AIR MATTRESS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-220068, filed on Dec. 16, 2024; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an air mattress.

BACKGROUND

Air mattresses that correspond to the back-raising function of beds have been known (JP2014-046042A).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a motorized bed unit provided with an air mattress according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the motorized bed unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the air mattress.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an air supply/exhaust system of the air mattress.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an air supply system of the sub mattress.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the mattress seen from the above.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an inclined angle of the sub mattress in a case where the air is supplied to the sub mattress.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a mattress cover in a case where the sub mattress has inflated seen from the front.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a corner portion of the mattress cover in FIG. 8 seen from the slanting front.

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the mattress cover in a case where a sub mattress has shrunk.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a regulating section provided to the corner portion of the mattress cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without these specific details (and without applying to any particular networked environment or standard).

As used in this disclosure, in some embodiments, the terms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, or comprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to an operational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, wherein the entity can be either hardware, or a combination of hardware and software in execution.

One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be an apparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by a software application or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein the processor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part of the software or firmware application. As yet another example, a component can be an apparatus that provides specific functionality through electronic components without mechanical parts, the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to execute software stored on a non-transitory electronic memory or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality of the electronic components. While various components have been illustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiple components can be implemented as a single component, or a single component can be implemented as multiple components, without departing from example embodiments. Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method, apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein is intended to encompass a computer-readable (or machine-readable) device or computer-readable (or machine-readable) storage/communications media having a computer program stored thereon. For example, computer readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications can be made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to mean serving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.

Embodiments described herein can be exploited in substantially any wireless communication technology, comprising, but not limited to, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), global system for mobile communications (GSM), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), enhanced general packet radio service (enhanced GPRS), third generation partnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE), third generation partnership project 2 (3GPP2) ultra mobile broadband (UMB), high speed packet access (HSPA), Z-Wave, Zigbee and other 802.XX wireless technologies and/or legacy telecommunication technologies.

In general, one aspect of the present application is an air mattress including a main mattress configured to support a body of a user, a sub mattress that is positioned below the main mattress, and a mattress controller configured to control internal pressure of the main mattress and the sub mattress. The sub mattress includes a head part air cell band configured to cause a cervical region of the user to bend forward, and a chest air cell band configured to lift a chest of the user from a back side of the user.

An air mattress according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a motorized bed unit provided with an air mattress according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the motorized bed unit.

A motorized bed unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is used in a care facility, a hospital, and a home, for example, and is configured to be able to electrically raise and tilt a backrest, an upper leg part, and the like, and be able to electrically operate the height of a bed 20. The motorized bed unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is illustrated in a simplified manner, in which illustration of a drive device for raising and tilting the backrest and the upper leg part, and changing the height of the bed 20 is omitted. In the embodiment, description will be made by indicating a head side and a foot side of a user H lying on the bed 20 as a front side and a rear side, respectively. The motorized bed unit 10 is provided with the bed 20, and an air mattress 50 provided to the bed 20.

The bed 20 includes a base frame 21 that is placed on a floor surface F, main frames 22 that are positioned above the base frame 21, and sections 23 that can be raised and tilted relative to the main frames 22. The two main frames 22 are provided apart from each other in a left-and-right direction (lateral direction) of the bed 20, and extend in a front-and-rear direction. The base frame 21 supports the main frames 22 via a lifting mechanism 25, for example. The main frames 22 can move in the up-and-down direction relative to the base frame 21 by a third drive device 33, which is described later.

The sections 23 include an upper surface, which is a placed surface of a mattress 52. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the sections 23 support the user H via the mattress 52. The sections 23 include a back section 23a, a seat section 23b, an upper leg section 23c, and a lower leg section 23d.

The back section 23a supports the head part of the back of the user H lying on the bed 20. The back section 23a can be raised and tilted by a first drive device 31, which is described later. FIG. 1 illustrates a state where the back section 23a is raised. The user H can eat and drink in the state illustrated in FIG. 1, for example. The seat section 23b is positioned on the rear side of the back section 23a. The seat section 23b supports the seat part or the buttocks of the user H lying on the bed 20.

The upper leg section 23c is positioned on the rear side of the seat section 23b. The upper leg section 23c supports the femoral region of the user H lying on the bed 20. The lower leg section 23d is positioned on the rear side of the upper leg section 23c. The lower leg section 23d supports the leg region of the user H lying on the bed 20. The upper leg section 23c and the lower leg section 23d can be raised and tilted by a second drive device 32, which is described later. FIG. 1 illustrates the state where the upper leg section 23c and the lower leg section 23d are bent.

Below the sections 23, a backrest mechanism that raises and tilts the back section 23a, an upper leg raising mechanism that raises and tilts the upper leg section 23c and the lower leg section 23d, the lifting mechanism 25 that lifts up and down the main frames 22 and the sections 23, and a bed controller 39 that controls an actuation of each mechanism, are provided.

