Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
  • A47C7/36—Support for the head or the back
  • A47C7/40—Support for the head or the back for the back
  • A47C7/405—Support for the head or the back for the back with double backrests
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
  • A47C7/36—Support for the head or the back
  • A47C7/38—Support for the head or the back for the head
  • A47C7/386—Detachable covers for headrests
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
  • A47C7/62—Accessories for chairs
  • A47C7/72—Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C9/00—Stools for specified purposes
  • A47C9/002—Stools for specified purposes with exercising means or having special therapeutic or ergonomic effects
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
  • B60N2/002—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon
  • B60N2/0021—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement
  • B60N2/0024—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat
  • B60N2/0025—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat by using weight measurement
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
  • B60N2/002—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon
  • B60N2/0021—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement
  • B60N2/0024—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat
  • B60N2/0027—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat for detecting the position of the occupant or of occupant's body part
  • B60N2/0028—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat for detecting the position of the occupant or of occupant's body part of a body part, e.g. of an arm or a leg
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
  • B60N2/002—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon
  • B60N2/0021—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement
  • B60N2/003—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement characterised by the sensor mounting location in or on the seat
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
  • B60N2/002—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon
  • B60N2/0021—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement
  • B60N2/0035—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement characterised by the sensor data transmission, e.g. wired connections or wireless transmitters therefor; characterised by the sensor data processing, e.g. seat sensor signal amplification or electric circuits for providing seat sensor information
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2210/00—Sensor types, e.g. for passenger detection systems or for controlling seats
  • B60N2210/40—Force or pressure sensors
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2220/00—Computerised treatment of data for controlling of seats
  • B60N2220/10—Computerised treatment of data for controlling of seats using a database
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2220/00—Computerised treatment of data for controlling of seats
  • B60N2220/20—Computerised treatment of data for controlling of seats using a deterministic algorithm
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2230/00—Communication or electronic aspects
  • B60N2230/10—Wired data transmission
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2230/00—Communication or electronic aspects
  • B60N2230/20—Wireless data transmission
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2230/00—Communication or electronic aspects
  • B60N2230/30—Signal processing of sensor data

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a sitting means, and particularly relates toasitting means having sensing device for sensing the sitting posture of an occupant on a sitting means and thereby for encouraging and urging the occupant to have optimum sitting posture.
• a “sitting means” has a substantial ly horizontal seat member which supports the thighs and pelvis of an occupant and a substantially vertical back member which is vertical ly positioned above the seat member and is adapted to provide support to the back of the occupant.
• the sitting means in this specification, indicates any one of the chairs, vehicle seats, airplane seats, benches, sofas, foldingchairs, beach chairs, wheel chairs, school seat-desks, church pews, auditorium and stadium seats, sitting parts of exercise apparatuses, and the like.
• the right sitting posture in a chair is to let the hip closely contact the lower part of the back member and to let the spinal column be so physiologic, erect and static as to maintain .
• Figures 1 and 2 i I lustrate the right and faulty sitting postures of a person sitting on the work chair and driving seat, respectively.
• FIGS 3 and 4 schematical ly depict the pertinent skeletal components of the person shown in the left and right of Fig.2 in phantom, respectively.
• the lumbar vertebrae are commonly indicated (L1) through (L5), and are identified as such in the drawings.
• the letters "(S), (I), (IT), (LSI)” designate the sacrum, ilium, iliac tuberosity, and lubosacral interspace, respectively.
• Fig.3 the pelvic and lumbar bones are bridged between the seat member (21) and back member (31), which inevitably requires excessive movements of the muscles, ligaments and tendons associated with spinal and pelvic bones.
• the use of muscles, tendons and ligaments in such a manner over an extended period results in fatigue and pain.
• the pelvic girdle including ilia (I), sacrum (S), and coccyx (C) is posteriorly and interiorly positioned to contact the back member (31), the ischial tuberosities (IT) are irmly supported on the seat member (21), and the spinal column including lumbar vertebrae (L1) through (L5) are also supported by said back member.
• the pelvic girdle including the ilia, sacrum, and coccyx may be posteriorly and interiorly positioned to contact the lower part of the back member and the ischial tuberosities may be firmly supported on the seat member, and to let his/her spine be erect and straightened in order to maintain the neutral spine position.
• an object of the present invention to provide a device and method for an occupant in a sitting means to have optimum sitting posture with his/her pelvis being so posteriorly and interiorly positioned to contact the back member and the spine being erect and straightened.
• Still a further ultimate object of the present invention is to provide a device and method which leads a person to habitual Iy sit in optimum sitting posture from his/her.early days such that; first, he/she can havewel I bui It straight body, second, he/she can prevent chronic lumbar myalgia, and third, he/she can have physiological ly erect posture even in his/her old age.
• the sensing device of the present invention is for a sitting means having seat member and back member , and basical ly comprises one or a plural ity of.sensing means, a responding means, a switch part and a microcomputer, which are electrically interconnected to one another .
• Said one or a plural ity of sensing means are provided to the part(s) of the seat member and/or the back member of a sitting means to which the body of an occupant is contacting when the occupant sits in the sitting means in right sitting posture.
