JPH0810308Y2 - Air supply and discharge control device for air mat - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to an air supply / discharge control device for an air mat used as bedding for preventing bedsores and the like.

[Conventional technology]

The air mat is used as bedclothes for preventing bedsores, and encloses air in an air mat composed of a plurality of air-impermeable chambers to support the load of a lying person on the mat by the pressure of the air. The air mat has the feature that it disperses and absorbs the load of lying people,
Since high supporting pressure is not applied to a specific part of a lying person, the effect of preventing bedsores is produced.

FIG. 5 shows a conventional bedding having an air mat. FIG. 5 (I) is a plan view of the bedding, FIG. 5 (II) is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. III) is Y in the figure (I)
It is -Y sectional drawing. M in the figure is an air mat portion of this bedding, and a plurality of rod-shaped air enclosing chambers C are arranged side by side in parallel on a rectangular base material F, and these many air enclosing chambers C are Summarize every other, the entire system A
And the second system B are divided into two systems and the holding pressure is alternately replaced at intervals of several minutes. Note that G in the figure is an ordinary pillow provided in the bedding shown in the figure.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the air mat in use, where H is a lying person. At some point, air is injected into the air enclosing chamber of the first system A as shown in (I) of the figure, and is switched after a certain period of time, and pressure is applied to the air enclosing chamber of the second system B as shown in (II) of the diagram. Is supplied. In the figure, the blank air enclosure is the first system A and the hatched one is the second system B.

The above-mentioned method is said to have the effect of preventing pressure sores from occurring without disturbing sleep because the air-filled chambers evenly distribute the compression applied to the body and the compression sites switch with a reasonable time lag. There is.

As an air supply device for alternately changing the holding pressure in the air enclosing chambers of the first system A and the second system B, an air supply device is provided between air inlets and outlets of a plurality of air enclosing chambers and an electric pump that sends fluid to the air inlets and outlets. It is known that an automatic switching valve that alternately inflows and discharges a fluid at a constant cycle is provided (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 35-1894).

In addition, as a modification, a switch control unit is formed in the rotating portion of the switching valve, and a switch that is connected to this switch control unit and opens and closes the power supply thereof at a constant cycle so that the drive pump is driven only when air pressure is applied. A control device provided is also proposed (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-6106 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-18101).

[Problems to be solved by the device]

The products shown in the above-mentioned prior art examples have effects such as support pressure distribution and prevention of bed sores by switching to the compression region, and reduction of the number of times of falling asleep due to reduction of pressure feeling, but from the viewpoint of "creating a good night's sleep". Is in a situation where it cannot be said that the user's request is sufficiently satisfied. In other words, of the air enclosing chambers of the A and B2 systems, the pressure of the air enclosing chamber in the “exhausted” state becomes almost zero and separates from the body of the recumbent, so that the recumbent can see the “valley” under the body. There was a problem that I felt "" and impaired the sense of stability.

The present invention has been made to improve these points, and not only obtains the effect of preventing bed sores due to the dispersion of supporting pressure and the change of the compressed area, but also gives the lying person a "stability", which leads to a good sleep effect. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an air mat.

[Means for solving the problem]

The present invention has solved the above-mentioned problems, and a connection port of an air mat, which is composed of a plurality of air enclosures divided into two systems, to an air enclosure of each system and a connection port to an air pump. , And a rotary air switching valve having an exhaust port for the air discharged from the air sealing chamber, and the supply of the air sent from the air pump and supplied to the air sealing chambers of the two systems; In an air supply and discharge control device for an air mat that controls the discharge of air discharged from the air enclosing chamber, a simultaneous air that is provided in the rotating part of the air switching valve and can supply air to the air enclosing chambers of the two systems simultaneously. A supply mechanism, a pressure control valve connected to the exhaust port of the air switching valve, and an air switching valve that is provided adjacent to the rotating part of the air switching valve and detects the rotational position. Position detecting mechanism, and an air supply emission control device of the air mat, characterized in that it comprises a control unit for controlling the rotation stop of the air switching valve.

[Action]

In the present invention, the pressure adjusting valve provided at the exhaust port of the air switching valve does not make the pressure of the air-filled chamber in the “exhausted state” of the two-system air-filled chambers zero.
The pressure is maintained at a predetermined value that is lower than the pressure of the air-filled chamber of the other system in the air supply state. As a result, the air-filled chamber in the “exhausted state” will not separate from the body of a lying person, and the pressure is set to be lower than the pressure of the air-filled chamber in the air-supplied state. It is possible to give a recumbent a sense of stability without impairing the bedsore prevention effect.

