Bedsore-preventing cushion structure

Abstract

Disclosed is a bedsore-preventing cushion structure. The present invention comprises: a lower panel having a plurality of grid-patterned lower air cells protruding downward; and an upper panel coupled onto the top of the lower panel and having a plurality of grid-patterned upper air cells protruding upward. A lower air circulation path, protruding downward, surrounds the perimeter of the grid-patterned lower air cells area, and an upper air circulation path, protruding upward, surrounds the perimeter of the upper air cells area. According to the present invention, support pressure is reduced to the same degree in the perimeter of the bedsore-preventing cushion structure as in the central portion.

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 can achieve the same degree of support pressure reduction effect in the edge area of ​​the cushion for preventing bedsores as in the central area of ​​the cushion for preventing bedsores.

[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, in the conventional pressure ulcer prevention cushion, there was a technical limitation in that the effect of reducing the support pressure was sufficiently expressed only in the central part of the pressure ulcer prevention cushion where sufficient air cells capable of accommodating the discharged air were formed around the cushion, and was not sufficiently expressed in the edge area of ​​the pressure ulcer prevention cushion where no air cells were formed around the cushion.

[0006] Accordingly, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a bedsore prevention cushion structure that can achieve the same degree of support pressure reduction effect in the edge area of ​​the bedsore prevention cushion as in the central area of ​​the bedsore prevention cushion.

[0007] 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 lower air cells arranged in a grid pattern and protruding downward; and an upper panel coupled to an upper portion of the lower panel and having a plurality of upper air cells arranged in a grid pattern and protruding upward, characterized in that a lower air circulation path is formed to protrude downward so as to surround a perimeter of a grid arrangement area of ​​the plurality of lower air cells, and an upper air circulation path is formed to protrude upward so as to surround a perimeter of a grid arrangement area of ​​the plurality of upper air cells.

[0008] Preferably, a lower communication passage connecting a pair of adjacently arranged lower air cells among the plurality of lower air cells is formed in the lower panel, and an upper communication passage connecting a pair of adjacently arranged upper air cells among the plurality of upper air cells is formed in the upper panel.

[0009] In addition, the inside of the plurality of air cells formed by the plurality of lower air cells and the plurality of upper air cells being mutually connected is characterized in that an elastic material is filled.

[0010] In addition, the invention further includes an air control device that is connected to some of the plurality of air cells and allows outside air to be injected into the plurality of air cells.

[0011] In addition, the lower panel is characterized in that a lower diffusion port is formed protruding downwardly and has a plurality of lower branch passages so that outside air injected through the air control port is simultaneously supplied to some of the air cells among the plurality of air cells, and the upper panel is characterized in that an upper diffusion port is formed protruding upwardly and has a plurality of upper branch passages so that outside air injected through the air control port is simultaneously supplied to some of the air cells among the plurality of air cells.

[0012] In addition, one end of the air circulation path formed by the mutual connection of the lower air circulation path and the upper air circulation path is formed by branching from one of the plurality of branch paths formed by the mutual connection of the plurality of lower branch paths and the plurality of upper branch paths, and the other end of the air circulation path is formed by branching from another one of the plurality of branch paths.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve the same degree of pressure reduction effect in the edge area of ​​the bedsore prevention cushion as in the central area of ​​the bedsore prevention cushion.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the internal structure of the lower panel in the cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the internal structure of the upper panel in the cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the upper structure of a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the lower structure of a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and

[0018] FIGS. 5 to 8 are perspective views showing the lower structure of a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the second to fifth embodiments of the present invention, respectively.

[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 internal structure of a lower panel (100) in a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the internal structure of an upper panel (200) in a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a lower panel (100) and an upper panel (200) coupled to the upper portion of the lower panel (100).

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of lower air cells (110) protruding downward are arranged in a grid shape on the lower panel (100), and as shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of upper air cells (210) protruding upward are arranged in a grid shape on the upper panel (200) at positions corresponding to the lower air cells (110).

[0023] The lower air cell (110) and the upper air cell (210) are each formed in a protruding shape in the shape of a hexahedron, and as the upper panel (200) is coupled to the upper part of the lower panel (100) as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower air cell (110) and the upper air cell (210) at corresponding positions are mutually coupled, thereby forming a plurality of air cells in the shape of a hexahedron having an internal space in which the internal space of the lower air cell (110) and the internal space of the upper air cell (210) are integrated.

[0024] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 1, a lower communication passage (115) protruding downwards is formed on the lower panel (100) to mutually connect adjacent lower air cells (110) among a plurality of lower air cells (110), and as shown in FIG. 2, an upper communication passage (215) protruding upwards is formed on the upper panel (200) to mutually connect adjacent upper air cells (210) among a plurality of upper air cells (210).

