WO2024176677A1 - Supporting device for supporting user taking nap or resting in upright position, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, a supporting device (10) for supporting a user U taking a nap or resting in an upright position comprises: a first supporting portion (210) that includes an inclined face that faces upward in an up-down direction and comes into contact with the knees and/or the lower legs of a human body from the front side of the human body to support the human body from below; a second supporting portion (220) that comes into contact with the buttocks and/or the upper legs of the human body from the back side of the human body to support the human body from below; a third supporting portion (230) that comes into contact with at least one of the upper limb, the head, and the upper body of the human body such that the upper limb and the head of the human body are positioned in a predetermined range in a front-back direction thereof, to support the human body from at least one side in the front-back direction; a fourth supporting portion (240) that comes into contact with the soles of the human body such that the feet of the human body are in an inclined posture with respect to the up-down direction, to support the human body from below; a moving mechanism (250) that moves one or two of the first supporting portion (210), the second supporting portion (220) and the fourth supporting portion (240) in the up-down direction relatively to one of the first supporting portion (210), the second supporting portion (220) and the fourth supporting portion (240) that is not the one or the two; and a control unit (50) that controls the moving mechanism (250).

Description

Support device and program for supporting a user taking a nap or resting in a standing position

This application claims priority to (1) Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-026812, filed on February 23, 2023, (2) Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-175610, filed on October 10, 2023, and (3) Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-215180, filed on December 20, 2023. These applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety into this application.

The present invention relates to a support device and program that supports a user who is taking a nap or resting in a standing position.

As shown in FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1, a structure for accommodating a human body (sleeping housing) is disclosed which has a storage space for accommodating a human body and is configured to support the human body stored in the storage space in an upright position.
This sleeping enclosure comprises (1) a first support portion that supports the buttocks of the human body stored in the storage space so as to support from below at least a portion of the weight of the human body, (2) a second support portion that supports the upper body of the human body stored in the storage space so as to prevent the upper body from moving horizontally, and (3) a third support portion that supports the knees of the human body stored in the storage space so as to prevent the knees from moving forward.
According to Patent Document 1, this sleeping enclosure is capable of supporting the human body in an upright position without requiring a large horizontal space, by including the above-mentioned parts (1) to (3) as its components.

Here, paragraph "0039" of Patent Document 1 states that the front support part that constitutes part of the second support part in this sleeping housing "is a protruding member that has a triangular cross section when viewed from the side. By using a protruding member of such a shape, the space below the front support part 21A can be made wider, allowing people to rest and sleep more comfortably." For this reason, it is envisioned that this sleeping housing will be used by a user with their upper body supported from below by the front support part, and with parts of their own body positioned in the space below the front support part and above the third support part as well. It can be said that this sleeping housing is used by a user with their upper limbs supported by the front support part with their upper body aligned in the vertical direction.

JP 2020-99444 A

The sleeping housing disclosed in Patent Document 1 can certainly support the human body in an upright position. However, since the relative distance between (2) the second support part and (3) the third support part in at least the vertical direction is constant in this sleeping housing, there is a risk that this relative distance may not be appropriate for some users among a number of users with different leg lengths.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a support mechanism that can adjust the support position of the human body according to the different leg lengths of multiple users.

The support device of the first aspect comprises:
A support device that supports a user who is taking a nap or resting in a standing position,
a first support portion having an inclined surface facing upward in the vertical direction and contacting one or both of the knee and the lower leg of the human body from a front side of the human body to support the human body from below;
a second support part that is disposed at a position different from that of the first support part when viewed from the up-down direction and that contacts one or both of the buttocks and the upper thighs of the human body from a rear side of the human body to support the human body from below;
a third support section that is disposed at a position higher than the first support section and the second support section, and that contacts at least one of the upper limbs, the head, and the upper body of the human body so that the upper limbs and the head of the human body are disposed within a predetermined range in the front-rear direction, thereby supporting the human body from at least one side in the front-rear direction;
a fourth support portion that is disposed below the first support portion and the second support portion and that is closer to the second support portion in the front-rear direction than the first support portion when viewed from the vertical direction, and that contacts the soles of the feet of the human body to support the human body from below so that the feet of the human body are inclined with respect to the vertical direction;
a moving mechanism that moves one or two of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion in the up-down direction relative to the one or one other than the two of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion;
A control unit that controls the movement mechanism;
Equipped with.

The support device of the second aspect is
In the support device of the first aspect,
The third support portion includes (1) an upper limb support portion that is arranged above the first support portion in the vertical direction and supports the upper limbs of the human body from below, and (2) a head support portion that is arranged above the upper limb support portion in the vertical direction and contacts the forehead of the human body to support the head from the front in the front-to-back direction.

The support device of the third aspect is
In the supporting device of the second aspect,
The movement mechanism moves the head support section relative to the upper limb support section in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction.

The support device of the fourth aspect is
In the support device according to any one of the first to third aspects,
a swing mechanism that swings the first support portion and the second support portion relative to the third support portion around an axis set between the first support portion and the second support portion as viewed from the up-down direction, the swing mechanism being controlled by the control unit;
It further comprises:

The support device of the fifth aspect is
In the support device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
The control unit has a timer that counts the time of use by a user,
The control unit controls the moving mechanism so that when the usage time has elapsed a predetermined time, the second support unit, the upper limb support unit, and the head support unit move relative to the first support unit in the vertical direction with the same waveform and phase as each other.

The support device of the sixth aspect is
In the support device of the fourth aspect,
The control unit has a timer that counts the time of use by a user,
the control unit controls the rocking mechanism so that the first support unit, the second support unit, and the fourth support unit rock around the axis of the shaft relative to the third support unit during a period until the usage time has elapsed.

The support device of the seventh aspect is
In the support device of the fourth aspect,
The control unit has a timer that counts the time of use by a user,
The control unit controls the rocking mechanism so that when the usage time has elapsed a predetermined time, the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion rock around the axis of the shaft relative to the third support portion.

The support device of the eighth aspect is
In the support device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects,
a plurality of sensors attached to each of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the third support portion, the plurality of sensors measuring a load or pressure received from a human body in contact with the first support portion, the plurality of sensors being communicatively connected to the control portion;
Further equipped with
The control unit controls the movement mechanism so that a ratio of the measurement values of the plurality of sensors falls within a predetermined ratio range.

The support device of the ninth aspect is
In the support device of the eighth aspect,
a user interface communicatively connected to the controller and configured to transmit requests from a user to the controller;
Further equipped with
When a request to start use is transmitted from the user via the user interface, the control unit controls the movement mechanism so that a ratio of the measurement values of the plurality of sensors falls within the defined ratio range.

The support device of the tenth aspect is
In the support device of the ninth aspect,
The control unit controls the moving mechanism so that when a usage time request is transmitted from a user via the user interface and the usage time has elapsed, the ratio of each measurement value of the multiple sensors, which is within the specified ratio range, goes outside the specified ratio range.

The support device of the eleventh aspect is
In the support device of the eighth aspect,
The control unit controls the moving mechanism so that the ratio of the measurement values of the multiple sensors fluctuates within the specified ratio range during a period from when a usage time request is transmitted from the user via the user interface until the usage time has elapsed.

The support device of the twelfth aspect is
In the support device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
the second support portion has a seat that contacts one or both of the buttocks and the upper legs of the human body and a link mechanism that connects the seat and the moving mechanism;
The seat changes its position so that the angle it forms with the link along the vertical direction increases as the seat is moved upward by the movement mechanism.

The program of the first aspect comprises:
A program for controlling the support device according to any one of the first to third aspects,
Using the control unit,
A measurement function for causing the plurality of sensors to measure a load or pressure applied from a human body in contact with the sensor;
a movement function of controlling the movement mechanism to move the second support part relative to the first support part in the up-down direction so that a ratio of the measurement values of the plurality of sensors falls within a predetermined ratio range; and
a swing mechanism that controls the swing mechanism to swing one or both of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion, or the third support portion, around the axis of the shaft so that the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion swing relative to the third support portion;
Execute the command.

The program of the second aspect comprises:
A program for controlling the support device of a fourth aspect,
Using the control unit,
A measurement function for causing the plurality of sensors to measure a load or pressure applied from a human body in contact with the sensor;
a movement function of controlling the movement mechanism to move the second support part relative to the first support part in the up-down direction so that a ratio of the measurement values of the plurality of sensors falls within a predetermined ratio range; and
a swing mechanism that controls the swing mechanism to swing one or both of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion, or the third support portion, around the axis of the shaft so that the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion swing relative to the third support portion;
Execute the command.

The support device of the first and third aspects allows the support position of the human body to be adjusted according to the different leg lengths of multiple users.

