Auxiliary system

Abstract

This auxiliary system includes: a storage body (R) that includes a contact surface (F) on which a user (U) places the user's body and is filled with a liquid having a temperature that can be adjusted; and an auxiliary mechanism (21) that is stored in the storage body (R) and is for assisting with a change in posture of the user (U), the auxiliary mechanism including a plurality of column members (211) that are elongated along a direction intersecting the contact surface (F) and are movable along said direction. The column members (211) are hollow inside and include a first portion that becomes thinner toward the end on the side opposite to the contact surface (F). The liquid is filled in a gap between the column members (211), and the liquid is not filled inside the column members (211).

Description

Auxiliary Systems

[0001] The present invention relates to an assistance system for assisting a user in changing their body position.

[0002] In recent years, due to the influence of climate change and global events, it has become increasingly difficult for people to maintain good quality and quantity of sleep in order to maintain peace of mind and physical health. However, sleep, like other functions essential for life, is subject to changes with aging, such as decreased physical activity. It has been thought that sleep duration, which is strongly correlated with cognitive function, is shortened, and that shallow sleep increases while deep sleep decreases. In other words, it has been thought that the risk of dementia increases with age and that a shortened healthy lifespan is inevitable.

[0003] A person's life (daily activities) is composed of approximately 34-50% of their time spent socially outside the home, approximately 17-33% of their time spent at home, and the remaining 33% of their time spent sleeping, all of which are regulated by the body clock. Sleep solidifies memories and plays a major role in maintaining internal organ function, making it increasingly clear that it is essential for improving productivity. In a sense, activities outside of sleep are supported by psychological and physical factors, such as fluid intake, nutrition (reflecting digestion, absorption, metabolism, excretion, etc.), exercise, sleep, lifestyle habits, memory, and purpose in life. In contrast, the quality and quantity of sleep are influenced by factors such as physical or psychological fatigue, stress, psychological state, other social activities, nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle habits.

[0004] Furthermore, sleep varies greatly from person to person in terms of the balance between body temperature, heat generation (e.g., exercise, diet), and heat dissipation (e.g., sweating ability). It is also known that sleep is significantly influenced by the local climate, i.e., temperature, humidity, sound, light, oxygen saturation, carbon dioxide concentration, and carbon monoxide concentration. Individual differences are also influenced by factors such as body composition, particularly muscle mass related to heat generation; the cardiovascular and nervous systems related to skeletal, heat dissipation, and sweating; the development and aging of internal organs; the combination of lifestyle-related diseases; the balance of the immune and endocrine systems; and the quantity and type of work. Furthermore, the perceived comfortable temperature, even when measured using the wet bulb globe temperature, is significantly influenced by humidity.

[0005] By the way, the temperature of each part of the body is affected by the following factors: First, factors that lead to a rise in temperature: 1. Heat transfer (mainly from arterial blood) 2. Heat production (mainly from muscles, internal organs (e.g. liver), congestion, and inflammatory reactions) 3. Thermal convection (transfer of heat from a hot gas (or liquid) passing over exposed skin to the skin) 4. Thermal conduction (transfer of heat from a surface (solid) that is in direct contact with the body and is hotter than body temperature to a colder body surface) 5. Inhibition of thermal convection (obesity (reduced body surface area), thick clothing, wind protection)

[0006] Next, factors that lead to a drop in temperature are: 6. Heat emission and radiation (mainly influenced by infrared rays to reduce the temperature difference with the surrounding environment, body surface area (thinness), and the balance of the autonomic nervous system); 7. Evaporation (e.g., cooling due to evaporation of sweat and water); 8. Thermal convection (transfer of heat to a cooler gas (or liquid) that passes over exposed skin: e.g., ventilation); 9. Thermal conduction (conduction of heat from the body surface to a surface (solid) that is cooler than the body surface temperature, or transfer of heat from a hot surface in direct contact to a cooler surface (e.g., an ischemic area)); 10. Heat extrusion (mainly via venous blood, cutaneous veins, capillaries, and ischemia).

[0007] Heat production is due to muscle movement (60%) and visceral metabolism (40%). Body temperature also rises due to sympathetic nervous system stimulation, hyperthyroidism, and severe obesity. On the other hand, body temperature decreases due to parasympathetic nervous system dominance, hypothyroidism, and emaciation.

[0008] Physiologically, 30 minutes has traditionally been considered a single unit of sleep, but this may correlate with the rhythm of turning over in bed, which occurs approximately once every 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in addition to the sleep disorders that have traditionally occurred with childcare, the recent generalization of 24-hour work, including shift work, in medical care, nursing care, production, distribution, commerce, transportation, security, and global operations, which are completely uncontrollable by the body clock, has led to serious sleep disorders.

[0009] Furthermore, extreme eating disorders, emaciation, and various lifestyle-related diseases associated with severe obesity, which are problems in developed countries, as well as frailty, are correlated with sleep quality and other issues. It has also been found that sleep disorders are related to the worsening of obesity and some lifestyle-related diseases, in addition to depression. For example, with sleep apnea syndrome, even if a person has the same AHI (apnea hypopnea index), they may have no subjective symptoms at all, but may still have very serious symptoms. It is also known that subjective symptoms related to sleep vary greatly from person to person.

[0010] Japan, with its numerous stressful workplaces, long north-south geography, and four distinct seasons, lacks a stable environment. It is said that Japan has the shortest sleep duration among developed countries and a higher rate of sleep dissatisfaction, including sleep disorders, compared to other countries. In monsoon regions like Japan, humidity is naturally high except during the winter, and the comfortable temperature range, measured by wet bulb globe temperature, is extremely narrow, which may contribute to sleep disorders. Furthermore, with aging, the progression of arteriosclerosis and spondylosis is inevitable, affecting the balance and regulation of the autonomic nervous system. The head and neck are particularly sensitive regions, densely distributed with sensory nerves as well as central nervous systems, including the cerebrospinal cord and sleep centers. The carotid sinus also plays a central role in monitoring various changes in the bloodstream, highlighting the unique characteristics of the neck with regard to sleep.

[0011] Furthermore, as mentioned above, with the aging population and lack of exercise, people with emaciation and severe obesity have difficulty supporting their own weight due to muscle insufficiency (sarcopenia), and an increasing number of people are unable to turn over in bed, which is important for preventing muscle pain and local circulatory failure upon awakening. As mentioned above, the above-mentioned autonomic thermoregulatory function declines with age. Furthermore, when sleeping in a supine position, especially after drinking alcohol, the base of the tongue tends to fall back, narrowing the airway. Since side-lying positions tend to keep the airway open, turning over without waking is essential for a good night's sleep. Waking up during sleep can lead to interrupted sleep and mid-sleep awakenings, which can make it difficult to fall back asleep, resulting in poor sleep quality. Obesity also increases the deposition of subcutaneous fat in the neck, increasing the distance between the skin surface and arteries and veins, reducing heat dissipation. Skin stretching reduces the distribution of sweat glands per unit area, reducing the neck's ability to sweat, preventing the brain from cooling down, which is necessary for sleep. In this situation, sudden deaths due to arrhythmia caused by sleep apnea syndrome and pulmonary infarction caused by economy class syndrome are also increasing.

[0012] Technologies for improving the quality of sleep of users have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a bed system for assisting a user in changing their body position while sleeping. Specifically, Patent Document 1 divides the bed bottom into two halves, a left half and a right half, and assists the user into a lateral position by tilting both the left half and the right half.

[0013] The technology of Patent Document 1 only allows the left and right halves of the bed bottom to be tilted in a planar manner (overall surface). In other words, the bed bottom cannot be moved in separate, subdivided regions. Furthermore, because the body is not kept upright during sleep, a planar (overall surface) tilting configuration can only incompletely distribute the weight load and does not conform to the body surface shape of each part of the body. Therefore, when tilting in a planar manner, the body must first be quickly returned to a straight position and then tilted again while still upright, resulting in significant unevenness in the weight load across different parts of the body. Each time the center of gravity shifts, the weight load is increased by several to ten times or more on limited parts of the body, which can cause discomfort or awakening. As described above, the technology of Patent Document 1 makes it difficult to appropriately assist a sleeping user in changing their position without discomfort or waking them up.

[0014] Therefore, the inventor of the present invention developed a bedding system in Patent Document 2 that facilitates falling asleep, achieving deep sleep, and re-entering sleep by leveling out the user's weight load and realizing a cool head and warm feet, and also assists in appropriate position changes (specifically, comfortable turning over). Specifically, the technology in Patent Document 2 has multiple pillar members built into the bedding that can each be moved individually. Furthermore, the interior of the housing that houses the pillar members is filled with a temperature-adjustable liquid to promote a good night's sleep for the user.

[0015] JP 2016-67429 A International Publication No. 2022 / 145346

[0016] However, the technology of Patent Document 2 has room for improvement in terms of weight reduction because the bedding includes multiple pillar members. Furthermore, because the multiple pillar members are arranged adjacent to each other, it is sometimes difficult for the adjusting liquid to flow and for the temperature to be adjusted uniformly. In consideration of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an auxiliary system that can be made lighter and improves the fluidity of the adjusting liquid.

[0017] [1] An assist system comprising: a housing including a contact surface on which a user places their body and filled with a temperature-adjustable liquid; and an assist mechanism housed in the housing for assisting the user in changing their position, the assist mechanism including a plurality of pillar members that are elongated in a direction intersecting the contact surface and are movable along said direction, the pillar members being hollow inside and including a first portion whose thickness decreases toward the end opposite the contact surface.

[0018] [2] An auxiliary system according to [1], wherein the pillar member includes a second portion having a constant thickness at the end on the contact surface side, and the first portion is formed from the end of the second portion opposite the contact surface toward the opposite side of the contact surface.

[0019] [3] An auxiliary system according to [2], wherein the length of the first portion is at least half the length of the pole member, and the length of the second portion is at least 1 / 10 and less than 1 / 2 of the length of the pole member.

[0020] [4] An auxiliary system according to [3], wherein the housing has a hollow housing section on the opposite side of the contact surface, the end of the column member on the opposite side of the contact surface is located inside the housing section, and the drive mechanism is installed inside the housing section.

[0021] [5] An auxiliary system according to any one of [1] to [4], further comprising a detection unit that detects pressure values ​​from the user for each of a plurality of regions on the contact surface, and the plurality of pillar members move so that the pressure values ​​in each of the regions approach each other.

[0022] [6] The auxiliary mechanism includes, for each of the plurality of pillar members, a movable part having a bottom and a side wall part provided around the entire circumference of the bottom, and the second part is fitted inside the side wall part of the movable part so that the end of the second part opposite the first part faces the bottom, and the movable part moves towards the first part when a load from the user is applied to the bottom. [2] An auxiliary system.

