JP7773181B2 - bed - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bed in which a movable part can be driven by an operating part.

Reclining beds, which allow the back and thighs of a reclining person to be raised and the height to be adjusted, have traditionally been widely used, primarily in hospitals and nursing care facilities.

In conventional reclining beds, a back support base that supports the back of a person lying down and a thigh support base that supports the thighs of a person lying down are arranged so that they can be raised or lowered relative to the support base, and movable parts are provided between the support base and the back support base or thigh support base.

The user (such as a recumbent person or a caregiver) operates the operation buttons on the operation unit to drive the movable unit and tilt the back support and thigh support relative to the support base, so that the tilt angle of the back support and thigh support is the desired angle (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-141437

In the conventional beds described above, the operating unit can independently drive each movable part, such as the back support and thigh support, to raise or lower the back support or thigh support individually to the desired tilt angle. Alternatively, the operating unit can drive multiple movable parts in conjunction with each other to raise or lower the back support and thigh support simultaneously to the desired tilt angle.

However, with conventional beds, if a malfunction occurs in the drive of the moving parts, the user must refer to the instruction manual, which is not necessarily stored near the bed, which can make it difficult to respond quickly when a malfunction occurs.

Therefore, in the present invention according to claim 1, in a bed in which the movable part can be driven by an operating part, a display screen is provided on the operating part, and when a malfunction occurs in driving the movable part, an error code and a method for dealing with the malfunction are simultaneously displayed on the display screen , and a vibration generator is provided on the operating part, and when a malfunction occurs in the movement of the movable part, the vibration generator is vibrated, and when multiple operating buttons on the operating part are operated simultaneously for a predetermined period of time in succession, the vibration settings of the vibration generator can be changed .

The present invention achieves the following effects:

In other words, in this invention, in a bed in which the movable part can be driven by an operating unit, a display screen is provided on the operating unit, and if a malfunction occurs in the operation of the movable part, the display screen simultaneously displays an error code, along with how to deal with the malfunction or the name of the part where the malfunction occurred, allowing for a quick response when a malfunction occurs.

In particular, a vibration generator is provided in the operating unit, and if a malfunction occurs in the movement of the movable part, the vibration generator vibrates, allowing the user to immediately recognize the malfunction when using the operating unit.

In addition, the vibration pattern of the vibration generator is changeable, allowing the user to change to the desired vibration pattern.

In addition, since it has multiple vibration patterns and any of them can be selected, the user can select the desired vibration pattern.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a bed according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the movable states of a plurality of movable parts. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a movable state of a movable part.

The specific configuration of the bed according to the present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in Figure 1, bed 1 has a support platform 3 mounted on top of base 2 so that it can be raised and lowered, and a support platform 4 for supporting the body of a person lying down is mounted on top of support platform 3. For convenience, the foot side of a person lying down on bed 1 will be referred to as the front side, and the head side as the rear side.

The support base 4 is composed of a buttocks support base 5 that mainly supports the weight of the reclining person's buttocks (supporting the reclining person's buttocks from below), an upper body support base 6 that mainly supports the weight of the reclining person's upper body (above the buttocks) (supporting the reclining person's upper body from below), and a lower body support base 7 that mainly supports the weight of the reclining person's lower body (below the buttocks) (supporting the reclining person's lower body from below).

The buttocks support 5 is fixed horizontally in the approximate center of the support base 3. The buttocks support 5 may also be rotatable relative to the support base 3.

The upper body support 6 is pivotally attached at its front end to the rear of the support base 3 (behind the buttocks support 5) so that it can be raised and lowered relative to the support base 3 and buttocks support 5.

This upper body support 6 is divided into a back support 8 that primarily supports the weight of the reclining person's back (spine) below the shoulders (scapulae) (supporting the reclining person's back (spine) below the shoulders (scapulae) from below), and a shoulder support 9 that primarily supports the weight of the reclining person's shoulders (scapulae) and above the shoulders and head (supporting the reclining person's shoulders (scapulae) and above the shoulders and head from below). The shoulder support 9 not only supports the reclining person's head but also the shoulders (scapulae), but it is not limited to this and may be configured as a headrest that only supports the reclining person's head.

