Rocking sleep induction bed

Abstract

To provide a sway-type sleep induction bed that enables a person suffering from insomnia or the like to efficiently fall asleep, by not using rotational or high-frequency vibration caused by a vibrator or the like but using slow sway in the right and left direction with slow vertical movement in a plane slightly curved in an arc shape close to a horizontal plane.SOLUTION: A sway-type sleep induction bed comprises: a support part 2 including an upper surface curvature part 2a whose cross section perpendicular to a front-back direction of the bed has a downwardly convex arc shape; a sway part 3 that sways in the right and left direction of the bed along the upper surface curvature part 2a of the support part 2; and drive means for swaying the sway part 3 in the right and left direction. Configuration is performed so that the upper surface curvature part 's curvature radius is 1.5 m≤r≤25 m, amplitude d in a horizontal direction of the sway part 3 by the drive means is within a specific range within a range of 0 cm<d≤10 cm, and a frequency f is variable within a specific range within a range of 0.1 Hz<f≤0.6 Hz.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rocking sleep-inducing bed that can help a user fall asleep. [Background technology]

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

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

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

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

[0006] Patent Document 4 discloses a rocking bed that comprises a base, a rocking body supported so that it can move back and forth across the width of the bed, a drive attached to the base for moving the rocking body back and forth, and a bed body on which the sleeper rests, and that basically moves the waist bed body part on which the sleeper's waist rests back and forth across the width of the bed to provide a comfortable sleep by providing a pleasant lateral rocking stimulus and exercise to the muscles and joints, mainly in the waist.

[0007] Patent Document 5 discloses a bed with a sleep induction function that has a vibrating plate attached to the bed that is equipped with a continuous micro-vibration generator that generates continuous micro-vibrations like those caused by a moving train, and an intermittent single-shot vibration generator that generates single-shot vibrations that repeat at a roughly constant cycle like those caused by the joints of rails, and that applies a combination of the continuous micro-vibrations and the intermittent single-shot vibrations to the lying human body, thereby providing a good sleep-inducing effect.

[0008] Patent Document 6 discloses a medical adjustable bed system that can safely and quietly change the position of a care recipient without disturbing their sound sleep, and that uses a linear actuator to adjust the inclination angle of each part of the bed bottom, which is divided into left and right halves along the longitudinal direction.

[0009] Patent Document 7 discloses a rocking bed for a human body that can provide massage or rehabilitation or induce sleep while the user is lying down, and that includes a fixed part that is placed at the installation location, a rocking part that is placed on top of that, a rocking drive part that moves the rocking part back and forth, a first sliding mechanism that rocks the rocking part in the rocking direction relative to the fixed part, a second sliding mechanism that uses a vertical surface to regulate lateral movement of the rocking part, a control part that controls each drive part, various sensors, and an operation panel.

[0010] Non-Patent Document 1 states that, based on the empirical effectiveness of the long-standing, everyday practice of patting infants' backs to help them fall asleep, a study was conducted to verify the changes in the level of wakefulness and relaxation effects of stimulation with a fixed periodic rhythm in 43 healthy female students.Rhythmic stimulation of approximately 0.33 to 0.67 Hz (approximately 30 times per minute) was administered to the backs of the subjects in a right lateral position for 10 minutes, and the results showed relaxation, suggesting a calming of sympathetic nervous activity, and that a subjective relaxing effect was achieved. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3124453 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3329787 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 4590238 [Patent Document 4] Patent No. 5086696 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-024678 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-067429 [Patent Document 7] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-139766 [Non-patent literature]

[0012] [Non-Patent Document 1] Hiroi Sumi et al., The effect of 10 minutes of periodic rhythmic stimulation on the level of consciousness, Japan Academy of Nursing Technology, Journal of the Japan Academy of Nursing Technology, 2010, Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 29-37 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] The rocking beds described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are medical beds that can be rotated back and forth or side to side to prevent bedsores and complications in bedridden patients, for example, and are not intended to induce sleep.

