JPH049114A - Air mat system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate a useless pressure regulation and to suppress the generation of unnecessary driving sound by regulating an air pressure, only when both detected air pressures of pressure sensors corresponding to air tubes in shoulder and waist regions exceed a threshold value. CONSTITUTION:In a control means 20, a pressing means 9 or pressure-reducing means 11 is controlled according to the operation by a setting operation means 19 to regulate air pressures within respective air tubes separately; after the stop of operation, air pressures at the point of time stopping operation are separately stored as the set air pressures of respective air tubes; after the storage, threshold values based on respective set air pressures and the detected air pressures of corresponding pressure sensors 15a-15c are compared with each other; and the means 9, 11 are controlled on the basis of comparison results to regulate the air pressures within the air tubes separately. In the control means 20, further, the air pressure is regulated, only when both detected air pressures of the pressure sensors 15a, 15b corresponding to the air tubes in shoulder and waist regions exceed the threshold values.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an air mat system for automatically controlling the air pressure of an air mat that is made elastic by being filled with air.

[Prior Art] Conventional air mats, as seen in Utility Model Application Publication No. 1-152558, have simply filled the mat body with pressurized air, but it is now possible to automatically set the air pressure desired by the user. was completed.

Therefore, the present inventors formed the mat body using three air tubes corresponding to the shoulders, waist, and legs, and installed an air pump for pressurization, a solenoid valve for exhaust pressure reduction, and an air pressure inside each air tube. The pressure sensor is equipped with a pressure sensor for individually detecting the air pressure of each air tube, and a setting operation means for setting the air pressure of each air tube. We have already proposed an air mat system that automatically controls air pumps and solenoid valves by comparing the detected air pressure with a threshold value based on the set air pressure.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above air system, the pressure was adjusted simply by controlling depressurization and pressurization according to fluctuations in the air pressure inside the air tube. When the person sits down, the air pressure detected by the pressure sensor corresponding to the air tube becomes higher than when sleeping and exceeds a threshold value, and pressure reduction control is performed on the air tube.

However, seats do not last for a long time and are only a temporary load, so if the seats are removed, the pressure will be controlled and the original air pressure will return, resulting in unnecessary pressure adjustments. I can say that I was hurt.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the purpose of the present invention is to avoid pressure adjustment in response to fluctuations in air pressure such as when a temporary and local load is applied, such as when sitting on a stool. We provide an air mat system that adjusts the pressure only when there is pressure fluctuation in the air tubes in both the legs and waist and exceeds a threshold, eliminating unnecessary pressure adjustments and suppressing unnecessary drive noise. There is something to do.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention includes three air tubes corresponding to the leg region, the waist region, and the leg region, and a pressure source for sending pressurized air into each air tube. a pressure means, a pressure reducing means for exhausting and reducing the pressure of the air in each air tube, a pressure sensor for detecting the air pressure in each air tube, a setting operation means for setting the air pressure in each air tube, and the setting operation means. The air pressure in each air tube is adjusted individually by controlling the pressurizing means or depressurizing means according to the operation, and after the operation is stopped, the air pressure at the time the operation is stopped is stored separately as the set air pressure for each air tube. After this memorization, the threshold value based on each set air pressure is compared with the detected air pressure of the corresponding pressure sensor, and based on the comparison result, the above-mentioned pressurizing means or depressurizing means is controlled to individually adjust the air pressure in the air tube. In the air mattress system, the control means adjusts the air pressure only when the air pressures detected by the pressure sensors corresponding to the air tube in the leg region and the air tube in the waist region both have a threshold value. It uses a control means.

[Function] According to the present invention, when the air pressure detected by the pressure sensors corresponding to the air tubes in the leg and waist regions exceeds the threshold, that is, when there is an overall pressure fluctuation on the mat body, - pressure adjustment for temporary and localized seat loads is not possible.

[Example] The present invention will be explained below with reference to Examples.

Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment in which the air mat system of the present invention is used as a bed. Built into the bed 3, the mat main body 1 is installed on the bed base 3, and has three air tubes 4 corresponding to the sleeper's leg, waist, and leg regions, respectively.
a to 4C are housed and arranged side by side in a chip molded urethane back frame 8 whose upper and lower opening surfaces are covered with urethane plates 5 and 6, and covered with a quilted cover 7, Each air tube 4 is placed inside the frame 5.
Air flow pipes 14a to 14c connected to a to 4C are installed.

FIG. 3 shows the fluid circuit of the embodiment, and the pneumatic control device 2 includes an air pump 9 and electromagnetic valves 10a to 10c inserted into air flow passages connecting the air pump 9 and each air tube 4a to 4c. , an exhaust solenoid valve 11, an air filter 12 attached to the air pump 9, a muffler 13 attached to the exhaust solenoid valve 11, and solenoid valves 10a to 10c.
corresponding to air tubes 4a to 4c and solenoid valve 1.0.
pressure sensors 15a to 15c for detecting the pressure in the air flow passages connecting the air flow pipes 4a to 10c and detecting the air pressure in the corresponding air tubes 4a to 4C; Provided connectors 16a-1
Connectors 18a to 18c provided at the ends of the air flow pipes 1.7a to 17c from the electromagnetic valves 10a to 10c, respectively, are detachably connected to the connectors 6C.

FIG. 4 shows a basic schematic circuit configuration diagram of the pneumatic pressure control device 2 of the embodiment, and shows the setting operation means for individually setting the air pressure in each of the air tubes 4a to 4C and the assignment of each set air pressure P0. During the setting operation by the hand-operated operation section 19, which is equipped with a display means for displaying the range, and the setting operation means of the hand-held operation section 19, the solenoid valves 10a-10c, 11,
It outputs a control signal to control the air pump 9 to adjust the pressure, and also controls the display on the display means of the hand operation unit 19 to correspond to the air pressure P1 detected by the expansion pressure sensors 15a to 15c, and when the setting operation is stopped. The detected air pressure Pl of the pressure sensors 15a to 15c at the time of stopping is stored as the set air pressure P0, and then a threshold value based on the filled set air pressure P0 is compared with the detected air pressure P of the pressure sensors 15a to 15c to detect the difference. , based on the difference, the solenoid valves 10a to 10
C911, a control section 20 that outputs a control signal for controlling the air pump 9 and controls the display of the display means of the 5-hand operation section 19 based on the set air pressure P0; Valve 10a-1. Oc
, 11, consists of a drive section 21 that drives the air pump 9, and a power supply section 22 that supplies power to each section based on important signals from the control section 20.

The hand operation unit 19 serves as an operation means for each air tube 4a.
- Pressure push buttons 23al to 23c1. for increasing/decreasing the set air pressure P0 corresponding to 4C. Decompression push button 2
3a2 to 23C2, and as display means, five display elements L1 to L that divide the settable range of air pressure into five groups and display which range the set air pressure P0 or the detected air pressure P1 belongs to; The pressurizing push buttons 23a correspond to the respective air tubes 4a to 4b.

~23c, and depressurization push buttons 23az~23C2, the operation signals of each pushbutton 22a+, 22az~22c-++22cz are sent to the control unit 20, and the display signal from the control unit 20 is provided by hand operation. The signals are sent to the portion 19 through the pull 24, respectively.

In addition, the hand operation unit 19 is provided with an operation button 26 for instructing whether the main power supply is important, and a display element L0 for displaying the important state of the power supply.Similarly to the above, the operation signal and the display signal are transmitted through the cable. The information is exchanged between the control units 20 through 24. 25 is a connector for connecting between the hand operation section 19 and the control section 20.

