DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A PERSON, METHOD FOR INFLUENCING THE SHAPE OF A SUPPORT FOR SUCH, AND RELATED PILLOW, CHAIR, MATTRESS, AND BED

Abstract

A support device has a main support surface for a person's body, including an auxiliary device influencing the main support surface shape. The auxiliary device includes: a group of supports supporting the main support surface, positioned on the side of the main support surface facing away from the body-supporting side, the supports each including a sub-support surface; an adjuster for each sub-support surface influencing the height of each sub-support surface. The device also includes a monitor for each sub-support surface monitoring the height of the respective sub-support surface; and a programmable control unit controlling the adjuster. The supports include an elastically bendable plate connected to the adjuster. The bending plate is connected to the sub-support surface to influence its height depending on the extent of bending imposed by the adjuster. The adjuster includes an electromotor on the concave side of the bending plate.

Claims

1. A support device having a main support surface for the body of a person, wherein the auxiliary device comprises: a group of support elements configured to support the main support surface, which group is positioned on the side of the main support surface that faces away from the body-supporting side, wherein the support elements each comprise a sub-support surface, an adjustment device associated with each sub-support surface configured to influence the height of each sub-support surface relative to a reference plane and consequently a local height of the main support surface, the support device comprising: a monitoring device associated with each said sub-support surface, each said monitoring device configured to monitor a parameter that is indicative of the force exerted on the associated sub-support surface by the person, and a programmable control unit connected to the monitoring devices and configured to receive the data regarding the parameter, wherein the programmable control unit is configured to perform steps of: on the basis of the data received from the monitoring means calculating the individual force F1, F2, . . . , Fn exerted on each sub-support surface by the person, calculating the average “Fmean” of the calculated forces F1, F2, . . . , Fn, comparing the calculated forces F1, F2, . . . , Fn to the calculated Fmean, and on the basis of the outcome of said comparison, controlling the adjustment device to change the height of the respective sub-support surface in order to, in case of a difference between the calculated individual force on a sub-support surface and the calculated Fmean, reduce that difference.

2. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the programmable control unit is configured for in the calculations only including those sub-support surfaces that the person actually places a load on.

3. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the programmable control unit is configured for repeatedly receiving from the monitoring device, the data for each of the support elements of which the adjustment means are controlled and each time on the basis of those data calculating the force exerted on the sub-support surface and then once more calculating the average force and making the said comparison, and subsequently on the basis of the outcome of said comparison controlling the adjustment device once more.

4. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the programmable control unit is configured for the controlling of the adjustment device of the one support element in coordination with the controlling of the adjustment device of at least one other support element.

5. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the programmable control unit is configured for allowing the user to make a selection of the support elements that do or do not have to be controlled by the programmable control unit during use.

6. The support device according to claim 5, wherein the programmable control unit is configured for putting the support elements that are selected not to be controlled, in the lowest position.

7. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the programmable control unit is configured for also after to an at least acceptable extent achieving an evenly distributed load, continuing the said control process, to detect the person's displacement relative to the sub-support surfaces and controlling the adjustment means accordingly to a new evenly distributed loaded condition of the sub-support surfaces.

8. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the support elements each comprise an elastically bendable plate that is connected to the adjustment device to be adjusted thereby in its extent of bending, wherein the bending plate is connected to the sub-support surface to influence its height depending on the extent of bending.

9. The support device according to claim 8, wherein the adjustment devices each comprise an electromotor that is positioned on the concave side of the bending plate.

10. The support device according to claim 9, wherein the electromotor is positioned on the bottom side of the bending plate.

