body surface shape of the main body 170. The unevenness of the body, including the part on which the weight is applied, is in close contact with the bedding, so that the body pressure is well distributed, there is no discomfort, and the occurrence of stiff shoulders and neck, as well as headaches is suppressed. The user can turn over smoothly and with fewer turns, resulting in a good night's sleep.

[0105] Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the hip portion of the mat 17 of the modified example 1. In the figure, the same parts as those in Fig. 20 are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations are omitted. In the modified mat 17, the main body 170 is cut to form a recess 171, and the third layer 184, the second layer 183, and the first layer 182 are laminated in this order around the periphery of the recess 171 to form the abutment portion .

[0106] According to the above configuration, the recesses 171, 172 are cut based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping posture of the relaxed human body, and synthetic resin is laminated to form the contact parts 18, 19 against which the weight is applied. The weight-applied part and the bedding are in close contact with each other, dispersing body pressure well, without discomfort, and preventing stiff shoulders and neck, as well as headaches. The user can turn over smoothly and with fewer turns, resulting in a good night's sleep.

[0107] A method for producing the mat 17 of the first modification will be described below. FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a bedding manufacturing system 25 according to the fifth embodiment. The bedding manufacturing system 25 includes an acquisition device 11 that acquires imaging data, a PC 12 as a generation device that extracts A data related to the body surface shape from the imaging data and generates B data for forming the contact portions 18, 19, and a 3D printer 30 that manufactures the contact portions 18, 19 of the mat 17 based on the B data. The acquisition device 11 may be, for example, a 3D scanner. A camera may also be used as the acquisition device 11. In addition, position information of the movement of the user when the user turns over to sleep on his / her side may be acquired by motion capture, and the contact parts 18 and 19 may be created based on the A data and the position information.

[0108] The PC 12 includes a control unit 121, a storage unit 122, an input unit 124, and an interface unit 125. These units are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other. The input unit 124 accepts input of imaging data from the acquisition device 11. The interface unit 125 is configured with, for example, a LAN interface and a USB interface, and performs wired or wireless communication with the acquisition device 11. Data may be transferred using a USB memory or the like, without being limited to wired or wireless communication.

[0109] The storage unit 122 is configured, for example, with a hard disk drive (HDD) or the like, and stores various programs and data. For example, a mat manufacturing program 126 is stored in the storage unit 122. The mat manufacturing program 126 is provided in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium 16, for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a USB memory, or the like, and is stored in the storage unit 122 by installing it in the PC 12. In addition, the pillow manufacturing program 123 may be acquired from an external computer (not shown) connected to a communication network, and stored in the storage unit 122. The pillow manufacturing program may be stored in the storage unit 122.

[0110] Based on the A data, the PC 12 uses reverse engineering software such as 3D CAD software to generate data on the sleeping posture such as lying on one's back and lying on one's side, and generates data (B data) on the three-dimensional shape of the contact parts 18 and 19. Based on this B data, the first, second, and third layers of the contact parts 18 and 19 are produced by 3D printing or the like. In addition, the change in the body surface shape according to the sleeping position may be obtained as data, and the data may be converted into output data (B data) such as STL data and surface data by reverse engineering, to produce the contact portions 18, 19.

[0111] FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the mat manufacturing process by the control unit 121 of the PC 12. The control unit 121 acquires imaging data of the user from the acquisition device 11 of the body surface shape measuring device 14, and acquires data B for forming the contact portions 18, 19 based on this data A (S1). When acquiring the body surface shape of the user in side sleeping using the body surface shape measuring device 14, it is not necessary to generate data on the body surface shape in side sleeping from data on the body surface shape in back sleeping.

[0112] The control unit 121 cuts the main body 170 based on the data B, and generates a recess 171 for the contact portion 18 and a recess 172 for the contact portion 19 (S2). The control unit 121 causes the 3D printer 30 to eject synthetic resin onto the periphery of the recess 171 and the recess 172, thereby stacking the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, and so on (S3). At this time, it is preferable to layer the layers while controlling the amount of synthetic resin dispensed, based on algorithmic analysis, so that the layer does not collapse under its own weight and represents the body surface shape. A robot arm may be used to eject the synthetic resin instead of the 3D printer 30.