The rotation position detection mechanism, the control unit, and the simultaneous air supply mechanism mainly act when the air mat is used. The rotation position detection mechanism is set to detect that the rotation position of the rotation part of the air switching valve is in a state in which air can be supplied to the two air enclosing chambers simultaneously, and the detection signal is sent to the control part. Sent out. In the control section,
When the detection signal from the rotation position detecting mechanism is received and the signal is the first time after the use of the air mat is started, the rotation of the air switching valve and the rotating portion is stopped for a predetermined time at that position, and the simultaneous air supply mechanism is provided. Air is simultaneously supplied to the two systems via the. When the detection signal is the second time or later, the signal is ignored and the air switching valve and the rotating portion are continuously rotated to supply the alternate air to the two systems. Due to the above, when starting to use the air mat, 2
Since air is supplied to both systems at the same time, even when the air mat is started to be used, it is possible to start using it without causing the pressure in one of the air enclosures to become zero, that is, without impairing the sense of stability. I can.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of an air supply / discharge control device for an air mat according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an air supply / discharge control device of this embodiment which is used by being connected to the conventional air mat shown in FIG. In the figure, 1 is a rotary air switching valve,
It has connection ports a and b, and is connected by pipes 6 and 7 to air enclosing chambers A and B divided into two systems. Further, it has a connection port p and is connected to the air pump 2 by a pipe 8. Further, an exhaust port e for discharging exhaust gas from the air enclosure is provided, and a pressure adjusting valve 22 is connected thereto.

The rotating portion of the air switching valve 1 is provided with a switch control portion 13 (a kind of cam) whose diameter is partially increased, and the rotation thereof causes a switch 5 installed near the air switching valve 1. (A kind of limit switch) is driven. The switch control unit 13 and the switch 5 constitute a rotational position detecting mechanism. The signal S ₂ from the switch 5 is an air switching valve rotation position signal and is sent to the control unit 4 through the signal line 9. The signal S ₁ is a drive motor rotation stop control signal for controlling the rotation of the air switching valve, and is sent from the control unit 4 to the drive motor 3 via the signal line 10.

The positional relationship between the switch control unit 13 and the switch 5 is set so that the signal S ₂ is generated when the rotational position of the air switching valve rotating unit is in the air supply state for both A and B systems at the same time. Then, only when the signal S ₂ is input for the first time after the start of use,
The air switching valve rotating part is stopped for a predetermined time T, and thereafter, a signal S ₁ for normal operation is sent. The time T is a time for sufficiently injecting air into the air enclosing chambers of both A and B systems.

The pressure adjusting valve 22 is configured to perform exhaust when the exhaust pressure from the air enclosure chamber is equal to or higher than the set value, and the set value is set to be lower than the air pressure in the air enclosure chambers A and B. Has been done.

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. In the figure, 11 is a frame, and the drive motor 3 connected to the control unit 4 is installed in this frame. Reference numeral 12 is a rotating portion of the air switching valve 1, and a switch control portion 13 for driving the switch 5 is provided around the rotating portion. Also, the rotating part
The spring 12 or the like is pressed against the fixed portion 14 of the air switching valve 1 fixed to the frame 11 by a spring 15 or the like to rotate while sliding. The fixed part 14 has the pipes 6, 7, 8
Connection ports a, b, p and an exhaust port e are formed for the air sealing chambers A, B, the air pump 2, and the pressure adjusting valve 2, respectively.
Connected with 2.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the fixed portion 14 of the air switching valve.
In the figure, a, b and p are connection ports to the pipes 6, 7 and 8, respectively, and e is a connection port to the pressure adjusting valve 22. Connection port a, b
Is an opening 16,1 formed on the same circumference centered on the rotation axis
7, the connection port p communicates with an opening 18 located on another circumference having a smaller radius than the circle, and the connection port e is connected to another circumference having a larger radius than the first circle. Located opening
It communicates with 19.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the rotating portion 12 of the air switching valve.
This is a portion that rotates in close contact with the fixed portion. Grooves 20 and 21 which are a combination of circular grooves, arcuate grooves, and linear grooves are formed on the lower surface of the rotating portion 12 so as to communicate with the openings 16, 17, 18, and 19. The openings 16, 17, 18 and 19 communicating with the grooves 20 and 21 are opened and closed according to the rotation of the rotating portion 12, and air is supplied to the first system air enclosure chamber A and the second system air enclosure chamber B.
Air is exhausted from each of the air enclosing chambers A and B. If the drive motor 3 is rotating at a constant speed, the first
Air supply and discharge to and from the system air encapsulation chamber A and the second system air encapsulation chamber B are executed at a constant time cycle, and the position of pressure on the lying person changes.