11. Pillow provided with a support device according to claim 1. 12. Chair provided with a pillow according to claim 11.

13. Mattress provided with a support device according to claim 1.

14. Bed provided with a mattress according to claim 13.

15. A Method for influencing the shape of a main support surface of a support device for a person, using an auxiliary device for influencing the shape of the main support surface, which auxiliary device comprises: a group of support elements configured to support the main support surface, which group is positioned on the side of the main support surface that faces away from the body-supporting side, wherein the support elements each comprise a sub-support surface, wherein adjustment device are present for each sub-support surface configured to influence the height of each sub-support surface relative to a reference plane and consequently a local height of the main support surface, said adjustment devices being operable by a programmable control unit, wherein the programmable control unit is connected to a monitoring device associated with each sub-support surface, each of said monitoring devices being configured to monitor a parameter that is indicative of the force exerted on the associated sub-support surface by the person, wherein the shape of the main support surface is influenced by influencing the height of at least a number of the sub-support surfaces relative to a reference plane and consequently the local height of the main support surface, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) allowing the programmable control unit to operate the adjustment devices to bring each sub-support surface in a predetermined position; b) allowing a person to take place on the main support surface; c) in the programmable control unit, after a period of time, per sub-support surface calculating the (actual) forces F1, F2, . . . , Fn the person exerts on each of the sub-support surfaces on the basis of the data regarding said parameter received from the monitoring devices; d) calculating the average “Fmean” of the calculated forces F1, F2, . . . , Fn, e) comparing the calculated forces F1, F2, . . . , Fn to the calculated Fmean, and on the basis of the outcome of said comparison, controlling the adjustment devices by means of the programmable control unit to change the height of the respective sub-support surface in order to, in case of a difference between the calculated individual force on a sub-support surface and the calculated Fmean, reduce that difference.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the series of steps c)-f) are repeatedly carried out.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the series of steps c)-f) are carried out for as long as the person is supported on the main support surface.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein in step c) the actual force exerted is only calculated for those sub-support surfaces on which the person places a load.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein in step a) the sub-support surfaces are set at equal height.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein in step f) the programmable control unit operates the adjustment devices of various sub-support surfaces asynchronously.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein in step f) the programmable control unit operates the adjustment devices of adjacent sub-support surface asynchronously, and/or one after the other.

22. The method according to claims 15, wherein prior to step c), and/or prior to step b), a selection is made of the support elements that do or that do not have to be controlled by the programmable control unit during use.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the programmable control unit puts the support elements that are selected not to be controlled, in the lowest position, at least a low position in which the user will not be able to place a load on them or to a minimum extent only.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which:

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a wheelchair provided with a seat cushion in which the support device according to the invention is incorporated;

[0041] FIGS. 2A and 2B show an isometric view diagonally from above of a support device according to the invention and a side view of it, with addition, respectively;

[0042] FIGS. 3A-F show three views of the support element of the support device of FIGS. 2A and 2B in different views and in different conditions, respectively;

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a bending plate of a support element, in an alternative embodiment; and

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of an example of the user process of a support device according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] The wheelchair 1 in FIG. 1 is an example of an application of a support device according to the invention. The support device according to the invention can be used in any situation in which a person needs to be supported in the sitting or recumbent position: both in chairs and in beds.

[0046] The wheelchair 1 comprises a frame 2 supported by wheels, on which frame a backrest 3 and a seat 4 are arranged. On the seat 4 a cushion 5 is placed, in which an example of a support device 10 according to the invention is incorporated.

[0047] In FIGS. 2A and 2B the support device 10 is shown in further detail. The support device 10 comprises a group of support elements 6 that are positioned in a number of series, wherein the consecutive series are shifted relative to each other along half a length of the support element 6. The group of support elements is surrounded all around by a band 8 of synthetic foam, of which only two sides are shown. The support elements 6 are attached to a rigid base plate 40 on which slightly above it a printed circuit board 41 including connections 42 is also situated. At their top sides, the support elements 6 each form a sub-support surface 7, wherein the sub-support surfaces 7 are covered by a layer of foam rubber 30 and the whole is surrounded by an enveloping 31, see FIG. 2B, which enveloping forms a main support surface. The main support surface and the layer of foam rubber is supported on the sub-support surface. The support device is provided with a programmable control unit 100, provided with a power source, such as a battery.

[0048] A support element 6 is shown in further detail in FIGS. 3A-C. The support element 6 comprises two elastically bendable bending plates 9a, 9b, which are bent upward and downward, respectively, in a convex fashion. The bending plates 9a,b can be manufactured of synthetic material, such as a nylon. A space A is formed between concave sides of the bending plates 9a,b, in which space an electromotor is accommodated, in the example stepper motor 14. The stepper motor 14, which is connected to a connector 42 on the printed circuit board 41 via wiring 26 and to the control unit 100 via the printed circuit board 41, is attached to a cut-away housing 16, and drives a shaft 15 in horizontal directions B1,2. The end 15a of the shaft 15 is attached in an end block 18, with which the beaded edge-shaped ends 19a of the bending plate 9a and the beaded edge-shaped ends 19b of the bending plate 9b are connected so as to hinge in the vertical plane. The other ends of the bending plates 9a and 9b are similarly connected to the end block 17 which is integral with the housing 16.