The upper body support 6 pivots so that the front end of the back support 8 can rotate up and down, behind the buttocks support 5 of the support base 3. This allows the back support 8 to be raised and lowered relative to the support base 3 and buttocks support 5. The upper body support 6 also pivots so that the front end of the shoulder support 9 can rotate up and down, to the rear end of the back support 8. This allows the shoulder support 9 to be raised and lowered together with the back support 8 relative to the support base 3 and buttocks support 5, and can also be raised and lowered relative to the back support 8.

The lower body support base 7 is pivotally attached at its rear end to the front of the support base 3 (forward of the buttocks support base 5) so that it can be raised and lowered relative to the support base 3 and buttocks support base 5.

This lower body support 7 is divided into a thigh support 10, which is primarily used to support the weight of the thighs of a reclining person (supporting the thighs from below), and a lower leg support 11, which is primarily used to support the weight of the lower legs of a reclining person (supporting the lower legs from below).

The rear end of the thigh support 10 of the lower body support 7 is pivotally attached to the support base 3, further forward than the buttocks support 5, so that it can rotate up and down. This allows the thigh support 10 to be raised and lowered relative to the support base 3 and buttocks support 5. The rear end of the crus support 11 of the lower body support 7 is pivotally attached to the front end of the thigh support 10 so that it can rotate up and down. This allows the crus support 11 to be raised and lowered together with the thigh support 10 relative to the support base 3 and buttocks support 5, and can also be raised and lowered (flexibly bent) relative to the thigh support 10. The rear end of the crus support 11 moves together with the front end of the thigh support 10, and the front end moves along the top surface of the support base 3.

Moving units 18, 19, and 20, consisting of actuators 12, 13, and 14 and interlocking mechanisms 15, 16, and 17, are connected to the back support 8, shoulder support 9, and thigh support 10, respectively, for independently raising and lowering them relative to the support base 3. Each actuator 12, 13, and 14 is composed of a motor 21, 22, and 23 and a rod 24, 25, and 26 that can be moved forward and backward by the motor 21, 22, and 23. Furthermore, each interlocking mechanism 15, 16, and 17 is configured so that the back support 8, shoulder support 9, and thigh support 10 rotates up and down as the rods 24, 25, and 26 of each actuator 12, 13, and 14 move forward and backward.

A movable part 29 consisting of an actuator 27 and interlocking mechanism 28 for raising and lowering the support base 3, which supports the back support 8, shoulder support 9, and thigh support 10, is connected to the support base 3. Here, the actuator 27 is composed of a motor 30 and a rod 31 that can be moved back and forth by the motor 30. The interlocking mechanism 28 is configured so that the support base 3 is raised and lowered by the forward and backward movement of the rod 31 of the actuator 27.

The movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 (actuators 12, 13, 14, and 27) are connected to the control unit C, and the motors 21, 22, 23, and 30 are driven and controlled according to a program stored in the control unit C.

Sensors 32-35 are connected to the control unit C to detect the extension of the rods 24, 25, 26, and 31 of each actuator 12, 13, 14, and 27. Note that sensors 32-35 may also be built into the actuators 12, 13, 14, and 27.

The control unit C is also connected to an operation unit 36 and various sensors (for example, sensors that detect the standing angle of each receiving base 8, 9, 10 and the height of the support base 3). The standing angle of each receiving base 8, 9, 10 and the height of the support base 3 may be calculated from the extension of rods 24, 25, 26, 31 of actuators 12, 13, 14, 27.

As shown in Figure 2, the operation unit 36 has a first operation button 37 for driving the multiple movable parts 18, 19, and 20 in a linked manner, a second operation button 38 for driving each movable part 18, 19, 20, and 29 independently, and a third operation button 39 for changing the operating mode of the multiple movable parts 18, 19, and 20 when the first operation button 37 is operated, all on the same surface (here, the front).

The operation unit 36 also has a liquid crystal display screen 40 on the same surface as the first to third operation buttons 37 to 39, and is internally provided with a sound generator 41 and a vibration generator 42. Note that here, the third operation button 39 is different in size from the other first and second operation buttons 37, 38, but this is not limited to this, and the color or shape may also be different. Furthermore, the sound generator 41 is not limited to one that generates sounds such as beeps, and may also generate voice.