[0023] [7] An auxiliary system according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the interior of the column member is filled with a gas having a density lower than that of the liquid.

[0024] According to the auxiliary system of the present invention, the pillar member includes a first portion whose thickness decreases toward the end opposite the contact surface, thereby making it possible to reduce weight and improve the fluidity of the adjustment liquid.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an auxiliary system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of a mattress. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the auxiliary system. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one pillar member. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement of the pillar member. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement of the pillar member. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement of the pillar member. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an auxiliary system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side view of a pillow member. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement of the pillar member. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement of the pillar member. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement of the pillar member. FIG. 13 is a side view of a pillow according to another aspect of the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a humidity adjustment mechanism according to a modified example. FIG. 15 is a side view of an auxiliary system according to a modified example. FIG. 16 is a side view of a mattress according to a modified example. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a pillar member according to a modified example.

[0026] <First embodiment> Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an auxiliary system 100 according to a first embodiment. In the first embodiment, a bedding-type (bed-type) auxiliary system 100 is assumed to be used by a user U while sleeping. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the auxiliary system 100 includes a mattress 20A, an auxiliary mechanism 21, a temperature adjustment mechanism 22, a humidity adjustment mechanism 23, a processing device 30, a sensor unit 40, and a drive mechanism 50.

[0027] The mattress 20A is a mat on which the user U lies down when sleeping. In the following description, the thickness direction of the mattress 20A is referred to as the Z direction, the direction perpendicular to the Z direction is referred to as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Z and X directions is referred to as the Y direction. In FIG. 1, the horizontal direction of the mattress 20A is referred to as the X direction, the vertical direction of the mattress 20A is referred to as the Y direction, and the thickness direction of the mattress 20A is referred to as the Z direction. The mattress 20A in FIG. 1 is a plan view as viewed from the Z direction. FIG. 2 is a side view of the mattress 20A as viewed from the Y direction.

[0028] The mattress 20A includes, for example, a container R and a housing K. The container R is filled with a temperature-adjustable adjusting liquid L, and an auxiliary mechanism 21 is installed inside. The container R is a bag-like structure formed, for example, from a waterproof material (e.g., resin). The container R is preferably stretchable. The outer periphery of the container R may be further covered with fabric. The container R includes a surface F on which the user U places their body (hereinafter referred to as the "contact surface"). In the mattress 20A, the contact surface F is the surface on which the user U lies down. The contact surface F is the surface of the container that is on the positive side in the Z direction. Note that, although the auxiliary mechanism 21 cannot actually be seen from the outside of the mattress 20A, the auxiliary mechanism 21 is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 for convenience.

[0029] 2, the housing K is connected to the housing R on the side of the housing R opposite to the contact surface F. Specifically, the housing K is a hollow structure. The interior of the housing K is set to a size that allows the drive mechanism 50, which will be described later, to be built in. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the housing K is equal to or larger in size than the housing R in a plan view from the Z direction.

[0030] 1, in the first embodiment, the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 is connected to the outside of the mattress 20A. However, the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 and the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 may be installed inside the housing K.

[0031] <Sensor unit 40> Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the auxiliary system 100 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the sensor unit 40 is a detection device that generates detection signals S (S1, S2, S3) for identifying information about the biological body of a user U (hereinafter referred to as "biometric information"). The sensor unit 40 according to the first embodiment includes a first acquisition unit 41, a second acquisition unit 42, and a third acquisition unit 43.

[0032] The first acquisition unit 41 is a sensor that generates a detection signal S1 that displaces in response to the load of the user U (pressure from the user U) on the contact surface F. That is, the detection signal S1 is a signal that represents a load value (pressure value). For example, a pressure sensor (e.g., a piezoelectric element) is exemplified as the first acquisition unit 41. The detection signal S1 is used to identify the position of the user U on the mattress 20A (contact surface F) (hereinafter referred to as the "body position") and the period that has elapsed since the user U most recently changed his / her body position (hereinafter referred to as the "change period"). For example, multiple first acquisition units 41 are provided at predetermined intervals in an area on the contact surface F side inside the mattress 20A (receiving body R). However, the number of first acquisition units 41 is arbitrary.

[0033] Of the multiple first acquisition units 41, the detection value of the detection signal S1 generated by the first acquisition unit 41 corresponding to the area of ​​the contact surface F on which the user U is standing (lying down) fluctuates. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the body position based on the detection signal S1. Furthermore, when the user U moves, the detection signal S1 generated by the first acquisition unit 41 changes, so it is also possible to detect a change in the user U's body position. Note that the body position and the change period are examples of biometric information.

[0034] Note that, as long as it is possible to identify the body position and the change period, any sensor may be used for the first acquisition unit 41. The first acquisition unit 41 continuously generates a detection signal S1 at a predetermined interval. That is, a change in the load of the user U over time is detected.

[0035] The second acquisition unit 42 is a sensor that generates a detection signal S2 representing the body temperature of the user U. The detection signal S2 is used to identify the body temperature (an example of biometric information) of the user U. For example, any known body temperature sensor (e.g., an infrared sensor) is used as the second acquisition unit 42. The second acquisition unit 42 is attached (attached) to the surface of the user U's body at multiple locations (such as the torso, both hands, both feet, head, and neck). Note that a non-contact body temperature sensor may be used as the second acquisition unit 42 as long as it is capable of generating a detection signal S2 representing the body temperature of the user U. The second acquisition unit 42 continuously generates the detection signal S2 at predetermined intervals.

[0036] The third acquisition unit 43 is a sensor that generates a detection signal S3 representing the humidity of the user U's body surface. The detection signal S3 is used to identify the humidity of the user U's body surface (an example of biometric information). For example, any known humidity sensor may be used as the third acquisition unit 43. The third acquisition unit 43 is attached, for example, to the same position on the user U's body surface as the second acquisition unit 42. Note that a non-contact humidity sensor may be used as the third acquisition unit 43 as long as it is capable of generating the detection signal S3 representing the humidity of the user U's body surface. Also, a device in which the second acquisition unit 42 and the third acquisition unit 43 are integrated may be used. The third acquisition unit 43 continuously generates the detection signal S3 at a predetermined interval. Furthermore, the number of second acquisition units 42 and third acquisition units 43 may be any number.

[0037] <Assistance Mechanism 21> The assistance mechanism 21 of the first embodiment is a mechanism for assisting a user U lying on the mattress 20A in changing their position (typically, when the user U turns over while sleeping). Specifically, the assistance mechanism 21 includes a plurality of pillar members 211. Each pillar member 211 is a columnar member elongated along the Z direction (thickness direction of the mattress 20A). The Z direction can also be described as a direction intersecting (perpendicular to) the contact surface F. The pillar members 211 are closely arranged so as to be parallel to one another. The pillar members 211 are arranged to cover the entire mattress 20A in a plan view. The accommodation body R is filled with an adjusting liquid L so as to fill the gaps between the pillar members 211. The spacing between adjacent pillar members 211 is preferably 1 mm to 1 cm, and more preferably 2 to 8 mm, from the viewpoint of achieving both weight reduction and buoyancy.

[0038] 1, the pillar member 211 is, for example, a regular hexagonal pillar. The diameter of the pillar member 211 (the length of the diagonal of the regular hexagon) is, for example, 20 to 60 mm. Note that the pillar member 211 is not limited to a regular hexagonal pillar. For example, a polygonal pillar (for example, a square pillar) other than a circular cylinder or a regular hexagonal pillar may also be used as the pillar member 211.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view focusing on one pillar member 211. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the pillar member 211 of the first embodiment is hollow. Specifically, the pillar member 211 is composed of a top surface portion, a bottom surface portion, and a side surface portion. The side surface portion is a cylindrical portion, and the top surface portion is positioned so as to close the opening at the top of the side surface portion (positive side in the Z direction), and the bottom surface portion is positioned so as to close the opening at the bottom of the side surface portion (negative side in the Z direction). Note that the surface (end J) of the pillar member 211 on the contact surface F side is preferably formed of a flexible material (e.g., silicone or rubber) to reduce discomfort when the user U sits on the housing body R. The thickness of the wall portion constituting the pillar member 211 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of achieving both sufficient strength and light weight, it is assumed to be, for example, approximately 5 mm to 1.5 cm, and it is preferable that the thickness increases from the positive side to the negative side in the Z direction. For example, the pillar member 211 is formed from a resin such as polyoxymethylene, polyphenylene sulfide, polystyrene, or polypropylene.

[0040] The multiple pillar members 211 are individually movable along the Z direction. Specifically, each pillar member 211 is movable within a predetermined range on both the positive and negative sides of the Z direction (up and down). Each pillar member 211 is movable so as to change the posture of the user U. The pillar members 211 are formed of any lightweight and durable material.

[0041] The pillar members 211 are moved along the Z direction by a drive mechanism 50. The drive mechanism 50 is, for example, an electric or hydraulic actuator (cylinder). Any type of drive mechanism 50 may be used as long as it can move the pillar members 211 along the Z direction. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the drive mechanism 50 is provided inside the housing K. In this embodiment, two or more drive mechanisms 50 are provided for the plurality of pillar members 211. While one drive mechanism 50 may be provided for each pillar member 211, in this embodiment, from the perspective of compactness and weight reduction, a configuration in which one drive mechanism 50 moves two or more adjacent pillar members 211 is preferred. The number of two or more pillar members 211 moved by one drive mechanism 50 is arbitrary, but is assumed to be, for example, two or more and ten or less. On the other hand, a configuration in which one drive mechanism 50 controls one pillar member 211 can move each pillar member 211 to fit the user U's body, allowing the user U to comfortably change their posture. It is also possible to employ a configuration in which a portion of the drive mechanism 50 communicates with the interior of the pillar member 211. In the above configuration, a portion of the drive mechanism 50 is installed so as to penetrate the bottom surface of the pillar member 211.

[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the end of the pillar member 211 opposite the contact surface F (the end on the negative side in the Z direction) penetrates the surface of the housing R opposite the contact surface F (the surface on the negative side in the Z direction) and is positioned inside the housing K. The drive mechanism 50 installed inside the housing K is connected to the end of the pillar member 211 on the negative side in the Z direction. Therefore, the pillar member 211 is movable along the Z direction via the drive mechanism 50. By positioning the end of the pillar member 211 opposite the contact surface F inside the housing K, the drive mechanism 50 can be installed in the external space of the housing R filled with the adjusting liquid L (the internal space of the housing K). The pillar member 211 and the drive mechanism 50 may be connected directly or indirectly. The example in FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration in which a buffer material D is provided between the end of the pillar member 211 on the negative side in the Z direction and the drive mechanism 50. The buffer material D is installed to absorb impact from the drive mechanism 50, and is designed, for example, so that the end side on the negative side in the Z direction of the column member 211 has a larger area.

