JP5206033B2 - Air cell and cushion, bed and chair provided with the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air cell of an anti-decubitus cushion that is placed on a seating surface of a wheelchair or a chair or a bed in a hospital and prevents an acne occurring on a seated person or a patient, and a cushion, a bed, and a chair provided with the same. is there.

In general, an air cell of this type of pressure ulcer prevention cushion has an air bag that is open at the lower end and capable of enclosing air therein, and supports the lower end of the air bag and closes the opening at the lower end of the air bag. A base member that forms an air chamber, a thin film portion that is elastically deformable in the vertical direction and forms at least a part of the bottom surface of the air chamber formed by the upper surface of the base member, A metal coil spring provided so as to extend upward from the upper surface side, and a switch provided on the lower side of the thin film portion and capable of detecting downward deformation of the thin film portion, with a predetermined amount of air bag When it is crushed more than the coil spring is pushed downward by the air bag, the deformation of the thin film portion by the coil spring is detected by the switch, Air bags are known which is detected that collapsed greater than a predetermined amount (for example, see Patent Document 1.).
Japanese Patent No. 4033357

  By the way, in the pressure ulcer prevention cushion for the seating surface having the air cell, when the seated person leans on the backrest, a force toward the front of the seating surface acts on the seated person's buttocks, and this force causes the air bag to sit on the seating surface. There is a case where it collapses so as to fall forward.

  On the other hand, in the air cell, since the air bag is crushed, a downward force is applied to the coil spring, and the deformation of the thin film portion by the coil spring is detected by the switch. Even when the air bag collapses so as to fall forward, the problem is that the deformation of the thin film portion is detected by the switch in the same manner as when the air bag collapses in the vertical direction, and it is not possible to specify how the air bag collapses. There was a point.

  Further, when the air bag is crushed so as to fall forward or to the side of the seating surface, a shearing direction force is applied between the seated person's buttocks and the air bag. This shear force has a considerable influence on the occurrence of pressure ulcers, and the applicant was able to obtain this phenomenon from experience.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to detect that the air bag is crushed larger than a predetermined amount, and also to detect how the air bag is crushed. An air cell that can be used and a cushion, a bed, and a chair provided with the air cell are provided.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an air bag having a lower end opened so that air can be enclosed therein, and a base member that supports the lower end side of the air bag and closes the lower end opening of the air bag. In the air cell in which an air chamber is formed by the air bag and the upper surface of the base member, and a plurality of air chambers are arranged on the seating surface or the bed so as to be aligned in a substantially horizontal direction, and the support object is supported by the air bag. A thin film portion that is elastically deformable in the vertical direction and forms at least part of the bottom surface of the air chamber formed by the upper surface of the base member, and is provided in the air chamber so as to extend upward from the upper surface side of the thin film portion. The formed elastic member that can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction, and a plurality of pressure-receiving members that are arranged below the thin film portion so as to be horizontally aligned with each other, and can detect the deformation of the thin film portion downward. And a child.

  Accordingly, the thin film portion elastically deformable in the vertical direction forms at least a part of the bottom surface of the air chamber, and the elastic member is formed so as to extend upward from the upper surface side of the thin film portion. Since a plurality of pressure receiving elements capable of detecting the downward deformation of the thin film portion are provided on the side, when the shape and rigidity of the elastic member are appropriately set, when the air bag collapses more than a predetermined amount, The elastic member is pushed downward by the air bag, the thin film portion is elastically deformed downward by a force applied to the elastic member, and a downward force is applied to each pressure receiving element by the deformation of the thin film portion. It is detected that the bag is crushed more than a predetermined amount. In addition, since the pressure receiving elements are provided below the thin film portion so as to be aligned in the horizontal direction, the direction of the force applied to the elastic member changes according to the collapse of the air bag and is applied to the elastic member. The deformation state of the thin film portion changes according to the direction of the force, and which pressure receiving element detects the deformation of the thin film portion changes according to the deformation state of the thin film portion. For example, when the air cell is provided on the seating surface and the two pressure receiving elements are arranged in the front-rear direction of the seating surface, if the air bag is crushed in the vertical direction, a downward force is applied to the elastic member. At the same time, when the deformation of the thin film portion is detected by both of the pressure receiving elements and the air bag is crushed toward the front of the seating surface, the elastic member is subjected to an obliquely downward force and the thin film portion is deformed downward. Is detected by one of the pressure receiving elements.

