JP7505733B2 - Body surface shape measuring device, bedding, bedding manufacturing method, computer program, pillow, and pillow manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a body surface shape measuring device, bedding, a method for manufacturing bedding, a computer program, a pillow, and a method for manufacturing a pillow.

According to the results of the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey, the percentage of people who did not get enough rest through sleep in the past month was 19.7%, and this percentage is increasing year by year. According to the "Sleep Guidelines for Health Promotion 2014" by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, it has been confirmed that problems with sleep increase anxiety and stress hormones, leading to accidents and a tendency to become depressed. It has been shown that short sleep time and insomnia can cause problems such as obesity, high blood pressure, impaired glucose tolerance, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome.
In order to improve these various sleep-related problems, consumers are considering replacing their bedding. According to a survey, the number one thing consumers care about or the items they use to get a good night's sleep is their pillow.

Conventionally, various pillows have been developed to meet the demand for a good night's sleep.
Some conventional pillows have some kind of material placed on the surface to make it soft, or have a member placed inside for adjusting the height (for example, Patent Document 1, etc.).

JP 2019-92974 A

Regarding head and body pressure, when the head is placed on a soft urethane or urethane gel pillow with gel on it, the dispersion rate of body pressure varies among users, and some people sink too deeply or too high. The same applies when a height adjustment member is provided.
The same goes for pipe pillows; even if you control the height by adjusting the amount of pipes, they will easily deform over time and soon become unsuitable, so you will need to go to the store multiple times to have them adjusted. Although there are services available to adjust them as many times as you like, going to the store is a hassle for consumers, and it can lead to them buying other products.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a body surface shape measuring device capable of measuring the body surface shape, including the bone shape, that matches the actual sleeping position of the relaxed human body, as well as bedding, a method for manufacturing bedding, a computer program, a pillow, and a method for manufacturing a pillow.

The body surface profile device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a support section that supports a portion of the human body other than the portion to be measured in a lying position, and one or more measurement sections into which the portion to be measured fits, and the portion to be measured fits into the measurement section, and the portion other than the portion to be measured is supported by the support section, thereby measuring the body surface profile of the portion to be measured.

According to the present invention, it is possible to measure the body surface shape, including the bone shape, that matches the actual sleeping posture of a human body suspended in mid-air. The "suspended state" refers to a state in which the whole body is relaxed, the arms and legs are stretched out in a natural position, breathing is not difficult, and the subject feels no discomfort.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main body and contact portion of the pillow. FIG. 11A to 11C are explanatory diagrams for explaining a method of manufacturing the contact portion. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the state in which the main body is housed in the inner cover. FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the state in which the main body is housed in the inner cover. 2 is a plan view of the pillow showing the inner cover housed in the outer cover. FIG. 1 is a rear view of the pillow showing the inner cover housed in the outer cover. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6. IX-IX line cross-sectional view of FIG. 6. FIG. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the main body and contact portion of the pillow according to embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a bedding manufacturing system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a body surface shape measuring device. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a body surface shape measuring device is used to acquire a body surface shape of a user in a lying position. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a body surface shape measuring device according to a fifth embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a body surface shape measuring device is used to acquire a body surface shape of a user in a lying position. 1 is a plan view showing a mat produced using the body surface shape measuring device of this embodiment. FIG. A cross-sectional view showing the buttocks portion of the mat of the first modified example. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a bedding manufacturing system according to a fifth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a mat manufacturing process performed by a control unit of a PC. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a mat of modified example 2. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a measurement unit of a body surface shape measuring device of modified example 3. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a body surface shape measuring device according to a fourth modified example. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a body surface shape measuring device according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a learning model. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a body surface shape measuring device according to an eighth embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the molding material after molding. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a body surface shape measuring device according to a ninth embodiment.

(Overview of the embodiment)
First, the embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described. At least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

A body surface shape measuring device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a support section that supports a portion of the human body other than the portion to be measured in a lying position, and one or more measurement sections into which the portion to be measured fits, and the portion to be measured fits into the measurement section, and the portion other than the portion to be measured is supported by the support section, thereby measuring the body surface shape of the portion to be measured.

The above configuration makes it possible to measure the body surface shape, including the bone shape, that matches the actual sleeping position of a relaxed human body (suspended in mid-air). The protruding parts of the body surface shape are the parts on which the user's weight (load) is applied, and at the same time, information on the distribution of body pressure can be obtained. It is possible to create bedding such as pillows and mats that allow the parts on which the user's weight is applied to be in close contact with the bedding, distributing body pressure well and preventing pain in the head, shoulders, neck, and lower back, and providing a comfortable, comfortable sleep.

