Bedsore-preventing cushion structure

Abstract

Disclosed is a bedsore-preventing cushion structure. The present invention comprises: a lower panel having a plurality of downward-protruding flat air cells into which air is independently supplied by means of a plurality of air adjustment devices; and an upper panel coupled onto the top of the lower panel and having a plurality of upwardly-protruding upper air cells arranged in a grid pattern. According to the present invention, a user experiencing asymmetry in the hips and thighs visually selects and adjusts, according to the characteristics of the body, an air adjustment device corresponding to an area, from among the left hip, right hip, left thigh, and right thigh, for which the height and support strength are desired to be adjusted, thereby allowing use of the bedsore-preventing cushion structure that has been adjusted to match the characteristics of the body of the user experiencing pelvic asymmetry and muscle mass reduction.

Description

Cushion structure for preventing bedsores

[0001] The present invention relates to a cushion structure for preventing bedsores, and more particularly, to a cushion structure for preventing bedsores that allows a user with body asymmetry in the buttocks and thighs to intuitively select and operate an air control port corresponding to a region among the left buttocks, right buttocks, left thigh, and right thigh where the user wishes to adjust the support height and support force according to the user's body characteristics, thereby enabling the user to use the cushion structure in a state adjusted to the user's body characteristics due to pelvic asymmetry and reduced muscle mass.

[0002] The interior of a plurality of air cells that constitute a bedsore prevention cushion installed on a wheelchair seat or bed to prevent bedsores in the elderly or disabled is filled with air cushion blocks made of polyurethane foam, etc.

[0003] Such air cushion blocks are compressed by releasing air into the surroundings under the load applied by the user, and when the user's load is removed, they absorb the surrounding air and restore their original shape.

[0004] In this way, as the air cushion block is compressed by the user's weight, the air inside the air cell is discharged to the surroundings, thereby lowering the support pressure of the bedsore prevention cushion that supports the user. As the support pressure on the user's buttocks is lowered, the blood flow in the capillaries of the buttocks is not obstructed, thereby preventing bedsores.

[0005] Meanwhile, there is a technical limitation in that conventional bedsore prevention cushions cannot fully perform their original function when pelvic asymmetry occurs due to incorrect posture for a long period of time, or body asymmetry occurs in the user's buttocks and thighs due to a decrease in muscle mass in the buttocks and thighs as a result of long-term use of bedsore prevention cushions.

[0006] Accordingly, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a cushion structure for preventing bedsores, which allows a user with body asymmetry in the buttocks and thighs to intuitively select and operate an air control unit corresponding to a region among the left buttocks, right buttocks, left thigh, and right thigh where the user wishes to adjust the support height and support force according to the user's body characteristics, thereby allowing the user to use the cushion structure in a state adjusted to the user's body characteristics due to pelvic asymmetry and reduced muscle mass.

[0007] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and include other technical problems that can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the present invention comprises a lower panel having a plurality of plate-shaped air cells protruding downwardly, through which outside air is independently supplied through a plurality of air control ports; and an upper panel having a plurality of upper air cells arranged in a grid pattern and protruding upwardly, which are connected to the upper portion of the lower panel.

[0009] Preferably, the plurality of plate-shaped air cells are characterized in that they independently support the user's left and right buttocks and the left and right thighs, respectively.

[0010] In addition, the plurality of plate-shaped air cells are characterized by including a first plate-shaped air cell supporting the user's left thigh, a second plate-shaped air cell supporting the user's right thigh, a third plate-shaped air cell supporting the user's left buttock, and a fourth plate-shaped air cell supporting the user's right buttock.

[0011] In addition, the plurality of upper air cells are characterized by including an upper air cell of a first region disposed above the first plate-shaped control cell, an upper air cell of a second region disposed above the second plate-shaped air cell, an upper air cell of a third region disposed above the third plate-shaped air cell, and an upper air cell of a fourth region disposed above the fourth plate-shaped air cell.

[0012] In addition, it is characterized in that outside air is independently supplied to the upper air cell of the first region, the upper air cell of the second region, the upper air cell of the third region, and the upper air cell of the fourth region through the plurality of air control ports.

[0013] According to the present invention, a user with body asymmetry in the buttocks and thighs can intuitively select and operate an air control unit corresponding to a region among the left buttocks, right buttocks, left thigh, and right thigh where the user wishes to adjust the support height and support force according to his / her body characteristics, thereby enabling the use of a cushion structure for preventing bedsores in a state adjusted to the user's body characteristics due to pelvic asymmetry and reduced muscle mass.