The drive devices each including an electric cylinder, for example, actuate the backrest mechanism, the upper leg raising mechanism, and the lifting mechanism 25, respectively. The backrest mechanism actuated by the first drive device 31 raises and tilts the back section 23a. The upper leg raising mechanism actuated by the second drive device 32 bends the upper leg section 23c and the lower leg section 23d into a mountain fold state. The lifting mechanism 25 actuated by the third drive device 33 lifts up and down the main frames 22 and the sections 23. This adjusts the height of the bed 20 from the floor surface F to the sections 23.

A bed user interface device 35 serves as a remote controller for actuating the first drive device 31, the second drive device 32, and the third drive device 33. The bed user interface device 35 is connected to the bed controller 39 in a wired or wireless manner. The user H and a care giver can raise and tilt the back section 23a, the upper leg section 23c, and the lower leg section 23d, and change the height of the bed 20 from the floor surface F, by operating the bed user interface device 35.

The bed user interface device 35 includes, for example, a back raising button 35a, a back lowering button 35b, a leg raising button 35c, a leg lowering button 35d, an ascending button 35e, and a descending button 35f. The respective operation buttons may be a touch panel or the like. The bed user interface device 35 may include a display or the like that displays a state of the bed 20.

The back raising button 35a and the back lowering button 35b are for actuating the first drive device 31. The back raising button 35a is operated to extend a rod of the first drive device 31 for raising the back section 23a. The back lowering button 35b is operated to retract the rod of the first drive device 31 for lowering the back section 23a.

The leg raising button 35c and the leg lowering button 35d are for actuating the second drive device 32. The leg raising button 35c is operated to extend a rod of the second drive device 32 for raising the upper leg section 23c and the lower leg section 23d. The leg lowering button 35d is operated to retract the rod of the second drive device 32 for lowering the upper leg section 23c and the lower leg section 23d.

The ascending button 35e and the descending button 35f are for actuating the third drive device 33. The ascending button 35e is operated to extend a rod of the third drive device 33 for increasing the height of the sections 23. The descending button 35f is operated to retract the rod of the third drive device 33 for decreasing the height of the sections 23.

An angle sensor 37 detects an inclined angle of the back section 23a (back angle α) with respect to the horizontal direction. The angle sensor 37 detects, for example, a raising/tilting angle of the back section 23a with respect to the seat section 23b. The angle sensor 37 transmits the detected detection result to the bed controller 39.

The bed controller 39 is provided below the sections 23, for example. The bed controller 39 is connected to the bed user interface device 35. The bed controller 39 controls actuations of the first to third drive devices 31 to 33 based on the operation of the bed user interface device 35.

The bed controller 39 includes a memory 39a. Programs for actuating the first to third drive devices 31 to 33 are stored in the memory 39a. The bed controller 39 actuates the first to third drive devices 31 to 33 based on a command signal transmitted from the bed user interface device 35.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the air mattress.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an air supply/exhaust system of the air mattress.

The air mattress 50 is provided with the mattress 52 that supports the user H, a mattress controller 83, and a mattress user interface device 85. The mattress 52 is provided with a main mattress 60 that supports a body of the user H, and a sub mattress 70 that is positioned below the main mattress 60. In this example, the mattress 52 includes an urethane layer 55 (see FIG. 7) under the main mattress 60 and the sub mattress 70. The main mattress 60 is used in a case where body pressure of the user H is dispersed in a body pressure mode, which is described later. The sub mattress 70 is used in a head-up mode in a case where the user H has a meal, for example.

The main mattress 60 includes a plurality of air cells 60a arranged in the front-and-rear direction. In the air mattress 50, the internal pressure of the plurality of air cells 60a is controlled to allow the mattress 52 to have a preferred hardness of the user H. The plurality of air cells 60a of the main mattress 60 are classified into three systems of a first air cell group 61, a second air cell group 62, and a third air cell group 63.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the air cells 60a denoted by “A” indicate the first air cell group 61. The air cells 60a denoted by “B” indicate the second air cell group 62. The air cells 60a denoted by “C” indicate the third air cell group 63. The air cells 60a for each group have the same air supply/exhaust system. In other words, the similar internal pressure control is executed in the air cells 60a denoted by the same capital letter.

In this example, the air cells 60a of the main mattress 60 are arranged from the front side (head side) in the order of “A”, “B”, “C”, “A” . . . , but the order of the air cells 60a of the main mattress 60 is not limited thereto. The air cells 60a in which air supply/exhaust is executed together are arbitrary arranged, and are not necessarily arranged in a regular order. For example, for the comfortableness of the user H, the main mattress 60 is classified into the respective air cell groups so as to disperse the body pressure of the user H with high efficiency. In this example, the main mattress 60 is classified into three groups, but may be classified into two groups or four or more groups.

The sub mattress 70 is classified into a head part air cell band 71 and a chest air cell band 72. The head part air cell band 71 includes a first air cell 71a, a second air cell 71b, a third air cell 71c, a fourth air cell 71d, and a fifth air cell 71e. The chest air cell band 72 includes a sixth air cell 72a and a seventh air cell 72b.