The control unit 20 is actually composed of a one-chip microcomputer, and its functional circuit block is the fifth
As shown in the figure, A/D converters 27a to 27c convert analog electrical signals corresponding to the detected air pressure P from each pressure sensor 15a to 15c into digital signals, and the push buttons 23a+, 23a2 to 23a2 of the hand operation unit 19. 23c+, 23C
2 and the operation signal input unit 2 that receives operation signals from the operation buttons 26.
8, a signal processing unit 34, and a control signal output unit 35 that outputs the control signal created by the signal processing unit 34 to the outside,
A display signal output unit 36 that sends out the display signal created by the signal processing unit 34 to the outside, a memory 37 such as a ROM that stores dead width data (described later), calculations of the signal processing unit 34, and control operation programs; It also includes a memory 29 such as a RAM used for reading and writing set air pressure data and the like.

The signal processing section 34 controls the power supply section 22 according to the operation of the operation button 26.
Create a control signal or push button 23 a 1 +23
a2-23 c 1.23 An operation control signal creation function 33 that creates a control signal for controlling the air pump 9 and the solenoid valves 10a-10b, 11 in accordance with the operation of C2, and the push button 2 described above.
3 a++ 23 Set the value of the air pressure P of the pressure sensors 15a to 15c at the time when the operation of a2 to 23c+ and 23c2 is stopped. Close each air tube 4a
~4 (memory control function 30 that writes in the storage area of the memory 29 corresponding to and the important status of the power supply section 22 in the memory 29, and the set air pressure F written in the two memories after the setting is completed). threshold based on A/'
Detected air pressure P converted by D converters 26a to 26c
.

Air pump 9, solenoid valve 1 based on the difference
A control signal creation function 31 that creates control signals for controlling 0a to 10b and 11, and a display signal that creates display signals according to the importance of the power supply section 22, display signals that correspond to the set air pressure P0 and detected air pressure P, etc. The display control function 32 is equipped with a display control function 32.

Next, the operation of the entire air mattress system of the present invention will be explained.

First, when using it for the first time, connect the power supply part 2 to the power outlet.
In the power down state when plug 2 is not inserted, the RAM
No set air pressure data is stored in the memory 29 such as . Now insert the plug into the power outlet,
The control unit 20 is energized through the power supply unit 22, and the control unit 20 resets each unit to an initial state.

In this state, the display signal is sent to the hand operation unit 19 from the signal processing unit 3.
Since the display control function unit 32 of No. 4 does not send out the light, the display element L0 and each of L+ to L are in an off state.

Here, when the operation [26 of the hand operation section 19 is operated, the operation signal input circuit 27 of the control section 20 takes in the operation signal and writes the data of the power supply section into the memory 29. In this state, the display control function 32 sends a display signal to the hand operation unit 19 to turn on the display element Lo, and the display element Lo is turned on. When lit, the power supply section is displayed and the unit is in standby mode. In this state, each of the solenoid valves 10a to 10c and 11 is in a closed state.

Since the pressure inside each of the air tubes 4a to 4c of the air mat 1 is in a non-pressure state, the user presses the push buttons 23a to 2 on the pressure side.
3c, it is necessary to provide a pressurization operation signal to the control unit 20.

When, for example, the push button 23a is operated, the control unit 2° starts operating based on the manual operation routine shown in FIG. 6, and determines whether the pressed push button 23I is for pressurization or depressurization. The control unit 20 determined to be for pressurization sends a control signal for the air pump 9 and a control signal for opening the solenoid valve 10a, that is, a control signal for driving the pressurizing means, to the drive unit 21 based on the function of the operation control signal generation function 33. When the air pump 9 starts operating through the supply 5 drive unit 21, the solenoid valve 1 is activated at the same time.
Open 0a. Therefore, pressurized air is sent into the air tube 4a, increasing the internal pressure of the air tube 4a.

The internal pressure of the air tube 4a is continuously detected by the pressure sensor 15a, and based on the detected air pressure P1, the display control function 32 of the control section 20 displays a display element corresponding to the air tube 4a.

A display signal of P is sent to the hand-held operation unit 18, and the range to which the detected air pressure P belongs is displayed by lighting. The user pressurizes the mat body 1 until the desired air pressure is reached based on this display and the feeling when the user places his or her body on the mat main body 1.