[0014] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned, and include other effects that can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the following description.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the structure of a lower panel constituting the lower part of a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of area A in Figure 1.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the structure of an upper panel constituting the upper portion of a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0018] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of area B in Figure 3.

[0019] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that, wherever possible, identical components are represented by identical reference numerals throughout the drawings. Furthermore, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and configurations that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the structure of a lower panel (100) constituting the lower part of a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of area A in FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the structure of an upper panel (300) constituting the upper portion of a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of area B in FIG. 3.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a lower panel (100) whose lower surface is installed in contact with a wheelchair or the like, and an upper panel (300) coupled to the upper portion of the lower panel (100).

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the lower panel (100) has four square plate-shaped air cells (110) that are independently supplied with outside air through four air control ports (200) and are formed to protrude downward, and as shown in Fig. 3, the upper panel (300) has a plurality of upper air cells (310) that are formed to protrude upward and are arranged in a grid pattern.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, four plate-shaped air cells (110) are composed of a first plate-shaped air cell (110-1) that supports the user's left thigh, a second plate-shaped air cell (110-2) that supports the user's right thigh, a third plate-shaped air cell (110-3) that supports the user's left buttocks, and a fourth plate-shaped air cell (110-4) that supports the user's right buttocks. These four plate-shaped air cells (110) support the user's left and right buttocks and left and right thighs, respectively, with independent support heights and support forces.

[0025] Specifically, the user can adjust the support thickness and elastic support force of the first plate-shaped air cell (110-1) according to the muscle mass and height of his / her left thigh by adjusting the amount of air filled into the interior of the first plate-shaped air cell (110-1) through the first air control port (200-1).

[0026] In addition, the user can adjust the support thickness and elastic support force of the second plate-shaped air cell (110-2) according to the muscle mass and height of his / her right thigh by adjusting the amount of air filled into the interior of the second plate-shaped air cell (110-2) through the second air control port (200-2).

[0027] In addition, the user can adjust the support thickness and elastic support force of the third plate-shaped air cell (110-3) according to the muscle mass and height of his / her left buttock by adjusting the amount of air filled into the interior of the third plate-shaped air cell (110-3) through the third air control port (200-3).

[0028] In addition, the user can adjust the support thickness and elastic support force of the fourth plate-shaped air cell (110-4) according to the muscle mass and height of his / her right buttock by adjusting the amount of air filled into the interior of the fourth plate-shaped air cell (110-4) through the fourth air control port (200-4).

[0029] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of upper air cells (310) are composed of an upper air cell (310) of the first region (1), which is an upper air cell (310) disposed in the upper region (1) of the first plate-shaped air cell (110-1), an upper air cell (310) of the second region (2), which is an upper air cell (310) disposed in the upper region (2) of the second plate-shaped air cell (110-2), an upper air cell (310) of the third region (3), which is an upper air cell (310) disposed in the upper region (3) of the third plate-shaped air cell (110-3), and an air cell of the fourth region (4), which is an upper air cell (310) disposed in the upper region (4) of the fourth plate-shaped air cell (110-4).

[0030] Specifically, as the upper panel (300) is combined on the upper side of the lower panel (100), the internal space of the first plate-shaped air cell (110-1) and the internal space of the upper air cell (310) of the first region (1) at corresponding positions are integrated, thereby forming an internal space in the shape of a grid of hemispherical protrusions on a square panel of a predetermined thickness.

[0031] In addition, the internal space of the second plate-shaped air cell (110-2) located at corresponding positions and the internal space of the upper air cell (310) of the second region (2) are integrated, the internal space of the third plate-shaped air cell (110-3) located at corresponding positions and the internal space of the upper air cell (310) of the third region (3) are integrated, and the internal space of the fourth plate-shaped air cell (110-4) located at corresponding positions and the internal space of the upper air cell (310) of the fourth region (4) are integrated, thereby forming an internal space in which hemispherical protrusions are formed in a grid shape on a square panel of a predetermined thickness, respectively.

[0032] In this way, the internal spaces formed independently for the first region (1) to the fourth region (4) are filled with an elastic material such as polyurethane foam of the same shape (a shape in which hemispherical protrusions are formed in a grid shape on a square panel of a predetermined thickness).

[0033] Meanwhile, when the elastic material is restored to elasticity after pressure is applied by the user's load, the outside air supplied through each open air control port (200) fills the corresponding internal space.