The sub mattress 70 has the air-supplying system as one system. In other words, the air is supplied to the head part air cell band 71 (first to fifth air cells 71a to 71e) and the chest air cell band 72 (sixth and seventh air cells 72a and 72b) together. In this case, the sub mattress 70 is controlled so as to inflate the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b in this order.

The sub mattress 70 may have the exhaust system as one system or as different systems in the respective air cells. In this example, the sub mattress 70 has the same air supply/exhaust system. A specific configuration of the sub mattress 70 will be described later in detail.

A pump unit 80 is mounted below the sections 23 of the bed 20, for example. The pump unit 80 supplies and exhausts the air to and from the respective air cells 60a and the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b in the air mattress 50 to control the hardness of the respective air cells 60a and the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b. The pump unit 80 includes an air blowing section 81, a solenoid valve unit 82, and the mattress controller 83.

The air blowing section 81 supplies the air to the main mattress 60 and the sub mattress 70. Specifically, the air blowing section 81 supplies the air via the solenoid valve unit 82 to the respective air cell groups 61 to 63 in the main mattress 60 and the head part air cell band 71 and the chest air cell band 72 in the sub mattress 70. The mattress controller 83 controls the actuation of the air blowing section 81.

The solenoid valve unit 82 is positioned between the main mattress 60 and the sub mattress 70, and the air blowing section 81. The solenoid valve unit 82 includes a plurality of solenoid valves. The respective solenoid valves corresponding to the first to third air cell groups 61 to 63 and the sub mattress 70 are provided. The solenoid valve unit 82 includes an exhaust valve that exhausts the air in the respective air cells 60a and in the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b to the outside.

In a case where the air blowing section 81 is actuated when the solenoid valves are in an open state, the air from the air blowing section 81 is supplied to the air cells 60a or the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b. In a case where the air blowing section 81 is stopped when the solenoid valves and the exhaust valve are in an open state, the air in the respective air cells 60a and in the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b is exhausted. The mattress controller 83 controls the opening and closing operation of the respective solenoid valves and the exhaust valve.

The mattress controller 83 changes the internal pressure in the first to third air cell groups 61 to 63 to control the hardness of the mattress 52. The mattress controller 83 includes a memory 83a in which a control program for controlling the internal pressure in the first to third air cell groups 61 to 63 is stored. The mattress controller 83 supplies the air to the sub mattress 70 in a case where the head-up mode is executed. A control program for executing the head-up mode is stored in the memory 83a. The mattress controller 83 controls the actuation of the air blowing section 81 and the actuation of the solenoid valve unit 82 to supply the air to the main mattress 60 and the sub mattress 70.

The mattress controller 83 is connected to the mattress user interface device 85, which is described later, and controls the actuation of the air blowing section 81 and the opening and closing operation of the solenoid valve unit 82 based on a command signal from the mattress user interface device 85. For example, a control program based on a command signal from the mattress user interface device 85 is stored in the memory 83a.

The mattress controller 83 acquires a detection value of an air pressure sensor 84 that is provided to a duct connecting the air blowing section 81 and the solenoid valve unit 82 to each other. The air pressure sensor 84 detects internal pressure in the duct to detect internal pressure in the first to third air cell groups 61 to 63 and the sub mattress 70. The mattress controller 83 controls, based on the detection value of the air pressure sensor 84, the actuation of the air blowing section 81 and the opening and closing operations of the respective solenoid valves in the solenoid valve unit 82.

The mattress controller 83 has the body pressure mode in which the body pressure of the user H on the mattress 52 is dispersed, and the head-up mode in which the cervical region is bent forward in a case where the user H on the mattress 52 has a meal. A control program for the body pressure mode and a control program for the head-up mode are stored in the memory 83a. The body pressure mode and the head-up mode will be described later in detail. In this example, the bed controller 39 and the mattress controller 83 have been described as separate controllers but are not limited thereto, and the bed controller 39 and the mattress controller 83 may be configured as one controller.

The mattress user interface device 85 is a remote controller that is operated in order to change the internal pressure in the main mattress 60 and the sub mattress 70. The mattress user interface device 85 is connected to the mattress controller 83 in a wired or wireless manner. The user H and a care giver can change the internal pressure (hardness) in the first to third air cell groups 61 to 63 and the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b by operating the mattress user interface device 85.

The mattress user interface device 85 includes a body pressure mode button 85a that is operated for causing the mattress controller 83 to execute the body pressure mode, and a head-up mode button 85b that is operated for causing the mattress controller 83 to execute the head-up mode. The respective operation buttons may be a touch panel or the like. The mattress user interface device 85 may include a display or the like that displays states of the main mattress 60 and the sub mattress 70.

A body pressure sensor 86 is provided to the mattress 52. The body pressure sensor 86 detects a position of the user H on the mattress 52 and a sleeping posture of the user H. A detection value by the body pressure sensor 86 is transmitted to the mattress controller 83. The body pressure sensor 86 is provided if necessary.

In a case where the body pressure mode button 85a of the mattress user interface device 85 is operated, the mattress controller 83 executes the air supply/exhaust control of the first air cell group 61 to the third air cell group 63 of the main mattress 60 based on the control program for the body pressure mode stored in the memory 83a.