[0113] Similarly to the above, the mat 17 of FIG. 20 also acquires data A and data B relating to the body surface shape, and forms recesses 171 and 172 in the main body 170. Based on the B data, the contact portions 18 and 19 are fabricated and fitted into the recesses 171 and 172. The contact portions 18 and 19 may be formed by discharging synthetic resin into the recesses 171 and 172 .

[0114] FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a mat 17 of the second modified example. The mat 17 of the second modification is formed by arranging a plurality of synthetic resin blocks 20 having different materials, hardness, or heights based on the body surface shape acquired by the body surface shape measuring device 14. The number of blocks 20 is not limited to that in FIG. The block 20 may be made of gel, urethane, or may be filled with wool, feathers, cotton, or horsehair. Based on the body surface shape and body pressure distribution obtained by the body surface shape measuring device 14, the material, hardness, or height of each block 20 is adjusted to generate a surface shape of the mat 17 that fits the user's body surface shape as a whole.

[0115] According to the mattress 17 of the second modification, the synthetic resin block 20 is arranged based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping posture of the relaxed human body. The weight-bearing part and the mattress 17 are in close contact with each other, the body pressure is well distributed, and a comfortable sleep is obtained by suppressing the occurrence of stiff shoulders and neck as well as headaches.

[0116] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a portion facing the portion to be measured of the body surface shape measuring device 14 of the third modified example. The portion of the body surface shape measuring device 14 of the third modified example facing the portion to be measured comprises a net 156, a base 164, pillar portions 162, 162 which can be moved up and down by an actuator and can slide in the direction in which the support portion 159 is arranged, and net support portions 163, 163. The net support parts 163, 163 are provided at the upper ends of the pillars 162, 162, support both sides of the net 156, and move up and down in accordance with the up and down movement of the pillars 162, 162. The tension, deflection, and width of the net 156 are adjusted in accordance with the sliding of the pillars 162, 162 in the front-to-rear direction on the base 164. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the width of the measuring section across which the net 156 is stretched can be adjusted to suit the physique and shape of the user. The configuration for expanding and contracting the width of the net 156 is not limited to the above.

[0117] FIG. 26 is a plan view showing a body surface shape measuring device 14 of the fourth modified example. The body surface shape measuring device 14 of the fourth modification includes a rectangular plate 167, a plurality of measuring parts 165 into which the measured portion of the user fits, and four pillars 166 that support the plate 167. The plate 167 can be made of polyurethane, cotton, latex, polyester, or the like. As an example, the measuring unit 165 is provided corresponding to the head, the protruding part at the base of the neck of the human body, the protruding part at the lower corner of the scapula, the protruding part on the upper side of the hip bone, and the center part of the hip bone (the part including the sacrum). The number of measuring units 165 is not limited to 5. It may be 1, or 6 or more. The position of measuring unit 165 is also not limited.

[0118] According to the above configuration, the body surface shape of the measurement part in a lying position suspended in mid-air can be obtained with a simple structure. The plate part 167 may be divided into a part having the measuring part 165 and a plurality of supporting parts for supporting parts other than the part to be measured. When the measuring part 165 is a gap between the supporting parts and a net is attached across it, it corresponds to the body surface shape measuring device 14 in FIG. A plurality of body surface shape measuring devices 14 in FIG. 26 may be prepared, each with a different position and size of the measuring part 165, in accordance with the height of the user.