[0034] In addition, the user can individually control the level of air filling in the internal space formed independently for each of the first region (1) to the fourth region (4) by individually manipulating the plurality of air control ports (200), thereby individually controlling the support height and elastic support force of the bedsore prevention cushion structure in the first region (1) to the fourth region (4).

[0035] Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 1, a lower air transport path (130) protruding downwards is formed on the lower panel (100) to independently connect each air control port (200) and each plate-shaped air cell (110).

[0036] Specifically, such a lower air transport path (130) interconnects the first air control port (200-1) and the first plate-shaped air cell (110-1), interconnects the second air control port (200-2) and the second plate-shaped air cell (110-2), interconnects the third air control port (200-3) and the third plate-shaped air cell (110-3), and interconnects the fourth air control port (200-4) and the fourth plate-shaped air cell (110-4).

[0037] Meanwhile, an upper air transport path (330) is formed protruding upward from the upper panel (300) at the same position as the formation position of the lower air transport path (130) as shown in Fig. 3.

[0038] That is, as shown in Fig. 3, an upper air transport path (330) protruding upward is formed on the upper panel (300) to independently connect each air control port (200) and the upper air cell (310) of each area (1, 2, 3, 4).

[0039] Such an upper air transport path (330) interconnects the first air control port (200-1) and the upper air cell of the first region (1), interconnects the second air control port (200-2) and the upper air cell (310) of the second region (2), interconnects the third air control port (200-3) and the upper air cell (310) of the third region (3), and interconnects the fourth air control port (200-4) and the upper air cell (310) of the fourth region (4).

[0040] As the upper air transport path (330) is formed at the same position as the formation position of the lower air transport path (130), the lower air transport path (130) and the upper air transport path (330) overlap each other while being connected to the lower panel (100) and the upper panel (300), thereby forming a cylindrical air transport path.

[0041] Meanwhile, the upper air transport path (330) is not only formed in a vertically symmetrical shape at the same location as the lower air transport path (130), but is also additionally formed at a location where the lower air transport path (130) is not formed.

[0042] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper panel (300) additionally has an upper air transport path (330) protrudingly formed to mutually connect upper air cells (310) located at adjacent positions among upper air cells (310) of the first region (1), an upper air transport path (330) connected to upper air cells (310) located at adjacent positions among upper air cells (310) of the second region (2), an upper air transport path (330) connected to upper air cells (310) located at adjacent positions among upper air cells (310) of the third region (3), and an upper air transport path (330) connected to upper air cells (310) located at adjacent positions among upper air cells (310) of the fourth region (4).

[0043] In this way, the upper air transport path (330) that connects adjacent upper air cells (310) in each area (1, 2, 3, 4) is a semi-cylindrical communication path, and performs the function of allowing the air supplied through each air control port (200) to spread throughout the upper air cells (310) in the corresponding area (1, 2, 3, 4).

[0044] In this way, the communication path that interconnects the adjacent upper air cells (310) is formed along the upper surface of the panel in an elastic material in the form of a grid with hemispherical protrusions formed on a rectangular panel of a predetermined thickness that is filled in the internal space that is independently formed for each of the first region (1) to the fourth region (4), so that the air moving along the communication path moves through the flat upper surface of the panel in the elastic material and is transferred to the adjacent upper air cell (310).

[0045] Meanwhile, in the present invention, among the plurality of air control ports (200) installed in the center of one side of the cushion structure for preventing bedsores as shown in FIG. 2, the first air control port (200-1) and the second air control port (200-2) installed in the center are connected to the first plate-shaped air cell (110-1) and the second plate-shaped air cell (110-2) which are relatively adjacent to the plurality of air control ports (200) through the lower air transport path (130), and by connecting the edge areas closest to the plurality of air control ports (200) in the first plate-shaped air cell (110-1) and the second plate-shaped air cell (110-2) through the lower air transport path (130), the air movement path to the first plate-shaped air cell (110-1) and the second plate-shaped air cell (110-2) through the lower air transport path (130) can form the shortest distance, thereby preventing the first plate-shaped air cell (110-1) from being moved. And it will be possible to ensure rapid supply and discharge of outside air in the second plate-shaped air cell (110-2).

[0046] In addition, by connecting the lower air transport path (130) as shown in FIG. 2 to the first plate-shaped air cell (110-1) and the second plate-shaped air cell (110-2), respectively, through a two-branched structure, it may be possible to enable faster supply and discharge of outside air from the first plate-shaped air cell (110-1) and the second plate-shaped air cell (110-2).