  In addition, since the cushion, bed and chair of the present invention are provided with the air cell, it is detected that the air bag has been crushed larger than a predetermined amount, and depending on how the air bag is crushed, Whether the downward deformation of the thin film portion is detected by the pressure receiving element is changed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect that the air bag is crushed more than a predetermined amount, and any pressure receiving element detects a downward deformation of the thin film portion depending on how the air bag is crushed. Since this changes, it is possible to detect how the air bag collapses, which is extremely advantageous in preventing the occurrence of pressure ulcers.

  1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a main part of a cushion, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a coil spring and a base member, FIG. 3 and FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a thin film part and a switch.

  The air cell 10 of the present embodiment includes an air bag 11 having an open lower end and a base member 12 to which an opening edge 11a of the air bag 11 is detachably attached (see FIG. 1). In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of air cells 10 of the present embodiment are arranged so as to be aligned in a substantially horizontal direction, and are placed on a seating surface of a wheelchair to softly support a seated person's buttocks. A pressure ulcer prevention cushion is constructed. The description of directions in the following text is based on the directions shown in FIG.

  The air bag 11 is made of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic, and can enclose air therein. The air bag 11 has a cylindrical portion 11b having a circular cross section extending in the vertical direction, and an upper end portion 11c formed so as to close the upper end of the cylindrical portion 11b. An opening edge 11a of the air bag 11 is formed at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 11b.

  The base member 12 is made of rubber or plastic and has a flat plate shape. The upper surface of the base member 12 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 12a that open upward, and the opening edge portions 11a of the air bags 11 are detachably attached to the mounting holes 12a. That is, the air bag 11 is supported at the lower end side by the base member 12 and the opening at the lower end is closed, and the air chamber AR is formed by the upper surface of the base member 12 and the air bag 11.

  A thin film portion 12b is formed integrally with the mounting hole 12a on the upper surface of the base member 12, and the thin film portion 12b constitutes a part of the bottom surface of the air chamber AR. It is also possible to form the thin film portion 12 b separately from the base member 12 and attach the thin film portion 12 b formed separately to the base member 12. Two upper protrusions 12c are formed integrally with the thin film part 12b on the upper surface of the thin film part 12b, and the upper protrusions 12c are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction of the seating surface. In addition, two lower protrusions 12d are formed integrally with the thin film part 12b on the lower surface of the thin film part 12b, and each lower protrusion 12c is disposed below each upper protrusion 12c. Each protrusion 12c, 12d is formed in a spherical shape. It is also possible to form the protrusions 12c and 12d separately from the thin film part 12b and from a different material, and to attach the protrusions 12c and 12d formed separately to the thin film part 12b.

  A hole 12e having a rectangular cross section is provided below the thin film portion 12b in the base member 12, and the hole 12e is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction. The hole 12e opens in the lower surface of the base member 12, and two switches 13 made of a known tact switch are attached in the hole 12f. When a downward force of a predetermined size or more is applied to the pressure receiving member 13a provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction, the switch 13 energizes the circuit in the switch 13 by the downward movement of the pressure receiving member 13a. It is detected that a downward force is applied to 13a. Further, the switches 13 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the seating surface so that the pressure receiving members 13a of the switches 13 are respectively disposed below the lower protrusions 12d of the thin film portion 12b. That is, when the thin film portion 12b is elastically deformed downward and the lower protruding portion 12d is moved downward, a downward force is applied to the pressure receiving member 13a, and the downward deformation of the thin film portion 12b is caused by the switch 13. Detected by.