The support device of the second aspect can provide the user with a more satisfying nap or rest when taking a nap or rest with the lower body bent, compared to a configuration in which the third support section is composed only of an upper limb support section.

The fourth aspect of the support device allows the user to rock the upper body relative to the lower body when taking a nap or resting with the lower body bent.

The fifth aspect of the support device utilizes a movement mechanism that more appropriately adjusts the support position of the human body, allowing the user to feel the passage of time.

The support device of the sixth aspect allows the user to rock the upper body relative to the lower body while taking a nap or resting with the lower body bent.

The seventh aspect of the support device allows the user to take a nap or rest with the lower body bent, and then swing the upper body relative to the lower body.

The support device of the eighth aspect can adjust the support position of the human body more appropriately than an aspect that does not use multiple sensors to measure the load or pressure received from the human body.

The ninth aspect of the support device makes it possible to disperse the areas where the user receives reaction force from the support device during the period from immediately after use begins until the end of the usage period, compared to an aspect in which the ratio of the measured values of the multiple sensors remains constant.

The support devices of the tenth and eleventh aspects utilize a movement mechanism that more appropriately adjusts the support position of the human body, allowing the user to feel the passage of time.

The support device of the twelfth embodiment can more appropriately adjust the support position of the human body in accordance with the different leg lengths of multiple users, compared to an embodiment in which the seat does not change its position in the vertical direction as it moves upward.

The first and second programs allow the support position of the human body to be adjusted according to the different leg lengths of multiple users.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the nap box of this embodiment, showing a front view with the door closed. FIG. 2 is a diagram of the nap box of this embodiment, showing a front view with the door open. FIG. 2 is a diagram of the nap box of this embodiment, showing a front view with the door open. 1 is a diagram for explaining a state in which a user is using the nap box of this embodiment. FIG. A top view of the third support part provided on the nap box of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system for the nap box of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the control flow of the nap box of this embodiment. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the initial operation when starting to use the nap box of this embodiment. FIG. A schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the nap box of the fourth modified example. FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing the control flow of the nap box of the fifth modified example. FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing the control flow of the nap box of the sixth modified example. FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing the control flow of the nap box of the seventh modified example. A block diagram of a control system for the nap box of the eighth modified example. A flow diagram showing the control flow of the nap box of the eighth modified example. A flow diagram showing the control flow of the nap box of the 9th modified example. A flow diagram showing the control flow of the nap box of the tenth modified example. A block diagram of a control system for the nap box of the 11th modified example. A block diagram of a control system for the nap box of the twelfth modified example. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an AI model of the 12th modified example. A flow diagram showing the control flow of the nap box of the 12th modified example. A schematic diagram for explaining the rocking mechanism provided in the nap box of the thirteenth modified example. A schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the rocking mechanism provided in the nap box of the thirteenth modified example.

Overview
Hereinafter, the sleeping box 10 (one example of a support device, see Figs. 1A, 1B, 1C, etc.) of this embodiment will be described. Next, several modified examples will be described. Please note that in this specification, the same or similar reference numerals are used for components having similar functions in each drawing referred to in several modified examples described later.

<<Present embodiment>>
First, the configuration and functions of the nap box 10 of this embodiment will be described, followed by a description of the operation of the nap box 10. Next, the effects of the nap box 10 will be described.

<Configuration and functions of the nap box>
Fig. 1A is a diagram of the sleeping box 10 of this embodiment, and is a front view with the door 442 of the housing 40 closed. Fig. 1B and Fig. 1C are diagrams of the sleeping box 10, and are front views with the door 442 open. Fig. 1D is a diagram for explaining a state in which the sleeping box 10 is used by a user. Fig. 1E is a top view of a third support part 230 provided in the sleeping box 10. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a control system CS of the sleeping box 10.

As shown in Figs. 1B and 1C, the nap box 10 of this embodiment includes a support mechanism 20, a plurality of sensors 30, a housing 40, a control unit 50, and a user interface 60 (hereinafter referred to as UI 60). The nap box 10 is a device that is used to support a user U (see Fig. 1D) in an upright position and allow the user U to take a nap or rest.

Here, if user U is to take a nap or rest, it may seem appropriate to have user U lie on his/her side using a bed or the like rather than standing. However, allowing user U to take a nap or rest in an upright position, as in the nap box 10 of this embodiment, has technical significance in two respects: (1) the installation area can be made smaller than that of a bed, and (2) user U can be made to take a nap or rest at levels 1 and 2, which are the shallower of the four levels (levels 1 to 4) of deep sleep in non-REM sleep.

[Support mechanism, multiple sensors, and housing]
The support mechanism 20 is a main part of the hardware in the sleeping box 10, and has a function of supporting the user U in a standing position. As shown in Figures 1B and 1C, the support mechanism 20 has a first support section 210, a second support section 220, a third support section 230, a fourth support section 240, a movement mechanism 250, and a plurality of pillars 260 (four pillars in this embodiment as an example).
The first support portion 210, the second support portion 220, the third support portion 230, the fourth support portion 240 and the moving mechanism 250 are the main components of the nap box 10 of this embodiment and will be described later.

The multiple sensors 30 (four sensors in this embodiment) are configured with a first sensor 32, a second sensor 34, a third sensor 36, and a fourth sensor 38 that measure load or pressure. The multiple sensors 30 are attached to the first support portion 210, the second support portion 220, the third support portion 230, and the fourth support portion 240, respectively (see FIGS. 1B and 1C), and are communicatively connected to the control unit 50 (see FIG. 2). The first sensor 32, the second sensor 34, the third sensor 36, and the fourth sensor 38 have a function of measuring the load or pressure received from the human body of the user U that they are in contact with, and transmitting the measurement data to the control unit 50.
The first sensor 32, the second sensor 34, the third sensor 36 and the fourth sensor 38 are the main components of the sleeping box 10 of this embodiment and will be described later.

The housing 40 is the exterior of the sleeping box 10, and has the function of accommodating therein the support mechanism 20, the multiple sensors 30, the control unit 50, and the UI 60. In other words, the housing 40 surrounds the support mechanism 20. As shown in Fig. 1A, the housing 40 has a ceiling wall 42, a peripheral wall 44, a bottom wall 46, and a base 48. As shown in Fig. 1A, the housing 40 has a substantially symmetrical shape when viewed from the front side of the sleeping box 10. Here, the dashed dotted line CL in the figure indicates the center line of the sleeping box 10.
The ceiling wall 42 and the bottom wall 46 are each formed in a polygonal shape, for example, by diamond cutting the outer surface of a hemisphere.
The peripheral wall 44 is a tube connecting the lower end of the ceiling wall 42 and the upper end of the bottom wall 46, and has a regular polygonal shape when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The peripheral wall 44 is configured by arranging a plurality of long plates in the circumferential direction, and a door 442 through which the user U can enter and exit is attached by hollowing out a part of the peripheral wall 44. As an example, a double-door type door is adopted for the door 442.
The base 48 supports the ceiling wall 42, the peripheral wall 44 and the bottom wall 46 from below.

As shown in Figures 1B and 1C, the multiple pillars 260 are arranged in pairs along the vertical direction on both sides of the bottom wall 46, at the front and rear, when viewed from the door 442 side (when viewed from the front side of the sleeping box 10), and both ends of each are fixed to the bottom wall 46 and the ceiling wall 42.
In this specification, when viewed from the front side of the sleeping box 10, the left side is defined as the front side and the right side is defined as the rear side, and the straight line connecting these is defined as the front-to-rear direction.

[Major components]
The main components of this embodiment will be described below.

(First Support and First Sensor)
The first support portion 210 has the function of contacting one or both of the knees and the lower legs of the user U from the front side of the body and supporting the body from below (see FIG. 1D).
As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the first support portion 210 includes, for example, a base 212 and a cushion 214 .
The base 212 is, for example, flat and rectangular when viewed in the thickness direction. As shown in Figs. 1B and 1C, the base 212 is disposed on the left side when viewed from the front side of the sleeping box 10, and is inclined so that the upper surface faces upward and toward the center line CL (inward). Therefore, the upper surface forms a slope. The inclination angle of the base 212 is, for example, set to 20° to 60°. The base 212 is fixed to a cylinder of a second actuator 254 (described later) provided in the moving mechanism 250.
The cushion 214 is, for example, in the form of a flat plate, and when viewed in the thickness direction, is formed in a rectangular shape that is slightly smaller than the base 212. The cushion 214 is fixed to the upper surface of the base 212.

The first sensor 32 is disposed between the base 212 and the cushion 214, as shown in Figs. 1B and 1C. The first sensor 32 measures the load or pressure received from one or both of the knee and the lower leg of the user U's body that is in contact with the cushion 214, and transmits the measurement data to the control unit 50.