[0047] Meanwhile, among the plurality of air control ports (200) installed in the center of one side of the cushion structure for preventing bedsores as shown in FIG. 1, the third air control port (200-3) and the fourth air control port (200-4) installed on the left and right sides are connected to the third plate-shaped air cell (110-3) and the fourth plate-shaped air cell (110-4) located at positions relatively spaced apart from the plurality of air control ports (200) through the lower air transport path (130), so that outside air can be supplied to the third plate-shaped air cell (110-3) and the fourth plate-shaped air cell (110-4) without interference by the first plate-shaped air cell (110-1) and the second plate-shaped air cell (110-2) by connecting them through the lower air transport path (130) formed in a 'ㄷ' shape along the perimeter of the lower panel (100).

[0048] In addition, in carrying out the present invention, among the 'ㄷ' shaped lower air transport path (130) connecting the fourth air control port (200-4) and the fourth plate-shaped air cell (110-4), a plurality of branch structures formed in a 'ㄴ' shaped area along the periphery of the fourth plate-shaped air cell (110-4) may be provided to simultaneously supply outside air to the fourth plate-shaped air cell (110-4) from a plurality of different locations.

[0049] According to the branch structure of the lower air transport path (130), even though the length of the lower air transport path (130) supplying air to the fourth plate-shaped air cell (110-4) is formed longer than the length of the lower air transport path (130) supplying air to the second plate-shaped air cell (110-2), the supply and discharge speed of air in the fourth plate-shaped air cell (110-4) can be implemented to be the same as the supply and discharge speed of air in the second plate-shaped air cell (110-2).

[0050] In addition, in carrying out the present invention, among the 'ㄷ' shaped lower air transport path (130) connecting the third air control port (200-3) and the third plate-shaped air cell (110-3), a region in the shape of the letter 'ㄴ' that is inverted left and right and formed along the periphery of the third plate-shaped air cell (110-3) may be provided with a plurality of branch structures formed in branches to simultaneously supply outside air to the third plate-shaped air cell (110-3) from a plurality of different locations.

[0051] According to the branching structure of the lower air transport path (130), even though the length of the lower air transport path (130) supplying air to the third plate-shaped air cell (110-3) is formed longer than the length of the lower air transport path (130) supplying air to the first plate-shaped air cell (110-1), the supply and discharge speed of air in the third plate-shaped air cell (110-3) can be implemented to be the same as the supply and discharge speed of air in the first plate-shaped air cell (110-1).

[0052] In addition, in the present invention, among the plurality of air control ports (200) installed in the center of one side of the cushion structure for preventing bedsores as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first air control port (200-1) and the second air control port (200-2) installed in the center are connected to the upper air cell (310) of the first region (1) and the upper air cell (310) of the second region (2), which are located relatively close to the plurality of air control ports (200), through the upper air transport path (330), respectively, and by connecting the corner regions closest to the plurality of air control ports (200) in the square first region (1) and the square second region (2) through the upper air transport path (330), the air movement path to the upper air cell (310) of the first region (1) and the upper air cell (310) of the second region (2) through the upper air transport path (330) can form the shortest distance, thereby forming the upper air cell (310) of the first region (1) and the upper air cell (310) of the second region (2). It will be possible to ensure rapid supply and discharge of outside air from the upper air cell (310) of the air cell (310) and the second region (2).

[0053] In addition, by connecting the upper air transport path (330) to the first region (1) and the second region (2) through a two-branched structure as in Fig. 4, it may be possible to enable faster supply and discharge of outside air in the upper air cell (310) of the first region (1) and the upper air cell (310) of the second region (2).

[0054] Meanwhile, among the plurality of air control ports (200) installed in the center of one side of the cushion structure for preventing bedsores as shown in FIG. 3, the third air control port (200-3) and the fourth air control port (200-4) installed on the left and right sides are connected to the third region (3) and the fourth region (4) located at relatively distant positions from the plurality of air control ports (200) through the upper air transport path (330), so that outside air can be supplied to the upper air cell (310) of the third region (3) and the upper air cell (310) of the fourth region (4) without interference by the upper air cell (310) of the first region (1) and the upper air cell (310) of the second region (2).