The above-mentioned body surface shape measuring device may have a plurality of the support parts, and the plurality of support parts may be arranged in parallel such that the measuring part is interposed between the support parts.

With the above configuration, the support parts can be rearranged to suit the area to be measured, the gap between the support parts can be adjusted, and the width of the measurement part can be adjusted.

The body surface shape measuring device described above may include a net support section that stretches a net across the measuring section and supports at least both sides of the net, and the part to be measured may be placed facing the plane of the net to measure the body surface shape of the part to be measured.

With the above configuration, the part to be measured can be supported by the net. In addition, when measuring the head shape, the hair can be placed in close contact with the net, allowing the body surface shape to be measured well.

The above-mentioned body surface shape measuring device may be provided with a lifting unit that raises and lowers the net support unit.

With the above configuration, the height can be adjusted so that the part to be measured is properly suspended in mid-air. The height can also be adjusted to suit the bedding used by the user.

In the above-mentioned body surface shape measuring device, the width of the net may be expandable in the direction in which the support parts are arranged.

The above configuration allows the width of the measuring part to be adjusted to suit the user's physique and body shape.

The body surface shape measuring device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a support base and a molding material that is placed on the support base and that molds the part of the human body to be measured in a lying position.

The above configuration allows the mold to be used to obtain a body surface shape, including bone shapes, that matches the actual sleeping position of a relaxed human body, and allows the manufacture of bedding such as pillows and mats that allow the user to sleep well without discomfort, with the bedding fitting closely to the parts of the body on which the weight of the user is placed, and the body pressure being well distributed, and pain in the head, shoulders, neck, and lower back being suppressed.

The body surface shape measuring device described above may have a plurality of support tables, each of which can be raised and lowered independently, and the mold material may be placed on the support table that supports the part to be measured.

With the above configuration, the height of each support part can be adjusted so that the part to be measured is suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position, and the height can also be adjusted to suit the bedding used by the user.

The bedding according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a bedding body, a plurality of recesses and protrusions provided on the bedding body based on the shape of the surface of the human body suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position, and a plurality of contact parts that fit into the plurality of recesses and contact parts on which the weight of the human body in a sleeping position rests.

According to the above configuration, a recess is provided based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping position of the relaxed human body, and abutment parts that are formed based on the body surface shape and contact parts where weight is applied are fitted into the recess. A protrusion is provided on the bedding body corresponding to the recessed part of the body surface shape. The unevenness of the body, including the part where weight is applied, and the bedding are in close contact, so body pressure is well distributed, there is no discomfort, and stiff shoulders and neck, as well as headaches are suppressed. The user can turn over smoothly and with fewer turns, resulting in a good night's sleep.

The bedding according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a bedding body, a number of cut-out sections cut into the bedding body based on the shape of the surface of the human body suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position, and abutment sections made of synthetic resin that are layered on the parts of the cut-out sections on which the weight of the human body is applied and against which the cut-out sections abut.

According to the above configuration, synthetic resin is laminated on the cut-out portion based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping position of the relaxed human body, forming a contact portion against which the weight of the body comes into contact. The unevenness of the body, including the weight-bearing portion, is in close contact with the bedding, distributing body pressure well, without discomfort, and preventing stiff shoulders and neck, as well as headaches. The user can turn over smoothly and with fewer turns, resulting in a good night's sleep.

The bedding according to one aspect of the present invention has multiple synthetic resin blocks arranged based on the shape of the body surface when the human body is suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position.

According to the above configuration, synthetic resin blocks are arranged based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping position of the human body when relaxed. The weight-bearing part and the bedding are in close contact with each other, and body pressure is well distributed, without any discomfort, and stiff shoulders and neck, as well as headaches are suppressed. You can turn over smoothly and with fewer turns, resulting in a good night's sleep.

A method of manufacturing bedding according to one aspect of the present invention involves obtaining data on the body surface shape of the measured part of the human body suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position, providing multiple recesses and protrusions on the main body of the bedding based on the body surface shape, and fitting contact parts that contact the parts of the human body on which the weight of the body is placed into the recesses.