As one example, the mattress controller 83 firstly causes the air cells 60a in the first air cell group 61 to exhaust the air. This decreases the internal pressure in the air cells 60a denoted with “A” in FIG. 4. Next, after supplying the air to the air cells 60a in the first air cell group 61, the mattress controller 83 causes the air cells 60a in the second air cell group 62 to exhaust the air. This decreases the internal pressure in the air cells 60a denoted with “B” in FIG. 4.

Next, after supplying the air to the air cells 60a in the second air cell group 62, the mattress controller 83 causes the air cells 60a in the third air cell group 63 to exhaust the air. This decreases the internal pressure in the air cells 60a denoted with “C” in FIG. 4. The mattress controller 83 then supplies the air to the air cells 60a in the third air cell group 63. This can lower a contact pressure between the user H and the main mattress 60 to allow the body pressure of the user H to be dispersed as a result, so that bedsore can be prevented from occurring in the user H.

Next, the head-up mode that is executed in a case where the head-up mode button 85b of the mattress user interface device 85 is operated, and the sub mattress 70 to which the air is supplied in the head-up mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an air supply system of the sub mattress.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the mattress seen from the above. In FIG. 6, for convenience of explanation, the respective air cells 60a of the main mattress 60 are omitted.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an inclined angle of the sub mattress in a case where the air is supplied to the sub mattress.

Here, in a case where the user H on the bed 20 has a meal, it is important to raise the back section 23a to cause the user H to take an ideal swallowing posture. For the ideal swallowing posture on the bed 20, in addition to the use of a back raising function of the bed 20 in which the great trochanter of the user H is used as a rotation axis, it is also effective to perform head-up in which the inclination further increases from the back angle of the bed 20, from the vicinity of the thorax over the occipital region of the user H.

The head-up function for raising the head part of the user H in this manner can be implemented by inserting a positioning cushion under the head part of the user H, for example. However, because the back of the bed 20 is raised, there is a possibility that the positioning cushion drops, and the position of the positioning cushion is shifted.

There is also a possibility that the positioning cushion needs to be changed depending on the body height of the user H. It is difficult to cause the user H to take the ideal swallowing posture only by simply raising the head part of the user H. In order to cause the user H to take the ideal swallowing posture, his/her cervical region needs to bend forward.

In the embodiment, the sub mattress 70 is provided to the air mattress 50 so as to allow many users H who each use the air mattress 50 to take the ideal swallowing posture. The size and the arrangement of the sub mattress 70 are set so as to allow, for example, the user H having a body height equal to or higher than 145 cm and equal to or shorter than 185 cm to take the ideal swallowing posture. The embodiment can correspond to the body height other than the above by shifting the position of the sub mattress 70 in the front-and-rear direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an angel made by a line parallel to the back section 23a and a line connecting an ear part and a parietal region of the user H is set as a cervical region angle α. The sub mattress 70 is configured to cause the user H to take the ideal swallowing posture by setting the cervical region angle α to about 20 degrees, independent of the body height of the user H. Hereinafter, the sub mattress 70 for causing the user H to take the ideal swallowing posture will be described.

Firstly, the back raising button 35a of the bed user interface device 35 is operated to raise the back section 23a by equal to or greater than 30 degrees and equal to or less than 60 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. The angle of the back section 23a is set in accordance with a body state and a health state of the user H, for example. This can attain a raised state of an upper body of the user H on the bed 20. If necessary, by operating the leg raising button 35c of the bed user interface device 35, the upper leg section 23c and the lower leg section 23d may be raised. This angle equal to or greater than 30 degrees and equal to or less than 60 degrees for the back raising angle is assumed for the meal, and the angel range is not limited thereto from the viewpoint of a comfortable posture.

Next, the head-up mode button 85b of the mattress user interface device 85 is operated. This causes the mattress controller 83 to execute air supply to the sub mattress 70. The mattress controller 83 actuates the air blowing section 81 until the air pressure sensor 84 detects a predetermined pressure value.

For example, when only the head part of the user H is raised to result in a posture in which the head part is lifted up, there is a possibility that the ideal swallowing posture is not taken. The sub mattress 70 is configured to cause the cervical region and the head part of the user H to effectively bend forward, and be able to gradually raise the user H from the chest toward the head part side to prevent the user H from becoming painful.

Specifically, the sub mattress 70 includes the head part air cell band 71 that causes the cervical region of the user H to bend forward, and the chest air cell band 72 that lifts the chest of the user H from the back side of the user H. The chest air cell band 72 is positioned on the rear side of the head part air cell band 71. The sub mattress 70 is positioned below both of head parts H1 and H2, the head part H1 being for the user H having a high body height and the head part H2 being for the user H having a low body height (see FIG. 7).

The head part air cell band 71 includes five air cells of the first to fifth air cells 71a to 71e. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the first to fifth air cells 71a to 71e each have a width dimension smaller than a width (dimension in the left-and-right direction) of the main mattress 60.

