AT18530U1 - Slatted frame for a reclining and/or seating furniture - Google Patents

Abstract

Slatted frame (1) for a piece of reclining and/or seating furniture, comprising: - at least two zone elements (2), wherein at least one slat (3) is arranged on each of the zone elements, - a frame (4) for receiving the at least two zone elements (2), - at least one support means (5) arranged on the frame (4) for supporting the at least two zone elements (2) along a longitudinal extent (L) of the frame (4), - at least one electrically operated adjusting element (6) for adjusting the at least one support means (5), wherein a sinking depth of the reclining and/or seating furniture can be adjusted by adjusting the support means (5), and - a control device (7) for controlling and/or regulating the at least one adjusting element (6), wherein at least one sensor (8) is provided for determining a person's sleeping behavior, wherein the control device (7) is designed to control and/or regulate the at least one adjusting element (6) depending on the sleeping behavior determined by the at least one sensor (8).

Description

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Description

[0001] The invention relates to a slatted frame for a reclining and/or seating furniture, comprising:

- At least two zone elements, with at least one slat arranged on each of the zone elements,

- a frame for accommodating at least two zone elements,

- at least one support means arranged on the frame for supporting the at least two zone elements along a longitudinal extent of the frame,

- at least one electrically operated adjusting element for adjusting the at least one support means, wherein the sinking depth of the reclining and/or seating furniture can be adjusted by adjusting the support means, and

- a control device for controlling and/or regulating the at least one actuating element.

In addition, the invention relates to a method for adjusting the sinking depth of a lying and/or

Seating furniture with a slatted frame, preferably a slatted frame like this.

[0002] Such slatted frames are already well known in the prior art. For example, the applicant's own AT 521531 B1 discloses a slatted frame with multiple zone elements and a support element arranged on a frame for supporting the zone elements. The tension of the support element, and thus the flexibility and adaptability of the slatted frame, can be adjusted using an adjustment element controlled by a control element. This can be used to automatically adjust the flexibility and adaptability of the slatted frame, and thus the depth of sinking, using a sensor on the slatted frame that can detect a person's weight.

[0003] A disadvantage of the prior art is that actual sleeping behavior, which is a real indicator of a person's sleep quality compared to their weight, has no influence on the adjustment of the slatted frame.

[0004] The object of the invention is to at least partially remedy the disadvantages described above and to provide a slatted frame that is improved compared to the prior art and that can be adjusted to improve a person's sleep quality depending on their sleeping habits. Furthermore, a method for adjusting the sinking depth of a piece of reclining and/or seating furniture with a slatted frame, preferably such a slatted frame, is also to be provided.

[0005] This object is achieved by the features of independent claims 1 and 6.

[0006] According to the invention, at least one sensor for determining a person's sleeping behavior is provided in a slatted frame as mentioned above, wherein the control device is designed to control and/or regulate the at least one actuating element as a function of the sleeping behavior determined by the at least one sensor.

[0007] It has been shown that the depth of a reclining and/or seating piece of furniture has a significant influence on the quality of sleep of a person sleeping on it. With a slatted frame according to the invention, a person's sleeping behavior can be determined using a sensor. The depth of the sinking can then be adjusted via the adjusting element and the control device depending on the determined sleeping behavior in order to improve the person's sleep quality.

[0008] With regard to a method according to the invention, the following, successive

The following steps are planned:

- Determination of a person's sleeping behaviour over a predefined period of time, preferably of at least one night, with a predefined depth of the slatted frame,

- Adjustment of the depth of the slatted frame in a first direction,

- Re-determination of a person's sleeping behaviour over a predefined period, preferably of at least one night, at the adjusted sinking depth,

- Comparison of the determined sleeping behavior and determination of whether the adjustment of the sinking depth

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has brought about a change, preferably an improvement or deterioration, in the sleeping behavior, and - adjusting the sinking depth to the value at which the sleeping behavior was better.