[0119] (Embodiment 6) Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing a body surface shape measuring device 14 according to embodiment 6. The same parts as in Fig. 18 are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations will be omitted. The body surface shape measuring device 14 includes a head measuring unit 150, a base 158, pillars 157, 157 that can slide in the front-rear and left-right directions by an actuator, a net 156, net support units 155, 155, a support unit 159, and a base 160. For example, six nets 156 are provided, and five support units 159 are provided. The net support units 155 are provided at the front end of the pillars 157, support both sides of the net 156, and move in accordance with the movement of the pillars 157 in the front-rear direction and in the left-right direction. The number and arrangement of the nets 156 and support units 159 are not limited to those in FIG. 17. Head measurement unit 150 includes a platform 151, a pillar portion 152 that can be moved in the front-rear direction by an actuator, a rectangular net 153, and a net support portion 154. Net support portion 154 is provided at the front ends of pillar portions 152, 152, supports both sides of net 153, and includes support plate 154a that moves in accordance with the front-rear movement of pillar portions 152, 152, and a top plate 154b that is U-shaped in a plan view and is attached to support plate 154a.

[0120] The body surface shape measuring device 14 can be used at an angle of 0 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. For example, if a user sleeps in a chair tilted 85 degrees from the horizontal, the body surface shape measuring device 14 is tilted to 85 degrees, the body surface shape in the sleeping position is measured in a relaxed state, and the surface of the chair is formed based on the body surface shape, thereby allowing the user to sleep comfortably.

[0121] (Embodiment 7) The storage unit 122 of the PC 12 according to the seventh embodiment has the same configuration as the bedding manufacturing system 25 according to the fifth embodiment, except that the storage unit 122 stores the following learning model and a database of teacher data for the learning model. The training data database stores first data relating to the body surface shapes of multiple users in a standing or sitting position, and second data obtained by the body surface shape measuring device 14 of embodiment 4 for the same users in a lying position.

[0122] FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a learning model. The learning model is a learning model that is expected to be used as a program module that is a part of artificial intelligence software, and can use a multi-layered neural network (deep learning), for example, a convolutional neural network (CNN). Other machine learning may also be used. The control unit 121 operates to perform a calculation on the first data input to the input layer of the learning model according to an instruction from the learning model, and output the second data related to the body surface shape of the human body in a lying position and a probability. In the case of CNN, the intermediate layer includes a convolution layer, a pooling layer, and a fully connected layer. The number of nodes (neurons) is not limited to the case of FIG. 26.

[0123] The input layer, output layer, and intermediate layer each include one or more nodes, and the nodes in each layer are connected in one direction with desired weights to the nodes in the previous and next layers.

[0124] The input layer of the trained learning model receives the first data. When the data provided to the nodes of the input layer is input and provided to the first hidden layer, the output of the hidden layer is calculated using weights and activation functions, and the calculated value is provided to the next hidden layer, and so on until the output of the output layer is obtained. All of the weights connecting the nodes are calculated by the learning algorithm.

[0125] The output layer of the learning model outputs the second data and the probability.

[0126] The control unit 121 uses the training data to generate a learning model that outputs second data when first data is input. Specifically, the control unit 121 inputs the training data to the input layer, performs arithmetic processing in the intermediate layer, and acquires the second data from the output layer. The control unit 121 compares the second data output from the output layer with the second data labeled with the first data in the teacher data, i.e., the correct answer value, and optimizes parameters used in the calculation process in the intermediate layer so that the output value from the output layer approaches the correct answer value. The parameters are, for example, the above-mentioned weights (combination coefficients) and activation function coefficients. There are no particular limitations on the method of optimizing the parameters, but for example, the control unit 121 optimizes various parameters using an error backpropagation method. The control unit 121 stores the generated learning model in the storage unit 122, and ends the series of processes.

[0127] The control unit 121 acquires first data relating to the body surface shape of the user in a standing or sitting position, the data being captured using a camera or the like. The control unit 121 inputs the first data into the learning model. The control unit 121 acquires second data having a probability of, for example, 80% or more based on the second data and the probability output by the learning model. According to this embodiment, the body surface shape of a user in a standing or sitting position can be easily measured, and the body surface shape in a lying position that would be obtained if a body surface shape measuring device 14 were used can be obtained without using a body surface shape measuring device 14.