[0043] The housing K housing the drive mechanism 50 is preferably made up of multiple layers from the viewpoint of soundproofing and vibration isolation. Each layer of the housing K is made of, for example, plastic or polyurethane. Furthermore, if the drive mechanism 50 is hydraulic, it is preferable to install a deodorizer (for example, charcoal) in the housing K.

[0044] As illustrated in Fig. 4 , the pillar member 211 of the first embodiment includes a first portion 213 and a second portion 215. The second portion 215 is located on the positive side of the Z direction, and the first portion 213 is located on the negative side of the Z direction. The second portion 215 is a portion of the pillar member 211 that has a constant thickness at the end on the contact surface F side. The first portion 213 is a portion that decreases in thickness toward the end on the opposite side from the contact surface F. The first portion 213 of the first embodiment is provided from the end of the second portion 215 on the negative side in the Z direction (the end on the opposite side from the contact surface F) to the end of the pillar member 211 on the negative side in the Z direction.

[0045] Here, the thickness of the pillar member 211 (first portion 213, second portion 215) refers to the area of ​​the shape formed by the outer edge in a cross section obtained when the pillar member 211 is cut along a plane parallel to the X-Y plane. In other words, the thickness of the pillar member 211 (first portion 213, second portion 215) can be said to be the cross-sectional area obtained when the pillar member 211 is cut along a plane parallel to the X-Y plane, assuming that the pillar member 211 is a solid structure.

[0046] 4 , from the viewpoint of reducing the weight of the pillar member 211 and the fluidity of the adjusting liquid L, the first portion 213 is provided to extend, for example, over ½ or more (preferably ⅔ or more, more preferably ⅘ or more) of the length of the pillar member 211 along the Z direction. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of the strength of the pillar member 211, the second portion 215 is provided to extend, for example, over ½ or more and less than ⅙ (preferably ⅛ or more and ⅓ or less, more preferably ⅇ or more and ¼ or less) of the length of the pillar member 211 along the Z direction.

[0047] However, the shape of the pillar member 211 is arbitrary as long as it includes the first portion 213. For example, the pillar member 211 may be entirely made up of the first portion 213, or may include the first portion 213, the second portion 215, and other portions (e.g., a portion protruding from the negative end of the first portion 213 in the Z direction). Note that a waterproof structure is appropriately adopted for the through-holes of the housing R through which the pillar member 211 passes, so that the adjusting liquid L does not leak from inside the housing R when the pillar member 211 moves. Furthermore, if the drive mechanism 50 is waterproof, the housing R and the housing K may be connected, and the adjusting liquid L may be filled in the housing K. However, from the perspective of weight reduction, a configuration in which the adjusting liquid L is filled only in the housing R is preferable.

[0048] Because the pillar member 211 includes a first portion whose thickness decreases toward the end opposite the contact surface F, it is possible to reduce the weight compared to, for example, a configuration in which the pillar member 211 has a constant thickness along its length. Furthermore, a sufficient gap is created between one first portion 213 of two adjacent pillar members 211 and the other first portion 213 of the other. This allows for good fluidity of the adjusting liquid. Another advantage is that the pillar member includes, in addition to the first portion 213, the second portion 215 of a constant thickness, which allows for sufficient strength to be maintained.

[0049] The movement of each pillar member 211 of the assist mechanism 21 in the first embodiment is controlled in accordance with biological information. Specifically, the movement of the pillar members 211 is controlled by controlling the drive mechanism 50 in accordance with the biological information. In the first embodiment, the movement of the pillar members 211 is controlled in accordance with the body position and the change period. That is, in the first embodiment, the assist mechanism 21 is controlled in accordance with two pieces of biological information. Note that a change in body position is typically turning over.

[0050] <Temperature Adjustment Mechanism 22> The temperature adjustment mechanism 22 is a mechanism for adjusting (cooling or heating) the temperature of the adjustment liquid L in the container R. For example, a circulating temperature adjustment device is used as the temperature adjustment mechanism 22. The temperature adjustment mechanism 22 and the container R are connected by a tube capable of transporting the adjustment liquid L. The container R is provided with an outlet for transporting the adjustment liquid L to the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 and a supply port for transporting the adjustment liquid L whose temperature has been adjusted by the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 to the container R. The outlet and the temperature adjustment mechanism 22, and the supply port and the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 are connected by tubes, respectively. The temperature adjustment mechanism 22 includes, for example, a pump for transporting the adjustment liquid L, a cooling unit capable of cooling the adjustment liquid L, and a heating unit capable of heating the adjustment liquid L. The cooling unit and the heating unit may be integrated or separate devices, and any known device (for example, a heat exchanger, chiller, heater, heat pump, or a combination thereof) may be used as appropriate. The temperature of the adjusting liquid L is adjusted to a range of 18 to 26°C, for example.

[0051] A configuration in which a plurality of temperature adjustment mechanisms 22 corresponding to a plurality of temperature ranges are provided is preferable from the viewpoint of quickly changing the temperature of the adjustment liquid L. For example, within the range of 18 to 26°C, temperature adjustment mechanisms 22 corresponding to a low temperature range (e.g., 18 to 19°C), a medium temperature range (20 to 21°C), and a high temperature range (22 to 26°C) are provided.

[0052] The elements (pump, cooling unit, heating unit) constituting the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 are preferably housed in a box-shaped housing comprised of multiple layers. The housing preferably includes, for example, an innermost layer made of a fireproof, chemically-resistant, and heat-resistant plastic, an outermost layer made of polyurethane capable of soundproofing and vibration-proofing, and an intermediate layer made of plastic that functions as a cushioning material and is located between the outermost and innermost layers.

[0053] The temperature adjustment mechanism 22 is controlled in accordance with biological information. In the first embodiment, the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 is controlled in accordance with the body temperature of the user U.

[0054] <Humidity Adjustment Mechanism 23> The humidity adjustment mechanism 23 is a mechanism for absorbing or humidifying moisture. Specifically, the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 is composed of a plurality of air blowing devices (e.g., compressors or fans) capable of blowing out air with adjusted humidity (dehumidified or humidified). The humidity adjustment mechanism 23 is appropriately installed, for example, in a position around the mattress 20A such that the air blows onto the user U. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the humidity on the body surface of the user U by blowing air from the humidity adjustment mechanism 23.

[0055] The humidity adjustment mechanism 23 is controlled in accordance with biological information. In the first embodiment, the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 is controlled in accordance with the humidity of the body surface of the user U.

[0056] 3 is a device that controls the drive mechanism 50, the temperature adjustment mechanism 22, and the humidity adjustment mechanism 23. The processing device 30 of the first embodiment is realized by a computer system including a control device 31 and a storage device 32. For example, an information terminal such as a personal computer or a tablet is used as the processing device 30.

[0057] The control device 31 is composed of one or more processing circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and comprehensively controls each element of the processing device 30. The storage device 32 is one or more memories composed of known recording media such as magnetic recording media or semiconductor recording media, and stores programs executed by the control device 31 and various data used by the control device 31. As illustrated in Fig. 3 , the control device 31 of the first embodiment functions as a determination unit 311, a first control unit 321, a second control unit 322, and a third control unit 323.

[0058] The determination unit 311 determines whether the change period exceeds a predetermined threshold Z. That is, it determines whether a predetermined period (threshold Z) has elapsed since the user U changed his / her position (turned over) due to the savings. The change period is identified from the detection signal S1 generated by the first acquisition unit 41.

[0059] The first control unit 321 controls the drive mechanism 50 in accordance with the biometric information (change period and body position) to move each pillar member 211 in the assist mechanism 21. That is, the movement of the pillar members 211 is controlled via the drive mechanism 50. Specifically, the timing at which each pillar member 211 moves and the position to which each pillar member 211 moves are controlled in accordance with the biometric information.

[0060] First, the first control unit 321 controls the timing of movement of each pillar member 211 according to the change period. Specifically, the first control unit 321 moves each pillar member 211 when the determination unit 311 determines that the change period exceeds the threshold Z. In other words, when the body position has not been changed for a predetermined period, each pillar member 211 moves (the body position of the user U is changed). Note that the threshold Z is set to, for example, 20 to 30 minutes, from the viewpoint that turning over in bed approximately every 30 minutes is effective in preventing snoring, sleep apnea, congestion, muscle stiffness, etc.

[0061] Second, the first control unit 321 controls the position to which each pillar member 211 moves depending on the body position. The body position is estimated depending on the detection signal S1 generated by the first acquisition unit 41. The body position is, for example, the position of the body axis of the user U. For example, it is estimated that the body position of the user U is located in an area of ​​the contact surface F where a detection signal S1 indicating a load value exceeding a predetermined threshold is detected. Specifically, the first control unit 321 controls the position of each pillar member 211 so that the user U turns over to a position different from the current body position.

[0062] An example of movement of the plurality of pillar members 211 in the assist mechanism 21 will be described below. Figures 5 to 8 are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of movement of the pillar members 211 as viewed from the Y direction. Figures 5 to 8 illustrate the state of the pillar members 211 when the user U changes his / her position (turns over) from a supine position to a lateral position.

[0063] 5 to 8, the movement of the pillar member 211 is controlled so as to transition, for example, from state A1 to state A2 to state A3 to state A4. As a result, the user U changes his / her body position (turns over) from a supine position to a lateral position. The body position is continuously identified from state A1 to state A4. The movement of the pillar member 211 from state A1 to state A4 is performed by identifying the body position.

[0064] In general, the user U is allowed to turn over by lowering the tip (the end on the positive side in the Z direction) of one or more pillar members 211 that correspond to either the left or right side of the user U when viewed from the Y direction.

[0065] State A1 in Fig. 5 is the state of the pillar members 211 when the user U is in a supine position. As illustrated in Fig. 5, in state A1, for example, the Z-direction positions of the tips of all the pillar members 211 are the same. Fig. 5 illustrates the case where the Z-direction positions of the tips of all the pillar members 211 are the same as state A1. However, in state A1, for example, the tips of the pillar members 211 may be in different positions that do not impose a burden on the user U's body.

[0066] In state A2 of FIG. 6 , one or more of the multiple pillar members 211 corresponding to a predetermined width (length in the X direction) on both the left and right sides (negative and positive sides in the X direction) of the user U's body position are lowered (moved to the negative side in the Z direction). As illustrated in FIG. 6 , for example, the pillar members 211 are moved so as to slope from the body position toward the positive and negative ends in the X direction. The tips of the pillar members 211 located at the positive and negative ends in the X direction among the multiple pillar members 211 are lowered, for example, by approximately 50 mm compared to the pillar members 211 corresponding to the body position. Note that, in state A1, if the determination unit 311 determines that the change period exceeds the threshold Z, an operation is executed to move the multiple pillar members 211 so as to transition from state A2 to state A4.