[0014] The sleep-promoting rocking bed described in Patent Document 3 has a structure in which a rocking frame on which a bed floor is placed is supported by support shafts of side frames located at the front and rear ends of the bed via triangular suspension arms, and in this state is rocked left and right by a rocking drive means. The rocking drive means uses a brake motor fixedly supported at the middle of the bottom frame of the bed base as a drive source, and drives the rocking frame to rock left and right with a predetermined amplitude via an eccentric plate, an eccentric shaft, a connecting rod, a rocking arm, etc.

[0015] In the case of the sleep-promoting rocking bed of Patent Document 3, the bed floor on which the user lies is simply supported at its front and rear ends via triangular suspension arms on the support axes of the front and rear side frames, so all of the load acts on the connection between the support axis and the suspension arms of the bed floor, and if the user turns over and moves to one side of the bed, the bending stress and shear stress acting on the bed floor or rocking frame becomes large, making it difficult to design safely.

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

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

[0018] The bed with a sleep induction function described in Patent Document 5 uses a continuous micro-vibration generator that gives vibrations simulating those of a train and an intermittent single-shot vibration generator that gives vibrations simulating those occurring at the rail joints in combination, but it is not clear which part of the body the low-frequency vibrations are applied to by the vibration generators and how, and what the effects are.

[0019] The movable bed system described in Patent Document 6 can safely and gently convert the posture of a patient or a care recipient on the bed to a lateral lying position using a linear actuator in applications for medical care and nursing care, and is not intended to promote the induction of sleep in users.

[0020] The rocking bed described in Patent Document 7 has a structure that rocks in the front-rear direction of the bed and is provided with means for restricting lateral displacement of the rocked part, but rocking in directions other than the front-rear direction is not considered.

[0021] The present invention provides a rocking bed for sleep induction. Instead of rotation or high-frequency vibrator-like vibrations, it provides a gentle rocking in the left-right direction with a gentle up-and-down movement in a nearly horizontal plane that is slightly curved in an arc shape, so that a person troubled by insomnia or the like can efficiently fall asleep.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0022] The rocking-type sleep induction bed of the present invention is a rocking-type sleep induction bed including a support part having an upper surface curved part whose cross-section perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the bed is an arc shape convex downward, a rocking part that rocks in the left-right direction of the bed along the upper surface curved part of the support part, and drive means for rocking the rocking part in the left-right direction of the bed, wherein the radius of curvature of the upper surface curved part is 1.5 m ≤ r ≤ 11 m, and the horizontal amplitude d of the rocking part by the drive means is within a specific range of 0 cm < d ≤ 10 cm, and the vibration frequency f is 0.15Hz <f≦0.5Hz set to be variable within a specific range within the range of.

[0023] In the rocking-type sleep induction bed of the present invention, the mattress used in a normal bed can be installed on the rocking part. In that case, the mattress may be laid directly on the rocking part, or may be installed indirectly through some intervening object or mattress fixing means or the like in between.

[0024] The support part in the rocking-type sleep induction bed of the present invention can correspond to a bed body such as a bed bottom located at the lower part of a normal bed, but may also be installed separately on the upper part of the bed body. In any case, in the present invention, it is a prerequisite that an upper surface curved part is formed on the upper surface of the support part.

[0025] The specific range within which the amplitude d is within the range of 0 cm < d ≤ 10 cm means that, for example, depending on the design, various designs are possible within this range, such as 1.5 cm ≤ d ≤ 8 cm, 2 cm ≤ d ≤ 6 cm. Similarly, the frequency f 0.15Hz <f≦0.5Hz within a specific range within the range of means that, for example, depending on the design te,0 .2 Hz ≤ f ≤ 0.4 Hz, which means that various designs are possible within this range.

[0026] Note that the amplitude d mentioned here is the single amplitude, and the overall displacement will be 2d during one period T. Also, the movement time from end to end of the vibration width (distance of 2d) is T / 2 = (1 / 2f) seconds.

[0027] Within this specific range, according to the physical characteristics of each user, the physical condition and mood of that day, etc., the operation of the driving means of the rocking device or the accompanying power transmission mechanism can be adjusted by switching a switch or dial. Also, it can be automatically stopped after a certain period of time by setting a timer device or the like.