[0055] In addition, in carrying out the present invention, among the left-right inverted 'ㄷ'-shaped upper air transport paths (330) connecting the fourth air control unit (200-4) and the upper air cell (310) of the fourth region (4), a left-right inverted 'ㄴ'-shaped region formed along the periphery of the fourth region (4) may be provided with a plurality of branch structures formed in branches to simultaneously supply outside air to the upper air cell (310) of the fourth region (4) from a plurality of different locations.

[0056] According to the branching structure of the upper air transport path (330), even though the length of the upper air transport path (330) supplying air to the fourth region (4) is formed longer than the length of the upper air transport path (330) supplying air to the second region (2), the supply and discharge speed of air in the upper air cell (310) of the fourth region (4) can be implemented to be the same as the supply and discharge speed of air in the upper air cell (310) of the second region (2).

[0057] In addition, in carrying out the present invention, among the 'ㄷ' shaped upper air transport paths (330) connecting the third air control unit (200-3) and the upper air cell (310) of the third region (3), a 'ㄴ' shaped region formed along the periphery of the third region (3) may be provided with a plurality of branch structures formed in branches to simultaneously supply outside air to the upper air cell (310) of the third region (3) from a plurality of different locations.

[0058] According to the branching structure of the upper air transport path (330), even though the length of the upper air transport path (330) supplying air to the upper air cell (310) of the third region (3) is formed longer than the length of the upper air transport path (330) supplying air to the upper air cell (310) of the first region (1), the supply and discharge speed of air in the upper air cell (310) of the third region (3) can be implemented to be the same as the supply and discharge speed of air in the upper air cell (310) of the first region (1).

[0059] Meanwhile, in carrying out the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower surface of each plate-shaped air cell (110) is provided with a compression portion (150) which is a region that forms a bonding connection with the lower surface of the upper panel (300) by being partially compressed, thereby preventing the user's comfort when sitting from being deteriorated due to the bottom surface of the plate-shaped air cell (110) bulging when excessive outside air is supplied through the air control port (200).

[0060] In this way, according to the present invention, the user can intuitively and individually adjust the support height and elastic support force of the left buttock, right buttock, left thigh, and right thigh of the bedsore prevention cushion structure by selecting and operating at least one of the four air control ports (200) located between the user's legs when seated.

[0061] Meanwhile, in carrying out the present invention, the manufacturer may manufacture a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the present invention by filling the four internal spaces formed between the upper panel (300) press-processed into a shape as in FIG. 3 and the lower panel (100) press-processed into a shape as in FIG. 1 with an elastic material of the shape described above, and thermally compressing the upper panel (300) and the lower panel (100) through press processing while installing a plurality of air control holes (200) respectively, and forming the compression portion (150) of FIG. 1 through press processing simultaneously with or after the thermal compression processing of the upper panel (300) and the lower panel (100).

[0062] The terminology used herein is merely used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, it should be understood that the terms "comprise" or "have" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0063] Although the preferred embodiments and application examples of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments and application examples described above, and various modifications can be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present invention.

[0064] The present invention is recognized as having industrial applicability in the field of industry related to cushions for preventing bedsores.

Claims

1. A lower panel (100) having a plurality of plate-shaped air cells (110) protruding downward and independently supplied with outside air through a plurality of air control ports (200); and An upper panel (300) that is coupled to the upper portion of the lower panel (100) and has a plurality of upper air cells (310) arranged in a grid shape and protruding upwards. A cushion structure for preventing bedsores, including:

2. In paragraph 1, The above plurality of plate-shaped air cells (110) are a cushion structure for preventing bedsores that independently support the user's left and right buttocks and left and right thighs, respectively.

3. In paragraph 2, A cushion structure for preventing bedsores, wherein the plurality of plate-shaped air cells (110) include a first plate-shaped air cell (110-1) supporting the user's left thigh, a second plate-shaped air cell (110-2) supporting the user's right thigh, a third plate-shaped air cell (110-3) supporting the user's left buttock, and a fourth plate-shaped air cell (110-4) supporting the user's right buttock.

4. In paragraph 3, A cushion structure for preventing bedsores, wherein the plurality of upper air cells (310) include an upper air cell (310) of a first region (1) disposed above the first plate-shaped control cell, an upper air cell (310) of a second region (2) disposed above the second plate-shaped air cell (110-2), an upper air cell (310) of a third region (3) disposed above the third plate-shaped air cell (110-3), and an upper air cell (310) of a fourth region (4) disposed above the fourth plate-shaped air cell (110-4).

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