[0025] The lower communication passage (115) and the upper communication passage (215) are each formed in a protruding semi-cylindrical shape, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the upper panel (200) is coupled to the upper part of the lower panel (100), the lower communication passage (115) and the upper communication passage (215) at corresponding positions are mutually coupled, thereby forming a plurality of cylindrical communication passages that mutually connect adjacent air cells.

[0026] In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, a lower air circulation path (130) arranged to surround the perimeter of a grid arrangement area of ​​a plurality of lower air cells (110) is formed to protrude downward along the edge of the lower panel (100), and as shown in FIG. 2, an upper air circulation path (230) arranged to surround the perimeter of a grid arrangement area of ​​a plurality of upper air cells (210) is formed to protrude upward along the edge of the upper panel (200).

[0027] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 1, among the plurality of lower air cells (110) arranged in a grid pattern, the plurality of lower air cells (110) arranged on the outer side and the lower air circulation path (130) form a structure in which they are interconnected through the lower communication path (115), and as shown in FIG. 2, among the plurality of upper air cells (210) arranged in a grid pattern, the plurality of upper air cells (210) arranged on the outer side and the upper air circulation path (230) are interconnected through the upper communication path (215).

[0028] The lower air circulation path (130) and the upper air circulation path (230) are each formed in a protruding shape of a groove having a cross-section in the shape of a half pipe, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the upper panel (200) is coupled to the upper part of the lower panel (100), the lower air circulation path (130) and the upper air circulation path (230) are mutually coupled, so that the air circulation path of the pipe structure in which the internal space of the lower air circulation path (130) and the internal space of the upper air circulation path (230) are integrated is arranged to surround the outer periphery of a plurality of air cells arranged in a grid.

[0029] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, as the upper panel (200) is coupled to the upper portion of the lower panel (100), the lower communication passage (115) connecting the lower air circulation passage (130) and the adjacent plurality of lower air cells (110) and the upper communication passage (215) connecting the upper air circulation passage (230) and the adjacent plurality of upper air cells (210) are mutually coupled, thereby forming a cylindrical communication passage that mutually connects the pipe-structured air circulation passage with the adjacent plurality of air cells.

[0030] Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the first embodiment of the present invention further includes an air control port (300) that is connected to some of the air cells among the plurality of air cells to allow outside air to flow into the plurality of air cells or to discharge air from the plurality of air cells to the outside.

[0031] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a lower diffusion port (150) is formed protruding downwardly on the outer surface of the lower panel (100), which is a space for diffusing outside air introduced through the air control port (300) to a plurality of lower air cells (110), and as shown in FIG. 2, an upper diffusion port (250) is formed protruding upwardly at a position corresponding to the lower diffusion port (150), which is a space for diffusing outside air introduced through the air control port (300) to a plurality of upper air cells (210).

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper panel (200) is coupled to the upper portion of the lower panel (100), and the lower diffuser (150) and the upper diffuser (250) are coupled to each other, thereby forming a diffuser, which is a space for diffusing outside air introduced through the air control port (300) into a plurality of air cells. The air control port (300), such as an air nozzle, is inserted and installed at the outer end of the diffuser.

[0033] In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower diffusion port (150) is provided with a plurality of lower branch passages (155) that simultaneously supply outside air introduced through the air control port (300) to a plurality of lower air cells (110) positioned adjacent to the lower diffusion port (150), and as shown in FIG. 2, the upper diffusion port (250) is provided with a plurality of upper branch passages (255) that simultaneously supply outside air introduced through the air control port (300) to a plurality of upper air cells (210) positioned adjacent to the upper diffusion port (250), and is provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of lower branch passages (155).

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the upper panel (200) is coupled to the upper portion of the lower panel (100), a plurality of upper branch channels (255) and a plurality of lower branch channels (155) are mutually coupled, thereby forming a plurality of branch channels that simultaneously supply outside air introduced through the air control port (300) to a plurality of air cells positioned adjacent to the diffusion port.

[0035] In the present invention, by providing a plurality of branch paths in the diffusion section as described above, the supply of outside air to a plurality of air cells through the air control port (300) and the discharge of air from the plurality of air cells through the air control port (300) can be performed as uniformly as possible in the plurality of air cells arranged in a grid.

[0036] In addition, as shown in Fig. 1, one end of the lower air circulation path (130) is formed by branching from one of the plurality of lower branch paths (155), and the other end of the lower air circulation path (130) is formed by branching from another one of the plurality of lower branch paths (155).

[0037] In addition, as shown in Fig. 2, one end of the upper air circulation path (230) is formed by branching from one of the plurality of upper branch paths (255), and the other end of the upper air circulation path (230) is formed by branching from another one of the plurality of upper branch paths (255).