[0049] In its center, the lowermost bending plate 9b (considered both in the longitudinal direction and in the width direction) is attached by a bolt connection 20 near the free end of a flat, beam 21 clamped on one side, which beam is elastically bendable in the vertical plane. At the other end, the beam 21 is attached to a support block 23 in a rigidly clamped fashion by means of screws 24, which support block is rigidly attached to the rigid plate 40.

[0050] The bolt connection 20 has a head 20 a extending downward, which is situated above a stop (not shown) that is attached to the plate 40 and extends upwards therefrom. This stop limits the downward displacement of the free end of the beam 21.

[0051] A resistance strain gauge 22 is arranged on the beam 21, which gauge is connected to a connector 42 on the printed circuit board 41 via wiring 25, and to the control unit 100 via the printed circuit board 41.

[0052] In FIGS. 3D-F it is shown how by means of operating the support elements 6 by the control unit 100, the vertical distance between the top and bottom of the bending plate 9a and bending plate 9b, respectively, can be influenced. In FIG. 3D the shaft 15 is fully retracted in direction B2 into the stepper motor 14. The height h3 of the support element 6 is then at its maximum. When the stepper motor 14 extends the shaft 15 (direction B1) the horizontal distance between the end blocks 17 and 18 will be increased, as a result of which the height h2 of the support element 6 decreases, see FIG. 3E. When the shaft 15 has been extended to its maximum, FIG. 3F, the height h1 is at its minimum. When the shaft 15 is retracted (direction B2) the height will increase again.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the bending plate 9a, in which the sub-support surface 7 is formed by a small flat plate 50, which at the bottom side is provided with a bearing ball 51, that is accommodated so as to be rotatable, directions C, in bearing cavity 52, that is integrally formed with the bending plate 9a.

[0054] In actual practice, once a user has left the support device, for instance placed on the wheelchair of FIG. 1, and the support device therefore is not loaded, the control unit 100 will control the stepper motors 14 of all support elements 6 into a retracted position of the shafts 15. In the control unit the related condition of the resistance strain gauges 22 is stored as zero-setting. The support device has then been calibrated or “zeroed”, also see the chart in FIG. 5. Zeroing or calibrating is also possible by fully extending all shafts. The control unit 100 will subsequently control the stepper motors 14 for extending the shafts 15 to half an extension length. The support device is then ready for use.

[0055] When the user takes his seat on the support surface, a force exerted by the user's body on the one support element 6 will be larger than on the other support element. Some support elements, especially those at the edges of the support device, will not be loaded.

[0056] The load on the support elements 6 will result in the respective beam 21 bending through, causing a change in the condition of the resistance strain gauge 22 attached to it. This change is detected in the control unit 100, which by using the data of the resistance strain gauge calculates the force exerted on the beam 21. This is done for all loaded support elements. The control unit 100 subsequently calculates the arithmetic average value of those forces.

[0057] In the control unit 100, the force F1, F2, . . . Fn calculated for each loaded support element is then compared to the calculated average force Fmean (in the figure called Fm). If the outcome is that the force on the support element exceeds Fmean, then the stepper motor for that support element is controlled so as to extend the shaft one step, for instance 2 mm. As a consequence the convexity of both bending plates 9a,b will decrease, as a result of which the sub-support surface 7 of that support element 6 will come to lie lower. If the outcome is that the force on the support element is smaller than Fmean, then the stepper motor for that support element is controlled so as to retract the shaft one step. As a consequence the convexity of both bending plates 9a,b will increase, as a result of which the sub-support surface 7 of that support element 6 will come to lie higher. On the sub-support surfaces then adjusted lower, the force exerted by the user will become lower, and on the sub-support surfaces adjusted higher it will indeed increase. After this measuring and calculation step and adjustment step, the process is repeated over and over again until F1, F2 . . . Fn roughly equal Fmean.

[0058] Subsequently, with the user on the support device, said steps are continuously carried out, so that a change of posture of the user can remain without adverse effects.

[0059] Controlling the electromotors 14 of the support elements 6 after the step of comparing the calculated forces F1, F2 . . . Fn to the Fmean, may in one embodiment take place in groups, such as that the wanted support elements of a first group of adjacent support elements are first operated and subsequently the wanted support elements of a second group, etc. This can be done in quick succession. The power required can be kept limited, which is advantageous when using a battery for the power supply of the electromotors.

[0060] The invention is/inventions are not at all limited to the embodiments described in the description and shown in the drawings. The above description is included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above explanation many variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention will be evident to an expert. Variations of the parts described in the description and shown in the drawings are possible. They can be used individually in other embodiments of the invention(s). Parts of the various examples given can be combined together.