• Said sensing means generates/sends a signal to the microcomputer when an occupant si ts on the sitting means and contacts said sensing means.
• the microcomputer Upon receiving the signal, the microcomputer orders the responding means either to respond or not, according to predetermined program. Accordingly, when the responding means responds, the occupant, upon recognizing the responding signal, tries to contact al I the sensing means in order to stop the response by correcting his/her sitting posture, such that the sensing device encourages, leads and urges the occupant to have optimum sitting posture.
• Figures 1 and 2 i I lustr/ate good sitting postures and faulty sitting postures of a person -jit ⁇ ing in a chair, and a seat, respectively.
• Figures 3 and 4 are side elevation views of a person sitting in the seat of Fig. 2, wherein the most pertinent portions of the skeletal structure of the person are depicted in phantom.
• Figures 5, 6, and 7 are perspective views of chairs and a seat to which the sensing device of the present invention are provided.
• Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the line M-M in Fig. 7.
• Figures 9 through 15 are perspective views of chairs, seats and subsidiaries for sitting means to which the sensing devices of the present invention are applied.
• Figures 16 through 19 are block diagrams of sensing devices in accordance with the present invention.
• Figure 20 is a flowchart showing a ain routine for operational procedures of sensing device of the present invention.
• Like numerals refer to I ike parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
• one or a plural ity of sensing means are provided to the parts of the seat member and/or the back member of a si 11 ing means to which the body of an occupant is contacting when an occupant sits in the sitting means in right sitting posture.
• the sensing means to be contacted by several parts of the body of an occupant are indicated as seat sensor (23), hip sensor (33) , spine sensor (37), blade sensors (35) and (35' ), head sensor (38) and so on, each of which will be described hereinafter.
• FIGs.5 and 16 there are shown a sensing device and a chair (57) having seat member (21) and back member (31) combined with said sensing device in accordance with the present invention.
• the “sitting means” is of the type which has a substantiall horizontal seat member which supports the thigh bones and peIvis of an occupant and a substant ia11y vert icaI back member which is vertically positioned above the seat member and is adapted to provide support to the back of the occupant.
• the sensing device basical ly comprises the seat sensor (23) and the hip sensor (33), a responding means (RM) (95), a switch part (SP) (93), a power supply (PS) (97) and a microcomputer (91).
• the seat sensor (23) is provided to the part of the seat member (21) to which thighs and pelvis of an occupant contact and the hip sensor (33) is provided to the lower part of the back member (31) to which the hip of the occupant contacts.
• control unit (90) The unit or assembly comprised of microcomputer (91), switch part (93), responding means (95) and power supply (97) is indicated as a “control unit (90)".
• the operating mode of the sensing device of the present embodiment comprised of the seat sensor C23), hip sensor (33) and the control unit (90) is indicated herein as “hip-sensing mode”.
• the sensor may be any sensor (i.e. electrical, mechanical, piezoelectric, thermal, infrared LED, and so on) which generates electrical signal when a physical body contacts thereto, an external force is applied thereto or the sensor is activated upon detecting the presence of a physical body, which is well known to those skilled in the art.
• any sensor i.e. electrical, mechanical, piezoelectric, thermal, infrared LED, and so on
• each sensor When an occupant sits on the sitting means and contacts or activates the sensors provided to the sitting means (e.g. sensors (23), (33)), each sensor generates an electrical signal and sends it to the microcomputer (91).
• the sensors provided to the sitting means e.g. sensors (23), (33)
• each sensor When an occupant sits on the sitting means and contacts or activates the sensors provided to the sitting means (e.g. sensors (23), (33)), each sensor generates an electrical signal and sends it to the microcomputer (91).
• contact is used to representatively denote the expression “ contact and/or activate” throughout the specification.
• the microcomputer (91) stores in memory data for the sensor(s) provided to the sitting means, data for the signal generated by each sensor, and data for the number (s) of said sensor(s), in a predetermined program, and the microcomputer (91) is further programmed to discriminate which signal is generated by which sensor, to compare the number of the signal (s) sent by the sensor(s) with the number of the sensor(s) preset in said predetermined program, and to order the responding means either to respond or not, according to said predetermined program.
• microcomputer (91) proceeds operations according to the predetermined program as fol lows;
• the microcomputer (91) examines the presence of signal (s) sent thereto by the sensor(s). If no signal is detected, the microcomputer (91) let the responding means (95) remain in non-responding state. If there exist a signal (s) sent thereto, the microcomputer (91) discriminates which signal is generated by which sensor and compares the number of the signal (s) with the preset number of the sensor(s). Then, the microcomputer (91) orders the responding means (95) either to respond or not, according to the predetermined program.
• the microcomputer (91) when an occupant sitting on the sitting means contacts the sensor (s), and thereby the number of the signal (s) sent to the microcomputer (91) coincides with the preset number of the sensor (s), the microcomputer (91) let the responding means (95) remain in non-responding state. And, when an occupant sitting on the sitting means does not contact at least any one sensor, and thereby the number of the signal (s) sent to the microcomputer (91) does not coincide with the preset number of the sensor(s), the microcomputer (91) orders the responding means (95) to produce responding signal.