  A metal coil spring 14 is placed on the upper surface of the base member 12 so as to be disposed in the air chamber AR. The coil spring 14 is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction, and is formed of a lower portion 14a, an intermediate portion 14b, and an upper portion 14c. Further, the lower portion 14 a is formed so that the winding diameter gradually decreases from the lower end side toward the upper end side, and the lower end thereof is fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the mounting protrusion 12 f provided on the upper surface of the base member 12. Yes. The attachment protrusion 12f is formed so as to extend upward from the upper surface of the base member 12. The intermediate portion 14b is formed so as to extend upward from the upper end side of the lower portion 14a and has a constant winding diameter. The upper portion 14c is formed so as to extend upward from the upper end of the intermediate portion 14b, and is formed so that the winding diameter gradually increases from the lower end side toward the upper end side. That is, the intermediate portion 14b and the upper portion 14c are disposed above the thin film portion 12b, and the intermediate portion 14b and the upper portion 14c are supported by the lower portion 14a so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Further, when a downward or horizontal force is applied to the intermediate portion 14b or the upper portion 14c, and the intermediate portion 14b and the upper portion 14c move, the lower portion 14a moves the intermediate portion 14b and the upper portion 14c to a predetermined position before moving. It is designed to urge toward the position.

  The cushion for preventing pressure sores on the seating surface having the air cell 10 as described above is covered with a cloth cushion cover (not shown) and used for supporting a seated person to be supported by being placed on the seating surface of a wheelchair, for example. Is done.

  Here, the thin film portion 12b that is elastically deformable in the vertical direction constitutes a part of the bottom surface of the air chamber AR, and the coil spring 14 is formed to extend upward from the upper surface side of the thin film portion 12b. Since each switch 13 capable of detecting the downward deformation of the thin film portion 12b is provided below the portion 12b, when the air bag 11 is crushed more than a predetermined amount in the vertical direction, the air bag 11 The upper portion 14c of the spring 14 is mainly pushed downward, the coil spring 14 is elastically deformed in the vertical direction, and the thin film portion 12b is moved downward by a part of the lower portion 14a of the coil spring 14 and the intermediate portion 14b. While being elastically deformed, the deformation is detected by each switch 13. That is, by appropriately setting the shape and rigidity of the coil spring 14, the configuration of each switch 13, and the like, the switch 13 can detect that the air bag 11 has been crushed more than a predetermined amount.

  Here, the thin film portion 12b is provided with two upper protruding portions 12c, and a lower protruding portion 12d is provided below each upper protruding portion 12c. That is, the range in which the protrusions 12c and 12d are provided in the thin film portion 12b is more rigid than the other ranges of the thin film portion 12b, and the upper protrusions 12c protrude upward from the other ranges of the thin film portion 12b. ing. For this reason, the lower portion 14a and the intermediate portion 14b easily come into contact with the upper protrusions 12c in the thin film portion 12b, and the force applied to the upper protrusions 12c in the thin film portion 12b is applied to other ranges of the thin film portion 12b. Bigger than. Even when the lower portion 14a and the intermediate portion 14b are similarly in contact with the other ranges of the upper protrusions 12c and the thin film portion 12b, the range where the upper protrusions 12c are provided is the other range of the thin film portion 12b. Therefore, the force applied to each upper protrusion 12c is greater than the force applied to the other range of the thin film portion 12b. Each upper protrusion 12 is equivalent to the load distribution part described in the claims.

  Further, since the switches 13 are provided so as to be aligned in the front-rear direction of the seating surface, the direction of the force applied to the coil spring 14 changes depending on how the air bag 11 is crushed, and the force applied to the coil spring 14 The deformation state of the thin film portion 12b changes in accordance with the direction of which the switch 13 detects which deformation of the thin film portion 12b is detected in accordance with the deformation state of the thin film portion 12b. For example, when the air bag 11 is crushed in the vertical direction, the coil spring 14 is applied with a substantially downward force, and substantially equal forces are applied to the upper protrusions 12c. 13 is detected. Further, when the seated person leans on the backrest, a force toward the front of the seating surface acts on the seated person's buttocks, and when the air bag 11 is crushed toward the front of the seating surface, the coil spring 14 heads obliquely downward. A switch in which a downward force is applied to the upper projecting portion 12c provided mainly on the front side of the seating surface among the upper projecting portions 12c, and the deformation of the thin film portion 14 is disposed on the front side of the seating surface. 13 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect that the air bag 11 has been crushed more than a predetermined amount, and depending on how the air bag 11 is crushed, any switch 13 causes the thin film portion 12b to be crushed. Whether the downward deformation is detected changes, and the manner in which the air bag 11 is crushed can also be detected, which is extremely advantageous in preventing the occurrence of pressure sores. For example, if it is detected that the air bag 11 is crushed obliquely downward, the detection result can be transmitted to the nurse center to correct the posture of the seated person and prevent pressure ulcers in the hospital. This is extremely advantageous.