The first air cell 71a and the second air cell 71b are disposed in a stacked manner in the up-and-down direction. The first air cell 71a is positioned on the second air cell 71b. An outer diameter of the first air cell 71a is as large as an outer diameter of the second air cell 71b. The first air cell 71a and the second air cell 71b each have an outer diameter of 100 mm, for example. The first air cell 71a and the second air cell 71b communicate with each other with a first communication hole 70a therebetween.

The third air cell 71c and the fourth air cell 71d are positioned on the rear side of the first and second air cells 71a and 71b, and are disposed in a stacked manner in the up-and-down direction. The third air cell 71c is positioned on the fourth air cell 71d. An outer diameter of the third air cell 71c, which is as large as an outer diameter of the fourth air cell 71d, is smaller than the outer diameter of the first air cell 71a. The third air cell 71c and the fourth air cell 71d each have an outer diameter of 64 mm, for example. The first air cell 71a and the third air cell 71c communicate with each other with a second communication hole 70b therebetween. The third air cell 71c and the fourth air cell 71d communicate with each other with a third communication hole 70c therebetween. The second air cell 71b and the fourth air cell 71d communicate with each other with a fourth communication hole 70d therebetween.

The fifth air cell 71e is disposed on the rear side of the third and fourth air cells 71c and 71d.

An outer diameter of the fifth air cell 71e is smaller than the outer diameter of the first air cell 71a, and is larger than the outer diameter of the third air cell 71c. The fifth air cell 71e has an outer diameter of 70 mm, for example. The fifth air cell 71e and the fourth air cell 71d communicate with each other with a fifth communication hole 70e therebetween. The fifth air cell 71e is connected to a main duct 74 extending from the pump unit 80. The first to fifth air cells 71a to 71e are fixed, for example, to a mattress cover 100 that covers the sub mattress 70.

The chest air cell band 72 includes two air cells of the sixth air cell 72a and the seventh air cell 72b. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the sixth and seventh air cells 72a and 72b each have a width dimension smaller than the first to fifth air cells 71a to 71e have.

The sixth air cell 72a is disposed on the rear side of the fifth air cell 71e. An outer diameter of the sixth air cell 72a is smaller than the outer diameter of the third air cell 71c. The sixth air cell 72a has an outer diameter of 60 mm, for example.

The seventh air cell 72b is disposed on the rear side of the sixth air cell 72a. An outer diameter of the seventh air cell 72b is smaller than the outer diameter of the sixth air cell 72a. The seventh air cell 72b has an outer diameter of 50 mm, for example. The sixth air cell 72a and the seventh air cell 72b communicate with each other with a sixth communication hole 70f therebetween. The seventh air cell 72b is connected to a branch duct 75 branching off from the main duct 74. The sixth and seventh air cells 72a and 72b are fixed to the air cells 60a of the main mattress 60 with a belt, for example.

The sub mattress 70 has the air-supplying system as one system. In this case, the head part air cell band 71 and the chest air cell band 72 are separated from each other. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the sub mattress 70, the fifth air cell 71e of the head part air cell band 71 is connected to the pump unit 80 through the main duct 74, and the seventh air cell band 72b of the chest air cell band 72 is connected to the main duct 74 through the branch duct 75.

This causes the air supplied from the pump unit 80 to flow into the fifth air cell 71e through the main duct 74, and to flow into the seventh air cell 72b through the branch duct 75 branching off from the main duct 74. In other words, the fifth air cell 71e and the seventh air cell 72b start to inflate together.

A volume of the chest air cell band 72 is smaller than a volume of the head part air cell band 71. In a case where the air is supplied to the sub mattress 70, the chest air cell band 72 is fully filled earlier than the head part air cell band 71. In other words, in the sub mattress 70, the chest air cell band 72 positioned on the rear side of the head part air cell band 71 inflates earlier.

The sub mattress 70 lifts the chest of the user H by the chest air cell band 72, and then causes the cervical region of the user H to bend forward by the head part air cell band 71. In this case, the head part air cell band 71 fully inflates in the order from the fifth air cell 71e, the fourth air cell 71d, the third air cell 71c, the second air cell 71b, to the first air cell 71a. In other words, the sub mattress 70 fully inflates gradually from the rear side (chest side) toward the front side (head side). This allows the sub mattress 70 to easily cause the user H to take the swallowing posture.

In this manner, the sub mattress 70 causes the user H to take the ideal swallowing posture by controlling the order in which the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b inflate. In such a case, a body weight of the user H is applied to the sub mattress 70 via the main mattress 60. For example, when the air in the chest air cell band 72 flows backward into the branch duct 75 due to the force to be applied to the chest air cell band 72, the inflated chest air cell band 72 may shrink. Moreover, in another air cell as well, it is not preferable that the inflated air cell shrinks to cause the air to flow into another air cell.

The first to sixth communication holes 70a to 70f that cause the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b to communicate with each other have different hole diameters. This controls the pressure in the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b, thereby preventing the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b from shrinking due to a force by the action of the user H.