• the responding means (95) When the responding means (95) produces responding signal, it is arranged such that the response is stopped when the occupant, upon recognizing the responding signal , corrects his/her sitting posture and contacts all the sensor(s) the number of which is preset in the microcomputer (91).
• the responding means (RM) (95) includes devices for producing an auditory signal such as an electronic tone generator or a speaker, devices for producing a visible signal such as a light bulb or a I ight-emitting diode (LED) and/or devices for producing a vibratory signal such as a mechanical vibrator unit, known in the art.
• the responding means (95) produces an auditory signal.(sound), a visible signal (I ight) and/or a vibratory signal (vibration) in accordance with the order of said microcomputer.
• the numeral (93) denotes switch part (SP).
• the switch part (93) is provided with several switches the kinds and functions of which will be explained later.
• the numeral (97) denotes power supply (PS).
• the power supply (97) may be battery supplied, for example, within the control unit (90) or A/C power supplied via a plug.
• the sensors e.g. (23) and (33)
• microcomputer . (91) responding means (95), switch part (93), and power supply (97) are electrical ly interconnected to one another by electric wires and/or circuits.
• the control unit (90) can be affixed to or positioned within the sitting means. In Figs.5, 6 and 7 the control unit (90) is affixed to the bottom side of the seat member (21) and in Figs.9 and 12 the control unit (90) is positioned at the lateral wall of a seat cushion (seat member (21)). In Figs.5, 9, etc., the seat sensor (23) is provided to the front part of the seat member (21) towhich the thighbones contact. Further, the seat sensor (23) may be provided, as shown in Fig.7, to the rear part of the seat member (21) towhich the ischial tuberosities contact.
• the seat sensor (23) When the seat sensor (23) is provided to the rear part of the seat member (21), proximate the horizontal line at the center of the seat member (21) such as the line (L) shown in Fig.7, it is directly contacted by the ischial tuberosities of the occupant, and thereby the ischial tuberosities of the occupant can be firmly supported on the seat member (21).
• the seat sensor (23) may be provided to the armrest.
• two seat sensors (23) and (23' ) may be provided to the front part of the seat member (21) to be contacted by two thigh bones, respectively.
• the sensing device of the present embodiment notifies the occupant to let the two thighs be paralleled and touch the sensors (23), (23' ).
• the sensing device of the present embodiment notifies the occupant to correct his/her sitting posture by letting the two ischial tuberosities of the occupant evenly contact the two seat sensors (23) and (23' ).
• the hip sensor (33) is provided to the lower part of the back member (31) ⁇ which the hip contacts when an occupant let the hip be posteriorly and interiorly positioned to contact the lower part of the back member (31) as shown in Figs. 5 through 13.
• a lumbar-supporting element is separately manufactured AM provided to the front of the lower part of the back member (31) to support the lumbar region.
• a pillow-type lumbar-supporting element (77) is positioned in the front of the lower part of the back member (31) of the chair (63).
• the back members of some seats are provided with a mechanical ly inflatable device or fluid-inflatable device (not shown) which is positioned within or to the front of lower part of the back member and can be moved forward and backward to provide support and spinal movement to the lumbar region of an occupant.
• the hip sensor (33) is provided to the part of the lumbar- supporting element, the mechanical Iy inflatable device or the fluid- inflatable device to which the hip of an occupant contact. It is preferable that the hip sensor (33) is provided to the back member (31) to be positioned, within the range of 5 cm - 30 cm, from the surface of the rear part of the seat member (21).
• the back member is mounted on the upper part of an "L" shaped support member (25) that is connected to the body of the seat member (21).
• the hip sensor (33) may be provided to the support member (25), within the space between the seat member (21) and the lower part of the back member (31) as shown in Fig.6, in order to be contacted by the seat occupant's hip.
• the back member (31) of the chair (61) in Fig.7 is mounted on the lateral ly spaced apart support legs (22) and rai Is (34) bridging between the support legs (22).
• These types of chairs have some space or an opening (32) in the lower portion of the back member, directly above the edge of the seat member, so that no support is provided for the seat occupant's hip.
• an "L" shaped support member (25) maybe separately prepared and affixed to the body of the seat member (21) to accommodate the hip sensor (33) attached thereto as shown in Figs.7 and 8 (The Fig.8 is the sectional view taken along the I ine M-M in Fig.7).
• the hip sensor (33) may be provided to the concave part of the back member for the round hip area to naturally contact thereto.
• the hip sensor (33) is positioned a I ittle behind the substantial ly vertical , plane surface of the back member (31) in order to easi ly contact the round hip portion of the occupant.
• the hip sensor is positioned a I ittle behind the substantial ly vertical , plane surface of the back member (31) in order to easi ly contact the round hip portion of the occupant.
• the hip sensor is positioned a I ittle behind the substantial ly vertical , plane surface of the back member (31) in order to easi ly contact the round hip portion of the occupant.
• the operating procedure of the hip-sensing mode is as follows.
• each sensor When an occupant sits on the chair and touches the seat sensor (23) and hip sensor (33), each sensor generates and sends a signal to the microcomputer (91), respectively.