  In addition, since each switch 13 is composed of a wide variety of tactile switches with general-purpose parts, it is advantageous in reducing the manufacturing cost, and also according to the space in which the switch 13 is disposed, the function required for the switch 13, and the like. The optimum tact switch can be selected, and the specification can be easily changed and the function can be finely adjusted.

  In addition, two upper protruding portions 12b are provided on the upper surface of the thin film portion 12b, and the lower portion 14a and the intermediate portion 14b of the coil spring 14 are easy to come into contact with the upper protruding portions 12c in the thin film portion 12b. Since the range in which the upper protrusions 12c are provided has higher rigidity than the other ranges of the thin film portion 12b, the force applied to each upper protrusion 12c in the thin film portion 12b is greater than the force applied to the other ranges of the thin film portion 12b. growing. Each lower protrusion 12d is provided below each upper protrusion 12c, and each switch 13 is provided below each lower protrusion 12d. That is, the force applied to the coil spring 14 from the air bag 11 can be reliably transmitted to the switch 13, which is extremely advantageous in improving the accuracy of detecting the amount of crushing and how the air bag 11 is crushed.

  Moreover, since each upper side protrusion part 12c and each lower side protrusion part 12d were integrally formed with the thin film part 12b, it is very advantageous when reducing manufacturing cost.

  In addition, since the pressure ulcer prevention cushion of the present embodiment includes the air cell 10, it can be detected that the air bag 11 is crushed more than a predetermined amount, and depending on how the air bag 11 is crushed, Since whether or not the switch 13 detects the downward deformation of the thin film portion 12 is different, how the air bag 11 is crushed can also be detected.

  In the present embodiment, the air cell 10 is configured so as to constitute a cushion for preventing pressure ulcers that are arranged on the seating surface by arranging a plurality of air cells 10 so as to be arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. It is possible to configure a cushion for preventing pressure ulcers that are arranged in a row and placed on the bed, and it is also possible to configure a bed, a chair, or the like provided with each air cell 10.

  In the present embodiment, the thin film portion 12b is provided with the upper protrusions 12c and the lower protrusions 12d. However, the lower protrusions 12d can be omitted. Even in this case, the lower portion 14a and the intermediate portion 14b of the coil spring 14 are easily in contact with the upper protrusions 12c in the thin film portion 12b, and the range where the upper protrusions 12c in the thin film portion 12b are provided is the range of the thin film portion 12b. Since the rigidity is higher than other ranges, it is possible to achieve the same effect as described above.

  It is also possible to omit each upper protrusion 12c. Even in this case, since the range in which each lower protrusion 12d is provided has higher rigidity than the other range of the thin film portion 12b, the force applied to the range in which each lower protrusion 12d is provided is less than that of the thin film portion 12b. It becomes larger than the force applied to other ranges.

  Furthermore, instead of providing the protrusions 12c and 12d, the rigidity of the thin film portion 12b in the range where the protrusions 12c and 12d are provided can be higher than the rigidity of the other ranges of the thin film portion 12b. Also in this case, the force applied to the range with increased rigidity is greater than the force applied to the other range of the thin film portion 12b.

  On the other hand, it is also possible to form the thin film portion 12b in a thin film shape having a uniform thickness over the whole without providing the thin film portion 12b with a protruding portion or a highly rigid portion. Even in this case, the direction of the force applied to the coil spring 14 affects the deformation state of the thin film portion 12b, and the switch 13 detects which deformation of the thin film portion 12b is detected. Can be achieved.