Here, in the display of display elements LI~L, 5~
20g/c across wheel 2, 21g in t, z display
/c-2~35 gram” in L, ~L, 3
6g/ew+2~50g/eta'', L,~L4, 51g/c wheel 2~70g/cIm2, L1~L
5 shows 71 g/am2 to 120 g/cm2, respectively, and as described above, the control unit 20 sequentially displays the display elements 2. ~L
, lights up.

The width of this range setting is not evenly allocated, but is set to be equally spaced to give the softness that people feel.

Now, when the desired air pressure is obtained and the push button 23a is released, the operation control signal generation function 33 of the control section 20 is activated to stop outputting the control signal for the air pump 9, and stop the operation of the air pump 9. At the same time, the electromagnetic valve 10a is stopped and closed, and the air pressure inside the air tube 4a is maintained. At the same time, the control unit 20 writes and stores the detected air pressure P'+ of the pressure sensor 15a in the corresponding area of the memory 29 as the set air pressure P0.

Furthermore, if you feel that the air pressure is too high and too hard, you can operate the pressure reduction push button 23a2. In this case, the control unit 20 sends a control signal to the solenoid valves 10a and 11 as a pressure reduction means in response to the operation of the push button 23a2. is sent to the drive unit 21 to open the solenoid valves 10a and 11, and this opening exhausts the air in the air tube 4a to reduce the pressure. In addition, the display elements LI to L are controlled to turn off in accordance with this pressure reduction, and the data of the set air pressure P0 stored in the memory 29 is input by pressing the button 2.
When the push operation of 3a2 is released, the air pressure is rewritten to the air pressure at that time. In this way, the air pressure of each air tube 4a to 4c is sequentially set to the desired hardness corresponding to the shoulder value, waist value, and shoulder value, and each detected air pressure P is set as the set air pressure P0. Remember.

After setting the air pressure of each of the air tubes 4a to 4C in this manner so as to obtain the desired hardness, control shifts to an automatic pressure adjustment routine.

Next, the operation of this automatic pressure adjustment routine will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the control unit 20 determines whether the set air pressure P0 stored in the memory 29 belongs to the above-mentioned five ranges (level 1 (=1 to n)), and also controls the detected air pressure P1 for a certain period of time (20 sample every minute) and compare it with the set air pressure P stored in the memory 29 to find the pressure difference and check whether it is within the dead width ΔPi which is the threshold value set in advance and stored in the ROM 30. The determination is made, and if the insensible width ΔPi is exceeded, the camphor performs pressure reduction or pressure control to adjust the pressure. If it has not appeared, it is determined whether a new expansion force setting has been made by the above-mentioned manual operation routine, and if there is no new setting, the above-mentioned comparative judgment is successively carried out.

Here, the dead width ΔPi is the increase in air pressure due to temperature rise,
In addition to preventing air pressure control from being performed frequently in response to changes in air pressure due to fluctuations in atmospheric pressure, the mat itself
In order to prevent air pressure control in response to changes in air pressure caused by changes in load caused by people getting on and off the top, the setting is set within a range in which the human body does not feel any difference in stiffness based on sensory evaluation. The above 5, which divides the variable range of P,
The + side and - side correspond to each level i in the table below = 16
- The above comparison judgment is made based on this table, so the air pressure P1 detected by each of the pressure sensors 15a to 15c is sampled (sampling timing is indicated by a black dot), and the air pressure at that time is stored and set in the memory 29. Set air pressure P. The control unit 20 compares and determines whether the upper limit of the corresponding + side dead width ΔPil or the lower limit of the − side dead width ΔPi2 is as described above, and performs the pressure control described above. This is what we do. Of course each air tube 4
Control is performed separately for each of a to 4c.