• the microcomputer When an occupant sits in right sitting posture, in a si i lar fashion shown in the right of Figs.1 and 2, with the thigh bones contacting the seat sensor (23) and the hip contacting the hip sensor (33), the two signals generated by the sensors (23) and (33) are sent to the microcomputer (91).
• the microcomputer (91) Upon receiving all the signals of the sensors (23) and (33), the microcomputer (91) let the responding means (95) remain in non-responding state.
• the microcomputer (91) Upon receiving all the signals of the sensors (23) and (33), the microcomputer (91) let the responding means (95) remain in non-responding state.
• the microcomputer (91) orders the responding means (95) to produce responding signal (such as sound, I ight and/or vibration).
• responding signal such as sound, I ight and/or vibration
• the microcomputer (91) orders the responding means (95) to stop producing responding signal.
• a person sitting in the sitting means combined with the sensing device of the present embodiment can have optimum sitting posture with the thigh bones being stably positioned on the seat member (21) and the hip being posteriorly and interiorly positioned and contacting the lower part of the back member (31).
• a person in a sitting means having the sensing device of the present embodiment can have optimum sitting posture with the pelvic girdle including ilia, sacrum, and coccyx being posteriorly and interiorly positioned and contacting the lower part of the back member (31), the ischial tuberosities being firmly supported on the seat member (21), and the spinal column being physiologic, erect and static.
• the pelvis being supported in physiologic position as depicted in Fig.4, the lumbar and pelvic bones are firmly held in position, thereby minimizing the amount of movements of the muscles, ligaments and tendons associated therewith.
• Such posture is effortless and therefore non-fatiguing. Accordingly, the occupant can concentrate on his/her work or study with comfort.
• a further embodiment of the present invention relates to a sensing device having sensors for contacting the thigh, pelvic and spinal bones of an occupant.
• Figures.7 and 17 illustrate a sensing device of the present embodiment combined with a chair (61).
• a second back sensor is provided to the middle part of the back member (31), along the vertical I ine (V) at the center of the back member (31), to which the thoracic vertebrae contact when the occupant straightens his/her spinal column.
• the second back sensor provided to the back member (31) is indicated as the “ spine sensor (SPS) (37)” .
• the operating mode of the sensing device of the present embodiment comprised of the seat sensor (23), hip sensor (33), spine sensor (37) and the control unit (90) is indicated herein as "spine-sensing mode”.
• the spine sensor (37) is provided to the back member (31) to be positioned, within the range of 30 cm - 70 cm, from the surface of the rear part of the seat member (21).
• the operating procedure of the spine-sensing mode is as follows. When an occupant sits on the chai and touches the seat sensor (23), hip sensor (33) and the spine sensor (37), the three sensors generate and send signals to the microcomputer (91), respectively.
• the microcomputer (91) When an occupant sits in right sitting posture with the thighs contacting the seat sensor (23), the hip contacting the hip sensor (33), and the thoracic vertebrae contacting the spine sensor (37) at the middle part of the back member (31).by straightening his/her spinal column, the three signais of the sensors (23),. (33) and (37) are sent to the microcomputer (91), respectively. Upon receiving the signals of the sensors (23), (33) and (37), the microcomputer (91) let the responding means remain in non-responding state.
• the untouched sensor does not generate/send a signal to the microcomputer (91).
• the microcomputer (91) orders the responding means to respond.
• the responding means responds, the occupant becomes aware that he/she does not contact the sensors (23), (33) and/or (37).
• the occupant tries to have optimum sitting posture with the thigh bones contacting the seat sensor (23), the hip contacting the hip sensor (33), and the thoracic vertebrae contacting the spine sensor (37) by straightening his/her spinal column.
• the microcomputer 91) orders the responding means (95) to stop producing responding signal.
• a person sitting ' in the sitting means combined with the sensing device of the present- embodiment can have optimum sitting posture with the thigh bones being stably positioned on the seat member (21), the hip being posteriorly and interiorly positioned and contacting the lower part of the back member (31), and the thoracic vertebrae being straightened and contacting the middle part of the back member (31).
• the hip and spine sensors (33), (37) encourage the proper chest expansion and spinal straightness so that the spine is physiologic, erect and static, and movements and stresses are minimized in the lumbar and thoracic spine.
• Sti 11 a further embodiment of the present invent ion relates to a sensing device having sensors for contacting the thigh bones, pelvic bones, and shoulder blades and/or ribs of an occupant.
• Figs. 10 and 19 show a sensing device of the present embodiment combined with a chair (65).
• a pair of sensors (the third back sensor) is provided to the back member (31).
• the third back sensor provided to the back member (31) are indicated as the " blade sensors
• the blade sensors (35) and (35' ) are provided, as shown in Fig. 10, to the upper part of the back member (31) to which the shoulder blades and/or ribs are contacting when the occupant straightens his/her spinal column and expands the chest.
• the two blade sensors are provided, as shown in Fig. 10, to the upper part of the back member (31) to which the shoulder blades and/or ribs are contacting when the occupant straightens his/her spinal column and expands the chest.
• the back member (31) may be formed to have a pair of si ight ly raised portions on the surface thereof in order to fit the natural physical curvature of the ribs of an occupant and the blade sensors (35) and (35' ) may be provided to said raised portions.