[0038] As a result, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the upper panel (200) is coupled to the upper portion of the lower panel (100), an air circulation structure is formed in which one end of the air circulation path is branched from one of the plurality of branch paths, and the other end of the air circulation path is branched from another one of the plurality of branch paths.

[0039] Accordingly, the outside air flowing in through the air control port (300) is supplied to a plurality of air cells through a plurality of branch passages provided in the diffusion port, and at the same time, moves through an air circulation passage formed by branching off from the branch passages at both ends and is supplied to a plurality of air cells arranged at the outer side among the plurality of air cells arranged in a grid, so that the supply of outside air to the air cells arranged at a relatively distant position from the air control port (300) is not delayed, thereby allowing simultaneous and uniform outside air supply to be achieved in the plurality of air cells constituting the cushion structure for preventing bedsores.

[0040] In addition, according to the present invention, when a user's load is applied to an air cell arranged on the outer portion of a plurality of air cells arranged in a grid, the air cell to which the load is applied can discharge air to an adjacently arranged air cell and simultaneously discharge air to an air circulation path directly connected through a communication path, so that even when the user's load is applied to the outer portion of the cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the present invention, the support pressure can be effectively reduced to the same degree as when the user's load is applied to the center of the cushion structure for preventing bedsores.

[0041] In addition, in the present invention, since both ends of the air circulation path are connected to a diffusion port in which an air control port (300) is installed, when a user's load is applied to the cushion structure for preventing bedsores, the air moving through the air circulation path can be effectively discharged through the air control port (300), thereby enabling the support pressure of the cushion structure for preventing bedsores to be lowered more quickly.

[0042] In addition, since the air circulation path has a structure in which both ends of the air circulation path are formed as branches from a branch path provided in the diffusion port, the air transported by the air circulation path and the air discharged from the air cell connected to the branch path are discharged together through the branch path in which the ends of the air circulation path are formed as branches, so that the effect of reducing the support pressure by discharging the air through the air circulation path and the effect of reducing the support pressure by discharging the air from the air cell connected to the branch path are not biased to one side but are mutually balanced, and as a result, the effect of reducing the support pressure in the entire area of ​​the cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the present invention can be uniformly formed.

[0043] Meanwhile, in carrying out the present invention, the lower panel (100) and the upper panel (200) may be manufactured through a vacuum forming method, which is a method of sucking air inside the mold while clamping a plastic film on the mold.

[0044] In this way, a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the present invention can be manufactured by placing air cushion blocks, which are fillers made of elastic materials such as polyurethane foam, on each of the plurality of lower air cells (110) formed on the lower panel (100) manufactured through a vacuum forming method, and then bonding the upper panel (200) to the upper part of the lower panel (100) by a heat compression method.

[0045] Meanwhile, since the air cell formed by combining the lower air cell (110) and the upper air cell (210) in this way is provided with an elastic material filler such as polyurethane foam, when the air cell is pressed by the user's load, the air inside the air cell moves along the communication path and the circulation path and is discharged through the air control port (300). When the user's load is removed, the filler is restored to its original shape, so that the air cell is filled with air supplied from the air control port (300) through the communication path and the circulation path.

[0046] Meanwhile, in carrying out the present invention, a plurality of installation structures may be provided in which the air circulation paths described above surround a plurality of air cells arranged in a grid pattern in the cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the present invention.

[0047] Specifically, in carrying out the present invention, the plurality of air cells provided in the cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the present invention may be divided into a plurality of first air cells arranged in a grid pattern in a left area of ​​the cushion structure for preventing bedsores and a plurality of second air cells arranged in a grid pattern in a right area of ​​the cushion structure for preventing bedsores, and the first air circulation path arranged to surround the plurality of first air cells and the installation structure as described above, and the second air circulation path arranged to surround the plurality of second air cells and the installation structure as described above may be independently provided, respectively.

[0048] In addition, it would be desirable for each of these multiple air circulation paths to be equipped with a diffusion port and an air control port having the installation structure described above.

[0049] In addition, in carrying out the present invention, the cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the present invention may be divided into four regions (upper left region, lower left region, upper right region, lower right region), and each of the divided regions may be provided with an independent installation structure of an air circulation path as described above.

[0050] FIGS. 5 to 8 are perspective views showing the lower structure of a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the second to fifth embodiments of the present invention, respectively.

[0051] The upper structure of the cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the second to fifth embodiments of the present invention is the same as the cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the first embodiment of the present invention as described above, while in the lower structure, two or four square plate-shaped lower air cells (110) each supplied with outside air through an air control port (300) are formed to protrude downward as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8.