(Second Support and Second Sensor)
The second support part 220 is positioned at a different position from the first support part 210 when viewed from the top-bottom direction (in this embodiment, at a position rearward in the front-to-back direction from the first support part 210) (see Figures 1B and 1C), and has the function of contacting one or both of the buttocks and upper thighs of the user U from the rear side of the body, thereby supporting the body from below (see Figure 1D).
As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the second support portion 220 includes, for example, a seat 222 and a link mechanism 224.

The seat 222 includes, for example, a base 222A and a cushion 222B. The seat 222 is a portion that comes into contact with one or both of the buttocks and upper thighs of the user U's body.
The base 222A is, for example, flat and rectangular when viewed in the thickness direction. As shown in Figs. 1B and 1C, the base 222A is located on the right side (rear side in the front-rear direction) when viewed from the front side of the sleeping box 10, and the upper surface is inclined so that it faces upward and toward the center line CL (inward). Therefore, the upper surface forms a slope. The upper end portion of the back surface of the base 222A is attached to the upper end of a first actuator 252 (described later) of the moving mechanism 250 in a swingable manner.
The cushion 222B is, for example, in the shape of a flat plate, and when viewed in the thickness direction, is formed in a rectangular shape that is slightly smaller than the base 222A. The cushion 222B is fixed to the upper surface of the base 222A.

1B and 1C, the link mechanism 224 has a function of connecting the seat 222 and the first actuator 252. The link mechanism 224 has a link 224A and two joints 224B fitted into through holes at both ends of the link 224A. One end of the link 224A is attached to a lower end portion of the base 222A by the joints 224B, and the other end is attached to two adjacent columns of the multiple columns 260 by the joints 224B.
With the above configuration, the seat 222 is set to change to a posture that widens the angle formed with the link 224A so as to follow the vertical direction as the seat 222 is moved upward by the first actuator 252 (see FIG. 4). The amount and range of extension/contraction of the first actuator 252 are preset. In this embodiment, the inclination angle of the seat 222 is set to, for example, 45° at its lowest limit position and 80° at its highest limit position.

The second sensor 34 is disposed between the base 222A and the cushion 222B as shown in Figs. 1B and 1C. The second sensor 34 measures the load or pressure received from one or both of the buttocks and upper legs of the user U's body that are in contact with the cushion 222B, and transmits the measurement data to the control unit 50.

(Third Support and Third Sensor)
1B and 1C, the third support unit 230 is disposed at a position higher than the first support unit 210 and the second support unit 220. The third support unit 230 has a function of contacting the upper limbs and head of the user U's body so that the upper limbs and head of the body are disposed within a predetermined range in the front-rear direction, and supporting the body from at least one of the front-rear directions.
As shown in FIGS. 1C and 1E, the third support portion 230 has an attachment portion 232, an upper limb support portion 234, a connecting portion 236, and a head support portion 238.
1B and 1C, the third support part 230 is attached to the upper end of the second actuator 254. Therefore, the third support part 230 is movable within a preset range in the up-down direction in accordance with the operation of the second actuator 254.

The mounting portion 232 is attached to a second actuator 254 .
The upper limb support part 234 is attached to the attachment part 232 by a hinge HG (see FIG. 1E) so as to be able to swing. As shown in FIG. 1D, the upper limb support part 234 has a function of supporting the upper limbs of the human body of the user U from below. As shown in FIG. 1E, the upper limb support part 234 is formed in a C-shape when viewed from above. The upper limb support part 234 has a base 234A and a cushion 234B fixed to the upper surface of the base 234A. As an example, the base 234A and the cushion 234B are formed in a C-shape having almost the same shape as each other. The upper limb support part 234 is designed under the idea that it is arranged at a right angle to the attachment part 232 when not in use, and that the opening side faces the vicinity of the user U's chest when the user U tilts it approximately 90 degrees when in use. The upper limb support part 234 is designed so that the user U places his/her upper limbs on the upper limb support part 234 when in use.

1C and 1D, the head support part 238 is disposed above the mounting part 232 and the upper limb support part 234 in the up-down direction, and has a function of contacting the forehead of the user U's body and supporting the head from the front in the front-to-back direction. The head support part 238 has a substrate 238A and a cushion 238B. The substrate 238A has a rectangular shape, and is disposed with its thickness direction aligned with the front-to-back direction and its short side direction aligned with the up-to-down direction. As an example, the cushion 238B is formed in a rectangular shape substantially the same as the substrate 238A, and is fixed to the surface of the substrate 238A (the surface facing the rear in the front-to-back direction).
One end of the connecting portion 236 is fixed to the rear surface of the substrate 238A. The other end of the connecting portion 236 is fixed to the attachment portion 232. That is, the head support portion 238 is positioned on the attachment portion 232 via the connecting portion 236.
As an example, the connecting portion 236 is configured to be extendable. Therefore, for example, the user U extends or retracts the connecting portion 236, so that the head support portion 238 can change its position in the up-down direction relative to the upper limb support portion 234. In addition, an extendable and retractable member (not shown) is disposed between the connecting portion 236 and the substrate 238A of the head support portion 238. Therefore, for example, the user U moves the head support portion 238 in the front-rear direction, so that the extendable member extends or retracts, so that the head support portion 238 can change its position in the front-rear direction relative to the connecting portion 236.

The third sensor 36 is disposed between the substrate 238A and the cushion 238B as shown in FIG. 1C. The third sensor 36 measures the load or pressure received from the head (as an example, the forehead) of the user U's body that is in contact with the cushion 238B, and transmits the measurement data to the control unit 50.

(Fourth Support and Fourth Sensor)
1B and 1C, the fourth support section 240 is disposed in a position lower than the first support section 210 and the second support section 220 and closer to the second support section 220 in the front-rear direction than the first support section 210 when viewed from the up-down direction (a position substantially directly below the second support section 220 when viewed from the up-down direction). As shown in FIG. 1D, the fourth support section 240 contacts the soles of the feet of the user U and supports the human body from below so that the feet of the human body are inclined with respect to the up-down direction.
The fourth support section 240 is a V-shaped member when viewed from the front side of the sleeping box 10, and is configured with two long plates (a fixed plate and an inclined plate) that extend from the front side to the back side and form an angle of approximately 45°, for example. One of the long plates (fixed plate) is fixed to the upper surface (floor surface) of the bottom wall 46.

The fourth sensor 38 is disposed on the inclined plate of the fourth support section 240, as shown in Figs. 1B and 1C. The fourth sensor 38 measures the load or pressure received from the foot of the user U's body that is in contact with the inclined plate, and transmits the measurement data to the control section 50.

(Moving mechanism)
As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the moving mechanism 250 has a first actuator 252 and a second actuator 254 .
As described above, the first actuator 252 has the seat 222 of the second support portion 220 attached to its upper end so as to be able to swing. The first actuator 252 has a function of changing the vertical position and inclination angle (or posture) of the seat 222 by moving the rod upward, utilizing the fact that the link 224A of the link mechanism 224 is attached to two adjacent columns among the plurality of columns 260. Here, in this embodiment, since the first support portion 210 and the fourth support portion 240 are configured not to move in the vertical direction, it can be said that the first actuator 252 has a function of moving one of the first support portion 210, the second support portion 220, and the fourth support portion 240 (the second support portion 220 as an example) relative to the other one of the first support portion 210, the second support portion 220, and the fourth support portion 240 (the first support portion 210 or the fourth support portion 240) in the vertical direction.
As described above, the second actuator 254 has the mounting portion 232 of the third support portion 230 attached to its upper end. The second actuator 254 has a function of changing the vertical position of the third support portion 230 (the upper limb support portion 234 and the head support portion 238 constituting the third support portion 230) by moving its rod in the vertical direction.

[Control Unit]
The control unit 50 has a function of controlling the moving mechanism 250 based on commands sent from a UI 60 (described later) and a program PG stored in a storage device 54 that the control unit 50 has.
2, the control unit 50 is communicatively connected to the UI 60, the moving mechanism 250, and the plurality of sensors 30 via an I/O port (input/output port). The control unit 50 also has a calculation unit 52, a storage unit 54, and a timer 56.

The arithmetic unit 52 is a so-called central processing unit, and executes a program PG stored in a first storage unit 542 of the storage device 54. The contents of the program PG will be explained in the explanation of the operation of the nap box 10, which will be described later.
2, the storage device 54 has a first storage unit 542 and a second storage unit 544. The first storage unit 542 is, for example, a read-only memory (ROM (=Read Only Memory)). The first storage unit 542 stores a program PG for operating the moving mechanism 250. The second storage unit 544 is, for example, a readable and writable memory (RAM (=Random Access Memory)). The second storage unit 544 temporarily stores data on the operation of the moving mechanism 250 while the nap box 10 is in use, and the like.
The timer 56 mainly counts the execution time of the program PG.