The first operation button 37 includes a standing operation button 43 for raising the back support 8 and tilting the shoulder support 9 and thigh support 10, thereby causing the back support 8, shoulder support 9, and thigh support 10 to operate in unison (a cooperative operation); and a lowering operation button 44 for lowering the back support 8 and raising the shoulder support 9 and thigh support 10, thereby causing the back support 8, shoulder support 9, and thigh support 10 to operate in unison (a cooperative operation).

The second operation buttons 38 include an operation button 45 for raising the support base 3 (receiving base 4), an operation button 46 for lowering the support base 3 (receiving base 4), an operation button 47 for independently raising the back support base 8, an operation button 48 for independently lowering the back support base 8, an operation button 49 for independently raising the shoulder support base 9, an operation button 50 for independently lowering the shoulder support base 9, an operation button 51 for independently raising the thigh support base 10, and an operation button 52 for independently lowering the thigh support base 10.

The third operation button 39 includes an operation button 53 for switching to a linked mode in which the multiple movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 are linked together with a preset operation (an operation preset by the bed manufacturer before shipping the bed) when the first operation button 37 is operated, and an operation button 54 for switching to a memory mode in which the multiple movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 are linked together with an operation newly added by the user (an operation set after shipping the bed) that differs from the preset operation (an operation preset by the bed manufacturer before shipping the bed) when the first operation button 37 is operated.

For example, if operation button 53 is operated to switch the operating mode to linked mode, operating first operation button 37 will cause the back support 8 to reach tilt angle A4 at time t2, maintain that state until time t3, and then be driven and controlled to reach tilt angle A5 at time t4, as shown by the solid lines in Figure 3; the shoulder support 9 to reach tilt angle A1 at time t1, and maintain that state until time t4; and the thigh support 10 to reach tilt angle A3 at time t1, and then reach tilt angle A0 at time t2, maintain that state until time t3, and then be driven and controlled to reach tilt angle A2 at time t4.

When the operation button 54 is operated to set the operating mode to memory mode, operating the first operation button 37 causes the back support 8 to reach tilt angle A6 at time t2, maintain that state until time t3, and then be driven and controlled to reach tilt angle A7 at time t4, as shown by the dashed-dotted line in Figure 3, while the shoulder support 9 and thigh support 10 are driven and controlled in the same way as in linked mode.

Note that while the above description has been given for a case in which only the movement of the back support 8 is newly added and set by the user, this is not limited to this; the shoulder support 9 and thigh support 10 can also be newly added and set by the user in a similar manner.

In addition, here, a multi-memory mode is used in which the multiple movable parts 18, 19, and 20 are operated to sequentially pass through multiple states (tilt angles A6 and A7) newly set by the user, but this is not limited to this. A single-memory mode may also be used in which the multiple movable parts 18, 19, and 20 are operated to reach a single state newly set by the user, and the operation of the operation button 54 may also allow switching between multi-memory mode and single-memory mode.

For example, in single memory mode, as shown in Figure 4(a), when operation button 47 for raising back support 8 alone is operated, back support 8 is controlled and driven to reach a pre-stored tilt angle A8. Also, as shown in Figure 4(b), when operation button 46 for lowering support base 3 is operated, support base 3 is controlled and driven to reach a pre-stored height H2 from the current height H1.

When any one of the operation buttons 43-54 is operated alone, the operation unit 36 will drive and control the movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 in accordance with the operation button 43-54 that was operated. However, when multiple operation buttons 43-54 on the operation unit 36 are operated simultaneously for a predetermined period of time, various settings of the bed 1 can be changed in accordance with the multiple operation buttons 43-54 that were operated simultaneously (only when multiple operation buttons 43-54 are operated simultaneously in a preset combination).

For example, if operation buttons 53 and 54, which are the third operation buttons 39, are operated simultaneously for a predetermined period of time or more, a settings screen is displayed on the display screen 40, and settings for bed 1 (movable parts 18, 19, 20, 29) can be changed, such as stopping (locking) the drive of movable parts 18, 19, 20, 29 or unlocking the locked state, storing the current state of movable parts 18, 19, 20, 29, changing the operation mode (linked mode and memory mode) of movable parts 18, 19, 20, 29, or changing the drive speed of movable parts 18, 19, 20, 29, or settings for bed 1 (sound generator 41 and vibration generator 42), such as setting the sound and audio generated by sound generator 41 and setting the vibration generated by vibration generator 42.