[0028] Unlike conventional beds that rotate left and right or front and back around the body of a user lying on the bed, or that stimulate the user by using a vibration generator that applies high-frequency vibrator-like vibrations, the rocking sleep induction bed of the present invention essentially rocks slowly, usually from side to side, around the body of the user lying on the bed in a slightly curved, nearly horizontal plane, with the user lying on the bed.This gentle rocking motion, with little stimulation and on the order of the frequency of a person's breathing or heartbeat, is designed to naturally and efficiently induce sleep.

[0029] A maximum amplitude d (single amplitude) of about 10 cm in the reciprocating motion of the rocking unit is considered the limit for providing safe and comfortable sleep, and it is preferable to be able to adjust the amplitude within the range of about 1.5 cm≦d≦8 cm. If the amplitude is too small, the rocking effect is small, but if it is too large, an acceleration force is applied in relation to the vibration frequency, making it difficult to maintain a restful state. Furthermore, if d=8 cm or d=10 cm, it is relatively easy to design in relation to the drive mechanism, and there are fewer problems with contact with objects around the bed.

[0030] The frequency f of the reciprocating movement of the rocking part is related to the amplitude, but a maximum of about 0.7 Hz is considered to be the limit for providing safe and comfortable sleep. 0.15Hz <f≦0.5Hz year Yes. It is more preferable to be able to adjust the frequency within the range of about 0.2 Hz≦f≦0.4 Hz. If the frequency is too low, the rocking effect is small, but if it is too high, an acceleration force is applied in relation to the frequency, making it difficult to maintain a restful state.

[0031] For example, 0.15 Hz is 9 reciprocations per minute (9T), meaning that the timing of the movement to one side (half cycle of vibration) is 18 times per minute, which is about the same as the normal breathing rate of an adult, while 0.5 Hz is 30 reciprocations per minute, meaning that the timing of the movement to one side (half cycle of vibration) is 60 times per minute, which is about the same as the heartbeat at rest. Experiments in Non-Patent Document 1 showed that rhythmic stimulation of 0.33 to 0.67 Hz reduced the level of arousal and had a relaxing effect, and the rhythmic heartbeat of a healthy and emotionally stable mother provides a sense of security to the fetus, as well as the comfort of clapping, making this range a preferable range.

[0032] In addition, the experiment in Non-Patent Document 1 uses impact timing rather than reciprocating motion like the rocking motion in the present invention, so the timing of the stimulation is close to the timing of stimulation by rocking motion in the present invention (e.g., 0.15 Hz x 2 to 0.5 Hz x 2).

[0033] In the rocking sleep-inducing bed of the present invention, the radius of curvature of the curved portion of the upper surface of the support portion is set to 1.5 m≦r≦ 11 The reason for setting the value to m is that, assuming that the oscillating part is a pendulum weight that oscillates along the curved upper part and the radius of curvature is the length of the pendulum, the driving force of the driving part can be minimized by synchronizing the frequency of the forced oscillation by the driving part with the frequency of the pendulum or by setting the frequency to a frequency close to that of the pendulum. In other words, if the frequency of the forced oscillation by the driving part is synchronized with the frequency of the pendulum, the oscillating part can be oscillated along the curved upper part with a small driving force, and the oscillating part can be oscillated using a compact, low-output driving part.

[0034] When the amplitude of the pendulum is small, the frequency is f=ω / 2π=(g / l) 1 / 2 / 2π …(1) where: f: Frequency (1 / s) ω: Angular frequency (rad / s) g: Gravitational acceleration (9.8m / s 2 ) l: length of pendulum (m) This can be expressed as: From the above equation (1), the length of the pendulum, l, is l=g / (2π×f) 2 …(2) This becomes:

[0035] Substituting the frequency f=0.10Hz into equation (2), we get l ≒ 9.8 / (2 × 3.14 × 0.10) 2 ≒24.87m This becomes:

[0036] Similarly, At f=0.15Hz, l≒11.05m, At f=0.20Hz, l≒6.21m, At f=0.25Hz, l≒3.70m, At f=0.30Hz, l≒2.76m, At f=0.40Hz, l≒1.55m, At f=0.50Hz, l≒0.99m, At f=0.60Hz, l≒0.69m This becomes:

[0037] However, if the radius of curvature R of the upper curved portion of the support part, which corresponds to the length l of the pendulum, is made shorter than 1.5 m, it is not necessarily easy to manufacture the support part for the upper curved portion, and the stability of the mattress or futon and the user lying on it may be impaired. For these reasons, the lower limit of the radius of curvature R of the upper curved portion in this invention is set to 1.5 m. Also, since perfect synchronization is not required, the upper limit of the radius of curvature R of the upper curved portion is set to 1.5 m. 0.15 corresponds approximately to the length l of the pendulum in Hz 11 The value was m.

[0038] In the rocking sleep-inducing bed of the present invention, the rocking unit may be supported by the support unit via a sliding surface made of a low-friction material. Specifically, similar to the sliding bearings used in seismic isolation devices for buildings, a structure in which a stainless steel plate is attached to the upper surface of the support unit and a fluororesin sheet or panel is attached to the lower surface of the rocking unit can be applied.

[0039] The inclusion of a sliding surface reduces frictional resistance at the contact surface between the oscillating part and the support part, allowing for oscillation with a compact drive unit with low output. Meanwhile, by increasing the contact area of ​​the sliding surface, vertical forces (such as the weight of the bed or human body) applied to the oscillating part and support part can be stably supported.

[0040] Furthermore, as a means for reducing the frictional resistance at the contact surface between the swinging part and the support part, a structure may be adopted in which the swinging part is supported via a plurality of unidirectional rollers or ball rollers that function in all directions.

[0041] Alternatively, a stable support structure can be obtained by providing two or more guide rails extending in the left-right direction along the curved upper surface of the curved upper surface of the support part, and allowing the swinging part to slide along the guide rails. In this case, by using a structure in which bearings are interposed on the sliding surface of the guide rails to support the swinging part, the effects of friction can be minimized, allowing for smooth swinging.

[0042] The driving means used in the rocking sleep induction bed of the present invention may be a linear servo motor (including a linear actuator, a shaft motor, etc.), or one equipped with a ball screw and a rotary motor that imparts rotational motion to the ball screw.

[0043] In the case of linear servo motors or ball screws, horizontal oscillation of the oscillation part can be achieved by linear reciprocating motion using a compact mechanism, and variable control of amplitude and frequency is also easy. Furthermore, when multiple linear servo motors or ball screws are installed, they can be easily synchronized and controlled.

[0044] These basically control linear reciprocating motion, but by combining them with a link mechanism, the swinging part can be swung left and right along the curved upper surface of the support part. Alternatively, the servo motor track itself can be made arc-shaped to match the curved upper surface of the support part.

[0045] Alternatively, a winch mechanism may be used as the driving means. For example, a winch device may be attached to the support part, and the tip of a winch wire may be attached to the swinging part via a direction-changing pulley, and the swinging part may be swung along the curved upper surface of the support part by driving the winch device.

[0046] Furthermore, the load on the drive means can be reduced by using a configuration in which the swinging portion is suspended via a suspension means that supports the swinging portion in a pendulum-like manner so that the motion circle of the pendulum corresponds to the curved upper surface of the support portion.

[0047] Alternatively, the swinging part may be magnetically levitated from the support part by a magnetic levitation induction device, and the reciprocating motion may be electromagnetically controlled. [Effects of the Invention]

[0048] Unlike conventional beds that rotate left and right or front and back around the body of the user lying on the bed, or that stimulate the user by using a vibration generator that gives high-frequency vibrator-like vibrations, the rocking sleep induction bed of the present invention essentially rocks slowly, usually from side to side, around the body of the user lying on the bed in a slightly curved, nearly horizontal plane, with the user lying on the bed.This gentle rocking motion with little stimulation, on the order of the frequency of a person's breathing or heartbeat, can naturally and efficiently induce sleep.

[0049] When the user lies in the center of the bed with their body stretched out before the bed starts to rock, the center of the bed's width is lowest and the sides are slightly higher. Therefore, the bed rocks left and right along the curved upper surface with a gentle up and down movement, and the user does not feel like they are going to fall over due to the tilt, allowing them to use the bed in a comfortable manner.