[User Interface]
2, the UI 60 is communicatively connected to the control unit 50 via an I/O port. The UI 60 has a function of transmitting requests from the user U to the control unit 50. As an example, the UI 60 is in the form of either a touch panel or a voice dialogue, or a combination of these. Specific requests input to the UI 60 will be described in the description of the operation of the nap box 10 below.

The above is an explanation of the configuration and functions of the nap box 10 of this embodiment.

<Operation of the nap box>
Next, the operation of the nap box 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a flow diagram showing the control flow of the nap box 10 (algorithm of the program PG).

First, a user U who is using the sleeping box 10 opens the door 442 (see Figures 1A and 1B) of the housing 40, moves into the sleeping box 10, and closes the door 442. Then, the user U faces forward in the front-to-rear direction and places both feet on the fourth support part 240.

Next, when the user U operates the UI 60 to input the usage time (time to nap) into the UI 60, the UI 60 transmits the information to the control unit 50 (S10 in the control flow of FIG. 3). In response, the control unit 50 starts operating based on the program PG stored in the first storage unit 542. The transmitted usage time information is temporarily stored in the second storage unit 544.

Then, the control unit 50 confirms via the UI 60 that the user U is standing in a fixed position. Specifically, the UI 60 inquires of the user U on a screen (not shown) or by voice, "Are you standing with both feet on the fourth support unit 240?", and when the user U inputs or speaks an affirmative answer (S20 in the control flow of FIG. 3), the control unit 50 starts the next operation (S30 in the control flow of FIG. 3) which involves a judgment step.

At this time, the UI 60 also suggests to the user U, by display on the screen (not shown) or by voice, that (1) the user lean the upper limb support section 234 of the third support section 230 (see FIG. 1C) and place both arms on the upper limb support section 234, and (2) the user touch the forehead to the head support section 238. Upon receiving this suggestion, the user U can move the head support section 238 in the up-down and forward-backward directions. Here, the diagram showing the initial state in FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram including the first support section 210, the second support section 220, the third support section 230, and the fourth support section 240 arranged in the positional relationship before use begins.

Next, the control unit 50 first receives each measurement data from the multiple sensors 30 in the initial state and determines (1) whether the head support portion 238 of the third support portion 230 is receiving a load or pressure from the user U's body (head) of a predetermined value or more, and (2) whether the ratio of the load or pressure received from the user U's body that each support portion (the first support portion 210, the second support portion 220, and the fourth support portion 240) receives is within a predetermined ratio range (S30 of the control flow in Figure 3).

Here, (1) the load or pressure that the head support portion 238 receives that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is, for example, as follows.
Load above the specified value: Load above 1.0 kgf Pressure above the specified value: Pressure of 100 kgf/ ^m2
In addition, (2) the range of the specified ratio of the load or pressure received by each support part (first support part 210, second support part 220, and fourth support part 240) is, for example, as shown in the following relational expression (hereinafter referred to as the specified ratio relational expression).
First support part 210 : Second support part 220 : Fourth support part 240
= 45% or more and less than 55%: 25% or more and less than 35%: 15% or more and less than 25% (However, the total ratio of all supporting parts is 100%)

If the control unit 50 judges in S30 as positive, it performs the next operation (S40). On the other hand, if the control unit 50 judges in S30 as negative, it performs S32 without starting S40. In S32, the control unit 50 controls the first actuator 252 to raise the second support unit 220 by a set height (e.g., 1 cm), and performs the judgment of S30 again. The subroutines of S30 and S32 are performed until the control unit 50 judges in S30 as positive (see adjustment state 1 and adjustment state 2 in FIG. 4).
Here, information on the load or pressure received by each support part relative to the height of the second support part 220 is stored in the second storage part 544 each time a measurement is performed. If the control part 50 judges S30 in the entire movable range of the first actuator 252 by raising the height of the second support part 220 by 1 cm and the result is that a positive judgment is not made in S30, the control part 50 operates the first actuator 252 to move the second support part 220 to a height close to the relationship of the above-mentioned determined relational expression, and performs the subroutines S30 and S32 while moving the second support part 220 at a pitch shorter than 1 cm. This can be realized because the results of the subroutines S30 and S32 are stored in the second storage part 544 one by one.
Note that, as an example, adjustment of the vertical position of the third support portion 230 by the second actuator 254 is also performed in conjunction with the operation of S30.

Next, in S40, the timer 56 starts counting.

Next, in judgment step S50, when the count of the timer 56 reaches or exceeds the usage time stored in the second memory unit 544 (if the control unit 50 makes a positive judgment in S50), the UI 60 notifies the user U in S60 that the usage time has expired. The notification in S60 is performed, for example, by sound, by turning on the lights in the housing 40 that were off during use, etc.

Next, when the user U wakes up from his nap and operates the UI 60 to acknowledge that the usage time has elapsed, the control unit 50 controls the first actuator 252 to return the second support unit 220 to the initial position (see FIG. 4), and the operation of the nap box 10 of this embodiment ends.

The above is an explanation of the operation of the nap box 10 of this embodiment.

<Effects of the nap box>
Next, the effects of the nap box 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[First Effect]
1C, 1D, etc., the support mechanism 20 of the present embodiment includes a first support portion 210, a second support portion 220, and a third support portion 230. In addition, the third support portion 230 has a head support portion 238.
Incidentally, in the case of a configuration in which the support mechanism 20 does not include only the head support section 238 (not shown, hereinafter referred to as a comparative configuration), the user U uses a nap box equipped with a support mechanism of the comparative configuration by contacting both arms with the upper surface of the upper limb support section 234 from above and placing his/her head on both arms. Therefore, even when the same user U uses the nap box, the reaction forces and the ratio of each reaction force that the user U receives from each of the first support section 210 and the second support section 220 will vary depending on where the positions of the user U's arms and head are located in the upper limb support section 234 in the front-to-back direction of the user U's body.
However, in the present embodiment, the third support section 230 has a head support section 238. When the user U places his/her head in contact with the head support section 238, the upper body is tilted forward in the vertical direction (see FIG. 1D). By using the napping box 10 in such a position, the positions of the user U's head, shoulders, etc. are always uniform. Therefore, the reaction forces that the user U receives from the first support section 210 and the second support section 220 and the ratio of the reaction forces are unlikely to vary.
Therefore, the support mechanism 20 and the nap box 10 of this embodiment can provide the user U with a highly satisfying nap or rest when taking a nap or rest with the lower body bent.

[Second Effect]
The support mechanism 20 of the present embodiment moves the second support portion 220 of the first support portion 210, the second support portion 220, the third support portion 230, and the fourth support portion 240 in the vertical direction relative to the first support portion 210, the third support portion 230, or the fourth support portion 240 (see FIG. 4 ).
Therefore, the support mechanism 20 and the sleeping box 10 of this embodiment can adjust the support position of each human body for each user U according to multiple users U each having a different leg length.
In particular, in the case of this embodiment, as shown in S30 of the control flow of Figure 3, the positioning operation of the relative positional relationship between the first support part 210 and the second support part 220 first satisfies that the head support part 238 of the third support part 230 is receiving a load or pressure from the user U's body (head) of a predetermined value or more, and then (2) determines whether the ratio of the load or pressure received from the user U's body that each support part (the first support part 210, the second support part 220, and the fourth support part 240) comes into contact with is within a predetermined ratio range.
Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, it can be said to be advantageous in that it is possible to provide a more optimal support position for the human body for each user U, compared to the case of the comparative configuration described above.

[Third Effect]
In the napping box 10 of this embodiment, sensors (first sensor 32, second sensor 34, third sensor 36, and fourth sensor 38) are arranged on each of the multiple support parts (first support part 210, second support part 220, third support part 230, and fourth support part 240) of the support mechanism 20, and each support part is configured to measure the load or pressure received from the human body of the user U (see Figs. 1C and 2). Furthermore, in the napping box 10 of this embodiment, the control unit 50 operates the first actuator 252 while obtaining measurement data from each sensor (first sensor 32, second sensor 34, and fourth sensor 38) based on the program PG, and adjusts the relative positional relationship of the multiple support parts (first support part 210, second support part 220, and fourth support part 240) so that the values of each sensor satisfy a relational expression of a predetermined ratio (see S30 and S32 in Fig. 3).
Therefore, compared to an embodiment that does not use multiple sensors to measure the load or pressure received from the human body, the sleeping box 10 of this embodiment can appropriately adjust the support position of each human body according to multiple users U who have different leg lengths. Accordingly, by using the program PG of this embodiment, the support position of the human body can be adjusted according to the different leg lengths of the multiple users U.