In addition, it may be possible to change the settings of bed 1 (for example, the lock setting, memory setting, speed setting, sound setting, and vibration setting) only when certain operation buttons (for example, the above-mentioned operation button 53 and operation button 54) are operated simultaneously for a predetermined period of time or more, and to prevent the settings of bed 1 from being changed when other operation buttons 43 to 52 are operated simultaneously for a predetermined period of time or more. Alternatively, for example, when operation button 45 and operation button 46, which are second operation button 38, are operated simultaneously for a predetermined period of time or more, the settings of movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 of bed 1 (for example, the above-mentioned lock setting, memory setting, and speed setting) may be changed, and when operation button 47 and operation button 48 are operated simultaneously for a predetermined period of time or more, the settings of sound generator 41 and vibration generator 42 of bed 1 (for example, the above-mentioned sound setting and vibration setting) may be changed.

Furthermore, the combination of multiple operation buttons 43-54 may be multiple operation buttons 43-54 of the same type among the three types of first operation button 37, second operation button 38, and third operation button 39, or may be multiple operation buttons 43-54 of different types.

Furthermore, the settings of the bed 1 (for example, the drive speed of the movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29) may be changed only while multiple operation buttons 43 to 54 are operated simultaneously and continuously for a predetermined period of time or more.

In the bed 1, when the movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 reach a predetermined state, the user is not only notified visually using the display screen 40, but also through senses other than vision, such as hearing and touch, using the sound generator 41 and vibration generator 42.

Here, when the movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 reach a predetermined state, this refers to a state in which the back support 8, shoulder support 9, or thigh support 10 reaches a preset or newly set tilt angle by the user, the support base 3 reaches a preset or newly set height by the user, or a state in which a malfunction or failure occurs in the movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29.

For example, as shown in Figure 4(b), when the operation button 46 for lowering the support base 3 is operated and the support base 3 is driven and controlled to reach a pre-stored height H2 from the current height H1, a notification is provided using the display screen 40, sound generator 41, and vibration generator 42 when the support base 3 passes the pre-set height H3. This makes it possible to prevent feet or objects from getting caught between the floor and the support base 3 when the support base 3 is lowered.

In addition, if a malfunction occurs in the moving parts 18, 19, 20, 29, not only the error code but also how to deal with the malfunction and the name of the part where the malfunction occurred will be displayed on the display screen 40 at the same time.

The sound and vibration from the sound generator 41 and vibration generator 42 that are used to notify in conjunction with the visual notification on the display screen 40 are provided in multiple sound and vibration patterns, such as continuous or intermittent sound and vibration, and the user may be able to select and change one of the sound and vibration patterns, and may also be able to change the strength of the sound or vibration.

In addition, the sound pattern or vibration pattern may be changed depending on the state of the movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 (for example, when the movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 are in the set state or when a malfunction occurs in the movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29).

As described above, the bed 1 is configured to have a first operation button 37 for driving the multiple movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 in a linked manner, a second operation button 38 for driving each movable part 18, 19, 20, and 29 independently, and a third operation button 39 for changing the operating mode of the multiple movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 when the first operation button 37 is operated.

As a result, with the bed 1 configured as described above, the operating modes of the multiple movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 can be easily changed, allowing for comfortable operation for the user.

In particular, the bed 1 is configured to have two operating modes for the multiple movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29: a linked mode in which the multiple movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 are linked together with a preset operation, and a memory mode in which the multiple movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 are linked together with an operation that is different from the preset operation and that is newly set by the user.

As a result, the bed 1 configured as described above can be set to the operating mode desired by each user (suitable for each user).

The bed 1 also has two memory modes: a single memory mode in which the multiple movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 are operated to reach a single state newly set by the user, and a multi-memory mode in which the multiple movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 are operated to pass through multiple states newly set by the user in sequence.

As a result, the bed 1 configured as described above can be set to an operating mode that is more suited to each user's needs (suitable for each user).