According to the above configuration, a recess is provided based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping position of the human body when relaxed, and abutment parts that are formed based on the body surface shape and that contact parts on which weight is applied are fitted into the recess. A protrusion is provided on the bedding body in correspondence with the recessed parts of the body surface shape. The unevenness of the body, including the parts on which weight is applied, is in close contact with the bedding, body pressure is well distributed, there is no discomfort, shoulder and neck stiffness and headaches are suppressed, and good sleep can be obtained.

The method of manufacturing bedding according to one aspect of the present invention involves obtaining data on the body surface shape of the measured part of the human body suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position, cutting the bedding body based on the body surface shape, laminating synthetic resin on the load-bearing part of the cut-out part on which the body weight is applied, and providing an abutment part against which the load-bearing part abuts.

Here, the term "laminated" is not limited to a multi-layer structure, but also includes a single layer structure.
According to the above structure, a synthetic resin is laminated on the cut portion based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping position of the relaxed human body to form a contact portion against which the weight is applied. The weight-bearing portion and the bedding come into close contact, dispersing body pressure well, without discomfort, and preventing stiff shoulders and neck as well as headaches, allowing for a good night's sleep.

In the above-mentioned method for manufacturing bedding, the synthetic resin may be layered in a state in which the amount applied to the load-bearing portion is controlled so that the synthetic resin will not collapse under its own weight and conforms to the body surface shape.
According to the above configuration, the contact portion is well formed.

The method for manufacturing bedding according to one aspect of the present invention involves obtaining data on the body surface shape of the measured part of the human body suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position, and arranging multiple synthetic resin blocks of different materials, hardness, or heights based on the body surface shape.

According to the above configuration, synthetic resin blocks are placed based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping posture of the human body when relaxed. The weight-bearing part and the bedding are in close contact with each other, body pressure is well distributed, there is no discomfort, shoulder and neck stiffness and headaches are suppressed, and a good night's sleep can be obtained.

In the above-mentioned bedding manufacturing method, the part to be measured may be molded to obtain data relating to the body surface shape of the part to be measured.

With the above configuration, the shape of the recess or cut-out portion that serves as a receptacle for the user's body in bedding such as pillows and mats can be directly obtained as a mold, and data on the height of the blocks can be obtained, allowing bedding to be produced easily and quickly.

In the above-mentioned method for manufacturing bedding, first data relating to the body surface shape of the human body in an upright or sitting position is obtained, and the first data relating to the body surface shape of the human body in an upright or sitting position and second data relating to the body surface shape of the measured part of the human body suspended in mid-air in a lying position are used as teacher data, and the obtained first data is input into a learning model that outputs second data when first data is input, thereby obtaining the second data of the human body.
According to the above configuration, the second data can be easily acquired.

A computer program according to one aspect of the present invention acquires data on the body surface shape of the measured part of the human body suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position, and causes the computer to execute a process of cutting the bedding body based on the body surface shape, laminating synthetic resin on the load-bearing part of the cut part on which the body weight is applied, and providing an abutment part against which the load-bearing part abuts.

The pillow according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a pillow body and a contact part made of a material different from the pillow body, which is fitted into the pillow body and comes into contact with the head in a sleeping position.

Here, even if the resins are of the same type, such as urethane resin, they are considered to be different materials if they have different densities, specific gravity, hardness, and the like.
According to the above configuration, by using a material of different hardness for the contact part from the material of the pillow body, it is possible to prevent the head from sinking too far and control the sleeping posture. In other words, it is possible to obtain a good distribution of body pressure along the shape of the head and to maintain the shape of the sleeping posture. In addition, by selecting a material that can withstand changes over time for the material of the contact part, it is also possible to suppress the functional deterioration of the pillow over time.

In the pillow described above, the pillow body may have a recess with an open upper side, and the abutment portion may be fitted into the recess.
According to the above configuration, the contact portion is securely fixed to the pillow body.

In the pillow described above, the abutment portion may have a first through hole.
In the case of a user with a protruding back of the head, the protruding part places a load on the pillow body, which creates a gap between the periphery of the protruding part and the pillow body, causing the head, neck, and shoulder line to be convex upward. By having the first through hole, the protruding part fits inside the first through hole, absorbing the protrusion and solving the above problem. The ideal head, neck, and shoulder line can be easily formed for people with any shape of the back of the head.

In the pillow described above, the recess may have a second through hole, and the first through hole may communicate with the second through hole.
According to the above configuration, it becomes easier to form an ideal line of the head, neck and shoulders, and the breathability of the pillow is also improved.

