JP2012034979A - Bed device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bed device capable of securing highly evaluated sleep in a falling-asleep feeling, that is, comfortable sleep for a user by promoting sleep latency without using any other large-scale device.SOLUTION: The bed device includes: a bed frame; a back bottom supported by the bed frame and capable of back lifting driving; a driving section that oscillates the back bottom vertically; a sleep latency determination section that determines the user's falling-asleep condition; and a control section that controls the driving section to perform a back lowering control so that a bed back lifting section becomes a second angle from a first angle when the sleep latency determination section determines that the user enters a sleeping condition.

Description

  The present invention relates to a bed apparatus for promoting falling asleep.

  Conventionally, various methods are known as a method for making it easy for a user who goes to bed to fall asleep (a method for changing to a sleep state at an early time after going to bed). For example, the bedclothes such as mattresses and pillows can be vibrated and pressure stimuli can be used to promote sleep, or the sound of music can be gradually reduced to facilitate sleep, and room lighting can be switched from direct to indirect lighting. There is known a method for promoting sleep falling by changing to, or reducing illumination. There is also known a method for encouraging a person to fall asleep by watching a relaxing video on a bed apparatus. In addition, a method of adjusting the posture of the bed apparatus so that the user can easily sleep after falling asleep is also known.

  These are combined with means (apparatus) for detecting the sleep state of the normal user, thereby reducing the illumination intensity or adjusting the volume according to the sleep state of the user. Furthermore, a device or the like intended to maintain a higher quality sleep state by adjusting the room temperature according to the user's sleep state or prompting to turn over is also known (for example, Patent Document 1). , See Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-73537 JP 2007-222227 A

  Here, in the conventional bed device, when adjusting sleep, air conditioning, and images to promote sleep, it is necessary to link not only the bed device but also lighting, air conditioning, etc. There was a problem that had to be installed or changed. Furthermore, since a large-scale facility relating to the entire room is required, there is a problem that it cannot be used when a plurality of users such as hospitals and nursing care facilities use the same room.

  Moreover, in the method of giving a pressure stimulus or vibration to the user or the method combined with watching TV, the stimulus may be too strong depending on the user and the user may wake up. In particular, elderly people have a problem that they cannot always promote sleep well.

  In addition, as in Patent Document 1, in the case of a product that lowers the angle of the bed when falling asleep, it is easy for the user to work because the bed is originally raised (for example, watching TV or reading). The posture is easy to maintain, and is not suitable for promoting falling asleep from the standpoint of posture. The bed raising angle at bedtime has risen to such an extent that television can be watched. At this angle, sleep is hindered, so that it is not suitable for falling asleep. Further, there is a problem that the larger the back raising angle, the higher the risk that a hand will be caught between the back floor portion of the bed and the bed frame when lowering the back.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention aims to promote sleep onset without using a large-scale other device, thereby ensuring a high subjective evaluation, that is, comfortable sleep for the user. It is to provide a bed device.

In view of the above-described problems, the bed apparatus of the present invention is
A bed frame,
A back bottom that is supported by the bed frame and that can be driven upside down;
A drive unit that swings the back bottom up and down;
A sleep determination unit for determining the sleep state of the user;
When it is determined by the sleep determination unit that the user has entered a sleep state, the bed back raising unit is controlled from the first angle to the second angle by controlling the drive unit to perform back-lowering control. A control unit to perform,
It is characterized by providing.

In addition, the bed apparatus of the present invention is connected to a body motion detection device that detects a user's body motion,
The sleep determination unit determines that the user has entered a sleep state based on the user's body movement detected by the body movement detection device.

Moreover, the bed apparatus of the present invention further includes a time measuring unit for measuring time,
The sleep determination unit determines that the user has entered a sleep state when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time measuring unit.

  In the bed apparatus of the present invention, the first angle is approximately 4 degrees or more and less than approximately 24 degrees, and the second angle is an angle that is approximately horizontal.

  In the bed apparatus of the present invention, the control unit is driven at a slower speed than the normal back-lowering control when performing the back-lowering control when it is determined that the user has entered the sleep state. It is characterized by controlling so that a part may operate | move.