• the numerals (39) and (39' ) denote the vertically extending raised portions formed on the surface of the back member (31) of the chair (69).
• the raised portions (39) and (39' ) are formed to be symmetrical to each other along either side of the vertical center I ine (V) of the back member (31), and the blade sensors (35) and (35' ) are provided to the raised portions (39) and (39' ), respectively.
• the blade sensors (35) and (35' ) may also be provided to these side support members to contact the ribs.
• the numerals (40) and (40' ) denote these side support members and the blade sensors (35) and (35' ) are provided to the side support members
• blade-sensing mode The operating mode of the sensing device of the present embodiment comprised of the seat sensor (23), hip sensor (33), blade sensors (35), (35' ) and the control unit (90) is indicatedherein as "blade-sensing mode".
• the operating procedure of the blade-sensing mode is similar to those described in connection with the hip-sensing mode and the spine-sensing mode. Namely, when an occupant on the sitting means contacts al I the sensors
• the microcomputer (91) orders the responding means to respond, and the microcomputer (91) orders the responding means (95) to stop producing responding signal when the occupant corrects his/her sitting posture and again contacts al I the sensors (23), (33), (35) and (35 * ).
• a person sitting in the sitting means combined with the sensing device of the present embodiment can have optimum sitting posture with the thigh bones being stably positioned on the seat member (21) and contacting the seat sensor (23), the hip being posteriorly. and interiorly positioned and contacting the hip sensor (33) at the lower part of the back member (31), and the two shoulder blades and/or ribs contacting the blade sensors (35) and (35' ) at the upper part of the back member (31) by straightening his/her spinal column and expanding the chest.
• these two horizontal ly spaced blade sensors (35) and (35' ) help and urge the occupant to expand the chest, reduces excessive kyphosis, encourages. deeper breathing, and tends to align the upper spine with reduced curvature and minimal muscular and skeletal stress in the thoracic, cervical and lumbar spine region.
• Sti 11 a further embodiment of the present invention relates to a sensing device having sensors for contacting the thigh, pelvic and cranial bones of an occupant .
• Figs.9 and 18 i I lustrate a sensing device of the present embodiment combined with an office chair (63) (or a passenger seat) having a headrest.
• a headrest is provided to a sitting means as a component of the back member of the sitting means.
• a fourth back sensor is provided to the headrest (30) of the back member (31).
• the fourth sensor is provided to the middle part of the headrest (30) of the back member (31), towhich the cranial bone contacts when the occupant restshis/her head thereon, as shown in Fig. 9.
• the fourth sensor provided to the headrest (30) is indicated as the " head sensor (HRS) (38)" .
• the operating mode of the sensing device of the present embodiment comprised of the seat sensor (23), hip sensor (33), head sensor (38) and the control unit (90) is indicated herein as “head-sensing mode”.
• the operating procedure of the head-sensing mode is similar to those described in connection with the hip-sensing mode and the spine-sensing mode. Namely, when an occupant on the sitting means contacts al I the sensors (23), (33) and (38), the microcomputer (91) let the responding means (95) remain in non-responding state, When the occupant does not contact at least any one of the sensors (23), (33) and (38) the microcomputer (91) orders the responding means to respond, and the microcomputer (91) orders the responding means (95) to stop producing responding signal when the occupant corrects his/her sitting posture and again contacts all the sensors (23), (33) and (38).
• a person sitting in the sitting means combined with the sensing device of the present embodiment can have optimum sitting posture with the thigh bones being stably positioned on the seat member (21) and contacting the seat sensor (23), the hip being posteriorly and interiorly positioned and contact ing the hip sensor (33) at the lower part of the back member (31), and the head contacting the head sensor (38) and resting on the middle part of the headrest (30).
• the head sensor (38) wi 11 tend to al ign the skeletal and cervical bones so that the head is balanced easi ly over it with reduced curvature and minimal muscular and skeletal stress in the skeletal , cervical and thoracic spine region.
• the hip sensor (33) may be provided to the lower part of the back member (31) such that the occupant can freely use the sitting means whi le he/she works or studies during certain time period with the hip contacting the hip sensor (33).
• the operating mode of the sensing device of the present embodiment comprised of the hip sensor (33) and the control unit (90) is indicated herein as a "basic sensing mode". The operating procedure of the basic sensing mode will be described later.
• the hip sensor (33) is basical ly provided to the back member (31) and at least one sensor among the sensors for the back member (31) such as spine sensor (37), the blade sensors (35), (35' ) and/or the head sensor (38) may be provided to the back member (31).
• the operating mode of the sensing device of the present embodiment comprised of a plural ity of sensors provided to the back member (31) and the control unit (90) is indicated herein as a "back-sensing mode".
• a sitting means has a back member (31) having a hip sensor (33) and a spine sensor
• an occupant can freely use said sitting means without contacting the back member (31). If the occupant desires to work or study during certain time period, he/she can sit in right sitting posture with the hip contacting the hip sensor (33) and the spinal column contacting the spine sensor (37). When the occupant contacts said sensors (33) and (37), the two sensors generate/send signals to the microcomputer (91), respectively. Upon receiving the signals of the sensors (33) and (37), the microcomputer (91) let the responding means (95) remain in non-responding state.