[0052] Meanwhile, the two plate-shaped lower air cells (110) on the left and right sides as in FIGS. 5 and 7 independently support the user's left thigh / buttocks and right thigh / buttocks, respectively, and the four plate-shaped lower air cells (110) as in FIGS. 6 and 8 independently support the user's left thigh, left buttocks, right thigh, and right buttocks, respectively.

[0053] Meanwhile, a plurality of upper air cells (210) as in FIG. 3 are arranged in the upper region of each plate-shaped lower air cell (110), and as the upper panel (200) is joined to the upper portion of the lower panel (100), the internal spaces of the upper air cells (210) at positions corresponding to the internal space of the plate-shaped lower air cell (110) are integrated, thereby forming an internal space in the shape of a grid of hemispherical protrusions on a rectangular panel of a predetermined thickness.

[0054] The internal space formed in this way can be filled with an elastic material such as polyurethane foam having the same shape as the internal space (a shape in which hemispherical protrusions are formed in a grid shape on a square panel of a certain thickness).

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the lower panel (100) has a lower air circulation path (130) that connects the air control port (300) and each plate-shaped lower air cell (110), and a lower communication path (115) that interconnects each plate-shaped lower air cell (110) protruding downward.

[0056] Meanwhile, an upper air circulation path (230) may be formed protruding upward from the upper panel (200) at the same position as the formation position of the lower air circulation path (130) in the lower panel (100).

[0057] As the upper air circulation path (230) is formed at the same position as the formation position of the lower air circulation path (130), the lower air circulation path (130) and the upper air circulation path (230) overlap each other when combined with the lower panel (100) and the upper panel (200), thereby forming a cylindrical air circulation path.

[0058] Meanwhile, the lower communication passage (115) that connects adjacent plate-shaped lower air cells (110) to each other is a communication passage having a semi-cylindrical shape, and performs the function of allowing air supplied through the air control port (300) to diffuse to the adjacent plate-shaped lower air cells (110).

[0059] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the 'ㅁ'-shaped lower air circulation path (130) that extends along the perimeter of the lower panel may be provided with a plurality of branch structures formed in a branch manner to simultaneously supply outside air to the plate-shaped lower air cells (110) at a plurality of different locations along the periphery of each plate-shaped lower air cell (110).

[0060] According to the branching structure of the lower air circulation path (130), not only is the air supplied and discharged from each plate-shaped lower air cell (110) performed quickly, but the air supply and discharge speed from each plate-shaped lower air cell (110) can be implemented at the same level.

[0061] Meanwhile, in carrying out the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the lower surface of each plate-shaped lower air cell (110) is provided with a compression portion (170) which is a region that forms a bonding joint with the lower surface of the upper panel (200) by being partially compressed, thereby preventing the user's comfort when sitting from being deteriorated due to the bottom surface of the plate-shaped lower air cell (110) bulging when excessive outside air is supplied through the air control port (300).

[0062] Meanwhile, in carrying out the present invention, the manufacturer may manufacture a cushion structure for preventing bedsores according to the second to fifth embodiments of the present invention by filling two or four internal spaces formed between an upper panel (200) press-processed into a shape as in FIGS. 2 and 3 and a lower panel (100) press-processed into a shape as in any one of FIGS. 5 to 8 with an elastic material of the above-described shape, thermally compressing the upper panel (200) and the lower panel (100) through press processing while installing an air control port (300), and forming the compression portion (170) of FIGS. 7 and 8 through press processing simultaneously with or after the thermal compression processing of the upper panel (200) and the lower panel (100).

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] The present invention is recognized as having industrial applicability in the field of cushions for preventing bedsores.

Claims

1. A lower panel (100) having a plurality of lower air cells (110) arranged in a grid and protruding downward; and An upper panel (200) that is coupled to the upper portion of the lower panel (100) and has a plurality of upper air cells (210) arranged in a grid and protruding upwards. Includes, A lower air circulation path (130) is formed to protrude downwards to surround the perimeter of the grid arrangement area of ​​the plurality of lower air cells (110), A cushion structure for preventing bedsores, wherein an upper air circulation path (230) is formed to protrude upward so as to surround the perimeter of a grid arrangement area of ​​the plurality of upper air cells (210).

2. In paragraph 1, A cushion structure for preventing bedsores, wherein a lower communication passage (115) connecting a pair of adjacently arranged lower air cells (110) among the plurality of lower air cells (110) is formed in the lower panel (100), and an upper communication passage (215) connecting a pair of adjacently arranged upper air cells (210) among the plurality of upper air cells (210) is formed in the upper panel (200).

3. In paragraph 1, A cushion structure for preventing bedsores, wherein the interior of a plurality of air cells formed by mutually connecting the plurality of lower air cells (110) and the plurality of upper air cells (210) is filled with an elastic material.

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