  According to the present invention, in a bed apparatus having a bed frame, a back bottom that can be driven back-up supported by the bed frame, and a drive unit that swings the back bottom up and down, the user enters a sleep state. If it is determined, the back-lowering control is performed by controlling the drive unit so that the bed back raising portion is changed from the first angle to the second angle. Thereby, until the user enters the sleeping state from bedtime, the back-up angle is the first angle that is optimal for falling asleep, and when the user enters the sleeping state, the user has the second angle that is optimal for the sleeping state.

It is the figure which showed the whole sleep promotion system in this embodiment. It is a front view (sectional view) of the bed apparatus in this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the function structure of the bed apparatus in this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the back raising angle in this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st Example in this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the drive device (control regarding back raising) in this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the 2nd Example in this embodiment.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, as an example, a sleep promotion system 1 including a bed apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

[1. overall structure]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a sleep onset promoting system 1 in the present embodiment. In the sleep onset promoting system 1, the mattress 20 is placed on the floor portion of the bed apparatus 10, and the user P lies on the mattress 20.

  Further, a body motion detection device 30 for detecting the body motion of the user P is placed between the floor portion of the bed device 10 and the mattress 20. When the user P goes to bed, the body motion detection device 30 detects the body motion (vibration) of the user P via the mattress 20 and is transmitted to the bed device 10. Based on the detected body movement (vibration), an activity amount is calculated, and the sleep state of the user P is determined based on the activity amount.

  Here, the body motion detection device 30 is configured in a sheet shape so as to be thin in the present embodiment. Thereby, even if it is placed between the bed apparatus 10 and the mattress 20, it can be used without making the user P feel uncomfortable.

  Here, the schematic diagram (sectional drawing) seen from the front of the bed apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the bed apparatus 10 has a floor 50 supported by a bed frame 60. The mattress 20 is placed on the floor 50, and the bed apparatus 10 is configured.

  The floor portion 50 includes a back floor portion 52a and a back curved portion 52b configured as back raising portions, a waist floor portion 52c, a knee bed portion 52d and a knee curved portion 52e configured as knee raised portions, The floor 52f is connected in order.

  The back floor portion 52a and the waist floor portion 52c are connected by a bendable back curve portion 52b, and the knee bed portion 52d and the footbed portion 52f are connected by a bendable knee curve portion 52e. The waist floor 52c is fixed.

  The back floor portion 52a can be rotated so that the tip of the head side (left side in FIG. 2) is lifted, and can be rotated reversely so as to return horizontally, and swings around the back curve portion 52b side. To do. The knee bed part 52d rotates so that the tip of the knee bending part 52e side is lifted, and reversely rotates so as to return to the horizontal, and swings around the waist floor part 52c side.

  The back curved portion 52b and the knee curved portion 52e are formed by arranging a large number of rods in a comb shape parallel to each other and connecting the intervals between the rods so as to be variable. The entire back bending portion 52b and the knee bending portion 52e expand and contract in the connecting direction of the bars, and bend continuously and smoothly in the connecting direction of the bars.

  The back raising device 54 is a device that lifts the back floor portion 52a, and the knee raising device 56 is a device that lifts the knee floor portion 52d and the foot floor portion 52f. These devices operate as a driving device for driving the floor portion in order to change the posture of the user, and each floor portion is swung by the force of the built-in electric motor or actuator.

  The lifting device 62 is a device schematically shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 in order to make the floor portion 50 undulating. The elevating device 62 is provided on the base 70, and the height of the floor 50 can be changed up and down by using, for example, an electric motor.

[2. Functional configuration]
Next, the functional configuration of the bed apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the bed apparatus 10 includes a drive unit 200, a pinching detection unit 300, a sleep determination unit 400, a storage unit 500, an operation unit 600, and a timing unit 700. It is connected. In addition, the body motion detection device 30 is connected to the sleep determination unit 400.

  The control unit 100 is a functional unit for controlling the entire bed apparatus 10. The control unit 100 implements various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 500, and is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Process Unit).

  The driving device 200 is a functional unit for driving each floor portion in the bed device 10, and is realized by, for example, connecting a link to an electric actuator. For example, the back raising device 54 in FIG.