• the untouched sensor does not generate/send a signal to the microcomputer (91).
• the microcomputer (91) orders the responding means (95) to produce responding signal.
• the responding means when the responding means produces responding signal , the occupant becomes aware that he/she does not contact the sensors (33) and (37). Immediately after the response, the occupant tries to have optimum sitting posture with the hip contacting hip sensor (33) and the spinal column contacting s id spine sensor.
• the microcomputer orders said responding means to stop producing responding signal .
• the sensors for the sensing modes heretofore descri ed i.e. , the seat sensor (23), hip sensor (33), spine sensor (37), blade sensors (35) and (35' ), and the head sensor (38) may altogether be provided to one sitting means.
• the sensor(s) may be provided to certain place(s) of the seat member and/or back member for certain purposes.
• a sensor may be provided to the right or left upper part of the back member for the patient having scoliosis.
• a sitting means has a plurality of back members mounted ' on the upper part of the "L" shaped support member (s) (25) that is connected to the body of the seat member (21) in order to support the back of an occupant.
• the various sensing modes of the present invention heretofore explained can also be embodied in these types of sitting means by providing corresponding sensors to these types of sitting means.
• the chair (67) in Fig.11 has a seat member (21) having seat sensor (23) and two small back members (31) and (31)' that have two hip sensors (33), (33)' and two blade sensors (35), (35' ) provided thereto.
• the two blade sensors (35), (35' ) may be provided to the lower, outer end parts (or lower, middle parts) of the sal I back members (31) and (31)' in order to contact the lower ribs of the body.
• the spine sensor (37) may be provided to the "L" shaped support member (25) in the space between the two small back members (31) and (31' ).
• two spine sensors (37), (37' ) (not shown) may be provided to the inner extremities (45), (45' ) of the two small back members (31) and (31' ), respectively.
• Still a further embodiment of the present invention relates to the sensing devices of the present invention combined with covering members for sitting means such as covers, mat-type support members, and the I ike.
• a cover is later placed over a sitting means in order to protect and retain the surface and structure of the sitting means, and a mat-type support member is provided to a sitting means for ensuring comfort, vent i lation and/or treatment of lumbar painsof an occupant in the sitting means which is covered with the mat-type support member.
• the covers are general Iy made of natural or synthetic materials such as I inen, fabric, leather, fur or corresponding plastics.
• Figure 14 i I lustrates a cover (70) for sitting means made of cloths.
• the mat-type support members are either mesh arrangements of wires, strings, cords, bead-strings, bars, or the like within a rectangular peripheral frame, or disk-like elements of supple or rigid materials.
• Figure 15 illustrates a mat-type support member (75) comprised of a plural ity of bar-shaped element (76) of slightly rigid material such as plastics and the like. These bar-shaped elements (76) are connected to each other by means of chains.
• Known fastening or attaching means such as strings, Velcro.RTM.
• Fastener snaps, buttons, bolts and nuts, and so on may be employed to fasten the cover or mat-type support member to the sitting means.
• numerals (74) denote strings to fasten the cover (70) and the mat-type support member (75) to a sitting means.
• covering member is used to altogether indicate the “cover” and the "mat-type support member”
• the covering member has a seat covering element (71) which supports the thighs and pelvis of an occupant and a back covering element (73) which is vertical Iy positioned above the seat covering element (71) and supports the back of the occupant, when said covering member is placed over said sitting means.
• the coverin member may have a headrest part as a part of the back covering element (73).
• sensing device of the present invention may also be embodied in these covering members.
• the sensors in the above embodiments are provided to the places of the covering members where the thighs, hips, spine, shoulder blades and/or ribs, and/or the head of the occupant contact when said covering members are placed on the sitting means.
• above said spine-sensing mode is embodied in the cover (70) and mat-type support member (75), respectively, i.e., seat sensor (23), hip sensor (33) and spine sensor (37) are provided to the seat covering elements (71) and back cover ing elements (73) of the cover (70) and mat-type support member (75), respectively.
• the control unit (90) is connected to these sensors through electric wires.
• a sensor-selecting switch may optional ly be provided to the switch part (93) for the occupant to select the sensor (s) that he/she wants to operate among the sensors provided to the sitting means.
• the microcomputer (91) is programmed to proceed operations for plural sensing modes corresponding to the groups of selected sensor(s). Namely, the microcomputer (91) stores in memory data for some of and/or all the sensor(s) provided to the sitting means, data for the signal generated by each sensor, and data for the number (s) of said some of and/or all the sensor (s), in a predetermined program, and the microcomputer (91). is also programmed to. discriminate which signal is generated by which sensor and to compare the number of the signal (s) sent by said some of and/or al I the sensor(s) with the number of said some of and/or al I the sensor (s) preset in said predetermined program, and to order the responding means either to respond or not, according to said predetermined program.
• the microcomputer (91) stores in memory and processes data for the group(s) of sensor(s) corresponding to above said several sensing mode(s).