[0067] In state A3 of Figure 7, one or more of the multiple pillar members 211 located on either the left or right side of the user U are further lowered. Specifically, after state A2 is reached, the pillar member 211 on the side to which the user U moved voluntarily is further lowered. Figure 7 illustrates an example in which one or more pillar members 211 located on the right side of the user U (positive side in the X direction) are further lowered from state A2. For example, the end on the positive side in the X direction is lowered approximately 50 mm from state A2.

[0068] As illustrated in Figure 7, the pillar members 211 may be moved so that the position corresponding to the right shoulder of the user U is the lowest. On the other hand, one or more pillar members 211 located on the left side of the user U (negative side in the X direction) are raised from state A2 (for example, raised by approximately 100 mm). Note that the distance by which they are lowered is arbitrary as long as their end on the positive side in the X direction is within 60 mm from state A2. Similarly, the distance by which they are raised is arbitrary as long as their end on the positive side in the X direction is within 60 mm from state A2.

[0069] 8, from state A3, one or more pillar members 211 located on the right side of the user U are further lowered, and one or more pillar members 211 located on the left side of the user U are further raised. For example, in state A4, from state A1, one or more pillar members 211 located on the right side of the user U are lowered by approximately 60 to 100 mm, and one or more pillar members 211 located on the left side of the user U are raised by approximately 60 to 100 mm. In other words, a height difference of approximately 120 to 200 mm occurs among the multiple pillar members 211.

[0070] By moving from state A1 to state A4, of the multiple pillar members 211, one or more pillar members 211 on either the left or right side of the user U as viewed from the Y direction (the right side in the first embodiment) move downward, and one or more pillar members 211 on the other side (the left side in the first embodiment) move upward. In other words, the inclination of the multiple pillar members 211 from one side of the user U to the other as viewed from the Y direction is made to be a gentle gradient. Since the body position of the user U changes in accordance with the movement of the multiple pillar members 211, it becomes possible for the user U to change his or her body position (turn over) from a supine position to a lateral position.

[0071] Of the multiple pillar members 211, one or more pillar members 211 on the side to be lowered (left or right side) are lowered by a width (approximately 400 mm) that exceeds the shoulder width on the side to be lowered as viewed from the Y direction. On the other hand, it is preferable that the width (length in the X direction) of the multiple pillar members 211 on the side to be raised as viewed from the Y direction is as small as possible.

[0072] Note that specific examples of movement of the pillar members 211 when changing the position of the user U from the supine position to the lateral position are not limited to the above. The method of moving the pillar members 211 is arbitrary as long as it is possible to allow the user U to turn over by lowering the tip of one or more pillar members 211 on either the left or right side of the user U when viewed in the Y direction.

[0073] In the first embodiment, the case where the position of the user U is changed from a supine position to a lateral position is illustrated, but the change in position is not limited to the above example. For example, the pillar member 211 may be moved so that the user U changes from a supine position to a lateral position, or the pillar member 211 may be moved so that the user U changes from one supine position to the other supine position.

[0074] The second control unit 322 controls the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 in accordance with the body temperature (biometric information) of the user U. An example of a method in which the second control unit 322 controls the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 will be described below, but the method of controlling the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 is not limited to the above example.

[0075] The second control unit 322 controls the temperature adjustment mechanism 22, for example, so that the body temperatures of each body part (trunk, limbs, neck, and head) are maintained at a target body temperature (hereinafter referred to as the "target body temperature"). The body temperature of each body part is identified from the detection signal S2 acquired by the second acquisition unit 42. For example, if there is no pathology such as inflammation in each body part, the second control unit 322 controls the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 so that the target body temperatures of the trunk and limbs are 26.0°C, the neck is 25.0°C, and the head is 18.0°C, and then controls the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 so that the target body temperatures of each body part increase over time (+0.25 to 0.5°C / hour). However, controlling the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 so that the target body temperatures change over time is not essential. When the body temperature specified by the detection signal S2 is lower than the target body temperature, the temperature of the adjustment liquid L of the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 is controlled to be higher, and when the body temperature specified by the detection signal S2 is higher than the target body temperature, the temperature of the adjustment liquid L of the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 is controlled to be lower.

[0076] The third control unit 323 controls the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 according to the humidity of the body surface of the user U. An example of a method in which the third control unit 323 controls the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 will be described below, but the method of controlling the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 is not limited to the above example.

[0077] The third control unit 323 controls the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 so that the humidity of the body surface of each body part (trunk, limbs, neck, and head) is maintained at a target humidity (hereinafter referred to as "target humidity"). The humidity of each body part is identified from the detection signal S3 acquired by the third acquisition unit 43. For example, if there is no pathology such as inflammation in each body part, the third control unit 323 controls the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 so that the target humidity of each body part is 50% or less. If the humidity of the body surface identified by the detection signal S3 is lower than the target humidity, the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 is controlled to blow humid air, and if the humidity identified by the detection signal S3 is higher than the target humidity, the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 is controlled to blow dry air.

[0078] The method for setting the target body temperature and target humidity is arbitrary. For example, the user U may set the target body temperature and target humidity for each body part by inputting them into an input device (not shown) of the processing device 30. The target body temperature and target humidity may also be changed over time, for example.

[0079] As can be understood from the above description, in the first embodiment, each of the plurality of pillar members 211 moves individually, so it is possible to move the mattress 20A in units of regions corresponding to each pillar member 211. In other words, it is possible to move the mattress 20A in units of subdivided regions. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately assist the user U in changing their body position while sleeping. Ultimately, it is possible to change their body position without forcing the user U to assume an awkward posture.

[0080] In particular, the assist system 100 of the first embodiment controls the movement of the plurality of pillar members 211 based on biological information, and therefore can assist in changing the body position according to the user U. In other words, it is possible to provide sleep that is optimized for each user U.

[0081] In the first embodiment, the movement of the plurality of pillar members 211 is controlled in accordance with the body position and the change period, so that it is possible to assist each user in changing their body position to the optimum position individually.

[0082] Furthermore, since the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 and humidity adjustment mechanism 23 are built into the mattress 20A, it is possible to appropriately maintain the body temperature and humidity of the user U, for example, even when it is difficult to maintain the room temperature and humidity appropriately. In other words, it is possible to appropriately assist the user in changing their body position as needed while sleeping, while adjusting the temperature and humidity. As can be understood from the above explanation, the assistance system 100 of the first embodiment can provide the user with a comfortable sleep.

[0083] In the first embodiment, from the viewpoint of ensuring a good night's sleep for the user, it is preferable that the pressure (load) from the user be uniform across the contact surface F. For example, the pressure value (load value) from the user is detected for each predetermined region on the contact surface F, and each pillar member 211 is moved so that the pressures in the respective regions become closer. For example, a first acquisition unit 41 (an example of a "detection unit") is installed for each region on the contact surface F. The pressure value from the user is detected as a detection signal S1 for each predetermined region on the contact surface F using the first acquisition unit 41. Then, the pillar members 211 are moved so that the pressure values ​​indicated by the detection signals S1 obtained for the respective regions become closer to each other. In other words, the pillar members 211 are moved so that there is no variation in the pressure values ​​within the multiple regions.

[0084] For example, if the value of the detection signal S1 obtained from a specific first acquisition unit 41 is greater than a predetermined threshold, it can be said that the user's load is large in the area of ​​the contact surface F corresponding to the first acquisition unit 41. Therefore, one or more pillar members 211 located at positions corresponding to the specific first acquisition unit 41 are moved to the negative side of the Z direction. Furthermore, if the value of the detection signal S1 obtained from a specific first acquisition unit 41 is smaller than a predetermined threshold, one or more pillar members 211 located at positions corresponding to the specific first acquisition unit 41 may be moved to the positive side of the Z direction. Note that the specific method of controlling the pillar members 211 is not limited to the above example, as long as the pillar members 211 can be moved so that the values ​​of the detection signals S1 obtained for each area become closer. Alternatively, a sheet-like pressure distribution sensor capable of detecting pressure in each predetermined area of ​​the contact surface F may be used as the first acquisition unit 41.

[0085] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that, in each of the following exemplary embodiments, for elements whose actions or functions are similar to those of the first embodiment, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment will be used, and detailed descriptions of each element will be omitted as appropriate.

[0086] The second embodiment illustrates a pillow-shaped assist system 100. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in configuration except for the shape of the assist system 100.

[0087] 9 is a plan view of bedding according to the second embodiment. The auxiliary system 100 according to the second embodiment includes a pillow 20B, an auxiliary mechanism 21, a temperature adjustment mechanism 22, a humidity adjustment mechanism 23, a processing device 30, a sensor unit 40, and a drive mechanism 50.

[0088] 10 is a side view of the pillow 20B (a side view seen from the positive side of the X direction). Like the mattress 20A, the pillow 20B also includes a housing R and a housing part K. The housing R includes a surface (contact surface F) on which the user U places his or her head when lying down. Note that although the housing part K is not shown in the second embodiment, it is connected to the housing R on the side opposite to the contact surface F, similar to the first embodiment. The drive mechanism 50 is installed in the housing part K, similar to the first embodiment.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 10 , an assist mechanism 21 is installed inside the pillow 20B, similar to the first embodiment. The assist mechanism 21 according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of pillar members 211, similar to the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the diameter of the pillar members 211 (the length of the diagonal of the regular hexagon) is, for example, 10 to 20 mm. Since the length of the pillars in a pillow is limited, particularly in portable pillows, the upper parts of the pillars are made double-structured. In order to enable turning over in sleep, the upper parts of the lower pillars are made double-structured, maximizing the difference in pillar length and enabling turning over without waking up.

[0090] The temperature adjustment mechanism 22 of the second embodiment is a mechanism for adjusting the temperature of the pillow 20B. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the temperature at the head of the user U. The temperature adjustment mechanism 22 is preferably configured to be able to adjust the temperature in each of a plurality of regions of the pillow 20B corresponding to a plurality of parts of the head of the user U, respectively.

[0091] It is preferable that the position of the end portion on the positive side in the Z direction of each pillar member 211 conforms to the shape of the body surface according to differences in the distribution of the body load due to the buoyancy of the adjusting liquid L. A similar configuration can also be adopted in the first embodiment.

[0092] The humidity adjustment mechanism 23 is a mechanism for absorbing or humidifying moisture, similar to the first embodiment. The humidity adjustment mechanism 23 is installed around the user U. The humidity adjustment mechanism 23 is composed of multiple air blowers (e.g., compressors and fans) capable of blowing out temperature- and humidity-adjusted air. For example, the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 is installed in a position where the blown-out air hits the head (particularly the neck) of the user U from the contact surface. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the humidity around the user U's head by blowing air from the humidity adjustment mechanism 23.