[0009] Using such a method, the depth of sinking can be adjusted depending on the determined sleep pattern in such a way that the best possible sleep pattern is achieved. In other words, by adjusting the depth of sinking depending on the sleep pattern, a person's sleep quality can be improved or optimized.

[0010] Although the steps of a method according to the invention follow one another in the order stated above, it is conceivable that further steps may be performed between the aforementioned steps. The above-mentioned steps therefore do not have to be performed directly one after the other; only their order must be maintained overall.

[0011] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0012] The sleeping behavior of a person can be characterized by at least one, preferably by a plurality of different parameters to be detected by the at least one sensor.

[0013] For example, certain measurements may imply good sleep behavior and other measurements may imply poor sleep behavior.

[0014] If several parameters are used to characterise sleep behaviour, they can be weighted equally or differently with regard to their significance with regard to sleep behaviour.

[0015] Advantageously, it can be provided that the at least one sensor is designed to detect at least one of the following parameters:

- waking phases,

- REM sleep phase,

- light sleep phase,

- deep sleep phase,

- pulse,

- movements of a person,

- Oxygen content in the blood, and/or

- Sleep noises.

[0016] These parameters are advantageous in that they, alone or in combination, allow easy conclusions to be drawn about a person's sleeping behavior.

[0017] It can further be provided that the at least one sensor is a pulse sensor,

- acceleration sensor,

- Temperature sensor, especially skin temperature sensor,

- ECG sensor,

- motion sensor,

- pressure sensor,

- Blood oxygen saturation sensor, and/or

- Pulse oximeter

is.

[0018] By means of these sensors, the advantageous parameters described above can be determined in a simple manner.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, the at least one sensor can detect at least two of the above-mentioned parameters and/or several sensors are provided, in particular wherein the sensors are selected from the list of sensors mentioned.

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[0020] In one embodiment, it can be provided that the at least one sensor is arranged on the slatted frame and/or wherein the at least one sensor is arranged separately from the slatted frame, preferably in and/or on a device to be worn by a person.

[0021] A sensor arranged on the slatted frame can, for example, detect sleeping noises or movements of the person during sleep in order to detect restless sleep or the like.

[0022] Another advantage of sensors arranged on the slatted frame is that cost-effective standard sensors can usually be used, since there are no special requirements regarding size, environmental influences or the like.

[0023] A sensor arranged separately from the slatted frame makes it possible to record a wider range of parameters.

For example, it is conceivable to use a camera to record the person while they are sleeping and to use image processing to draw conclusions about the person's sleeping behavior.

[0024] However, it can be particularly preferably provided that the sensor, which is arranged separately from the slatted frame, is arranged in and/or on a device to be worn by a person. Such a device can be, for example, an electronic wristwatch (smart watch), a smart ring, or a finger sensor. Due to the immediate proximity of the at least one sensor to the person, a wide variety of parameters can be easily recorded.

[0025] In this embodiment, the device to be worn by a person can be in contact with the control device by means of wireless connection technologies, such as Bluetooth, and can transmit the determined parameters to the control device.

[0026] At least two sensors can also be provided, wherein one of the at least two sensors is arranged on the slatted frame and another of the at least two sensors is arranged separately from the slatted frame, preferably in and/or a device to be carried by a person.

[0027] This enables comprehensive measurement-based monitoring of the person and thus a comprehensive and meaningful determination of the person's sleep behavior.

[0028] With regard to a method according to the invention, it can be provided that the sleeping behavior of the person is determined at least before adjusting the sinking depth over a period of at least three, preferably consecutive, nights.

[0029] If sleep behavior is determined over several nights, sleep behavior can be assessed more meaningfully, since possible outliers in sleep behavior due to temporary influencing factors are less significant.

[0030] It is also conceivable that sleep behavior is determined over a period of at least three nights only before the first adjustment of the sinking depth. For subsequent sleep behavior determinations, the period may be less than three nights.

[0031] Preferably, it can be provided that, in the event of an improvement in the sleeping behavior, the sinking depth is adjusted further in the first direction in a further step and it is determined according to the method according to claim 6 whether the further adjustment of the sinking depth has brought about a change, preferably an improvement or deterioration, in the sleeping behavior.