[0128] (Embodiment 8) FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing a body surface shape measuring device 52 according to the eighth embodiment. The body surface shape measuring device 52 includes a rectangular plate portion (support base) 53, four pillar portions 54 that support the plate portion 53, and a molding material 55. The mold-making material 55 is placed on the plate portion 53. When the user lies on his / her back, the mold-making material 55 undergoes plastic deformation under its own weight, and has a shape-retaining property that maintains the shape after deformation. Examples of the material for the mold-making material 55 include silicone rubber, clay, gel, jelly, and gypsum. Also, the impression form "Trisham" manufactured by BAUERFEIND may be used as the mold-making material 55. When using "Trisham," it is preferable to prepare a variety of hardness levels according to the weight of the user's head.

[0129] FIG. 30 is a plan view showing the molding material 55 after molding. A recess 56 is formed to fit the shape of the user's body surface.

[0130] According to the above configuration, data on the body surface shape of the measured part when the human body is suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position can be obtained by using the recess 56. The recess 56 makes it possible to directly obtain the shape of the recess or cut-out part of the mat or pillow as a receptacle for receiving the user's body as a mold, and also to obtain data on the height of the block, allowing bedding to be produced easily and quickly.

[0131] (Embodiment 9) FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing a body surface shape measuring device 52 according to the ninth embodiment. The body surface shape measuring device 52 includes a rectangular plate portion 57, a plurality of sets of two or four pillar portions 58, 58 supporting the plate portion 57, and a molding material 55. The plurality of plate portions 57 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the human body. The pillar portion 58 can be moved up and down by an actuator.

[0132] In this embodiment, the mold-making material 55 is placed on the part of the user's body surface shape to be measured. The height of the plate part 57 on which the mold-making material 55 is placed and the other plate parts 57 are adjusted so that the part is suspended in mid-air in the lying position. The height can also be adjusted to suit the bedding used by the user.

[0133] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as limiting. The technical features described in the embodiments can be combined with each other, and the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the scope of the claims and the scope equivalent to the claims.

[0134] The configurations of the pillow 1 and the mat 17 are not limited to those described in the above embodiment. The pillow 1 is not limited to having the contact parts 3, 4, and 5. For example, when the user mainly sleeps on his / her back, only one contact part 3 may be provided in the center. Three contact parts 3 may be provided, and in this case, the shape of the periphery of the left and right through holes 31 may be changed according to the user's tendency to turn over in bed.

[0135] The body surface shape measuring device 14 is not limited to a configuration in which the measuring unit 15 and the support unit 141 are separate, and may be configured such that the measuring unit 15 is fitted into the inner part of the head side of the support unit 141. Furthermore, the sleeping posture of the user may be recorded in advance as a video using motion capture or the like, and the shape of the contact portions 3, 4, and 5 may be determined based on the characteristics of the user's turning over in sleep. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 1 pillow 2 Main unit 21, 23 Recess 22, 24 Through holes 3, 4, 5 Contact part 31, 41, 51 Through holes 6 Inner cover 7 Pipe housing 8 Board part 9 Outer cover 10 Head Data 11 Acquisition device 12 PC 121 Control Unit 122 Storage section 123 Pillow Manufacturing Program 124 Input section 125 Interface section 126 Mat Manufacturing Program 13 Bedding manufacturing system 14, 52 Body surface shape measuring device 141 Support part 15 Measuring part 150 Head measurement section 151, 164 units 152, 162, 54, 58 Column section 153, 156 Net 154, 163 Net support part 161 Information Department 53, 57 plate part 55 Mold making material 17 Matt 171, 172 recess 18, 19 Contact part 181, 191 Through holes

Claims

[Claim 1] a support base; and a molding material that is placed on the support base, plastically deformed by the weight of the human body in a lying position, and molds the portion to be measured while maintaining the deformed shape, the support base is provided in plurality, each of which can be raised and lowered independently, the plurality of support bases including a support base that supports the head of the human body in a lying position, and a body surface shape measuring device is used to place the molding material on the support base that supports the head, and the height of each support base is adjusted so that the head of the human body in a lying position is suspended in mid-air, thereby measuring the human body in a lying position; acquiring data relating to a body surface shape including a bone shape of the head of the human body; Based on the data, a contact portion that contacts the head in a sleeping position is formed, and the contact portion is fitted to the pillow body. A method for manufacturing a pillow, comprising:

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