[0093] The sensor unit 40 of the second embodiment includes a first acquisition unit 41, a second acquisition unit 42, and a third acquisition unit 43, similar to the first embodiment.

[0094] The first acquisition unit 41 is a sensor used to identify the body position and the change period, as in the first embodiment. Note that the body position in the second embodiment is the position of the head (e.g., the center of gravity) of the user U on the contact surface.

[0095] As in the first embodiment, the first acquisition unit 41 generates a detection signal S1 that displaces in response to the load of the head of the user U on the contact surface F. As in the first embodiment, the detection signal S1 is used to identify the body position and the change period. For example, a plurality of first acquisition units 41 are provided at predetermined intervals in the area on the contact surface F side inside the pillow 20B (housing body R).

[0096] Similar to the first embodiment, the second acquisition unit 42 is a sensor that generates a detection signal S2 that represents the body temperature of the user U. The second acquisition unit 42 is attached (attached) to a plurality of locations on the head and neck of the user U, for example.

[0097] As in the first embodiment, the third acquisition unit 43 is a sensor that generates a detection signal S3 that represents the humidity on the body surface of the user U. The third acquisition unit 43 is attached to the body surface of the user U at the same position as the second acquisition unit 42, for example.

[0098] Similar to the first embodiment, the first control unit 321 controls the movement of each pillar member 211 in the assist mechanism 21 in accordance with the change period and the body position. First, the first control unit 321 controls the timing at which each pillar member 211 moves in accordance with the change period. Specifically, the first control unit 321 moves each pillar member 211 when the determination unit 311 determines that the change period exceeds the threshold value Z. Second, the first control unit 321 controls the position to which each pillar member 211 moves in accordance with the body position.

[0099] As in the first embodiment, the second control unit 322 controls the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 in accordance with the body temperature (biometric information) of the user U. As in the first embodiment, the third control unit 323 controls the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 in accordance with the humidity of the body surface at the head of the user U.

[0100] An example of movement of the plurality of pillar members 211 in the assist mechanism 21 according to the second embodiment will be described below. Figures 12 to 14 are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of movement of the pillar members 211 as viewed from the Y direction. Figures 12 to 14 illustrate the state of the pillar members 211 when the user U changes his / her position (turns over) from a supine position to a lateral position.

[0101] As illustrated in Figures 12 to 14, the movement of the pillar member 211 is controlled to transition, for example, from state B1 to state B2 to state B3 to state B4. As a result, the user U changes his / her body position (turns over) from a supine position to a lateral position. The body position is continuously identified from state B1 to state B4. The movement of the pillar member 211 from state B1 to state B4 is performed by identifying the body position. Note that state B1 to state B4 correspond to state A1 to state A4 in the first embodiment.

[0102] In general, the user U is allowed to turn over by lowering the tip (the end on the positive side in the Z direction) of one or more pillar members 211 on either the left or right side of the user U when viewed from the Y direction.

[0103] State B1 in FIG. 11 represents the state of the pillar members 211 when the user U is in a supine position. In state B2 in FIG. 12 , one or more of the pillar members 211 corresponding to a predetermined width on both the left and right sides of the user U's head (negative and positive sides in the X direction) are lowered (moved to the negative side in the Z direction). As illustrated in FIG. 12 , for example, the pillar members 211 are moved so as to incline from the body position toward the positive and negative ends in the X direction. The pillar members 211 located at the positive and negative ends in the X direction among the multiple pillar members 211 have their tips lowered by, for example, about 15 mm compared to the pillar members 211 corresponding to the body position. Note that, in state B1, if the determination unit 311 determines that the change period exceeds the threshold Z, an operation is executed to move the multiple pillar members 211 so as to transition from state B2 to state B4.

[0104] In state B3 of Figure 13, one or more of the multiple pillar members 211 that correspond to a predetermined width and are located on either the left or right side of the user U's head are further lowered. Specifically, after state B2 is reached, the pillar member 211 on the side to which the user U's head spontaneously moved is further lowered. Figure 13 illustrates an example in which one or more pillar members 211 located on the right side of the head (positive side in the X direction) are further lowered from state B2. For example, the end on the positive side in the X direction is lowered approximately 15 mm from state B2.

[0105] On the other hand, one or more pillar members 211 corresponding to a predetermined width and located on the left side of the user U (negative side in the X direction) are raised (for example, raised by approximately 15 mm) from state B2. Note that the distance by which they are lowered is arbitrary as long as their end on the positive side in the X direction is within 15 mm from state B2. Similarly, the distance by which they are raised is arbitrary as long as their end on the positive side in the X direction is within 15 mm from state B2.

[0106] 14, from state B3, one or more pillar members 211 located to the right of the head of the user U are further lowered, and one or more pillar members 211 located to the left of the user U are further raised. For example, in state B4, from state B1, one or more pillar members 211 located to the right of the user U are lowered by approximately 30 to 60 mm, and one or more pillar members 211 located to the left of the user U are raised by approximately 30 to 60 mm. In other words, a height difference of approximately 60 to 120 mm occurs among the multiple pillar members 211.

[0107] By moving from state B1 to state B4, of the multiple pillar members 211, one or more pillar members 211 on either the left or right side of the user U as viewed from the Y direction (the right side in the first embodiment) move downward, and one or more pillar members 211 on the other side (the left side in the first embodiment) move upward. In other words, the inclination of the multiple pillar members 211 from one side of the user U to the other as viewed from the Y direction is made to be a gentle gradient. Since the body position of the user U changes in accordance with the movement of the multiple pillar members 211, it becomes possible for the user U to change his or her body position (turn over) from a supine position to a lateral position.

[0108] <Modifications> The above-described exemplary embodiments can be modified in various ways. Specific modified embodiments are exemplified below. Two or more embodiments arbitrarily selected from the following examples can also be combined as appropriate.

[0109] (1) In the above-described embodiments, the change period is used to control the timing of moving the pillar member 211, but the biological information used to control the timing of moving the pillar member 211 is not limited to the above examples. For example, the following various types of information are used to control the timing of moving the pillar member 211.

[0110] [Information about Snoring] The information about snoring is, for example, the volume of the snoring of the user U. The first acquisition unit 41 (for example, a microphone) picks up the snoring of the user U and generates a detection signal S1 corresponding to the sound. The determination unit 311 identifies the volume of the snoring represented by the detection signal S1 and compares the volume with a predetermined threshold. The first control unit 321 moves the pillar member 211 when the determination unit 311 determines that the volume of the snoring exceeds the predetermined threshold. Note that the information about snoring is not limited to the volume of the snoring. For example, the frequency of snoring or the like may be the information about snoring.

[0111] [Respiration-related Information] The respiration-related information is, for example, the respiration rate of the user U. The first acquisition unit 41 is any sensor capable of detecting the respiration of the user U, and generates a detection signal S1 representing the respiration of the user U. The determination unit 311 identifies the respiration rate for a predetermined period from the detection signal S1, and compares the respiration rate with a predetermined threshold. The first control unit 321 moves the pillar member 211 when the determination unit 311 determines that the respiration rate is below the predetermined threshold.

[0112] Alternatively, the duration of apnea may be used as information related to respiration. The determination unit 311 identifies the duration of apnea from the detection signal S1 and compares the duration with a predetermined threshold. The first control unit 321 moves the pillar member 211 when the determination unit 311 determines that the duration exceeds the predetermined threshold. Note that the information related to respiration is not limited to the respiratory rate and the duration of apnea.

[0113] [Heart Rate Information] The heart rate information is, for example, the heart rate of the user U. The first acquisition unit 41 is any sensor capable of detecting the heart rate of the user U, and generates a detection signal S1 representing the heart rate of the user U. The determination unit 311 identifies the heart rate for a predetermined period from the detection signal S1 and compares the heart rate with a predetermined threshold. The first control unit 321 moves the pillar member 211 when the determination unit 311 determines that the heart rate is above (or below) the predetermined threshold.

[0114] Furthermore, the occurrence of arrhythmia may be used as information related to the heartbeat. The determination unit 311 detects the occurrence of arrhythmia from the detection signal S1. The first control unit 321 moves the pillar member 211 when the determination unit 311 detects arrhythmia.

[0115] As can be understood from the above explanation, any biological information can be used to control the timing of moving the pillar member 211. Note that the biological information used to control the timing of moving the pillar member 211 is not limited to the above examples. For example, various types of information such as body temperature, body movement, and body surface humidity are exemplified as biological information used to control the timing of moving the pillar member 211. Note that a combination of multiple types of biological information may be used to control the timing of moving the pillar member 211.

[0116] (2) The biological information used to control the position to which each pillar member 211 moves is not limited to the body position. For example, various types of information such as body temperature, body movement, and body surface humidity are exemplified as biological information used to control the position to which the pillar member 211 moves. Note that a combination of multiple types of biological information may be used to control the position to which the pillar member 211 moves. As can be understood from the above explanation, biological information is a general term for information used to control the assist mechanism 21. Note that a sensor according to the type of biological information is appropriately adopted for the first acquisition unit 41.

[0117] (3) The biological information used to control the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 is not limited to the body temperature of the user U. For example, various other types of biological information may be used to control the temperature adjustment mechanism 22. Similarly, the biological information used to control the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 is not limited to the humidity of the body surface of the user U.

[0118] (4) In each of the above-described embodiments, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which the user U evaluates the degree of comfort of sleep (e.g., on a scale of 1 to 10) upon waking up after sleeping using the auxiliary system 100. The user U inputs the evaluation using an input device. The second control unit 322 may then set the target body temperature taking into account the evaluation by the user U. Similarly, the third control unit 323 may set the target humidity taking into account the evaluation by the user U. In other words, the second control unit 322 and the third control unit 323 may perform feedback control of the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 and the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 based on the evaluation by the user U.

[0119] In the above configuration, the second control unit 322 may set the target body temperature (the target temperature at which the user U can be estimated to sleep most soundly) using a trained model that has learned the relationship between the degree of good sleep and the target body temperature. Alternatively, a trained model that has learned the relationship between the degree of good sleep and various other parameters (air temperature, body temperature, humidity, psychological state, bowel movements, urination, atmospheric pressure, season, etc.) and the target body temperature may be used. Similarly, the third control unit 323 may set the target humidity (the target humidity at which the user U can be estimated to sleep most soundly) using a trained model that has learned the relationship between the degree of good sleep and various other parameters (air temperature, body temperature, humidity, psychological state, bowel movements, urination, atmospheric pressure, season, etc.) and the target humidity may be used. Similarly, the first control unit 321 may control the multiple pillar members 211 using a trained model that has learned the relationship between the degree of good sleep and various other parameters (physical condition, air temperature, body temperature, humidity, psychological state, bowel movements, urination, air pressure, season, etc.) and the control of the multiple pillar members 211 (drive mechanism 50).