[0050] In the rocking type sleep-inducing bed of the present invention, the radius of curvature of the curved upper surface is 1.5 m≦r≦ 11 m, and the frequency f of the driving means is 0.15Hz <f≦0.5Hz Therefore, when the oscillating part is considered to be a pendulum weight oscillating along the curved upper surface part, the frequency of the forced oscillation by the drive means and the frequency of the pendulum can be controlled to be synchronous or nearly synchronous, and the oscillating part can be oscillated along the curved upper surface part with a slight drive force, and the oscillating part can be oscillated by a compact, low-output drive means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0051] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the bed, illustrating the basic principle of the rocking sleep-inducing bed of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a rocking sleep-inducing bed of the present invention, taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the bed. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the rocking sleep-inducing bed of the present invention, taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the bed. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a rocking sleep-inducing bed according to still another embodiment of the present invention, taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the bed. [Figure 5] 10 is a plan view showing a part of a support portion when a ball roller is used as a support structure for the oscillating portion in the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a case in which a support member via a guide rail and a bearing is used as a support structure for a swinging part in the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a case where a linear servo motor and a link mechanism are used in combination as a driving means in the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which a cylinder-type actuator is used as a driving means in the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a bed rocking device of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an installation position of the bed rocking device of the present invention. [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the installation position of the bed rocking device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Figure 1 shows the basic principle of the present invention, and the rocking sleep-inducing bed 1 of the present invention comprises a support part 2 having an upper curved part 2a whose cross section perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the bed is arc-shaped and convex downward, a rocking part 3 that rocks in the left-to-right direction of the bed 1 along the upper curved part 2a of the support part 2, and a drive means (omitted in Figure 1) that rocks the rocking part 3 in the left-to-right direction of the bed 1.

[0054] For simplicity, Figure 1 assumes that the bed width is W = 1000 mm, which is close to the width of a typical single bed, and that a 90 mm thick mattress 4 is placed on the rocking part 3. If we assume that the radius of curvature of the curved part 2a on the upper surface of the support part 2 is 2178 mm and the half amplitude d = 50 mm, then when it moves 50 mm (half amplitude) in the horizontal direction, one end of the mattress 4 will lift up approximately 12 mm and the opposite end will drop approximately 11 mm.

[0055] If we consider the swinging part 3 to be a pendulum weight swinging along the curved top surface part 2, and the radius of curvature R to be the length of the pendulum l, the frequency of the pendulum relative to the length l is f = 0.356 Hz. If a driving force from the driving means is applied at a frequency around this frequency, swinging can be achieved with a small driving force. However, in practice, factors such as frictional resistance in the curved top surface part 2 must also be taken into consideration.

[0056] When the user S is lying on the mattress 4 and the rocking part 3 moves 50 mm horizontally to the left and right, the user S also moves 50 mm horizontally to the left and right, and a gentle up and down movement occurs in the up and down direction, although it is slight compared to the end of the mattress 4.

[0057] The rocking sleep induction bed of the present invention differs from conventional beds that rotate left and right or front and back around the body of the user lying on the bed, or that apply stimulation using a vibration generator that gives high-frequency vibrator-like vibrations.In principle, the rocking sleep induction bed of the present invention rocks slowly, usually from side to side, around the body of the lying user S in a slightly curved, nearly horizontal plane while the user is lying on the bed, and this gentle rocking motion with little stimulation, on the order of the frequency of a person's breathing or heartbeat, is designed to naturally and efficiently induce sleep.

[0058] Figure 2 shows one embodiment of the rocking sleep induction bed of the present invention, in which a low-friction material, such as a combination of stainless steel plate and fluororesin, is used on the contact surface between the upper curved portion 2a of the support portion 2 and the rocking portion 3 to form an arc-shaped sliding surface, allowing the rocking portion 3 to rock with low friction on the upper surface of the upper curved portion 2a that forms the sliding surface.