[0032] It is therefore determined whether or not the sleeping behavior can be further improved by further adjustment in the first direction.

[0033] Preferably, it can also be provided that in the event of a deterioration in the sleeping behavior after the adjustment of the sinking depth in the first direction, in a further step, starting from the predefined sinking depth, the sinking depth is adjusted in a direction opposite to the first direction and it is determined according to the method according to claim 6 whether

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the further adjustment of the sinking depth has brought about a change, preferably an improvement or deterioration, in the sleeping behavior.

[0034] If the sleeping behavior improves after adjustment in the second direction, it can then be provided that in a further step the sinking depth is adjusted further in the second direction and it is determined according to the method according to claim 6 whether the further adjustment of the sinking depth results in a change, preferably an improvement or deterioration, in the sleeping behavior

[0035] If the adjustment of the sinking depth in a first direction leads to a deterioration of the sleeping behavior, it is determined whether or not the sleeping behavior can be improved by adjusting the sinking depth in a direction opposite to the first direction.

[0036] Particularly preferably, it can be provided that the method steps according to claim 8 and/or claim 9 are carried out iteratively until no further improvement in the sleeping behavior can be determined.

[0037] The sinking depth of the reclining and/or seating furniture can therefore be adjusted iteratively until no further improvement in sleep behavior can be observed, i.e., the sleep behavior worsens again upon further adjustment in the first or second direction (after a previous improvement) or remains unchanged. In this case, it can be assumed that the sinking depth prior to adjustment enables optimal sleep behavior for the respective person. This is therefore then set as the sinking depth.

[0038] Further details and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures and the drawings, in which:

[0039] Fig. 1a is a schematic plan view of a slatted frame,

[0040] Fig. 1b is a schematic side view of a slatted frame,

[0041] Fig. 2a-c are schematic representations of the adjustment of the sinking depth, and [0042] Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a method.

[0043] Fig. 1a shows a schematic plan view of a slatted frame 1 with several zone elements 2 arranged therein.

[0044] The zone elements 2 comprise two opposing, parallel support elements 2a (see Fig. 1b), which are spaced apart from each other. Connecting elements 2b are located on the support elements 2a. These connect slats 3 to the zone element 2. The connecting elements 2b can be made of an elastic material to support the flexibility of the slats 3 and to allow the slats 3 to be movable relative to the remaining zone element 2.

[0045] The slatted frame 1 comprises a frame 4 consisting of longitudinal sides 4a and transverse sides 4b. Additional reinforcing struts may also be arranged between the opposite longitudinal sides 4a and the opposite transverse sides 4b.

[0046] The zone elements 2 are connected to each other by means of longitudinal bracing means 9. The first and also the last link in the chain of zone elements 2 is connected to the frame 4—more precisely, to the transverse sides 4b of the frame 4—via further longitudinal bracing means 9.

[0047] Parallel to this, a support element 5 runs on both sides. The support elements 5 are each connected at a first end to the frame 4—more precisely, to the transverse sides 4b of the frame 4—and at their respective second end to an adjusting element 6.

[0048] The adjusting elements 6 are electrically operated and can, for example, be constructed in the manner of a cable winch. The support means 5, here in the form of a cable, can then be wound onto or unwound from a respective cable drum of the adjusting element 6 and thus tightened or loosened.

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[0049] It is also conceivable that the position of the second ends can be changed via the adjusting elements 6.

[0050] In principle, however, a person skilled in the art knows various designs of an actuating element 6, according to which the above-mentioned embodiments are to be regarded only as examples.

[0051] Transverse bracing means 10 are attached to the longitudinal sides 4a of the frame 4 and extend to the zone elements 2.

[0052] Furthermore, a sensor 8 arranged on the slatted frame 1 is visible. The position of the sensor 8 is only an example; sensors 8 can be mounted at various locations, for example, on the adjusting element 6, on the tensioning means 9, 10, or directly on the support means 5.