  Here, the driving device 200 can change the operation speed stepwise in the present embodiment. That is, the drive device can switch between a normal operation mode and a mode slower than the normal operation mode. The slow mode is characterized in that it has less vibration and less noise than the normal operation mode.

  Here, the back raising angle will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the floor 50 of the bed apparatus 10 as viewed from the side. FIG. 4A is a view showing a state where the back raising portions (the back floor portion 52a and the back curved portion 52b) are lifted. That is, a state in which the back angle θ is raised from this horizontal position is shown, and this angle θ is referred to as a back raising angle.

  FIG. 4B shows a horizontal state. The horizontal state of FIG. 4B is a state in which the angle formed by the back raising portion with the other floor portion is approximately 0 degrees, and the back raising angle is 0 degrees. That is, the horizontal state is an angle at which the user feels “horizontal”.

  The pinch detection unit 300 is a functional unit that detects that an obstacle is pinched between the bed frame and the floor when the floor is swung up and down by the driving device 200. For example, it detects that an object or a hand has been sandwiched between the bed frame 60 and the back floor 52 a and outputs a signal to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 stops the driving operation (back-lowering operation) by outputting a stop signal to the driving device 200.

  The sleep determination unit 400 receives the body motion information of the user from the connected body motion detection device 30, and determines whether the user is in a sleep state or an awake state based on the body motion information. It is a functional part. The body motion detection device 30 is a functional unit for detecting the movement of the user's body, and for example, detects by a vibration sensor.

  In the present embodiment, the sleep determination unit 400 determines the sleep state based on the body motion information of the body motion detection device 30 connected to the outside, but any method that can determine the sleep state of the user. Either method may be used. For example, the sleep state of the user may be determined using a pulse measuring device or a simple pressure sensor.

  The storage unit 500 is a functional unit that stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the bed apparatus 1. The storage unit 500 is configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like.

  In addition, the storage unit 500 stores an angle (such as a back-up angle) when the driving device 200 controls each floor. The driving device 200 may control each floor portion based on the angle stored in the storage unit 500 or may be controlled so as to have an angle stored in advance at the time of shipment.

  The operation unit 600 is a functional unit for receiving an operation from a user (user). As an example, a remote controller is connected, and the bed apparatus 10 is operated by an input operation by a user or the like. The operation unit 600 may be an input device having a display device (notification device) such as a liquid crystal display or LED, or may be an input device having a touch panel.

  The timer 700 is a function for measuring time. For example, when it is measured that the time set by the user has elapsed, a time measurement signal is output to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 executes a predetermined process when the time signal is input.

[3. Example]
Next, the flow of processing related to lowering the back (operation for promoting sleep) in the present embodiment will be described as an example with reference to the drawings.

[3.1 First Example]
First, as a first embodiment, a case where the body motion detection device 30 is used to determine whether or not the user has entered a sleep state (sleeped) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this case, the bed apparatus 10 may not include the timekeeping unit 700.

  First, as an initial state, the back floor 52a is raised up by the first angle (step S10). That is, at the start of the processing of the present embodiment, it is sufficient that the back floor portion 52a is raised by the first angle, and the timing may be, for example, that angle as an initial state or set by the user. It is also possible to make a transition from a state in which the user is placed on the bed apparatus 10 (mattress 20).

  Further, the back raising angle of the back floor 52a at this time is preferably 4 degrees or more and less than 24 degrees, and the optimum angle is around 10 degrees. If it is this range, it is good also as setting beforehand, and it is good also as a user being able to set arbitrary angles. However, the first angle is in a range not exceeding 25 degrees.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a sleep state has been entered (step S12). The sleep determination unit 400 determines the sleep state based on the body motion signal detected from the body motion detection device 30. For example, based on the body motion information detected in a predetermined time, it is determined that the user has entered a sleep state (sleeped).

  When the sleep state is entered (step S12; Yes), the back-lowering operation process is started (step S14). Here, the back-lowering operation is performed at a speed slower than the normal back-lowering speed (slow operation mode) from the first angle to the second angle. For example, when the back angle is lowered to “10 degrees” as the first angle and “0 degrees” (horizontal state) as the second angle, the lowering action is normally performed in about 3 seconds. Performs a back-lowering action over approximately 10 seconds.