The pillow described above may further include a tubular portion that fits into the first through hole and the second through hole, and a first cover that covers the pillow body.
According to the above configuration, the shapes of the first through hole and the second through hole can be maintained.

In the pillow described above, the curved shape of the peripheral portion of the first through hole of the contact portion may have a shape corresponding to the bone shape of the head and the sleeping position.
With the above configuration, the user's head and the pillow are in close contact with each other, body pressure is well distributed, and there is no discomfort, and stiff shoulders and neck, as well as headaches are suppressed. The user can turn over smoothly and with fewer turns, resulting in a good night's sleep.

The pillow described above may further comprise an adjustment member arranged on the back side of the pillow body for adjusting the height, and a second cover for covering the adjustment member and the pillow body.
According to the above configuration, the height of the pillow can be easily adjusted while the movement of the adjustment member is restrained.

In the pillow described above, the contact portion may include a three-layer structure made of a hard synthetic resin, a urethane resin, and a gel.
The above configuration allows for a high degree of freedom in designing the pillow to distribute body pressure along the shape of the head and maintain the shape of the sleeping position. By selecting a material that can withstand changes over time, the pillow's functional deterioration over time can also be suppressed.

The pillow described above may have three contact portions according to sleeping positions.
According to the above configuration, for example, by arranging a contact part in the center corresponding to sleeping on one's back and contact parts on both sides corresponding to sleeping on one's side, even if the user starts sleeping on his/her back and then turns to the side, the body pressure is well distributed according to the shape of the head and the shape of the sleeping position is maintained, resulting in a good sleep. The same effect can be obtained even if three contact parts that correspond to sleeping on one's side and change shape according to turning are arranged.

In the pillow described above, the contact portion may be detachable.
According to the above configuration, the contact portion can be used as a travel pillow, placed on a cushion and used for taking a nap, etc.

The method of manufacturing a pillow according to one aspect of the present invention uses the body surface shape measuring device described above to obtain data related to the body surface shape, including the bone shape of the head, of a human body in a sleeping position, and based on that data, forms a contact part that contacts the head in a sleeping position, and fits the contact part into the pillow body to manufacture the pillow.

The above configuration provides a pillow that matches the user's actual sleeping position. The pillow is manufactured based on the body surface shape, including the bone shape including the back of the head, which bears the most weight on the pillow when sleeping, or on changes in this shape based on the sleeping position, so the pillow can be in close contact with the user's body, body pressure is well distributed, there is no discomfort, and stiff shoulders and neck, as well as headaches are suppressed. The user can turn over smoothly and can do so fewer times, resulting in good sleep.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the main body 2 and abutment portions 4, 5 in embodiment 1, FIG. 2 is an oblique view of the main body 2 and abutment portions 4, 5, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing the abutment portion 4, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the main body 2 housed in the inner cover 6, FIG. 5 is a back view showing the main body 2 housed in the inner cover 6, FIG. 6 is a plan view of the pillow 1 showing the inner cover 6 housed in the outer cover 9, FIG. 7 is a back view of the pillow 1 showing the inner cover 6 housed in the outer cover 9, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 6, FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the pipe housing portion 7, and FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the plate portion 8.
The pillow 1 comprises a main body 2, contact portions 3, 4, and 5, an inner cover 6, a pipe accommodating portion 7, a plate portion 8, and an outer cover 9.

As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the main body 2 contains a synthetic resin material such as low-resilience urethane, has a semicircular shape in a plan view, and has a shape that is concave from both ends of the string toward the center. The main body 2 has a shape in the center of the longitudinal direction of the pillow 1 that is close to a sleeping posture in which the spine forms a gentle S-shape when sleeping on one's back, for example, without exerting any force. The shape of the main body 2 is preferably determined based on the bone shape from the head to the shoulders of an average person. Note that the shape of the main body 2 is not limited to this case.
The main body 2 has a recess 21 extending in the short direction in the longitudinal center of the pillow 1, and has recesses 23, 23 extending in the short direction on both longitudinal end sides.

The contact part 3 is located in the center of the main body 2, and the contact parts 4 and 5 are fitted into the recesses 21 and 23, respectively, on both sides of the contact part 3. The contact part 3 has a shape based on the bone shape of the user's head and the user's back sleeping position. This shape is based on the bone shapes from the back of the head to the neck and shoulders, the body surface shape of the skull, and the body surface shape changed depending on the sleeping position. The contact parts 4 and 5 have shapes based on the bone shape of the user's head and the left side sleeping position and the right side sleeping position, respectively.
The contact parts 3, 4, and 5 are formed based on average head data (bone shapes) of Japanese men and women, as described below. The above-mentioned users refer to users of both sexes. The contact parts 3, 4, and 5 may be prepared in multiple types for each gender.