[0053] In addition, a device 8a to be worn by a person with a further sensor 8 is also visible. In this embodiment, the device 8a is designed as an electronic wristwatch (smart watch).

[0054] The sensors 8 can be a pulse sensor, an acceleration sensor, a temperature sensor, in particular a skin temperature sensor, an ECG sensor, a blood oxygen saturation sensor, and/or a pulse oximeter.

[0055] It is also conceivable that other types of sensors which can detect parameters for characterising sleep behaviour can be provided.

[0056] Of course, several sensors 8 can also be arranged on the slatted frame 1 and/or on the device 8a.

[0057] Fig. 1b shows a section through a longitudinal extension L of the slatted frame 1 in a side view. The support means 5 extends from the transverse side 4b to the opposite transverse side 4b on the other side of the slatted frame 1.

[0058] There, it is connected to an adjusting element 6. By a fixed connection of the support means 5 on one transverse side 4b and a movable fastening or an adjustable fastening on the opposite transverse side 4b, the tension on the support means 5 can be adjusted.

[0059] The support means 5 contacts zone rolling elements 11 and also frame rolling elements 12. Between each two frame rolling elements 12 there is a zone element 2 with at least two zone rolling elements 11.

[0060] The composite elements 2b with the slats 3 are arranged on the upper side of the support elements 2a.

[0061] Figures 2a to 2c show schematic representations of the adjustment of the sinking depth.

[0062] In Fig. 2a, it can be seen how the adjustment height of the zone elements 2 relative to a frame bottom edge 4c is higher than, for example, in Fig. 2b. Thus, the tension on the support means 5 is selected to be higher in Fig. 2a than in Fig. 2b, which affects the degree of freedom of the zone elements 2 and thus the sinking depth of the slatted frame 1.

[0063] Fig. 2c shows how the tension of the support element 5 was reduced so much that the zone elements 2 were lowered completely to the frame's lower edge 4c. A stop bar 4d could possibly be provided there, allowing the zone elements 2 to rest there.

[0064] The maximum hardness of the slatted frame 1, and thus the lowest sinking depth, would be achieved in that the support means 5 no longer has any influence on the zone elements 2 due to the lack of tension and the zone elements 2 rest unyieldingly on the stop bar 4d.

[0065] In this embodiment, the direction R1 points upwards and the opposite direction R2 points downwards. Adjusting the sinking depth in the direction R1 therefore results in an increase in the sinking depth, while adjusting the sinking depth in the

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towards R2.

[0066] Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of a method. Starting from a predefined depth of penetration, a person's sleep behavior is determined in a first step. This can be done within a predefined period of time. An example period would be one night, where a night is considered the period between falling asleep and waking up a person, and can thus vary in hours. In particular, it is also conceivable that the predefined period is three nights.

[0067] In a next step, the depth of penetration is adjusted in a first direction R1. The depth of penetration can be adjusted by a predefined value, for example, by 1 cm. In the present embodiment, adjusting the depth of penetration in the first direction R1 corresponds to an increase in the depth of penetration.

[0068] In the next step, sleep behavior is assessed again. The measured sleep behaviors are then compared to determine whether an improvement in sleep behavior has occurred.

[0069] If this is the case, the next step is to further adjust the sinking depth toward R1. The sleep pattern is then determined again and compared with the previous sleep pattern. This is repeated until no further improvement in sleep pattern can be determined, i.e., the sleep pattern worsens again (or remains the same) upon further adjustment toward R1. The previous sinking depth is then set as the optimal sinking depth.

[0070] If sleep behavior has worsened after the first comparison, the depth of sinking is adjusted toward R2. The sleep behavior is then determined again and compared with the previous sleep behavior. If sleep behavior improves, the depth of sinking is adjusted further toward R2. This is also repeated until no further improvement in sleep behavior can be determined, i.e., sleep behavior deteriorates again (or remains the same) upon further adjustment toward R2. The previous depth of sinking is then set as the optimal depth of sinking.

[0071] In this way, the ideal depth of sinking for the best possible sleeping behavior of a person can be determined in a simple way.