[Fourth Effect]
In the napping box 10 of this embodiment, the second support part 220, whose vertical height is adjusted by the first actuator 252, has a sheet 222 and a link mechanism 224 (see Figs. 1B and 1C). The sheet 222 is set to change its position so that the angle formed with the link 224A is increased as the sheet 222 is moved upward by the first actuator 252 (see Fig. 4).
With this configuration, the nap box 10 of this embodiment is arranged so that the height of the seat 222 is higher for users U with longer legs, and the inclination angle of the seat 222 is adjusted so that each support part (first support part 210, second support part 220 and fourth support part 240) makes appropriate surface contact with each user U even when used by multiple users U with different leg lengths.
Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the inclination angle of the seat 222 cannot be adjusted, the nap box 10 of this embodiment can appropriately adjust the support position of each human body for each user U, each of whom has a different leg length.

The above is an explanation of the effects of the nap box 10 of this embodiment. The above is also an explanation of the nap box 10 of this embodiment.

<<Variations>>
Next, a number of modified examples (see Table 1 below) will be described. The changes in Table 1 refer to changes to the above-described embodiment. For each modified example, only the differences from the above-described embodiment will be described.

[First Modification]
Change: Absence of multiple sensors In the above-described embodiment of the nap box 10, sensors (first sensor 32, second sensor 34, third sensor 36 and fourth sensor 38) are arranged on each of the multiple support parts (first support part 210, second support part 220, third support part 230 and fourth support part 240) of the support mechanism 20, and the support mechanism 20 is configured to measure the load or pressure received from the user U's body at each support part (see Figures 1C and 2).
However, a configuration in which some or all of these sensors are omitted (first modified example (not shown)) may also be used.
In the case of this modified example, the third effect in the above-described embodiment is not achieved, but the first effect, the second effect, and the fourth effect are achieved.

[Second Modification]
Change: The support part moved by the moving mechanism is different. In the nap box 10 of the above-described embodiment, the second support part 220 attached to the first actuator 252 of the moving mechanism 250 moves in the vertical direction, thereby moving the second support part 220 relative to the first support part 210, the third support part 230, and the fourth support part 240 (see Figure 4).
However, as long as the moving mechanism 250 can, for example, move one or two of the first support portion 210, the second support portion 220, the third support portion 230, and the fourth support portion 240 in the vertical direction relative to one other than the one or two, the moving mechanism 250 may have a form different from that of the above-described embodiment (second modified example (not shown)).
For example, in the second modified example, the first support 210, the second support 220, and the fourth support 240 may be attached to different moving mechanisms (not shown) so that they can move relative to each other. Also, for example, the second support 220 may be set so as not to move in the vertical direction, and the first support 210 and the fourth support 240 may be moved in the vertical direction together with the floor by a moving mechanism (not shown). Also, for example, the second support 220 and the fourth support 240 may be set so as not to move in the vertical direction, and the first support 210 may be moved in the vertical direction by the second actuator 254. Furthermore, in this case, the configuration of the first support 210 composed of the base 212 and the cushion 214 may be changed to a configuration with an additional link mechanism (a configuration in which a link mechanism is attached to the base 212 (not shown)) like the second support 220, so that the inclination angle of the first support is changed as the first support moves in the vertical direction.
Even in the case of these second modified examples, the above-mentioned first and second effects or effects equivalent to these effects are achieved compared to the configuration in which the first support portion 210, the second support portion 220, the third support portion 230 and the fourth support portion 240 cannot move relative to each other.

[Third Modification]
Change: Different structure of the third support section In the nap box 10 of the above-described embodiment, the third support section 230 is attached to the upper end of the second actuator 254 and can move within a preset range in the vertical direction in response to the operation of the second actuator 254 (see Figs. 1B and 1C). In this configuration, for example, the vertical movement mechanism of the third support section 230 may be manual.
In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment of the nap box 10, the third support portion 230 has an attachment portion 232 attached to the second actuator 254, an upper limb support portion 234 that supports both arms of the user U from below, and a head support portion 238 (see Figures 1C and 1D).
However, the third support unit 230 only needs to be able to perform the function of supporting the human body from at least one side in the front-rear direction by contacting one or both of the upper limbs and head of the human body so that the upper limbs and head of the human body of the user U are positioned within a predetermined range in the front-rear direction. The third support unit 230 may have a different form (third modified example (not shown)) from that of the above-mentioned embodiment as long as it is configured to perform that function. As a modified example of the third support unit, it may be a string-like member or other member that supports one or both of the bases of both arms and the chin from the ceiling side or the rear side in the front-rear direction to prevent the upper body of the user U from falling over. In addition, instead of the upper limb support unit 234, a configuration that supports the front side of the upper body of the user U (for example, the chest) may be used (not shown).

[Fourth Modification]
Modification: The structure of the second support part is different. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the main part of a sleeping box 10A of the fourth modified example.
In the sleeping box 10 of the above-described embodiment, the second support section 220 has a seat 222 and a link mechanism 224 (see FIGS. 1B and 1C). The seat 222 is set to change its posture so that the angle formed with the link 224A along the vertical direction increases as the seat 222 is moved upward by the first actuator 252 (see FIG. 4).
However, the second support part may have a different configuration from that of the present embodiment as long as it is moved in the up-down direction by the moving mechanism 250. For example, like the second support part 220A of the sleeping box 10A of the fourth modified example shown in Fig. 5, it may be composed of an axis body 220A1 arranged along a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, a cylindrical member 220A2 that covers the outer periphery of the axis body 220A1, a part of the outer periphery of which is a flat surface and that can be positioned by rotating around the axis body 220A1, and a cushion 220A3 attached to the flat surface.
In the case of the fourth modified example, the posture of the second support portion 220A does not change with the movement in the up and down direction, but the user U can adjust the inclination angle of the cushion 220A3 by changing the inclination angle of the cushion 220A3 by himself/herself. Therefore, this modified example is also effective in that it easily fits the body of the user U even if the user U has a different leg length.

[Fifth Modification]
Change: The method of notifying the user when the usage time has ended is different. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the control flow of a nap box 10B according to the fifth modified example.
In the operation of the nap box 10 in the above-described embodiment (see the control flow in FIG. 3), when the control unit 50 makes a positive determination in S50, the UI 60 notifies the user U in S60 that the time for use has come. The notification in S60 is performed, for example, by sound, or by turning on the lights in the housing 40 that were off during use. Therefore, in the case of the above-described embodiment, the UI 60 requires a component that generates sound (a speaker, as one example), etc.
However, as long as the user U can be notified that the usage time has elapsed, the notification method may be a method different from that in the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, as in the control flow of the fifth modified example shown in FIG. 6, S60 in the above-mentioned embodiment (see the control flow of FIG. 3) may be replaced with S60B, and the control unit 50 may control the moving mechanism 250 so that the ratio of each measurement value of the plurality of sensors 30 that is within the range of the predetermined ratio becomes a ratio outside the range of the predetermined ratio. In this case, in order to notify the user U that the usage time has elapsed, the moving mechanism 250 may move, for example, the second support unit 220 up and down multiple times so that the relative positional relationship of the support units 220, 230, etc. becomes a positional relationship corresponding to within and outside the range of the predetermined ratio.
By this operation, the user U who was napping is notified that the scheduled usage time has elapsed by the change in the posture of his/her body due to the change in the support position from each of the support parts 210, 220, etc. When the user U who has been notified inputs to the UI 60 that he/she agrees to end the operation, the control unit 50 returns each of the support parts 210, 220, etc. to their initial positions, and the operation of this modified example ends.
Unlike the above-described embodiment, this modified example is effective in that the notification can be realized by utilizing the support units 210, 220 and the moving mechanism 250. In other words, according to this modified example, the user U can be notified of the passage of usage time through a physical sensation by utilizing the moving mechanism 250 that more appropriately adjusts the support position of the human body.

[Sixth Modification]
Changes: The notification method when the usage time ends is different (2)
7 is a flow chart showing the control flow of a nap box 10C according to a sixth modified example. In this modified example, S60B in the fifth modified example (see FIG. 6) is changed to S60C.
Specifically, in this modified example, when a specified time of usage has elapsed for the user U (end), the control unit 50 controls the moving mechanism 250 so that the second support unit 220, the upper limb support unit 234 and the head support unit 238 (third support unit 230) move vertically relative to the first support unit 210 with the same waveform and phase as each other, i.e., while maintaining the same relative positional relationship.
According to this modification, when use is finished, the user U is notified by the lower body being contracted while the upper body remains in the same position as when using, i.e., the angle of the neck is maintained. Therefore, the angle of the neck does not suddenly change when taking a nap. Other effects of this modification are the same as those of the fifth modification.