Specifically, the first to sixth communication holes 70a to 70f have hole diameters in the descending order of the sixth communication hole 70f, the third communication hole 70c, the first communication hole 70a, the fifth communication hole 70e, and the second communication hole 70b and the fourth communication hole 70d (the sixth communication hole 70f>the third communication hole 70c>the first communication hole 70a>the fifth communication hole 70e>the second communication hole 70b=the fourth communication hole 70d). In other words, the sixth communication hole 70f that causes the sixth air cell 72a and the seventh air cell 72b of the chest air cell band 72 to communicate with each other has a hole diameter larger than the first to fifth communication holes 70a to 70e of the head part air cell band 71 have.

In the sub mattress 70, the fifth communication hole 70e that causes the fourth air cell 71d and the fifth air cell 71e of the head part air cell band 71 to communicate with each other has a hole diameter smaller than the sixth communication hole 70f that causes the sixth air cell 72a and the seventh air cell 72b of the chest air cell band 72 to communicate with each other has. This increases the resistance of the air flowing from the fifth air cell 71e into the fourth air cell 71d. As a result, before the air flows from the fifth air cell 71e into the fourth air cell 71d, the internal pressure in the fifth to seventh air cells 71e, 72a, and 72b rises. This prevents the backflow of the air from the chest air cell band 72 to the branch duct 75 due to the body weight of the user H, in the sub mattress 70.

In the head part air cell band 71, the third communication hole 70c that causes the fourth air cell 71d and the third air cell 71c to communicate with each other has a hole diameter larger than the fourth communication hole 70d that causes the fourth air cell 71d and the second air cell 71b to communicate with each other has. This causes the air in the fourth air cell 71d to be more likely to flow into the third air cell 71c than the second air cell 71b. As a result, in the head part air cell band 71, the third and fourth air cells 71c and 71d can inflate earlier than the first and second air cells 71a and 71b.

In this manner, the sub mattress 70 is configured to be able to gradually rise from the chest side toward the head side of the user H because the first to sixth communication holes 70a to 70f have different hole diameters. The sub mattress 70 may be configured to control the internal pressure in the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b by changing the number of the first to sixth communication holes 70a to 70f. The sub mattress 70 may be configured to control the internal pressure in the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b by changing both of the magnitude of the hole diameters and the number of the first to sixth communication holes 70a to 70f.

In order to end the head-up mode, the head-up mode button 85b of the mattress user interface device 85 is again operated. This causes the mattress controller 83 to make the exhaust valve of the solenoid valve unit 82 be in an open state, and execute the exhaust of the sub mattress 70. As a result, the sub mattress 70 shrinks.

Here, for example, in a case where the air is exhausted from the sub mattress 70, the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b overlap each other in the up-and-down direction. In such a case, the large unevenness on the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b may provide unpleasant feeling to the user H in the sleeping posture.

The first and second air cells 71a and 71b of the head part air cell band 71 have a shape in which two spherical bodies partially overlap each other as a whole, in an inflating state. In other words, the first and second air cells 71a and 71b have a shape of an ellipse having a narrow center portion, in the inflating state. A boundary portion between the first air cell 71a and the second air cell 71b is at a position recessed inward in the radial direction. The third and fourth air cells 71c and 71d are also configured similarly to the first and second air cells 71a and 71b. The head part air cell band 71 is fixed to the mattress cover 100, which is described later, so as to be pulled in every direction.

In a case where the air in the sub mattress 70 is exhausted, this can bring an upper end of the first air cell 71a and a lower end of the second air cell 71b, and an upper end of the third air cell 71c and a lower end of the fourth air cell 71d, into close contact with each other as soon as possible. As a result, the sub mattress 70 is configured to be thin as soon as possible in the exhaust state. The user H thus can take a comfortable sleeping posture without feeling the thickness (unevenness) of the sub mattress 70 when the sub mattress 70 is not used.

Next, one example of setting of outer diameters of the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b for causing the user H to take an ideal swallowing posture will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

In the sub mattress 70, two or more types of angles of an angle θ2 based on the head part air cell band 71 and an angle θ2 based on the chest air cell band 72 are set, thereby implementing a head-up of the user H. This increases the inclination of the sub mattress 70 in stages from the vicinity of the thorax toward the head part of the user H to allow the head-up of the user H in a natural way.

Firstly, a back angle θ1 of the bed 20 in a case where the user H has a meal is set to 45 degrees. In other words, the back angle θ1 serves as an inclined angle of the back section 23a. A necessary head-up angle θ2 is set to 45 degrees. In a case where the first and second air cells 71a and 71b have the largest outer diameter of 100 mm, for example, outer diameters of the third to fifth air cells 71c to 71e are calculated such that the angle θ2 made by a tangent line of the first air cell 71a and the third air cell 71c, and the back section 23a attains a target angle equal to or greater than 40 degrees and equal to or less than 50 degrees (preferably, 45 degrees). The outer diameter of the third air cell 71c and the fourth air cell 71d is 64 mm, for example, and the outer diameter of the fifth air cell 71e is 70 mm, for example. The outer diameters of the first to fifth air cells 71a to 71e are not limited this combination, but may be a configuration in which other diameters that can attain the target angle are selected.