[0120] The trained model is a statistical estimation model generated by machine learning. Various statistical estimation models, such as a decision tree or a neural network, are preferably used as the trained model. The trained model is realized by combining a program (e.g., a program module constituting artificial intelligence software) that causes the control device 31 to execute a calculation to generate output data from input data with multiple coefficients applied to the calculation. The multiple coefficients are set by machine learning (particularly deep learning) using a large amount of training data and stored in the storage device 32.

[0121] For a user U using the assist system 100 of the present invention for the first time, if the user U has no pathologies in the body, such as inflammation or chronic fatigue, the target humidity is set to 50% or less (43% to 50%), and the target temperatures are set to, for example, 26.0°C for the trunk and extremities, 25.0°C for the neck, and 18.0°C for the head. The user U then evaluates the degree of comfort of sleep upon awakening when the humidity is maintained at 50% or less over time and the target temperature is set to increase at a rate of 0.25 to 0.5°C per hour. As described above, a configuration in which evaluations are input for each body part may also be employed. However, it is not necessary to control the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 and temperature adjustment mechanism 22 for each body part.

[0122] Furthermore, the first control unit 321 may control the movement of the pillar member 211 of the assistance mechanism 21 by taking into account the evaluation by the user U. For example, the first control unit 321 controls the movement of the pillar member 211 by using a trained model that has learned the relationship between the degree of good sleep and the movement of the pillar member 211 (for example, the timing and the position of the movement).

[0123] The configuration in which the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 and the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 are controlled using the trained model makes it possible to individually optimize the target temperature and target humidity for each user U. This in turn makes it possible to encourage comfortable sleep for the user U.

[0124] (5) In each of the above-described embodiments, bedding in which the mattress 20A and the pillow 20B are integrated may be used in the auxiliary system 100. In the bedding in which the mattress and the pillow 20B are integrated, the components and the control methods of the auxiliary mechanism 21, the temperature adjustment mechanism 22, and the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 are the same as in each of the above-described embodiments.

[0125] (6) In the second embodiment, the bedding is portable (can also be used with a storage battery). The material of the bedding container R is washable. Several sizes of pillow 20B are prepared, ranging from large to small for portability, and when combined with mattress 20A, only two small sizes are available. When pillow 20B is used alone, the largest size has a length of approximately 700 to 900 mm, extending from the top of the head to below the shoulder blades, and a width of 700 to 900 mm. When combined with a mattress or when the pillow is portable alone, the length is approximately 250 to 350 mm, extending from the top of the head to above the neck, and the width is approximately 450 to 600 mm, extending beyond the shoulder width. To make it easier to turn over from a side-lying position, the height should be calculated by subtracting the length from the center of the body axis (rotation) and the center of the neck to the temporal region from shoulder width (allowing for a slight width for personal comfort). When turning over from a back-lying position, the height should be slightly lower than when turning over from a side-lying position, from the center of the body axis and the center of the head to the end of the back of the head. Furthermore, since the length of the pillars in a pillow is limited, especially for portable pillows, the upper part of the pillars should be double-layered to maximize the difference in pillar length and enable turning over without waking up. As mentioned above, the width should be adjusted to suit the individual's physique, as long as the overall weight is within a portable range.

[0126] (7) In each of the above-described embodiments, the assist mechanism 21, the temperature adjustment mechanism 22, and the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 may be controlled taking into account the weight, height, age, sex, medical history, etc. of the user U.

[0127] (8) In each of the above-described embodiments, the first control unit 321 may move the pillar member 211 at predetermined intervals in accordance with the biometric information.

[0128] (9) In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the material of the bedding (especially the container R) is preferably a moisture-absorbent material, and further, the material should be selected with particular attention paid to measures against condensation and static electricity that may occur when the target temperature of the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 is lowered.

[0129] (10) In each of the above-described embodiments, the method of controlling the auxiliary mechanism 21, the temperature adjustment mechanism 22, and the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 may be as follows.

[0130] <Mattress 20A> Based on the knowledge that a comfortable low temperature that cools the head helps to lower the temperature of the brain that has become overheated during the day and makes sleep more comfortable, the second control unit 322 controls the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 so that the head and neck are kept at 20 to 24°C, which is at least 10°C lower than body temperature, when the user falls asleep, and so that even in the morning when body temperature rises endocrinologically in preparation for wake-up, it remains at 28°C, which is 7°C lower than trunk body temperature.

[0131] Furthermore, the timing and content of meals, particularly dinner, play a significant role in achieving good sleep. Drinking coffee or smoking after dinner, excessive fluid intake, or strenuous exercise can also disrupt sleep, so caution is required. Recently, the interactions between various hormone-like substances and physiologically active polypeptides, including neurotransmitters such as serotonin, produced by the intestinal microbiota—estimated to number more than 100 trillion—and the central nervous system and the immune system inside and outside the intestinal tract have become clear. It has also become clear that sleep and the intestinal environment (the balance between the intestinal microbiota and intestinal immunity) have a significant mutual influence. As the intestinal microbiota is dominated by so-called beneficial bacteria, ensuring sufficient intake of dietary fiber, which serves as their food, and the relationship between hormone secretion, meal times, and sleep duration in relation to the body's internal clock are also important for good sleep.

[0132] That is, depending on factors such as obesity level, visceral fat accumulation, diaphragmatic elevation, and the presence or absence of hiatal hernia, it is well known that if the time between dinner and falling asleep is less than one to two hours, reflux esophagitis is highly likely to occur, and sleep is disrupted by heartburn and coughing. Furthermore, meals high in meat and oil take time to digest, so a gap of three to four hours is necessary. A vegetable-based diet places less strain on the stomach, so two to three hours is considered possible. Therefore, for late-night dinners, salad and soup are preferable. The relationship between intestinal bacteria and sleep has recently been discussed, and a vegetable-based diet with sufficient dietary fiber is also better for bowel movements.

[0133] From the above viewpoint, in order to prevent reflux esophagitis and reduce the burden on the heart, the upper body part of the bedding may be raised by about 10 to 20 degrees when the patient falls asleep, and depending on the state of sleep, including tossing and turning, the angle may be reduced over 1 to 3 hours after falling asleep, and each pillar member 211 of the assist mechanism 21 may be controlled to drop to 0 to 5 degrees.

[0134] The time between bathing and falling asleep is also important. That is, after a 5-10-minute half-body bath at 39-40°C, your body temperature drops and you're likely to feel sleepy. Ideally, you should go to bed 1.5 hours later. This kind of daily routine also needs to be input to ensure a comfortable sleep. Furthermore, if the time until you fall asleep is short, the initial setting temperature of the part of the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 that corresponds to the upper body (adjusting liquid L) should be lowered below normal if room temperature adjustment is difficult, to increase sleepiness.

[0135] The goal is to completely eliminate the two to five midnight awakenings and early morning awakenings between 1 and 5 AM, which are the most disruptive to a good night's sleep and tend to lead to depression. However, whether or not the patient can fall back asleep after midnight or early morning awakenings, especially during shift work, is also a key consideration. Therefore, if the weight or weight on the head is removed for, say, one minute or more, the patient is considered awake and is brought closer to the state at the time of falling asleep. That is, if the weight or weight is removed for, say, 10 minutes or more, the target temperature and target humidity of the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 and humidity adjustment mechanism 23 are reset to the state at the time of falling asleep, facilitating re-entry to sleep. If the patient is unable to fall asleep smoothly, the initial temperature setting is lowered by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius or more from the initial settings, e.g., 20 to 22 degrees Celsius for the head and neck, 22 to 24 degrees Celsius for the chest, and 24 to 26 degrees Celsius for the lower body. The target temperature and target humidity are then reset to the initial settings each time, allowing for comfortable sleep and a pleasant awakening.

[0136] To make waking up more comfortable, the temperature of the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 is raised towards the scheduled wake-up time, and at the same time, a lighting device attached to the side of the assistance system 100 is used to encourage waking up by providing indirect lighting that becomes brighter over time starting 30 to 60 minutes before wake-up, and by providing sound, and at the same time, the assistance system 100 also functions as an alarm clock with an inoffensive sound from its audio equipment. Furthermore, if the person does not wake up after the scheduled time has passed (if the weight load on the bedding does not disappear), a vibration device that gets louder over time is also activated to encourage waking up.

[0137] <Pillow 20B> First of all, comfortable sleep not only requires that you can fall asleep easily, but also that you can ensure that you get at least 20-25% of deep sleep (the proportion of NREMst3), that you can turn over easily, that you wake up naturally when you wake up, that you feel recovered from fatigue, that you have slept well and are satisfied, that you do not have a heavy head, headache, pain in various parts of the body, fever, fatigue, lethargy or a tendency to mental or psychological depression, and that you feel positive about work.

[0138] As can be understood from the above explanation, the target body temperature and target humidity are not always constant values, but may be changed over time or may be changed depending on various factors.

[0139] (11) Measures against microbial infections, including not only the novel coronavirus but also viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, are necessary. Therefore, a humidity adjustment mechanism 23 according to a modified example employs a configuration related to infection control. FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 according to a modified example. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 includes a compressor, an ultraviolet irradiation device, a moisture absorption layer, and an activated carbon layer. Air discharged from the compressor is sent to the bedding 20 (20A, 20B) via a tube. An ultraviolet irradiation device, a moisture absorption layer, and an activated carbon layer are provided between the compressor and the bedding.

[0140] Air (e.g., air velocity 0.05-0.1 m / s) delivered from the compressor first passes through an ultraviolet irradiation device, which may include, for example, a thermostatic chamber and a UVC lamp (germicidal lamp). A tube is placed in the thermostatic chamber, which is set to a predetermined temperature (e.g., 18-28°C, settable in 1°C increments), and the tube is irradiated by the UVC lamp. For example, irradiation by the UVC lamp is performed for 10 seconds or more, which is sufficient to kill microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria. The ultraviolet irradiation device can also be set to a predetermined humidity (e.g., 40-52%, settable in 2% increments).

[0141] The air that passes through the ultraviolet irradiation device further passes through a moisture-absorbing layer (e.g., silica gel) that can adjust humidity, and is then sent to an activated carbon layer. The activated carbon layer captures ozone generated by the ultraviolet irradiation device. The air that passes through the activated carbon layer is then sent to positions corresponding to each part of the bedding. Note that the moisture-absorbing layer is not essential.