[Seventh Modification]
Modification: The relative positions of the support parts change during the period of use. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the control flow of a nap box 10D according to the seventh modified example.
In the operation of the nap box 10 in the above-described embodiment (see the control flow in FIG. 3), the relative positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc. do not change during the period from when the user U starts to use the nap box 10 until when he or she finishes using the nap box 10.
However, if the user U can take a nap or rest during the usage time, the relative positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc. may be changed during the usage time. Specifically, the control flow of the seventh modified example shown in Fig. 8 may be performed. The details of the control flow of the seventh modified example are as follows.
In S30D, the moving mechanism 250 (the first actuator 252 thereof) is deliberately operated over a wide range, and the control unit 50 grasps a combination in which the ratio of the measurement values of the multiple sensors 30 becomes a predetermined ratio for the user U. Information on this combination is temporarily stored in the second storage unit 544 of the storage device 54 (see FIG. 2).
Next, in S40D, the control unit 50 operates the moving mechanism 250 to set each of the support units 210, 220, etc. within the range of the above combination, and starts the timer 56 to count.
Next, in S50D and S52D, the control unit 50 changes the relative positions of each support part 210, 220, etc. using the moving mechanism 250 so that, when 1/3 of the usage time has elapsed after use has started, the relative positions of each support part 210, 220, etc. are different from those immediately before and become one of the combinations grasped in S30C.
Next, in S54D and S56D, the control unit 50 changes the relative positions of each support part 220, 230, etc. using the moving mechanism 250 so that, when 2/3 of the usage time has elapsed since use began, the relative positions of each support part 220, 230, etc. are different from those immediately prior to that time and become one of the combinations grasped in S30D.
Next, in S58D, the control unit 50 changes the relative positions of the support units 210, 220, etc., by the movement mechanism 250 so that the relative positions of the support units 210, 220, etc. are different from the combination grasped in S30D when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of use (see S60B in FIG. 8). As a result, the user U who was napping is notified that the scheduled usage time has elapsed because the posture of the user's body is changed due to the change in the support positions from the support units 210, 220, etc. Then, when the user U inputs an agreement to end the operation to the UI 60, the control unit 50 returns the support units 210, 220, etc. to their initial positions, and the operation of this modified example ends.
In the case of this modified example, the relative positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc. change during use in accordance with the combination grasped in S30A. Therefore, according to this modified example, it is possible to change the parts of the user U's body that receive reaction forces from the support parts 210, 220, etc. during use.
Therefore, according to this modified example, the areas where the reaction force is received by the user U's body from the support mechanism 20 during the period from the start of use to the elapse of usage time can be dispersed, compared to when the ratio of the measurement values of the multiple sensors 30 remains constant.
In this modified example, the relative positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc., are changed during the usage time by 1/3 and 2/3 of the usage time, but the changes may be made by integer fractions, such as 1/4 or 1/5 of the usage time, or the period until the changes may be shortened each time the usage time elapses.

[Eighth Modification]
Changes: Mobile devices can be connected to the control unit (1)
Fig. 9A is a block diagram of a control system CSE of a nap box 10E of the eighth modified example, and Fig. 9B is a flow diagram showing a control flow of the nap box of this modified example.
The nap box 10 of the embodiment described above is configured so that the user U transmits a request (such as the usage time) to the nap box 10 via the UI 60 (see FIG. 3).
However, for example, a mobile device 70 (a mobile device 70 refers to a smartphone, a smart watch, a mobile phone, or other portable information terminal) owned by a user U may be connected to the control unit 50 of the nap box 10 using a wireless communication line such as Wi-Fi or BLUETOOTH (registered trademark) (see the control system CSE of the eighth variant example in Figure 9A).
In this case, the mobile device 70 enables communication using dedicated application software for connecting to the nap box 10 as a user interface, and transmits a profile (body type information) relating to the user U's body type, such as height and weight, input via the application software. From another perspective, the control unit 50 receives the body type information and information on the usage time from the mobile device 70 (S10 in FIG. 9B).
Next, the control unit 50 confirms via the UI 60 that the user U is standing in a fixed position (S20 in FIG. 9B), similar to the case of S20 in the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 3).
Next, the control unit 50 adjusts the relative positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc. corresponding to the user U stored in the program PG based on the received body type information by using the movement mechanism 250 (S30D in FIG. 9B).
The subsequent control flow is, as shown in FIG. 9B, for example, performed in the same manner as in the seventh modified example (see FIG. 8).
In this way, when the user U uses the device, it is possible to omit adjustment of the relative positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc. using the moving mechanism 250 (see, for example, S30 and S32 in Figure 3) which is performed in the initial operation of the above-mentioned embodiment.
In this modified example, the control flow from S40D onwards may be the control flow from S40 onwards in the above-described embodiment (see Figs. 3, 6 and 7).

[Ninth Modification]
Changes: Mobile devices can be connected to the control unit (2)
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing the control flow of a nap box 10F of the ninth modified example.
This modification is a further modification of the eighth modification. In the eighth modification, S40D is performed after S30D (see FIG. 9B), but in this modification, the following steps are performed between S30D and S40. Specifically, after S30D, in S70, the UI 60 asks the user U whether to fine-tune the relative positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc. When the user U wants to fine-tune the automatically adjusted relative positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc. (i.e., when the user U answers yes), the user U inputs that to the UI 60. Then, after the usage time has elapsed, the UI 60 conducts a questionnaire on whether the support position was optimal for the user U, and if the user U answers that it was optimal, information relating the connected mobile device 70 to the optimal support position may be written, for example, to the first storage unit 542, the mobile device 70, or an external server 80 connected to the nap box 10 via the Internet (S62).
In this way, the optimal support position can be reproduced the next time the user U uses the nap box 10. In particular, if this information is written to the storage device of the mobile device 70 or the external server 80, it is effective in that the optimal support position can be reproduced even when the user U uses a nap box 10 that is available in another location.

[Tenth Modification]
Changes: Mobile devices can be connected to the control unit (3)
FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing the control flow of a nap box 10G of the tenth modified example.
This modification is a further modification of the ninth modification. In the ninth modification, a subroutine (S50) for measuring the usage time is performed between S40 and S60B (see FIG. 10), but in this modification, if a negative determination is made in S50, the following steps are performed. Specifically, in S80, it is determined whether the heart rate is equal to or higher than a predetermined heart rate. If the mobile device 70 is, for example, a smart watch or the like that can measure the heart rate, this can be achieved by making the smart watch capable of communicating with the control unit 50. Here, the predetermined heart rate means the upper limit heart rate at which the user U is determined to be napping (in a state of REM sleep). Then, if a positive determination is made in S80, that is, if it is determined that the user U is not napping, the relative positions of the support units 210, 220, etc. are adjusted in S82, that is, the support positions are finely adjusted.
According to this modification, it is possible to adjust the support position more appropriately by using information from the mobile device 70 that can measure the heart rate.

[Eleventh Modification]
Modification: Performing personal authentication via UI FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the control system CSH of a nap box 10H according to the eleventh modified example.
12, in this modification, a UI 60H with a personal authentication function capable of personal authentication is adopted instead of the UI 60. Here, the personal authentication is, for example, authentication based on face authentication, fingerprint authentication, vocal cord authentication, or a combination of these.
In this modification, when a user U uses the nap box for the second or subsequent time, information on the support position that suited the user at the time of previous use is stored in storage device 54 or external server 80 together with the authentication information of the user U. Therefore, when the user U uses the nap box for the second or subsequent time, this information is retrieved from storage device 54 or external server 80 and used.
According to this modification, when using the device for the second or subsequent times, there is no need to adjust the support positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc., as in the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 3).

[Twelfth Modification]
Modification: Use of AI technology Figure 13A is a block diagram of the control system CSI of the nap box 10I of the 12th modified example. Figure 13B is a schematic diagram of the AI model of this modified example. Figure 13C is a flow diagram showing the control flow of the nap box of this modified example.
A control unit 50I of this modification is modified by adding a model generating unit 58 to the control unit 50 (see FIG. 9A) of the control system CSE of the eighth modification described above.

Below, the features of the AI function in this modified example will be explained with reference to FIG. 13B.

(Teacher data)
The training data in this modified example includes (1) the heights of multiple users U, each of whom has a different height (leg length), (2) the support posture of each user U when using the nap box (the relative positions of each support part 210, 220, etc.), and (3) information regarding the heart rate obtained by each user U from a mobile device 70 that can measure heart rate, such as a smart watch, which is the actual measured heart rate value after a certain time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed since the start of using the nap box.
The actual height measurements are values input to the UI 60 by each user U, uploaded from the mobile device 70, or obtained from a height gauge (for example, a non-contact ultrasonic type) attached to the sleeping box, etc. This information is stored, for example, in the storage device 54 as teacher data.