  Then, when the back-lowering operation is completed (when the back-raising angle becomes the second angle), the processing of the present embodiment is terminated (step S16; Yes).

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, before entering the sleeping state, the back is raised to the first angle at which it is easy to enter the sleeping state, and when the user transitions to the sleeping state, it is easier to maintain sleep this time. Transition to the second angle will occur. Therefore, it is possible to provide a bed apparatus that is subjectively “comfortable to the user”.

  Further, by using the body motion detection device 30 to determine whether or not the sleep state has been changed, it is possible to determine a more accurate sleep state and to determine the timing for performing the back-lowering operation.

  In addition, by operating the back-lowering operation at a speed slower than the normal operation speed, not only the user's stimulation is reduced, but also the operation sound can be suppressed and the user is not awakened. Such an effect can be expected.

  As for the back-lowering operation process, the control (speed) for lowering the back may be constant, or may be controlled to be further delayed at the start and end of the operation. For example, in FIG. 6A, the back-up angle is reduced at a constant speed from 10 degrees to 0 degrees from time t1 to time t2. On the other hand, in FIG. 6B, from time t1 to time t2, the speed is further reduced in the vicinity of time t1 when the operation starts and in the vicinity of time t2 when the operation ends. As a result, vibrations at the start and end of the back-lowering operation can be suppressed, and the sleep state can be maintained without awakening the user at the start of the operation.

[3.2 Second Embodiment]
Next, the second embodiment will be described. 2nd Example demonstrates the case where the time measuring part 700 is used in order to determine whether the user entered the sleep state. In this case, the body motion detection device 30 may not be connected, and it is not necessary to place the body motion detection device 30.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment. The second embodiment has a configuration in which step S12 is replaced with step S20 in the processing of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and the same processing is denoted by the same reference numeral and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.

  That is, in the second embodiment, the time measuring unit 700 determines whether or not a predetermined time has come (step S20). When the predetermined time has elapsed, the user is considered to have entered a sleep state (step S20; Yes), and the back-lowering operation process is started (step S14).

  This is set in advance when the user knows the time to transition to the sleep state. For example, when it is known that the state transitions to the sleep state in about 15 minutes after going to bed, the back-lowering operation process is started after “15 minutes”. The time may be set in advance, but is preferably set by the user.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the back-lowering operation process is automatically started after a predetermined time without using a body motion detection device or the like. Compared with the first embodiment, the apparatus configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

[4. Subjective evaluation]
Subjective evaluation (measurement of sleepiness evaluation scale, etc.) for 12 healthy persons (2 females) who are not snoring frequently who have fully explained and obtained consent about the bed apparatus of the present invention )

  Note that the sleepiness evaluation scale is a standardized score calculated from the results of the sleepiness feeling questionnaire. The sleepiness survey form is a standardized survey form based on the following four items, which consists of the following nine items, and its reliability and validity are verified.

Q1: Was it short to sleep after entering the futon?
Q2: Did you dream when you fell asleep?
Q3: Didn't you fall asleep?
Q4: Don't you know when you fell asleep?
Q5: When you entered the futon, were you invited to strong sleepiness?
Q6: Did you roll a lot until you fell asleep?
Q7: Did you end up with a lot of sleep until you fell asleep?
Q8: Did you go to sleep as soon as you entered the futon?
Q9: Did you wake up immediately after sleeping?

  Each question is answered with one of four options: “very applicable”, “applicable”, “not applicable”, or “not applicable at all”.

  Moreover, as measurement conditions, the sleep at the measurement night and the night before measurement were ensured substantially the same, and sleep at night at home was evaluated. At this time, each subject was randomly enrolled for 4 nights under four conditions of 0, 10, 20 and 30 degrees for the back-up angle of the bed apparatus. In addition, the electric bed apparatus and the mattress used the thing by the Paramount bed company.

The following scores were used for subjective evaluation.
・ Score by factor according to OSA sleep questionnaire:
Sleepiness at sleep, sleep and sleep maintenance, dream, recovery from fatigue, sleep time

  As an analysis method, a one-way analysis of variance with repeated measurement was performed, and analysis was performed using the Tukey method between the back-up angle conditions. In addition, the analysis object excluded one person who had the measurement night in which the difference from the average total bedtime in an individual was 185 minutes among 11 persons mentioned above, and made 11 persons into an analysis object. There was no statistical difference in the total bedtime between the conditions of the back-up angle.