• the group of sensor(s) selected by the sensor-selecting switch includes at least the hip sensor (33), and may be classified as follows; 1. hip sensor (33) 2. seat sensor (23) and hip sensor (33)
• seat sensor (23), hip sensor (33) and head sensor (38) 6. seat sensor (23), hip sensor (33), blade sensors (35), (35' ) and head sensor (38)
• a sensor-seIecting switch is provided to the switch part (93) of the chair (6 ⁇ )(in Fig.7) which is provided with the seat sensor (23), hip sensor (33) and the spine sensor (37), the occupant can choose the sensor (s) for the sensing mode he/she wants.
• the microcomputer (91) processes the procedures of above said basic sensing mode comprised of the hip sensor. (33) arid the control unit (90).
• the microcomputer (91) processes the procedures of above said hip-sensing mode comprised of the sensors (23), (33) and the control unit (90).
• the microcomputer (91) processes the procedures of above said spine-sensing mode comprised of the sensors (23), (33), (37) and the control unit (90).
• the microcomputer (91) processes the procedures of above said back-sensing mode comprised of the sensors (33), (37) and the control unit (90).
• the sensor-select ing switch enables the occupant to freely convert the sensing mode through the selection of the corresponding sensors with the sensor-selecting switch.
• the same kind of sensors may be provided consecutively or in a spaced apart manner for the occupant to select the sensor that is positioned at the place where he/she wants.
• the same seat sensors (23A) and (23B) are secured to the front part and rear part of the seat member (21), respectively, and the same hip sensors (33A) and (33B) are secured, side-by-side, to the back member (31).
• the hip sensor (33) wants the hip sensor (33) to be positioned si ightly upward at the lower part of the back member (31), he/she can select the hip sensor (33B), and, in turn, when he/she wants it to be positioned at the extremity of the lower part of the back member (31), he/she can select the hip sensor (33A).
• the occupant can alternately select the seat sensor (23A) and (23B). With these arrangements, the occupant can select the sensors he/she wants among the same sensors with the sensor-selecting switch.
• the sensors of the present invent ion may be secured beneath the outer cover ing of cloths, leathers, vinyl or any other synthetic materials of said seat member and back member. Further, the sensors may be attached on the surfaces of the seat member and back member .
• the sensors may be so provided in a slightly convex fashion on the surfaces of the seat member (21) and back member (31) that the body of the occupant may easily contact the sensors.
• the sensor (37) in Fig.7 is provided in a slightly convex fashion on the surface (36) of the back member (31).
• a hole(s) corresponding to the size and shape of the sensor (s) may be formed to receive the sensor (s).
• the switch part (93) is provided with several kinds of switches.
• the first switch may be a power supply switch for selecting " on/off mode" of the power supply (97).
• the second switch may be a responding-device-select ing switch that is capable of switching over among above said responding devices for producing an auditory signal, a visible signal and/or a vibratory signal .
• the third switch may be a sensor-seIecting switch that enables the occupant to choose the sensor (s) he/she wants.
• the fourth switch may be a time adjusting switch that adjusts the standard hold time to defer the response of the responding means (95).
• the sensing device of the present invention provides a further advantage that leads the occupant to maintain the neutral spine position. It has been recommended to let the weight of the upper body part of the occupant be evenly dispersed to the back member of a sitting means in order to maintain the neutral spine position. Generally, the backward pressing force of the upper part of the back of the occupant applied to the upper part of the back member is greater than that of the hip contacting the lower part of said back member when the occupant leans the upper body part backwardly.
• the sensors may be comprised of weight detecting sensors which can detect the weight or pressing force of the occupant applied to said back member.
• a standard degree of pressing force for each sensor is preset and stored in memory.
• the standard degree of pressing force for any one sensor may be the same as that of the other sensor. However, it is preferable that the standard degree of pressing force preset for any one sensor (e.g. spine sensor (37)) is different from that for the other sensor (e.g. hip sensor (33)).
• the pressing force applied to each sensor is checked through a determination as to whether the pressing force exceeds the preset standard degree or not.
• the microcomputer (91) orders the responding means (95) to produce responding signal. It is preferable that the responding signal isanauditorysignal to notify the occupant which sensor is under excessive pressure.
• the responding means (95) when the responding means (95) produces responding signal , it is arranged such that the response is stopped when the occupant, upon recognizing the responding signal, reduces the pressing force applied to the sensor.
• the spine sensor (37) is comprised of a weight detecting sensor, it, at first, merely generates/sends signals to the microcomputer (91) when an occupant contacts the sensor (37), and then, when the occupant leans the upper body part backward and the pressing force of the occupant 's body exceeds the standard level of pressing force preset for the spine sensor (37), the microcomputer (91) perceiving the excessive pressure orders the responding means to produce responding signal , according to the predetermined program.
• the responding means (95) responds, the occupant, upon recognizing the responding signal, tries to reduce the pressing force applied to the spine sensor (37) in order to stop the response.
• the weight of the upper body part of the occupant may evenly be dispersed to the back member and thereby the occupant can maintain the neutral spine position.
• the present invention may be of such arrangement that the microcomputer (91) maintains the responding means (95) in hold state for a short time, as a hold time, unti I certain standard time elapses, according to the predetermined program.