(Model Generation Unit)
The model generation unit 58 generates an estimation model by machine learning, which estimates what supporting posture is optimal for a nap for a user U of a certain height, from the accumulated teacher data, i.e., data on the correlation between height, heart rate, and supporting posture. The program for generating the estimation model is stored in the first storage unit 542 as a program PGI in which an AI program including a program for generating the estimation model is added to a program PG for controlling the moving mechanism 250 (see FIG. 13A).

(Control unit 50I (an example of a reception unit and a processing unit))
The control unit 50I receives the height and heart rate of the user U as input from the UI 60 or the mobile device 70. Then, the control unit 50I uses the above-mentioned estimation model to output an optimal supporting posture of the user U from the input received by the control unit 50I from the UI 60 or the mobile device 70.
The above is an explanation of the features of the AI function of this modified example.
An invention having the AI features of this modified example (e.g., an estimation system) can be expressed as follows, as an example.
=====================================================================
a model generation unit that generates an estimation model by machine learning to estimate the user's posture from the height and heart rate using the height, the user's posture for that height, and actual measured values of the heart rate obtained from the mobile device as training data;
A reception unit that receives a user's height and heart rate as input;
a processing unit that outputs a supporting posture of a user from the input received by the receiving unit, using the estimation model;
An estimation system comprising:
=====================================================================

Next, the operation of the nap box of this modified example will be described with reference to FIG. 13C.
The initial steps, S10D and S20, are similar to those of the eighth modified example (see FIG. 9B) and the ninth modified example (see FIG. 10).
Next, in S30D, the relative positions of the support units 210, 220, etc. are adjusted by the moving mechanism 250 based on, for example, the body type information received from the mobile device 70. In this case, in this modified example, a learned model (estimated model) derived by the AI function described above is used. Here, in the aforementioned estimated model, the input is the height and heart rate of the user U, but in this step, the height and the heart rate corresponding to REM sleep (i.e., a heart rate that has not been actually measured) are input. As a result, an optimal support posture (relative positions of the support units 210, 220, etc.) for the user U of that height is derived as an output. Based on this result, the control unit 50I operates the moving mechanism 250.
Next, in S40, the timer 56 starts counting.
Next, in S70, the UI 60 asks the user U whether the user U is using the mobile device 70 and whether the heart rate can be measured if the user U is using the mobile device 70. When the user U inputs a positive result to the UI 60, the UI 60 transmits the result to the control unit 50A. Thereafter, in S74I, the control unit 50I starts recording the heart rate while communicating with the mobile device 70 and continues counting the usage time (see S50). The heart rate data transmitted from the mobile device 70 is stored in the storage device 54. The recorded result is used by the model generation unit 58 as new teacher data to update the estimation model.
On the other hand, if the user U inputs a negative result (that is, that the mobile device 70 capable of measuring the heart rate is not being used) to the UI 60 in S70, the usage time count continues (see S50).
Then, when the usage time has elapsed, S60B is carried out and the operation of this modified example ends.
The above is a description of the operation of this modified example.

According to this modification, when using the device for the second or subsequent times, there is no need to adjust the support positions of the support parts 210, 220, etc., as in the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 3).
In addition, the nap box operating in this modified example may be the nap box 10 of the previously described embodiment, and support parts other than the second support part 220, such as the first support part 210 and the third support part 230, are also effective in that they can output a more appropriate support posture when the vertical position and inclination angle are changeable (not shown).

[Thirteenth Modification]
(overview)
Modification: Providing a rocking mechanism Fig. 14A is a schematic diagram for explaining the rocking mechanism 90 provided in the nap box 10J of the 13th modification. Fig. 14B is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the rocking mechanism 90 provided in the nap box 10J.

(Configuration, Functions and Basic Operations)
The sleeping box 10J of this modified example further includes a rocking mechanism 90 in addition to the sleeping box 10 of the previously described embodiment or the previously described modified sleeping boxes 10A, 10B, etc.
The rocking mechanism 90 has the function of rocking the first support part 210, the second support part 220 and the fourth support part 240 around the axis CL set between the first support part 210 and the second support part 220 when viewed from the vertical direction, relative to the third support part 230.

14A, the swing mechanism 90 has a gear 92 and a power source 94. Here, in this modification, the disk-shaped bottom wall 46 of the above embodiment is changed to a bottom wall 46J.
14B, a circular arc-shaped notch NTC is formed in the outer periphery of the bottom wall 46J along the circumferential direction. The outer diameter of the bottom wall 46J is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the bottom wall 46.
14A, the gear 92 is disposed between the base 48 and the bottom wall 46J. As an example, the axis of the gear 92 is set to coincide with the center line CL of the sleeping box 10. The gear 92 is fixed to the bottom wall 46J and positioned so as to be rotatable about its axis with respect to the base 48.
The power source 94 has a motor 94 A and a gear 94 B fixed to the shaft of the motor 94 A. The gear 94 B is disposed in a position where it meshes with the gear 92 .
It should be noted that the configuration of the moving mechanism 90 described above is merely an example, and is not limited to the above example, as long as it can realize the function of swinging the first support portion 210, the second support portion 220, and the fourth support portion 240 around the axis CL set between the first support portion 210 and the second support portion 220 when viewed from the vertical direction, relative to the third support portion 230, around the axis CL.

In this modification, unlike the previously described embodiment (see FIG. 1C, etc.), the first support portion 210 is fixed to the bottom wall 46 by a shaft 216. Also, unlike the previously described embodiment, the second actuator 254 penetrates a notch NTC in the bottom wall 46J and is fixed to the base 48. The first actuator 252 is fixed to the bottom wall 46J, similarly to the previously described embodiment.
Unlike the embodiment described above, the multiple columns 260 are fixed to the base 48 (not shown).

With the above configuration, the sleeping box 10J of this modified example is configured so that when the power source 94 drives the motor 94A to rotate the gear 94B, the driving force transmitted from the gear 94B rotates the gear 92, causing the bottom wall 46J to also rotate. However, as an example, the diameter of the gear 94B is set to a fraction of the diameter of the gear 92, and when the gear 94B rotates several times, the gear 92 is configured to swing only a set angle (as an example, about 25°).

(Specific actions and their effects)
Next, a description will be given of the specific operation and effect of the swing mechanism 90 of this modified example. The power source 94 of the swing mechanism 90 operates under the control of the control unit 50.

"First Example"
For example, after the user U starts using the sleeping box 10J, the control unit 50 rotates the power source 94 several times in the forward and reverse directions at a set timing during the period until the usage time (the usage time stored in the second storage unit 544 as the count number of the timer 56) has elapsed. Accordingly, the first support unit 210, the second support unit 220, and the fourth support unit 240 swing around the axis CL relative to the third support unit 230. As a result, the upper body of the sleeping user U swings relative to the lower body. This allows the user U to take a nap while being stretched.

"Second Example"
For example, when the time that the user U has used the sleeping box 10J (the usage time that is the count number of the timer 56 stored in the second storage unit 544) has elapsed, the control unit 50 rotates the power source 94 several times in the forward and reverse directions at a set timing. Accordingly, the first support unit 210, the second support unit 220, and the fourth support unit 240 swing around the axis CL relative to the third support unit 230. As a result, the upper body of the user U who is taking a nap is swingable relative to his or her lower body. This allows the user U to be stretched after taking a nap in a set position.
The second example is the same as the sixth modified example (see FIG. 7), except that S60C is a swinging operation.

(Further modification of the thirteenth modification)
In addition to or instead of controlling the relative positions of the support parts 210, 220, 230, 240 by the movement mechanism 250 in each of the modified examples described above, a swinging operation by the swinging mechanism 90 may be performed.
In this case, the swinging operation may be performed simultaneously with the relative position control operation, or may be performed at different timings.
Furthermore, a questionnaire for the ninth variant (see FIG. 9) and the tenth variant (see FIG. 10) is conducted regarding the comfort of the rocking action (rocking speed, timing, rocking angle, etc.), and if the user U answers that it is optimal, information relating the connected mobile device 70 to the optimal support position may be written, for example, to the first memory unit 542, or to an external server 80 connected to the mobile device 70 or the nap box 10 via the Internet (S62, S62D).

The above explains several modified examples.