表１の主観評価を示した表であり、「起床時眠気」「入眠と睡眠維持」「夢み」「疲労回復」「睡眠時間」「入眠感評価尺度」につき、統計的に算出されたポイントを示している。 Table 1 shows the results of subjective evaluation.

It is a table showing the subjective evaluation of Table 1, and statistically calculated points for "wakefulness when waking up", "sleeping and sleep maintenance", "dream", "fatigue recovery", "sleeping time", and "sleepiness evaluation scale" Show.

  This point shows that the higher one is more effective. According to this Table 1, as a user's subjective evaluation, the numerical value is the highest in the vicinity of 10 degrees when looking at the “sleepiness evaluation scale”. If it exceeds 20 degrees, the point is low. That is, it can be read that it is easier to fall asleep subjectively (it is better to fall asleep) at 10 degrees than at 0 degrees (horizontal state). This can also be read by looking at the points of “sleeping and maintaining sleep”. However, when the back-raising angle exceeds 20 degrees, it can be seen that the points of both the “sleepiness evaluation scale” and the “sleepiness and sleep maintenance” tend to be low.

  On the other hand, the points of “sleepiness when waking up”, “recovery from fatigue”, and “sleeping time” are highest when the degree is 0 degrees (horizontal state). Thereby, before changing to a sleep state after going to bed (at the time of falling asleep), the back raising angle is set to less than 20 degrees, thereby providing a bed apparatus that is easy for many users to fall asleep. Even more preferably, the bed device can be in a sleep state with a high degree of satisfaction for many users even if the user's physique, the installation location of the bed device, and the environment such as temperature are different. Can be applied.

  Furthermore, when the user shifts to the sleeping state, the stable raising state can be maintained for the user by setting the back raising angle to the horizontal state (approximately 0 degree). Therefore, the user feels the most efficient and quality sleep.

[5. Modified example]
The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and the design and the like within the scope of the present invention are also within the scope of the claims. include.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the case where it entered into a sleep state was demonstrated, it is good also as controlling also at the time of awakening (at the time of awakening) combining further.

  For example, when waking up, the back-up angle is controlled to the first angle. By raising the back floor portion 52a, it is possible to promote awakening from a sleeping state.

  In the above-described embodiment, the electric motor and the actuator are used for the back-up (back-down) operation of the bed device. However, any other device that can implement the back-up (back-down) operation is available. Of course, this method (for example, a method of raising the back using an air mat or the like) may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sleeping promotion system 10 Bed apparatus 50 Floor part 52a Back floor part 52b Back curved part 52c Lumbar floor part 52d Knee floor part 52e Knee curved part 52f Foot floor part 60 Bed frame 62 Lifting apparatus 70 Base 100 Control part 200 Drive apparatus 300 Sandwiched detection unit 400 sleep determination unit 500 storage unit 600 operation unit 700 timing unit 20 mattress 30 body motion detection device

Claims (5)

A bed frame,
A back bottom that is supported by the bed frame and that can be driven upside down;
A drive unit that swings the back bottom up and down;
A sleep detection unit for determining the sleep state of the user;
When the sleep determination unit determines that the user has entered a sleep state, the drive unit is controlled so that the bed back raising portion changes from the first angle to the second angle, and the back-lowering control is performed. A control unit to perform,
A bed apparatus comprising: The bed apparatus is connected to a body movement detection device that detects a user's body movement,
The bed device according to claim 1, wherein the sleep determination unit determines that the user has entered a sleep state based on the body motion of the user detected by the body motion detection device. The bed apparatus further includes a time measuring unit for measuring time,
The bed device according to claim 1, wherein the sleep determination unit determines that the user has entered a sleep state when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time measuring unit.   4. The first angle according to claim 1, wherein the first angle is approximately 4 degrees or more and less than approximately 24 degrees, and the second angle is an angle in a substantially horizontal state. 5. Bed equipment.   When the control unit performs back-lowering control when it is determined that the user has entered a sleep state, the control unit performs control so that the driving unit operates at a slower speed than normal back-lowering control. The bed apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:

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