When sitting on the bed here, it is on the foot side or center,
Considering that it is unlikely that a person will sit down for more than 30 minutes at the same time, and that the pressure in the air tubes 4a to 4C tends to be higher when multiplied by M than when lying down. Therefore, in order to prevent pressure adjustment from being carried out in such a seated state, the above-mentioned sampling interval is set, and the judgment result exceeds the dead width ^Pi three times in a row as shown in Fig. 8. Moreover, the pressure Pl in the air tubes 4a and 4b at the shoulder value and the waist value are both insensitive width APi.
The system outputs a control signal as described above to perform automatic pressure adjustment only when the pressure is exceeded.

In this case, when the detected air pressure P is outside the dead width ΔPi, 1 is added to the data in a predetermined area in the memory 30, and when it is within the dead width ΔPi, the data in the predetermined area is returned to O, thereby counting the number of detections. Count.

Incidentally, in order to prevent fluctuations in suitability, the above automatic pressure adjustment may be performed only when the judgment result exceeds the dead width ΔPi three times in a row as shown in FIG.

When sitting on the bed, the focus is on the feet, so
Considering that it is unlikely that a person will sit down for more than 30 minutes continuously at the same time, and that the pressure in the air tubes 4a to 4c tends to be higher when sitting than when lying down. In order to prevent the pressure from being adjusted in such a seated state, the above-mentioned sampling interval is set, and the judgment result is that the dead width ΔPi is exceeded three times in a row as shown in Figure 8. Both the pressure Pl in the air tubes 4a and 4b at the lower back region are insensitive width ΔPi
The system outputs a control signal as described above to perform automatic pressure adjustment only when the pressure is exceeded.

In this case, when the detected air pressure P1 is outside the dead width ΔPi, 1 is added to the data in a predetermined area in the memory 29, and when it is within the dead width ΔPi, the data in the predetermined area is returned to 0, thereby counting.

Now, in the above automatic pressure adjustment, when a control signal for pressure reduction is output, the solenoid valve 11 is opened and the solenoid valve 1 corresponding to the air tubes 4a to 4C to be depressurized is opened.
When 1a to llc are opened and pressure reduction is started, the control unit 20
continuously takes in the detected air pressure P of the pressure sensors 15a to 15c corresponding to the pressure reduction, and connects the corresponding air tubes 4a to 4a to
When the air pressure in 4c is below the upper limit above, it becomes a constant value (3g/
cm2), stop outputting the control signal,
The solenoid valve 11 and the corresponding solenoid valves 10a to 1°C are closed.

Similarly, in the case of pressurization, the air pump 9 is driven and the solenoid valves 11a to 11c corresponding to the air tubes 4a to 4c to be depressurized are opened to start pressurization.
0 is a pressure sensor corresponding to continuous pressurization 1.5 a~1
5c is taken in, and the air pressure in the corresponding air tubes 4a to 4c exceeds the above lower limit value to a constant value (
3g/cea''), the output of the control signal is stopped, the operation of the air pump 9 is stopped, and the corresponding solenoid valves 10a to 10c are closed.

In this way, it is determined based on the above conditions whether the upper limit of the dead width ΔPi is exceeded or the lower limit of the dead width ΔP2 is lower than the lower limit, and when the conditions are met, depressurization or pressurization control is performed to control the air tube. The air pressure in 4a to 4 to 20-C is maintained within the dead width ΔPi set around the set air pressure P0. Of course, control may be performed to return the air pressure to the set air pressure Po during the pressure adjustment.

The display element during the control operation of this automatic pressure adjustment,
The display of L2 maintains the display corresponding to the set air pressure P0, even if the actual air pressure in the air tubes 4a to 4c is the set air pressure P. The display does not change even if the value exceeds or falls below the range to which it belongs.

In other words, the upper air pressure appears to be unchanged, so that the user is not confused by the change in display.

By the way, a lower limit value (5g/c+w2) is set for each of the air pressures of the air tubes 4a to 4b, and when the air pressure drops to this lower limit value, the same control as the above-mentioned pressurization control is performed to lower the air pressure to 5 g. /cm2t. In other words, the set air pressure P for level 1. Even if the range of insensitivity width ΔPi2 for ΔPi2 includes values below the lower limit value, the lower limit value is always maintained when the lower limit value is exceeded.