Meanwhile, outer diameters of the sixth and seventh air cells 72a and 72b of the chest air cell band 72 need to be within a range that does not exceed the outer diameter of the adjacent fifth air cell 71e. In a case where the sixth and seventh air cells 72a and 72b each have a small outer diameter, there is a possibility that a support force that supports the body weight of the user H decreases. The sub mattress 70 aims to attain the head-up from the breast bone.

By using a breast bone midpoint position of the user H having a body height of 145 cm as a reference, outer diameters of the sixth and seventh air cells 72a and 72b are calculated such that an angle θ3 made by a tangent line of the sixth air cell 72a and the seventh air cell 72b, and the back section 23a attains a target angle equal to or greater than 5 degrees and equal to or less than 15 degrees (preferably, 10 degrees). The outer diameter of the sixth air cell 72a is set to 60 mm, for example. The outer diameter of the seventh air cell 72b is set to 50 mm, for example. The outer diameters of the sixth and seventh air cells 72a and 72b are not limited this combination, but may be a configuration in which other diameters that can attain the target angle are selected.

Setting the outer diameters of the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b of the sub mattress 70 in this manner can attain a cervical region angle α of about 20 degrees in a case where the back angle θ1 of the bed 20 is set to 30 degrees to 75 degrees for the user H having a body height of equal to or higher than 145 cm and equal to or shorter than 185 cm. The sub mattress 70 is configured such that after the chest of the user H is raised by the chest air cell band 72, the cervical region of the user H is caused to bend forward by the head part air cell band 71, so that it is possible to easily cause the user H to take the swallowing posture.

In the abovementioned an example, the target angle of the angle θ2 made by a tangent line of the first air cell 71a and the third air cell 71c, and the back section 23a is set to be equal to or greater than 40 degrees and equal to or less than 50 degrees, and the target angle of the angle θ3 made by a tangent line of the sixth air cell 72a and the seventh air cell 72b, and the back section 23a is set to be equal to or greater than 5 degrees and equal to or less than 15 degrees, but a combination of the target angles is not limited thereto. In a case where more comfortable swallowing postures (specially, set angles of head part/chest) have uncovered due to the progression of the examinations related to aspiration prevention care, it is possible to set target angles of the angles θ2 and θ3 in consideration of those, and select outer diameters of the first to fifth air cells 71a to 71e, the sixth air cell 72a, and the seventh air cell 72b that attain the target angles.

Next, the mattress cover 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 11.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a mattress cover in a case where the sub mattress has inflated seen from the front.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a corner portion of the mattress cover in FIG. 8 seen from the slanting front.

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the mattress cover in a case where a sub mattress has shrunk.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a regulating section provided to the corner portion of the mattress cover.

The air mattress 50 is further provided with the mattress cover 100 that covers the main mattress 60 and the sub mattress 70. The mattress cover 100 includes a main housing section 110 that houses the main mattress 60, and a sub housing section 120 that houses the sub mattress 70.

The main housing section 110 extends in the front-and-rear direction by corresponding to the sections 23 of the bed 20. Meanwhile, the sub housing section 120 is positioned at the front side (head side) of the main housing section 110, and positioned below the main housing section 110.

The air is supplied and exhausted to and from the sub mattress 70 to change the height of the air mattress 50. The sub housing section 120 has a shape that corresponds to the inflation and the shrinkage of the sub mattress 70.

The sub housing section 120 includes a front surface portion 121, side surface portions 123, and corner portions 125 each provided between the front surface portion 121 and each side surface portion 123. The corner portions 125 are provided on both left and right sides of the sub housing section 120. In the sub housing section 120, in a case where the sub mattress 70 has inflated, each corner portion 125 between the front surface portion 121 and each side surface portion 123 is recessed inward.

Each corner portion 125 includes an upper surface portion 125a, and a lower surface portion 125b that is opposed to the upper surface portion 125a in the up-and-down direction. As illustrated in FIG. 10, in a case where the sub mattress 70 has shrunk, the corner portion 125 is folded so as to bring the upper surface portion 125a and the lower surface portion 125b into contact with each other.

For example, in a case where the upper surface portion 125a and the lower surface portion 125b are pulled out outward, the corner portion 125 extends out from the sections 23 of the bed 20, and there is a possibility that the appearance becomes worse.

A regulating section 127 that regulates a rising amount X of the corner portion 125 is provided to the corner portion 125 by sewing. In a case where the sub mattress 70 has inflated, the regulating section 127 prevents the upper surface portion 125a and the lower surface portion 125b in the corner portion 125 from being pulled out outward. This allows the sub housing section 120 to attain reversible deformation with the inflation and shrinkage of the sub mattress 70. In other words, in a case where the sub mattress 70 has shrunk, the corner portion 125 is folded so as to oppose the upper surface portion 125a and the lower surface portion 125b to each other.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 11, the regulating section 127 has a diamond shape that is positioned on the center of the corner portion 125 and extends in the up-and-down direction. The regulating section 127 includes a first vertex 127a, a second vertex 127b, a third vertex 127c, and a fourth vertex 127d. The first vertex 127a is positioned on an upper end of the upper surface portion 125a. The second vertex 127b is positioned on a lower end of the lower surface portion 125b. The third vertex 127c and the fourth vertex 127d are positioned between (at a boundary of) the upper surface portion 125a and the lower surface portion 125b.