Furthermore, the bed 1 is configured so that the third operation button 39 is located on the same surface as the first and second operation buttons 37 and 38.

As a result, with the bed 1 configured as described above, the user can visually confirm (find) the third operation button 39 at the same time as the first or second operation button 37, 38, thereby improving the operability of the operation unit 36.

Furthermore, the bed 1 is configured so that at least one of the three types of first to third operation buttons 37, 38, and 39 is different in shape, size, or color from the others.

As a result, with the bed 1 configured as described above, the types of the first to third operation buttons 37, 38, 39 can be easily recognized visually and tactilely, which also improves the operability of the operation unit 36.

Furthermore, the bed 1 is configured so that when multiple operation buttons 43-54 of the operation unit 36 are operated simultaneously for a predetermined period of time, the settings of the bed 1 can be changed in accordance with the multiple operation buttons 43-54 that are operated simultaneously.

As a result, with the bed 1 configured as described above, the settings of the bed 1 can be easily changed, allowing for comfortable operation for the user.

In particular, the bed 1 has one or more types of operation buttons 43-54: one or more first operation buttons 37 (operation buttons 43, 44) for driving the multiple movable parts 18, 19, 20, 29 in conjunction with one another; one or more second operation buttons 38 (operation buttons 45-52) for driving each movable part 18, 19, 20, 29 independently; and one or more third operation buttons 39 (operation buttons 53, 54) for changing the operating mode of the multiple movable parts 18, 19, 20, 29 when the first operation button 37 is operated. When multiple operation buttons 43-54 of the same type, or operation buttons 43-54 of different types, are operated simultaneously for a predetermined period of time, the settings of the bed 1 can be changed in response to the multiple operation buttons 43-54 that are operated simultaneously. Therefore, the settings of the bed 1 can be easily changed using the existing operation buttons 43-54.

In addition, the drive speed of the movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 is changed only while multiple operation buttons 43-54 are being operated simultaneously, allowing the user to easily change the drive settings of the movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 for as long as desired.

Furthermore, when the movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 reach a predetermined state, the bed 1 is configured to provide a visually recognizable notification on the display screen 40, as well as a non-visually recognizable notification.

As a result, the bed 1 configured as described above allows the user to easily recognize that the movable parts 18, 19, 20, and 29 have reached the specified state.

In particular, if a malfunction occurs in the operation of the moving parts 18, 19, 20, and 29, the display screen 40 is configured to simultaneously display an error code, along with instructions on how to deal with the malfunction or the name of the part where the malfunction occurred, allowing for a quick response when a malfunction occurs.

In addition, as a notification that can be recognized by senses other than sight, either or both of vibration by the vibration generator 42 and sound (audio is also acceptable) by the sound generator 41 can be used, so that the user can easily recognize that the movable parts 18, 19, 20, 29 have reached a predetermined state through the vibration or sound.

In addition, the vibration and/or sound patterns are changeable, allowing the user to change them to their desired pattern.

In addition, the device has multiple vibration and/or sound patterns, allowing users to select any one of them, so they can choose the pattern they desire.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Bed 2 Base 3 Support 4 Receiving base 5 Buttocks receiving base 6 Upper body receiving base 7 Lower body receiving base 8 Back receiving base 9 Shoulder receiving base 10 Thigh receiving base
11 Lower leg support 12, 13, 14, 27 Actuator
15,16,17,28 Interlocking mechanism 18,19,20,29 Movable part
21, 22, 23, 30 Motor 24, 25, 26, 31 Rod
32, 33, 34, 35 Sensor 36 Operation unit
37 First operation button 38 Second operation button
39 Third operation button 40 Display screen
41 Sound generator 42 Vibration generator
43 to 54 Operation buttons

Claims (1)

In a bed in which a movable part can be driven by an operating part,
A display screen is provided on the operation unit, and if a malfunction occurs in the drive of the moving part, the display screen will simultaneously show the error code and how to deal with the malfunction .
A vibration generator is provided in the operating section, and when a malfunction occurs in the movement of the moving part, the vibration generator is vibrated,
A bed characterized in that the vibration settings of a vibration generator can be changed when multiple operation buttons on an operation unit are operated simultaneously for a predetermined period of time .