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LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 Slatted frame 2 Zone element 2a Support element 2b Composite element 3 Slat 4 Frame 4a Longitudinal side 4b Transverse side 4c Lower edge of frame 4d Stop bar 5 Supporting element 6 Adjusting element 7 Control device 8 Sensor 8a Device to be carried by person 9 Longitudinal bracing device 10 Transverse bracing device 11 Zone roller body

12 frame rollers

Claims (10)

A hes AT 18 530 B1 2025-09-15 Ss N Claims 1. Slatted frame (1) for a reclining and/or seating furniture, comprising: - at least two zone elements (2), wherein at least one slat (3) is arranged on each of the zone elements, - a frame (4) for receiving the at least two zone elements (2), - at least one support means (5) arranged on the frame (4) for supporting the at least two zone elements (2) along a longitudinal extent (L) of the frame (4), - at least one electrically operated adjusting element (6) for adjusting the at least one support means (5), wherein a sinking depth of the reclining and/or seating furniture can be adjusted by adjusting the support means (5), and - a control device (7) for controlling and/or regulating the at least one actuating element (6), characterized in that at least one sensor (8) for determining a sleep loss holding a person, wherein the control device (7) is designed to the at least one actuating element (6) in dependence on the signal from the at least one sensor (8) to control and/or regulate the sleep behavior determined. 2. Slatted frame (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor (8) is designed to detect at least one of the following parameters: - waking phases, - REM sleep phase, - light sleep phase, - deep sleep phase, - pulse, - movements of a person, - oxygen content in the blood, and/or - sleep noises. 3. Slatted frame (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one sensor (8) is a - pulse sensor, - acceleration sensor, - temperature sensor, in particular skin temperature sensor, - ECG sensor, - movement sensor, - pressure sensor, - blood oxygen saturation sensor, and/or - pulse oximeter. 4. Slatted frame (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one sensor (8) is arranged on the slatted frame (1) and/or wherein the at least one sensor (8) is arranged separately from the slatted frame (1), preferably in and/or on a device (8a) to be carried by a person. 5. Slatted frame (1) according to claim 4, wherein at least two sensors (8) are provided, wherein one of the at least two sensors (8) is arranged on the slatted frame (1) and another of the at least two sensors (8) is arranged separately from the slatted frame, preferably in and/or a device (8a) to be carried by a person. 6. Method for adjusting the depth of a reclining and/or seating furniture with a slatted frame (1), preferably according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the successive steps: - Determination of a person's sleeping behaviour over a predefined period of time, preferably of at least one night, with a predefined depth of sinking of the slatted frame (1), - Adjustment of the depth of the slatted frame (1) in a first direction (R1), - Re-determination of a person's sleeping behaviour over a predefined period, preferably of at least one night, at the adjusted sinking depth, - Comparison of the sleeping patterns determined and determination of whether the adjustment of the sinking depth has brought about a change, preferably an improvement or deterioration, in the sleeping patterns, and - Adjust the depth of sinking to the value at which sleeping behavior was better. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the sleeping behavior of the person is determined at least before adjusting the sinking depth over a period of at least three, preferably consecutive, nights. 8. Method according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein, upon an improvement in the sleeping behavior, in a further step the sinking depth is adjusted further in the first direction (R1) and it is determined according to the method according to claim 6 whether the further adjustment of the sinking depth has brought about a change, preferably an improvement or deterioration, in the sleeping behavior. 9. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein, in the event of a deterioration in the sleeping behavior after the adjustment of the sinking depth in the first direction (R1), in a further step, starting from the predefined sinking depth, the sinking depth is adjusted in a direction (R2) opposite to the first direction (R1) and it is determined according to the method according to claim 6 whether the further adjustment of the sinking depth has brought about a change, preferably an improvement or deterioration, in the sleeping behavior. 10. Method according to claims 8 and 9, wherein the method steps according to claim 8 and/or claim 9 are carried out iteratively until no further improvement in sleep behavior can be determined. 3 sheets of drawings