By adjusting the length of a dimension Z connecting the third vertex 127c and the fourth vertex 127d to each other, the regulating section 127 can set such the rising amount X that the corner portion 125 satisfies the reversible deformation. The rising amount X of the corner portion 125 is a height dimension from a lower end of the first air cell 71a to an upper end of the second air cell 71b when the first air cell 71a and the second air cell 71b are fully filled with the air. The dimension Z is positioned between (at a boundary of) the upper surface portion 125a and the lower surface portion 125b.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, and 11, the dimension Z is calculated by the following equations 1 and 2 in a case of the rising amount X of the corner portion 125 and a length dimension Y between the first vertex 127a and the second vertex 127b in the regulating section 127.

D = Y 2 - ( X 2 ) 2 [ Equation ⁢ 1 ] Z = ( D - Y ) 2 + ( Y - D ) 2 [ Equation ⁢ 2 ]

The dimension Z in the regulating section 127 is set by the equations 1 and 2. This allows the sub housing section 120 to reach the rising amount X while maintaining a state where the center portion is recessed inward, in a case where the sub mattress 70 has inflated. In a case where the sub mattress 70 has shrunk, the sub housing section 120 is folded so as to bring the upper surface portion 125a and the lower surface portion 125b into contact with each other. This can prevent the corner portions 125 in the sub housing section 120 of the mattress cover 100 from extending out from the sections 23 of the bed 20, and the appearance from becoming worse, in a case where the sub mattress 70 has shrunk.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the example in which the sub mattress 70 includes the first to seventh air cells 71a to 71e, 72a, and 72b has been described. However, the aspect of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and for example, the number of the air cells of the sub mattress 70 is not limited to seven. For example, the sub mattress may include more than seven air cells or less than seven air cells. The sub mattress may include, for example, the head part air cell band 71 having four air cells and the chest air cell band 72 having three air cells, the head part air cell band 71 having five air cells and the chest air cell band 72 having three air cells, or the head part air cell band 71 having five air cells and the chest air cell band 72 having one air cell.

The embodiment may include the following configurations.

(Configuration 1)

An air mattress comprising:

• • a main mattress configured to support a body of a user;
  • a sub mattress that is positioned below the main mattress; and
  • a mattress controller configured to control internal pressure of the main mattress and the sub mattress, wherein
  • the sub mattress includes
  • a head part air cell band configured to cause a cervical region of the user to bend forward, and
  • a chest air cell band configured to lift a chest of the user from a back side of the user.

(Configuration 2)

The air mattress according to configuration 1, wherein when air is supplied to the sub mattress, the chest air cell band is fully filled earlier than the head part air cell band.

(Configuration 3)

The air mattress according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the sub mattress has an air supply system as one system.

(Configuration 4)

The air mattress according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein

• • the head part air cell band includes a first air cell, a second air cell, a third air cell, a fourth air cell, and a fifth air cell, and
  • the chest air cell band includes a sixth air cell and a seventh air cell.

(Configuration 5)

The air mattress according to configuration 4, wherein

• • the first air cell and the second air cell are disposed in a stacked manner in an up-and-down direction,
  • the third air cell and the fourth air cell are positioned on a rear side of the first and second air cells and disposed in the stacked manner in the up-and-down direction,
  • the fifth air cell is disposed on the rear side of the third and fourth air cells,
  • the sixth air cell is disposed on the rear side of the fifth air cell, and
  • the seventh air cell is disposed on the rear side of the sixth air cell.

(Configuration 6)

The air mattress according to configuration 5, wherein

• • an outer diameter of the first air cell is as large as an outer diameter of the second air cell,
  • an outer diameter of the third air cell is as large as an outer diameter of the fourth air cell, and smaller than the outer diameter of the first air cell,
  • an outer diameter of the fifth air cell is smaller than the outer diameter of the first air cell, and larger than the outer diameter of the third air cell,
  • an outer diameter of the sixth air cell is smaller than the outer diameter of the third air cell, and
  • an outer diameter of the seventh air cell is smaller than the outer diameter of the sixth air cell.

(Configuration 7)

The air mattress according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, further comprising:

• • a sub housing section that houses the sub mattress, wherein
  • the sub housing section includes a front surface portion, a side surface portion, and a corner portion provided between the front surface portion and the side surface portion,
  • the corner portion includes an upper surface portion, and a lower surface portion that is opposed to the upper surface portion in the up-and-down direction, and
  • the corner portion is folded to bring the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion into contact with each other when the sub mattress has shrunk.

The aforementioned embodiments are examples embodying the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. For example, in the aforementioned embodiments, the present disclosure also includes additions, deletions, or modifications of some elements.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.