[0142] Alternatively, an ultraviolet irradiation device may be provided for each part of the body. The humidity adjustment mechanism 23 may be provided entirely inside the bedding, or partially outside the bedding. While Fig. 16 illustrates a configuration in which the humidity adjustment device is equipped with one ultraviolet irradiation device, the number of ultraviolet irradiation devices is arbitrary and can be changed appropriately depending on the length of the tube. Regardless of the number of ultraviolet irradiation devices, a configuration in which irradiation by UVC lamps for 10 seconds or more as a whole is possible is preferable from the viewpoint of obtaining a sufficient sterilization effect.

[0143] It is expected that the temperature and humidity in the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 will change before reaching each part of the body. Therefore, the relationship between the temperature and humidity in the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 and the temperature and humidity at each part may be learned by machine learning in a trained model for each air volume and wind speed, taking into account the outside temperature and humidity, weather, the user's body temperature, and physical condition including inflammation in each part. The temperature and humidity in the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 may then be set using the trained model.

[0144] (12) In the assistance system 100 according to each of the above-described embodiments, movement of the external assistance mechanism 21 (pillar member 211) that restricts the user's spontaneous movements may interfere with a good night's sleep. Therefore, in order to explore the spontaneous movements of the user U's body axis, center of gravity, breathing, etc., an arbitrary initial target temperature and target humidity are set, and the user's limb and body movements, turning over, etc. under atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, etc. are monitored and recorded over time under flat conditions for one (normal) to two (in the case of shift work, etc.) weeks after use, along with various parameters such as weight, heart rate, breathing, snoring, and body temperature changes. The temporal, physical, or geographical changes in sleeping position, body movements, and turning over are recorded and understood as time changes on three-dimensional coordinate axes, and these are used to determine the conditions at the time of the next use or to realize induced turning over, etc.

[0145] Furthermore, before use and for one (normal) to two (in the case of shift work, etc.) weeks during use, user U may check a sleep quality checklist, and the sense of sleep quality and satisfaction may be used to set the target temperature and humidity. Various parameters such as weight, breathing, snoring, and changes in body temperature, as well as user U's limbs, body movements, and tossing and turning, may be monitored and recorded over time, and temporal, physical, or geographical changes in sleeping position, body movements, and tossing may be recorded as temporal changes on a three-dimensional coordinate axis, and may be used to assist with initial conditions or changes in position. Note that the sleep quality checklist may be divided into multiple stages for changing treatment, for example, as follows: Score of 8 or less: Remain as is Score of 9 to 14: Requires adjustment by the device technician Score of 15 to 20: Requires instructions from the attending physician, such as a prescription change Score of 21 or more: Requires consultation with a sleep specialist or neuropsychiatrist

[0146] (13) In each of the above-described embodiments, the auxiliary mechanism 21, humidity adjustment mechanism 23, and temperature adjustment mechanism 22 may be controlled taking into account the following various pieces of information during the pre-use instructions.

[0147] Composition of family members living together (including whether they are under stress, caregiving situation, etc.), height and weight (BMI), medical history (especially heart disease such as stroke and arrhythmia), complications (including nasal and oral conditions such as chronic tonsillitis and sinusitis), current illness (including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease such as heart failure, cerebrovascular disorders, asthma, emphysema, liver disease, depression, etc.), family history, lifestyle history (sleep habits (sleeping posture (mainly supine, right lateral position, left lateral position) and sleep duration (including naps and second naps)), bathing (including time, temperature, sauna, etc.), coffee The user U is required to input information such as time (daytime, evening or later), amount, smoking (past smoking, current smoking / passive smoking), alcohol consumption (frequency, amount, whether blushing occurs or not), including recreational products, allergy history (including hay fever and asthma), usual blood pressure, pulse rate, body temperature, recent symptoms, usual meal times, meal contents, whether snacks are consumed (contents), job content (whether stress is present (contents such as interpersonal relationships)), time of day (whether night shifts are present, shift work, etc.), AHI value at the time of diagnosis of sleep apnea syndrome, etc. using an input device.

[0148] Furthermore, if possible, every day between dinner and before sleep, the user U is asked to input the day's physical condition, work stress, exercise time and content, meal time and content, whether or not and amount of alcohol was consumed, bath time and content, etc. After waking up, the user U is also asked to input the sleep time and content (including the number of times awakened and the number of times used the toilet during the night), physical condition upon waking up, symptoms such as feeling of good sleep, headache, dryness, and the state and malfunction of the device.

[0149] It will also be possible to pursue even greater comfort by reviewing the results in 1-4 week increments, or by comparing them with the previous week or period, etc. Furthermore, items related to subjective symptoms include situations in which daytime sleepiness occurs (for example, dozing off most of the time, sitting and reading a newspaper or book, sitting and watching TV, sitting quietly during a meeting or in a movie theater or theater, riding in a car driven by someone else for an hour straight, lying down and resting in the afternoon, sitting and chatting with someone, sitting quietly after lunch without drinking, driving yourself, being stopped in traffic for a few minutes, etc.), as well as whether or not you experience any of the following symptoms. Patients are also asked to enter the following: frequent snoring, waking up because of shortness of breath, waking up more than twice a night to urinate, feeling a decline in memory or concentration, feeling fatigued and unable to recover from tiredness, family members noticing that they stop breathing or stop breathing for several minutes while sleeping, shallow sleep or frequent awakenings at night, heavy head or headache upon waking or in the morning, not feeling like they have had a good night's sleep upon waking and feeling chronically sleep deprived, drinking alcohol every day instead of taking sleeping pills, etc.

[0150] (14) In the above-described embodiments, bedding (mattress 20A and pillow 20B) is used as the assist system 100. However, as shown in FIG. 17 , a chair-type assist system 100 may also be used. The assist system 100 includes a chair 20C instead of the bedding (mattress 20A and pillow 20B). The present embodiment is similar to the above-described embodiments except for the inclusion of a chair 20C instead of the bedding (mattress 20A and pillow 20B). The chair 20C includes a housing R and a housing K (not shown). The housing R is formed to have the shape of a chair on which the user U sits. The housing R is configured to include, for example, a seat portion and armrest portions. For example, the height of the seat portion and the height of the armrest portions can be adjusted using pillar members 211 to make it easier for the user U to stand up. Even in the case of chairs, especially reclining chairs, weight load can be leveled rather than distributed, resulting in a more comfortable sitting experience. As can be understood from the above explanation, in the present invention, the container R is the part on which the entire body or part of the body of the user U rests (the part on which weight is applied). The assistance system 100 is not limited to a bed-type or chair-type structure, but may be any structure that has the function of supporting the entire body or part of the body of the user U and that allows for changes in body position. The shape of the container R can be changed as appropriate depending on the application.

[0151] (15) Sweating, which occurs over time during sleep, increases body surface humidity and decreases body surface temperature. Therefore, temperature and humidity control during sleep must be controlled according to the passage of time, taking into account changes in body temperature, humidity, and sweating in each part of the body, as well as other physical and mental conditions.

[0152] Considering the above circumstances, the auxiliary system 100 preferably employs a configuration in which the second control unit 322 controls the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 so that the temperature of the bedding (particularly the mattress 20A) changes over time while the user U is sleeping. In the above configuration, it is preferable that the auxiliary system 100 be equipped with any known sensor that measures whether the user has fallen asleep and the time that has passed since the user fell asleep.

[0153] Specifically, before falling asleep, the second control unit 322 lowers the temperature of the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 so that the core body temperature of the trunk as well as the head and neck decreases, reducing the sympathetic nervous system's excited state and allowing for smooth sleep onset. On the other hand, if the core body temperature of the trunk continues to decrease throughout sleep, hypothermia can occur, leading to impaired function of internal organs and tissues, such as the five internal organs. Furthermore, fatigue recovery may be hindered, leading to feelings of fatigue and lethargy after waking, and a lack of refreshment or positive feelings. Therefore, the second control unit 322 gradually increases the temperature of the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 over time from falling asleep to waking up. The increase in core body temperature also results in a gradual increase in the temperature of blood flow to the brain. However, in order to prevent headaches and headaches and achieve a sense of refreshment, it is preferable to ensure a good night's sleep by also increasing the temperature of the head and neck, for example, 30 minutes before waking up.

[0154] In the above configuration, a configuration in which the temperature of the bedding portion corresponding to the head and neck region and the portion corresponding to the trunk (portion below the neck) are separately controlled is even more preferable. The second control unit 322 controls the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 so that the temperature of the bedding portion (area) corresponding to the body part changes so that the core body temperature of the user U described above changes over time. The second control unit 322 also controls the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 so that the portion of the bedding corresponding to the head and neck region does not significantly reduce brain function or cerebral circulation and allows the user U to fully achieve deep sleep (stage 3 of non-REM sleep).

[0155] The second control unit 322 may also control the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 according to the depth of sleep of the user U. For example, when the user U wakes up in the middle of the night due to urination or the like or when the user U wakes up early in the morning, or when the user U is in stages 1 and 2 of non-REM sleep, or in a REM sleep state one hour or less before the planned wake-up time after falling asleep, the second control unit 322 controls the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 to lower the deep body temperature and increase deeper sleep (stage 3 non-REM sleep) and improve the balance of the autonomic nervous system, and when the user U is in a REM sleep state within one hour of the planned wake-up time, the second control unit 322 controls the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 to raise the deep body temperature.

[0156] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the assistance system 100 is equipped with a sensor that detects the sleep state of the user U, or that the degree of quality of sleep upon waking is input and fed back to the AI ​​to learn and improve. Note that growth hormone, which is mostly secreted during deep sleep within three hours after falling asleep, is known to play an important role in maintaining internal organs and hair, so it is necessary to ensure deep sleep within three hours after falling asleep.

[0157] Furthermore, in addition to controlling the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 over time, the second control unit 322 may also control the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 according to individual circumstances such as the user U's physical and mental state before sleep (e.g., work / home environment, overwork, stress, etc.), living condition (e.g., whether or not they have taken a bath, exercised, or consumed luxury items), and whether or not they have a disease.

[0158] Similarly, in the auxiliary system 100, a configuration is preferably adopted in which the third control unit 323 controls the humidity adjustment mechanism 23 so that the humidity of the bedding changes over time while the user U is sleeping.

[0159] (16) Controlling the temperature of the head and brain alone is insufficient to control the temperature of the trunk and extremities. From the viewpoint of lowering the core body temperature necessary for falling asleep and enabling natural turning over in sleep, the following configuration may be adopted in the assistance system 100.

[0160] Humidity has a significant impact on perceived temperature. Specifically, the temperature and humidity that change over time during sleep are greatly influenced by the amount of sweat produced (affected by sweating ability, water intake, exercise level, etc.) as well as external humidity. Therefore, to achieve a comfortable sleep, it is preferable to control humidity, wind, etc. in addition to temperature during sleep.