[0059] As a driving means, a linear servo motor 21 is attached to the support part 2 side, and swings the swing part 3 at a predetermined frequency f and a predetermined amplitude d via a link 22. One end of the link 22 is rotatable around a pin 22a on the movable part 21a side of the linear servo motor 21, and the other end is connected via a pin 22b on the swing part 3 side. As the pin 22b moves within a guide groove 22c at the end of the link 22, the left-right swing of the movable part 21a of the linear servo motor 21 is converted into swing on an arc via the link 22.

[0060] The frequency f and amplitude d are as described in the section on means for solving the problem, but as a preferred range, for example, the amplitude d can be adjusted in the range of 1.5 cm≦d≦8 cm, and the frequency f can be adjusted in the range of 0.15 Hz≦f≦0.5 Hz or 0.2 Hz≦f≦0.4 Hz, and it is also possible to adjust them to suit the user S using a remote control, or to combine them with a timer function or other control mechanism.

[0061] That is, the operation of the driving means of the rocking device or the associated power transmission mechanism can be adjusted by switching a switch or dial within a specific range according to the user's physical characteristics, physical condition of the day, mood, etc. It is also possible to set a timer device to automatically stop the rocking device after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0062] Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the rocking sleep-inducing bed of the present invention. In the embodiment of Figure 2, a mattress 4 is placed on the rocking unit 3, but in the embodiment of Figure 3, the rocking unit 3 and the mattress are integrated, for example, by incorporating the mattress into the rocking unit 3. The drive mechanism is the same as in the embodiment of Figure 2, so its explanation will be omitted.

[0063] 4 shows another embodiment of the rocking sleep-inducing bed of the present invention, in which a winch mechanism is used as the driving means. In this example, a winch device 31 is attached to the support part 2, and the tip of a winch wire 34 is attached to the rocking part 3 via direction-changing pulleys 32 and 33. By driving the winch device 31, the rocking part 3 is rocked along the curved upper part 2a of the support part 2.

[0064] In the embodiment of Figure 4, similar to the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3, a low-friction material is used on the contact surface between the upper curved portion 2a of the support part 2 and the oscillating part 3 to form an arc-shaped sliding surface, so that the upper surface of the upper curved portion 2a that forms the sliding surface of the oscillating part 3 can be oscillated with low friction.

[0065] Furthermore, in this example, a hanging member 35 is used in combination, and the hanging member 35 bears part of the load of the swinging unit 3 and the mattress 4 placed on top of it, the user, the bedding, etc. Although not shown in the figure, the top of the hanging member 35 is connected to a separately installed support frame or the ceiling.

[0066] 5 shows a part of the support part 2 when ball rollers 41 are used on the upper curved surface 2a of the support part 2 as a support structure for the oscillating part in the present invention. By interposing the ball rollers 41, the frictional resistance at the contact surface between the oscillating part and the support part 2 is reduced, and the oscillating part that is subjected to an upper load can oscillate smoothly.

[0067] Similarly, Figure 6 shows an example of a structure for smoothing the oscillation of the oscillating part, in which an arc-shaped guide rail 51 that matches the upper curved surface 2a of the support part 2 is provided on the upper curved surface 2a, and multiple support panels 52 that slide along this guide rail 51 via bearings (not shown) are provided, and the oscillating part is fixed on the support panels 52.

[0068] Although the drive mechanism is omitted in Figure 6, it is possible to use drive mechanisms such as those shown in Figures 7 and 8 described below, drive mechanisms using the winch device shown in Figure 4 mentioned above, or magnetic levitation induction drive mechanisms.

[0069] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a case where a linear servo motor 21 and a link 22 are used in combination as a driving means, and the above-described embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are of this type.

[0070] The linear servo motor 21 and link mechanism can be installed at two locations, for example, at the front end (user's head side) and rear end (user's foot side) of the bed, and controlled in synchronization. In this case, it is relatively easy to install the drive mechanism, but since there are two drive mechanisms, synchronized control is required.

[0071] It is also possible to provide a recess in the center of the support part 2, install the drive mechanism in the recess, and store the upper part of the link 22 inside the swing part 3. In this case, it is possible to use only one drive mechanism, but the structures of the support part 2 and the swing part 3 become complicated.