Here, by adjusting the shape of the switch control unit 13 provided on the rotating unit 12 and the mounting position of the switch 5 on the frame 11, the openings 16, 17, 18 in FIG.
Only when the signal S ₂ is generated when the positions of (a), (b), and (c) in the figure match, and the first signal S ₂ is sent from the switch 5 after the use of the air mat is started. If the controller 4 is adjusted so that the signal S ₁ for stopping the drive motor 3 is generated based on the detection signal S ₂ and the stopped state is held for T time and then released. At the start of use, the air will be supplied to the air enclosing chambers of both A and B systems at the same time. That is, the opening 1 in FIG.
The simultaneous air supply mechanism is constituted by the grooves 6, 17 and 18 and the groove 21 shown in FIG. The time T may be set in consideration of the capacity of the air filling chamber, the specifications of the air pump 2, and the like, with a sufficient sense of stability to set the time required to supply the air to start using the air mat. is necessary.

As described above in detail, the following effects are brought about by using the air supply / discharge control device of this embodiment.

(1) Other air enclosure chambers that are in the "air supply state" without zeroing the pressure of the air enclosure chamber that is in the "exhaust state" by the pressure adjusting valve provided at the exhaust port of the air switching valve It is possible to maintain a predetermined value lower than the pressure of, the air-filled chamber in the “exhaust state” will not be separated from the body of a lying person, and the bed sore prevention effect due to the change of the compressed region will not be impaired, It can give a lying person a "stability".

(2) Since air is supplied to both the A and B systems at the same time when the air mat is used, even when the air mat is used, the pressure in one of the air sealing chambers does not become zero, that is, the air mat " You can start using it without compromising the "stability".

(3) By giving a recumbent a sense of stability, a sleep effect can be obtained.

[Effect of device]

In the air supply and discharge control device of the air mat of the present invention, since the pressure adjusting valve is provided at the exhaust port of the air switching valve, the pressure of the air sealing chamber in the exhausted state does not become zero, and therefore, the person lying on the side does not have to do so. Give a sense of stability.

Also, since the rotation position detection mechanism of the air switching valve, the control unit, and the simultaneous air supply mechanism work, air is simultaneously supplied to the air enclosure chambers of both systems at the start of use, so the pressure in one system does not become zero. , Can be used without losing the sense of stability.

That is, since the air-filled chamber will not be separated from the body of a lying person over the entire usage time of the air mat, the effect of preventing bedsores due to changes in the compressed area is not impaired.
It can give a recumbent a sense of stability and provides a good sleep effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the above embodiment, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the fixing portion of the air switching valve of the above embodiment, and FIG. 4 is the above embodiment. 5 (I) is a plan view of a conventional bedding having an air mat, FIG. 5 (I) is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 1 (I), and FIG. III) is a sectional view taken along the line YY of FIG. 1 (I), and FIGS. 6 (I) and (II) are operation explanatory views of the air mat. 1 ... Air switching valve, 2 ... Air pump, 3 ... Drive motor, 4 ... Control part, 5 ... Switch, 6,7,8 ... Pipe, 9,10
... signal line, 11 ... frame, 12 ... rotating part, 13 ... switch control part, 14 ... fixed part, 15 ... spring, 16,17,18,19 ... opening, 20,
21 ... Groove, 22 ... Pressure regulating valve, a, b, p, e ... Connection port, A ... First
System air enclosure, B ... Second system air enclosure, C
… Air enclosure, F… Base material, G… Pillow, H… Lying person, M…
Air mat, S ₁ … Drive motor rotation stop control signal, S ₂ …
Air switching valve rotation position signal, T ... Stop state holding time.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Mamoru Tsuboi, 4-6-22 Kannon Shinmachi, Nishi-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Hiroshima Research Laboratory (72) Nobutaka Maeda 4-chome, Kannon Shinmachi, Nishi-ku, Hiroshima Prefecture 6-22 No. 22 Hiroshima Research Laboratory, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An air mat formed of a plurality of air enclosing chambers divided into two systems, a connecting port to an air enclosing chamber of each system, an air pump connecting port, and a discharge from the air enclosing chamber. The air supplied from the air pump to the air enclosing chambers of the two systems and the air discharged from the air enclosing chambers of the two systems. In the air supply and discharge control device of the air mat for controlling the discharge of the air, the simultaneous air supply mechanism that is provided in the rotating part of the air switching valve and can supply air to the air enclosing chambers of the two systems at the same time. A pressure adjustment valve connected to the exhaust port, an air switching valve rotational position detection mechanism that is provided adjacent to the rotating part of the air switching valve and detects the rotational position, and air. Air supply emission control device of the air mat, characterized in that it comprises a control unit for controlling the rotation stop of the valve.