  In the present embodiment, two upper protrusions 12c are formed in the same shape, and two lower protrusions 12d are formed in the same shape. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the two upper protruding portions 12g are formed in different shapes, the lower protruding portions 12h are formed in the same shape, and the lower protruding portions 12h are respectively connected to the upper portions. It is also possible to arrange it below the protrusion 12g. In this case, the switches 13 are respectively arranged below the lower protrusions 12h, and the force applied to the positions A and B in FIG. 5 is detected by one switch 13, and the force applied to the position C in FIG. It is detected by the other switch 13. That is, the number of switches 13 can be reduced, which is advantageous in reducing manufacturing costs and space saving.

  In the present embodiment, the two switches 13 are arranged so as to be aligned in the front-rear direction of the seating surface. However, the two switches 13 may be arranged so as to be aligned in the width direction of the seating surface. It is also possible to arrange three or more switches 13 so as to be aligned in the horizontal direction.

  In the present embodiment, each switch 13 is constituted by a tact switch. However, a known piezoelectric element or pressure-sensitive conductive rubber can be used instead of the tact switch. Piezoelectric elements and pressure-sensitive conductive rubber can also detect downward forces, and can be used as pressure-receiving elements in the same way as tact switches. Furthermore, other pressure receiving elements can be used instead of the tact switch.

  In the present embodiment, the coil spring 14 extending upward from the upper surface side of the thin film portion 12b is shown. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to provide a probe 15 extending upward from the upper surface side of the thin film portion 12 b instead of the coil spring 14. The probe 15 is made of a rubbery elastic material and can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction. The lower end of the probe 15 is attached to the upper surface of the thin film portion 12b. Moreover, since the probe 15 is attached to the upper surface of the thin film part 12b, each upper protrusion part 12c becomes unnecessary. Even in this case, each switch 13 can detect that the air bag 11 has been crushed more than a predetermined amount, and any switch 13 can detect the downward deformation of the thin film portion 12b depending on how the air bag 11 is crushed. Whether the air bag 11 is crushed or not can be detected. Further, instead of the probe 15, another elastic member that can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction can be provided.

Side surface sectional drawing of the principal part of the cushion which shows one Embodiment in this invention Side sectional view of coil spring and base member Explanation of operation of coil spring, thin film part and switch Explanation of operation of coil spring, thin film part and switch Side surface sectional drawing of the base member which shows the 1st modification of this embodiment Side surface sectional drawing of the probe and base member which show the 2nd modification of this embodiment

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Air cell, 11 ... Air bag, 11a ... Opening edge part, 12 ... Base member, 12a ... Mounting hole, 12b ... Thin film part, 12c ... Upper protrusion part, 12d ... Lower protrusion part, 12g ... Upper protrusion part, 12h ... Lower protrusion, 13 ... Switch, 13a ... Pressure receiving member, 14 ... Coil spring, 14a ... Lower part, 14b ... Intermediate part, 14c ... Upper part, 15 ... Probe, AR ... Air chamber.

Claims (8)

An air bag formed so that the lower end is opened and air can be enclosed therein; and a base member that supports the lower end side of the air bag and closes the opening of the lower end of the air bag. In the air cell in which an air chamber is formed by the upper surface, and a plurality of the air chambers are arranged so as to be arranged in a substantially horizontal direction on the seating surface or the bed, and the support object is supported by the air bag,
A thin film portion that is elastically deformable in the vertical direction and constitutes at least part of the bottom surface of the air chamber formed by the upper surface of the base member;
An elastic member that is provided in the air chamber and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction and is formed to extend upward from the upper surface side of the thin film portion;
An air cell comprising: a plurality of pressure receiving elements that are provided below the thin film portion so as to be aligned in a horizontal direction, and that can detect downward deformation of the thin film portion. Each pressure receiving element is composed of a tact switch,
The air cell according to claim 1. The air cell according to claim 1, wherein each of the pressure receiving elements is constituted by a piezoelectric element. A load distribution part is provided in the thin film part,
When the downward force is applied to the thin film portion from the lower end side of the elastic member, the force applied to the load distribution portion of the thin film portion is larger than the force applied to the other range of the thin film portion. The air cell according to claim 1, 2 or 3. The air cell according to claim 4, wherein the load distribution portion is formed integrally with the thin film portion. A cushion comprising the air cell according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. A bed comprising the air cell according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. A chair comprising the air cell according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on a seating surface.

Images