• the occupant in a sitting means with the body contactingal I the corresponding sensors for certain sensing mode provided thereof may feel necessary to remove certain part (e.g., upper part of the spinal column) of the body from the part of the sitting means to which said part of the body is contacting for a short time period, and thereupon does not contact the sensor (e.g. spine sensor) provided to said part of the sitting means.
• certain part e.g., upper part of the spinal column
• the responding means (95) responds at once the moment the occupant removes certain part of the body from the sitting means, and further the response occurs repeatedly whenever the occupant moves his/her body for a short time period, it not only is inconvenient but aIso makes the occupant unpleasant and nervous. Thus, it is also required to let the responding means (95) remain in hold state for a given standard time when an occupant removes certain part of his/her body from the sitting means.
• the microcomputer (91) may be so programmed as to order the responding means (95) to remain in hold state for a given standard time, and after lapse of such hold time, the microcomputer (91) permits the responding means (95) to respond.
• a known time counting means i.e., a timer (not shown) is provided for counting said standard hold time.
• the hold time may be approx.3 sec, preferably.
• the standard hold time may be altered to other desired time period such as 1 sec, 5 sec, 60 se , and so forth. With these arrangements, it is possible to prevent the responding means to randomly generate responding signals when there exists certain time period for the occupant to contact all the corresponding sensors for certain sensing mode.
• Fig.20 there is 11 lustrated a main flow diagram of the processing procedures of the microcomputer (91). According thereto, at the block (80), the power supply switch is turned on and the flow of the processing step starts, as indicated by the next block
• the block (81) answers "YES", leading the step to the next block (83).
• the number of sensors for certain sensing mode and the data for the signals of the sensors are preset and stored in memory for the microcomputer (91) to proceed the operations.
• the step proceeds to compare the number of the signal (s) sent by the sensor(s) with the preset number of corresponding sensors for certain sensing mode, and to determine as to whether the number of signals coincides with the preset number of sensors or not. If the number of signals coincides with the preset number of the sensors, the "YES" is decided, thus putting the responding means (95) at the block (82) in non-responding state. If the occupant does not contact any one sensor(s) or contacts it (them) a I ittle late, as the number of signals does not coincide with the preset number of the sensors, the block (83) answers "NO", leading the step to the next block (85). At the block (85), a timer (not shown) starts to count the preset 3 seconds of hold time.
• the step is then led to determining at the block (87) as to whether the 3 seconds of hold time has lapsed, or not.
• instruction in the microcomputer (91) repeatedly indicates a "NO" signal until the3-sec time period isover, to withhold decision.
• the occupant contacting al I the corresponding sensors for certain sensing mode may feel necessary to remove certain part of the body from the part of the sitting means to which said part of the body is contacting for a short time period, and thereupon does not touch the sensor provided to said part of the sitting means.
• the number of signals sent to the block (81) is less than the preset number of the sensors, and the flow of processing step again proceeds through the blocks (83), (85), (87) in the same fashion as described above.
• the microcomputer (91) is programmed to include the following two different steps of operations.
• the responding means (95) remain in non-responding state in the same manner as described in connection with other sensing modes.
• the sensor (33) stops generating/sending signal to the microcomputer (91), which, in the other sensing modes, means that as no signal is sent to the microcomputer (91), the microcomputer (91) puts the responding means (95) in non-responding state.
• the microcomputer (91) when the sensor (33) stops sending signal for the first time, the microcomputer (91), even though there exists no signal sent thereto, orders the responding means (95) to produce responding signal to notify the occupant that he/she is not. contact ing the sensor (33).
• the responding means produces the responding signal
• the occupant becomes aware that he/she does not contact said sensors.
• the occupant upon recognizing the responding signal, corrects his/her sitting posture with the hip contacting the lower part of said back member by letting the hip be posteriorly and interiorly positioned, and contacts said hip sensor within certain standard time period.
• the signal of the sensor (33) is again sent to the microcomputer (91), and thereby the responding means (95) stops producing responding signal.
• the microcomputer orders the responding means (95) to remain in non-responding state after the standard time period has elapsed.
• the faulty sitting posture of the occupant in a sitting means can be changed to a good one, the occupant can concentrate on his work without feeling any fatigue, discomfort, strain or lower back pains, and especially, children and teens can make it a habit to sit in the chairs in right sitting posture from their early days.
• a person can make it a habit to sit in optimum sitting posture
• second he/she can have wel I bui It straight body
• third he/she can prevent chronic lumbar myalgia, excessive lordosis, kyphosis and scoliosis, drooping chest and round back
• fourth he/she can have physiologic, erect posture even in his/her old age.
• some sitting means have adjustable back members that can be moved to the lateral, vertical and fore-and-aft directions.
• the sensing device of the present invention can also be provided in combination with these types of sitting means.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
• Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)

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• 2001
  • 2001-08-31 EP EP20010961401 patent/EP1317198A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-08-31 KR KR1020010053658A patent/KR20020018174A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-08-31 WO PCT/KR2001/001482 patent/WO2002017752A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-08-31 US US10/363,492 patent/US20040056520A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-08-31 AU AU2001282662A patent/AU2001282662A1/en not_active Abandoned

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