[0161] The perceived temperature of various parts of the body, the humidity around the body, and the tendency to turn over in sleep change depending on the daytime physical and mental state, physical activity, meals, water intake, the temperature and humidity of the environment, etc. Therefore, it is preferable to use AI to control the temperature and humidity during sleep. Furthermore, it is even more preferable to use feedback control using information on whether the person experienced a comfortable sleep.

[0162] In addition, the progression of sweating related to humidity changes over time during sleep is also affected by the temperature and humidity of the bedroom, the amount of exercise during the day, calorie intake, water intake, the amount and frequency of coffee consumption, physical condition, etc.

[0163] Furthermore, even temperature and humidity are related to obesity and affect the heat retention effect due to subcutaneous fat thickness and humidity changes due to sweating.

[0164] For good sleep, it is necessary to fall asleep smoothly and quickly, to minimize trips to the toilet at night, to avoid waking up in the middle of the night or early in the morning, to be able to turn over in bed without straining and not waking up naturally (e.g. once every 20 to 30 minutes), to avoid nightmares, to feel comfortable and refreshed when waking up naturally, to wake up without feeling tired or fatigued, headache or heavy head, muscle pain, stiff shoulders or back pain, and to have a positive attitude.

[0165] The system memorizes the necessary and sufficient conditions for a good night's sleep, such as temperature, humidity, the height of the pillar members 211, and the difference in elevation between adjacent areas or between regions, for each natural environment, such as season, weather, and atmospheric pressure, and for each time period before and after falling asleep.The system then re-verifies whether a good night's sleep can be achieved by reproducing the memorized conditions, for example, by inputting a subjective sense of a good night's sleep, and further memorizes conditions to enhance the sense of a good night's sleep, and reproduces these when a good night's sleep is needed, thereby ensuring a good night's sleep regardless of region, season, weather, atmospheric pressure, or the person's physical and mental condition.

[0166] (17) The assist system 100 according to the present invention can be suitably used, for example, by bedridden users. By using the assist system 100 to help the user turn over in bed, it is possible to prevent acne and economy class syndrome.

[0167] (18) In each of the above-described embodiments, a moving mechanism (e.g., a hydraulic pump) may be provided to move each pillar member 211 in the vertical and horizontal directions. A configuration with a moving mechanism is preferable, particularly when the user is a heavily obese person or suffers from sarcopenia. In a configuration with a moving mechanism, the vertical and horizontal positions of each pillar member 211 can be adjusted by the moving mechanism to change the shape of the bedding 20, thereby enabling smooth turning over in bed, which leads to better sleep, and postures that lead to shallow sleep, such as correcting hunched backs. It is also possible to assist with waking up from sleep, i.e., from a lying position to a sitting position and then to a standing position.

[0168] For example, if the bedding is a mattress 20A, the shape is changed as follows. By adjusting the vertical and horizontal positions of each pillar member 211, the center of gravity (buttocks) of the mattress 20A is recessed, and the body direction is changed perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis of the mattress 20A toward the exit area described below, making it easier to sit up. At the same time, the portion of the mattress 20A from the center of gravity to the area away from the mattress 20A (e.g., toward the wheelchair or caregiver waiting area) is recessed, transforming the mattress 20A into a chair-like shape with handrails. This makes it easier for the user to get up, and ultimately reduces the burden on the caregiver.

[0169] Conversely, when moving from a standing position onto the mattress 20A, the mattress 20A can be deformed into a shape similar to a chair with handrails to reduce the burden of assistance, and the center of gravity (buttocks) can be further recessed, and the body can be oriented in the longitudinal direction of the mattress 20A. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden of assistance when sleeping as well.

[0170] (19) The assistance system 100 according to the present invention can also be suitably used to promote good sleep for users U in extreme environments such as spacecraft and deep-sea submarines.

[0171] (20) FIG. 18 is a side view of the interior of a mattress 10A according to a modified example. For convenience, the pillar members 211 and the drive mechanism 50 are omitted from the illustration. In reality, the pillar members 211 and the drive mechanism 50 are installed inside the mattress 10A, similar to FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the interior of the container R may be divided into multiple regions W corresponding to multiple body parts of the user U. Each region W is partitioned by a partition 90. For example, in FIG. 18, the interior of the container R is divided into three regions W1 to W3 corresponding to the head, trunk, and lower limbs of the user U, respectively. The three regions W1 to W3 are partitioned by two partitions 90. Each region W (W1 to W3) is provided with an outlet O1 for transporting the adjustment liquid L to the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 and a supply port O2 for transporting the adjustment liquid L, the temperature of which has been adjusted by the temperature adjustment mechanism 22, to the container R. The outlet O1 and the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 are connected by tubes, and the supply port O2 and the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 are connected by tubes. Note that the locations where the outlet O1 and the supply port O2 are provided are not limited to the part of the housing R facing the housing part K.

[0172] (21) In each of the above-described embodiments, it is not essential to control the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 in response to the detection signal S2. For example, an acquisition unit that detects the temperature of the adjustment liquid L may be provided inside the housing R, and the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 may be controlled in response to the temperature of the adjustment liquid L detected by the acquisition unit. For example, the temperature adjustment mechanism 22 is controlled so that the temperature of the adjustment liquid L becomes a desired temperature. The acquisition unit may be provided, for example, at the upper part (the end on the contact surface F side) and the lower part (the end on the housing K side) of each pillar member 211 located inside the housing R. Note that if a significant temperature difference occurs in the temperatures of the adjustment liquid L detected by each pillar member 211, an alarm or the like may be sounded.

[0173] (22) FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a pillar member 211 according to a modified example. The auxiliary mechanism 21 includes a movable portion 217 for each of the multiple pillar members 211. That is, the auxiliary mechanism 21 includes the same number of movable portions 217 as the number of pillar members 211. The movable portion 217 includes a bottom portion 171 and a side wall portion 173. The side wall portion 173 is provided around the entire circumference of the bottom portion 171. That is, the side wall portion 173 is cylindrical. The second portion 215 fits inside the side wall portion 173 of the movable portion 217. The end portion 151 of the second portion 215 opposite the first portion 213 faces the bottom portion 171 of the movable portion 217. With the second portion 215 fitted into the side wall portion 173, the movable portion 217 is movable in the positive and negative directions in the Z direction. Specifically, when a load from the user U is applied to the bottom 171 (i.e., when the user U stands on the contact surface F), the movable part 217 moves toward the first part 213 (negative side in the Z direction). When a load from the user U is applied, it is preferable that the movable part 217 moves toward the first part 213 by, for example, 2 to 15 cm. Note that when the user U moves away from the contact surface F, the movable part 217 moves toward the positive side in the Z direction due to buoyancy. By including the movable part 217 in the pillar member 211, the position (height) of the pillar member 211 can be adjusted to fit the body of the user U. Therefore, the user U can comfortably rest their body on the contact surface F.

[0174] In the above configuration, two adjacent movable parts 217 may be connected to each other with a string-like connecting member. By connecting the two movable parts 217 with the connecting member, the two movable parts 217 can move in unison along the Z direction. The length of the connecting member is set so that the difference in position between the two movable parts 217 (the ends on the positive side in the Z direction) is within a range of 10 cm, for example. By connecting the two adjacent movable parts 217 with the connecting member, it is possible to prevent a large step from occurring on the contact surface F. Therefore, the user U can rest their body on the contact surface F more comfortably.

[0175] (23) The interior (hollow portion) of the column member 211 is preferably filled with a gas, such as air or a non-flammable gas, to reduce the overall weight and utilize buoyancy. The density of this gas is preferably sufficiently smaller than that of the adjusting liquid L. The column member 211 is preferably made of a hard plastic that is resistant to pressure changes, imbalances, and temperature changes caused by weight loads and center of gravity shifts. The adjusting liquid L is preferably a non-flammable liquid with a relatively high specific heat. The partition wall 90 in FIG. 18 is preferably made of a stretchable plastic that is resistant to pressure and temperature changes associated with expansion and contraction. The container R is preferably made of a resin that is airtight, waterproof, flexible, and also highly stretchable and durable. Furthermore, the contact surface F of the container R is preferably provided with a plastic cushioning material, such as soft plastic or urethane, to reduce discomfort.

[0176] 20A: Mattress 20B: Pillow 20B: Chair 21: Auxiliary mechanism 22: Temperature adjustment mechanism 23: Humidity adjustment mechanism 30: Processing device 31: Control device 32: Storage device 40: Sensor unit 50: Drive mechanism 41: First acquisition unit 42: Second acquisition unit 43: Third acquisition unit 90: Partition wall 100: Auxiliary system 211: Pillar member 213: First part 215: Second part 217: Movable part 311: Determination unit 321: First control unit 322: Second control unit 323: Third control unit F: Contact surface R: Container K: Housing S1: Detection signal S2: Detection signal S3: Detection signal T: Tube U: User L: Adjusting liquid

Claims

1. An assist system comprising: a container including a contact surface on which a user places their body and filled with a temperature-adjustable liquid; and an assist mechanism contained in the container for assisting the user in changing their body position, the assist mechanism including a plurality of pillar members that are elongated in a direction intersecting the contact surface and are movable along said direction, the pillar members being hollow inside and including a first portion that becomes thinner towards the end opposite the contact surface, the liquid filling the gaps between the pillar members and not the interiors of the pillar members.

2. The auxiliary system of claim 1, wherein the pillar member includes a second portion having a constant thickness at an end portion on the contact surface side, and the first portion is formed from an end portion of the second portion opposite the contact surface toward the opposite side of the contact surface.

3. The auxiliary system of claim 2, wherein the length of the first portion is equal to or greater than 1 / 2 of the length of the pole member, and the length of the second portion is equal to or greater than 1 / 10 and less than 1 / 2 of the length of the pole member.

4. An auxiliary system as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a hollow housing section on the opposite side of said contact surface of said container, said end of said column member on the opposite side of said contact surface being located inside said housing section, and said drive mechanism being installed inside said housing section.

5. The assistance system of claim 1, further comprising a detection unit for detecting a pressure value from the user for each of a plurality of regions on the contact surface, and the plurality of pillar members move so that the pressure values ​​in the respective regions approach each other.

6. The assist system of claim 2, wherein the assist mechanism includes, for each of the plurality of column members, a movable part having a bottom and a side wall provided around the entire circumference of the bottom, the second part is fitted inside the side wall of the movable part so that the end of the second part opposite the first part faces the bottom, and the movable part moves towards the first part when a load from the user is applied to the bottom.

7. The auxiliary system of claim 1, wherein the interior of the column member is filled with a gas having a density lower than that of the liquid.

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