Note that the above-mentioned manual adjustment can be replaced by automatic pressure adjustment (there is an upper limit for the pressurization operation, and when the air pressure reaches 120g7am, the control unit 20 automatically stops outputting the control signal for the air pump 9 and restarts operation. make it stop.

In addition, if the operation time continues for a certain period of time (for example, 30 minutes) by counting the time from the start of the pressurization/depressurization operation, the main power supply is turned off and the operation of the solenoid valves 10a to 10c and the air pump 9 is stopped. The control unit 20 is configured to send a flicker display signal to the hand operation unit 19 to stop the operation of the display device 11 and to blink the display element L0.

Now, after setting the air pressure corresponding to the desired hardness as described above, if the power is cut off, the air tube 4a~
4b is maintained by the closed state of the solenoid valves 10a to 10b, so when the power is turned on again, the control unit 20 controls the air pressure in the air tubes 4a to 4b detected by the pressure sensors 15a to 15c at this time. The air pressure P, is written in the memory 29 as the set air pressure P0, and thereafter the control state is entered by the above-mentioned automatic pressure adjustment routine.

[Effects of the Invention] In the air mat system configured as described above, the present invention provides the control means that when the detected air pressures of the pressure sensors corresponding to the air tube at the shoulder region and the air tube at the waist region both have a threshold value, Since we used a control means to adjust the pressure only when the air pressure detected by the pressure sensor corresponding to the air tube at the shoulders and waist exceeds the threshold, or when there is a change in the overall pressure of the mat body The pressure is adjusted only when the load is applied, and the pressure is not adjusted in response to the temporary and localized load caused by sitting on the seat.This eliminates unnecessary pressure adjustment, resulting in less noise caused by drive noise, and quietness is required. This has the effect of satisfying the conditions of the bedroom.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the mat main body of the above, Fig. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of the same, and Fig. 4 is a fluid circuit diagram of the same. , Fig. 5 is a conceptual circuit configuration diagram of the control section of the above, Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the manual operation routine of the above, Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the automatic pressure adjustment routine of the above, and Fig. 8 is a sampling operation of the same as the above. It is a waveform diagram for explanation. 1 is a mat main body, 2 is an air pressure control device, 4a to 4c are air tubes, 9 is an air pump, 10a to 10c are solenoid valves, 11 is an exhaust solenoid valve, 15a to 15c are pressure sensors,
Reference numeral 19 indicates a hand-held operation unit, and 2o indicates a #* unit. Agent: Patent Attorney Ishi 1) Voluntary action to write an amendment to the 7th procedure) June 7, 1990 1, Indication of the case 1990 Patent Application No. 114357 2, Name of the invention Air Mat System 3, Person making the amendment Related Patent Applicant Address 1048 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Name (58
3) Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd. Representative Toshio Miyoshi 4, Agent postal code 530 5, Date of amendment order Voluntary

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Three air tubes corresponding to the shoulder region, waist region, and leg region, a pressurizing means for sending pressurized air into each air tube, and a decompression means for exhausting and decompressing the air in each air tube. , a pressure sensor that detects the air pressure in each air tube, a setting operation means that sets the air pressure in each air tube, and a pressure increase means or depressurization means that is controlled according to the operation by the setting operation means to adjust the air pressure of each air tube. The air pressure in each tube is adjusted individually, and after the operation is stopped, the air pressure at the time the operation is stopped is stored separately as the set air pressure for each air tube. After this storage, the threshold value based on each set air pressure and the corresponding pressure sensor are detected. In the air mat system, the air mat system includes a control means for comparing the air pressure with the air pressure and controlling the pressure means or the pressure reduction means based on the comparison result to individually adjust the air pressure in the air tube. An air mat system characterized by using a control means that adjusts the air pressure only when the air pressures detected by the pressure sensors corresponding to the air tube and the air tube in the waist region both have a threshold value.