As described above, the present invention has been described using the above-mentioned embodiment and several modified examples as an example of the present invention, but the forms included in the technical scope of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and several modified examples. The technical scope of the present invention also includes the following forms.
For example, some of the components, control methods, etc. of one of the above-mentioned embodiments and the multiple modified examples may be replaced with parts of another embodiment other than the one embodiment. Also, some of the components, control methods, etc. of another embodiment other than the one embodiment may be added to one of the above-mentioned embodiments and the multiple modified examples. That is, the above-mentioned embodiments and the multiple modified examples may be combined or replaced with each other. Specifically, a configuration (not shown) may be formed by combining the nap box 10A of the fourth modified example (see FIG. 5) with the above-mentioned first modified example (a configuration without the multiple sensors 30).

In the above embodiment, the third support unit 230 supports the human body from the front in the front-rear direction by contacting one or both of the upper limbs and the head of the human body so that the upper limbs and the head of the human body of the user U are positioned in a predetermined range in front of the human body in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 1D). However, the third support unit 230 only needs to have a function of supporting the human body from at least one side in the front-rear direction by contacting one or both of the upper limbs and the head of the human body so that the upper limbs and the head of the human body of the user U are positioned in a predetermined range in the front-rear direction. For example, the third support unit may support the human body from at least the rear in the front-rear direction by contacting at least the back of the head or the neck of the human body so that the upper half of the human body of the user U is positioned in a predetermined range behind the human body in the front-rear direction.
Furthermore, the third support section 230 may be arranged at a position higher than the first support section 210 and the second support section 220, and may be in contact with at least one of the upper limbs, the head, and the upper body of the human body so that the upper limbs and the head of the human body are arranged within a predetermined range in the front-rear direction, thereby supporting the human body from at least one of the front-rear directions. For example, the third support section 230 may not include the head support section 238, and may be composed of only the upper limb support section 234.

In addition, in the above description of the thirteenth modified example, the first actuator 252 is fixed to the bottom wall 46J, and the second actuator 254 and the multiple pillars 260 are fixed to the base 48, so that the first support 210, the second support 220, and the fourth support 240 swing around the axis CL relative to the third support 230. However, the second actuator 254 and the multiple pillars 260 may be fixed to the bottom wall 46J, and the first actuator 252 may be fixed to the base 48.

10. Nap box (an example of a support device)
10A Nap box (an example of a support device)
10B Nap box (an example of a support device)
10C Sleeping box (an example of a support device)
10D Nap box (an example of a support device)
10E Nap box (an example of a support device)
10F Sleeping box (an example of a support device)
10G Nap Box (an example of a support device)
10H Nap box (an example of a support device)
10I Nap box (an example of a support device)
10J Nap box (an example of a support device)
20 Support mechanism 210 First support portion 212 Base 214 Cushion 220 Second support portion 220A Second support portion 220A1 Shaft body 220A2 Cylindrical member 220A3 Cushion 222 Seat 222A Base 222B Cushion 224 Link mechanism 224A Link 224B Joint 230 Third support portion 232 Attachment portion 234 Upper limb support portion 234A Base 234B Cushion 236 Joint portion 238 Head support portion 238A Board 238B Cushion 240 Fourth support portion 250 Movement mechanism 252 First actuator 254 Second actuator 260 Pillar 30 Multiple sensors 32 First sensor 34 Second sensor 36 Third sensor 38 Fourth sensor 40 Housing 42 Ceiling wall 44 Peripheral wall 442 Door 46 Bottom wall 46J Bottom wall 48 Platform 50 Control unit 50I Control unit 52 Calculation unit 54 Storage device 542 First storage unit 544 Second storage unit 56 Timer 58 Model generation unit 60 User interface (UI)
60A UI with personal authentication function
70 Mobile device 80 External server 90 Oscillating mechanism 92 Gear 94 Power source 94A Motor 94B Gear CL Center line CS Control system CSE Control system CSH Control system CSI Control system HG Hinge NTC Notch PG Program PGI Program U User

Claims (14)

1. A support device that supports a user who is taking a nap or resting in a standing position,
   a first support portion having an inclined surface facing upward in the vertical direction and contacting one or both of the knee and the lower leg of the human body from a front side of the human body to support the human body from below;
   a second support part that is disposed at a position different from that of the first support part when viewed from the up-down direction and that contacts one or both of the buttocks and the upper thighs of the human body from a rear side of the human body to support the human body from below;
   a third support section that is disposed at a position higher than the first support section and the second support section, and that contacts at least one of the upper limbs, the head, and the upper body of the human body so that the upper limbs and the head of the human body are disposed within a predetermined range in the front-rear direction, thereby supporting the human body from at least one side in the front-rear direction;
   a fourth support portion that is disposed below the first support portion and the second support portion and that is closer to the second support portion in the front-rear direction than the first support portion when viewed from the vertical direction, and that contacts the soles of the feet of the human body to support the human body from below so that the feet of the human body are inclined with respect to the vertical direction;
   a moving mechanism that moves one or two of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion in the up-down direction relative to the one or one other than the two of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion;
   A control unit that controls the movement mechanism;
   A support device comprising:
2. The third support portion includes: (1) an upper limb support portion that is disposed above the first support portion in the vertical direction and supports the upper limbs of the human body from below; and (2) a head support portion that is disposed above the upper limb support portion in the vertical direction and contacts the forehead of the human body to support the head from the front in the front-rear direction.
   The support device of claim 1 .
3. The moving mechanism moves the head support part relative to the upper limb support part in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction.
   The support device of claim 2.
4. a swing mechanism that swings the first support portion and the second support portion relative to the third support portion around an axis set between the first support portion and the second support portion as viewed from the up-down direction, the swing mechanism being controlled by the control unit;
   Further comprising:
   A supporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. The control unit has a timer that counts the time of use by a user,
   The control unit controls the moving mechanism so that, when the usage time has elapsed after a predetermined time, the second support unit, the upper limb support unit, and the head support unit move relative to the first support unit in the vertical direction with the same waveform and phase.
   A supporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. The control unit has a timer that counts the time of use by a user,
   the control unit controls the rocking mechanism so that the first support unit, the second support unit, and the fourth support unit rock around the axis of the shaft relative to the third support unit during a period until the usage time has elapsed.
   5. The support device of claim 4.
7. The control unit has a timer that counts the time of use by a user,
   the control unit controls the swing mechanism so that the first support unit, the second support unit, and the fourth support unit swing about the axis of the shaft relative to the third support unit when the usage time has elapsed a predetermined time.
   5. The support device of claim 4.
8. a plurality of sensors attached to each of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the third support portion, the plurality of sensors measuring a load or pressure received from a human body in contact with the first support portion, the plurality of sensors being communicatively connected to the control portion;
   Further equipped with
   The control unit controls the moving mechanism so that a ratio of the measurement values of the plurality of sensors falls within a predetermined ratio range.
   A supporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
9. a user interface communicatively connected to the controller and configured to transmit requests from a user to the controller;
   Further equipped with
   When a request to start use is transmitted from the user via the user interface, the control unit controls the movement mechanism so that a ratio of the measurement values of the plurality of sensors falls within the range of the determined ratio.
   9. The support device of claim 8.
10. the control unit controls the movement mechanism when a usage time request is transmitted from the user via the user interface and the usage time has elapsed, so that a ratio of the measurement values of the plurality of sensors that is within the range of the defined ratio goes out of the range of the defined ratio.
    10. The support device of claim 9.
11. the control unit controls the movement mechanism so that a ratio of the measurement values of the plurality of sensors varies within the determined ratio range during a period from when a usage time request is transmitted from the user via the user interface until the usage time has elapsed.
    9. The support device of claim 8.
12. The second support portion has a seat that contacts one or both of the buttocks and the upper legs of the human body and a link mechanism that connects the seat and the moving mechanism,
    the seat is moved upward by the moving mechanism so as to change its posture so as to widen an angle formed between the seat and the link along the vertical direction;
    A supporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
13. A program for controlling the support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
    Using the control unit,
    A measurement function for causing the plurality of sensors to measure a load or pressure applied from a human body in contact with the sensor;
    a movement function of controlling the movement mechanism to move the second support part relative to the first support part in the up-down direction so that a ratio of the measurement values of the plurality of sensors falls within a predetermined ratio range; and
    a swing mechanism that controls the swing mechanism to swing one or both of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion, or the third support portion, around the axis of the shaft so that the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion swing relative to the third support portion;
    Execute the
    program.
14. A program for controlling the support device according to claim 4,
    Using the control unit,
    A measurement function for causing the plurality of sensors to measure a load or pressure applied from a human body in contact with the sensor;
    a movement function of controlling the movement mechanism to move the second support part relative to the first support part in the up-down direction so that a ratio of the measurement values of the plurality of sensors falls within a predetermined ratio range; and
    a swing mechanism that controls the swing mechanism to swing one or both of the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion, or the third support portion, around the axis of the shaft so that the first support portion, the second support portion, and the fourth support portion swing relative to the third support portion;
    Execute the
    program.
    
    

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