[0072] FIG. 8 is a schematic view when a fluid pressure cylinder type actuator 61 is used as the driving means. A rising portion 2b is provided on the support portion 2, and the actuator 61 is attached between the rising portion 2b and the swing portion 3 to swing it.

[0073] In FIGS. 1 to 8 above, the structure of the entire bed as the swing type sleep induction bed 1 has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 9, the bed swing device 1A alone can also be incorporated into an existing bed.

[0074] The bed swing device 11 in FIG. 9 includes a support device 12 having an upper surface curved portion 12a whose cross-section perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the bed is an arc shape convex downward, a swing panel 13 that swings in the left-right direction of the bed along the upper surface curved portion 12a of the support device 12, and a linear servo motor 21 and a link 22 as driving means for swinging the swing panel 13 in the left-right direction of the bed. The horizontal amplitude d of the swing panel 13 by the driving means is variable within a specific range of 0 cm < d ≦ 10 cm, and the vibration frequency f is variable within a specific range of 0.1 Hz < f ≦ 0.6 Hz.

[0075] Regarding the support structure of the swing panel 13, similar to that described in FIGS. 1 to 8, variations such as a method using a sliding surface, a method of supporting via a plurality of rollers or ball rollers, and a combination of a guide rail and a bearing are conceivable. Also, regarding the drive mechanism, variations such as a combination of a linear servo motor or a cylinder type actuator and a link mechanism, a method using a winch mechanism, and a method using a magnetic levitation induction type device are conceivable.

[0076] FIG. 10 schematically shows the case where the bed swing device 11 is installed between the bed body 1a and the mattress 4. In the example of FIG. 10, legs 14 are provided under the bed body 1a.

[0077] 11 shows a case where the bed rocking device 11 is installed between the floor surface and the bed body 1a. In this example, legs 14 are provided on the underside of the bed rocking device 11, but in either case, the legs 14 may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] S...user, 1...rocking bed, 1a...bed body, 2...support part, 2a...upper curved part, 2b...rising part, 3...rocking part, 4...mattress, 11...bed rocking device, 12...support device, 12a upper curved portion, 13...rocking panel, 14...leg portion, 21... Linear servo motor (drive device), 21a... Moving part, 22... Link, 22a... Pin, 22b... Pin, 22c... Guide groove, 31...winch device, 32...pulley, 33...pulley, 34...winch wire, 35...hanging material, 41...ball roller, 51... guide rail, 52... support panel, 61...Actuator

Claims

1. a support part having an upper curved part whose cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the bed is arc-shaped and convex downward; a swinging unit that swings in the left-right direction of the bed along the upper curved portion of the support unit; a driving means for swinging the swinging portion in the left-right direction of the bed; A rocking sleep induction bed comprising: The radius of curvature of the upper surface curved portion is 1.5 m≦r≦11 m, A rocking sleep induction bed characterized in that the horizontal amplitude d of the rocking part caused by the driving means is set to be variable within a specific range of 0 cm < d ≦ 10 cm, and the vibration frequency f is set to be variable within a specific range of 0.15 Hz < f ≦ 0.5 Hz.

2. 2. A rocking type sleep-inducing bed according to claim 1, wherein a mattress is placed directly or indirectly on said rocking section.

3. 2. A rocking type sleep-inducing bed according to claim 1, wherein said rocking portion is supported by said support portion via a sliding surface made of a low-friction material.

4. 2. A rocking type sleep-inducing bed according to claim 1, wherein said rocking portion is supported by said support portion via a plurality of rollers or ball rollers.

5. 2. A rocking sleep-inducing bed according to claim 1, wherein the rocking section is supported so as to slide on two or more guide rails extending in the left-right direction along the curved upper surface of the upper curved section.

6. 2. A rocking type sleep-inducing bed according to claim 1, wherein said driving means is a combination of a linear servo motor and a link mechanism.

7. 2. A rocking type sleep-inducing bed according to claim 1, wherein said driving means comprises a winch mechanism.

8. 2. A rocking type sleep-inducing bed according to claim 1, further comprising a suspending means for supporting said rocking portion in a pendulum-like manner along said curved upper surface portion.

Images