The contact portion 3 has a through hole 31 at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction. The recess 21 has a through hole 22 that communicates with the through hole 31. The through hole 22 may not be provided, and the lower end of the through hole 31 may be blocked by the bottom surface of the recess 21. In the case of a user with a protruding back of the head, the protruding part places a load on the pillow, creating a gap between the peripheral part of the protruding part and the pillow, causing the head-neck-shoulder line to become convex upward. By having the through hole 31, the protruding part fits within the through hole 31, and the above problem is solved. The ideal head-neck-shoulder line can be easily formed even for people with different back of the head shapes. And if the through hole 31 is connected to the through hole 90 of the outer cover 9 described later, that is, if the hole penetrates from the front side to the back side, the breathability is good (see FIG. 8).

The contact portions 4, 5 have through holes 41, 51 that correspond to the shape, size, and position information of the ear when the user is lying on his/her side. The recesses 23, 23 have through holes 224, 24 that communicate with the through holes 41, 51.
The through holes 41, 51 are preferably shaped to be, for example, 0.5 cm to 2 cm larger than the outer edge of the user's ear. This makes it easier to turn over in sleep, and the peripheral parts of the through holes 41, 51 of the contact parts 4, 5 can adequately support the weight of the head. It is more preferable that the through holes 41, 51 are shaped to be 1 cm to 1.5 cm larger than the outer edge.

The ears protrude from the sides of the head, and in a sideways sleeping position, the body pressure of the head is concentrated on the ears. Therefore, blood flow stops at the ears, and the person turns over more frequently to avoid blood flow stagnation, and may wake up before or after turning over. Taking an unnatural posture to avoid crushing the ears may cause stiffness in the neck or shoulder muscles. In this embodiment, the ears are accommodated in the through holes 41, 51 corresponding to the shape, size, and position information of the user's ears, and the load of the side of the head and cheeks is distributed on the peripheral parts of the through holes 41, 51, so this problem does not occur. Conventionally, pillows that take the ears into consideration have existed, but the above problem could not be solved because the size, shape, and position of the ears based on the head data were not taken into consideration.
It is also possible to eliminate the through hole 24 and have the lower end of the through hole 41 closed by the bottom surface of the recess 23 .

The contact portion 3 includes a first layer 32 made of gel, a second layer 33 made of urethane, and a third layer 34 made of hard synthetic resin (see FIG. 8). The gel may be an elastic gel having a hardness of 0 to 12 measured according to SRIS0101, a standard of the Society of Rubber Industry of Japan. The synthetic resin may be PP, PE, PC, ABS, or the like.
The contact portion 4 includes a first layer 42 made of, for example, gel, a second layer 43 made of urethane, and a third layer 44 made of a hard synthetic resin (see FIG. 9).
The contact portion 5 has a similar configuration to the contact portion 4 .
The contact parts 3, 4, and 5 are not limited to the above-mentioned three-layer structure. They may have a structure of four or more layers. In addition, in order to adjust the shape of the periphery of the through holes 31, 41, and 51, an adjustment plate designed in a predetermined shape may be placed on the upper side or lower side of the above-mentioned three-layer structure. As the adjustment plate, urethane, gel, other synthetic resins, etc. having different densities, specific gravities, and hardnesses can be used.
A plurality of first, second and third layers of the contact portions 3, 4 and 5 are prepared, and the first, second and third layers can be selected according to each user, and an adjustment plate can be selected as necessary to customize the contact portions 3, 4 and 5.

A method for producing the contact portion 4 will be described below.
For example, average head data for Japanese men and women from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology is obtained.
As shown in Fig. 3, the average head data (A data) 10 is rotated by reverse engineering software such as 3D CAD software to generate data on the left sideways sleeping position, and data on a three-dimensional shape including the through hole 41 of the contact part 4 (B data) is generated. Based on the B data based on the bone shape and sleeping position, the first layer 42, the second layer 43, the third layer 44, etc. of the contact part 4 are produced by NC cutting or robot arm cutting, etc. They may be produced by 3D printing. The adjustment plate for correction for each user may also be produced.
For example, when sleeping on the left side so that the angle between a cross section of the head cut along a line passing through the longitudinal direction of the ears and the plane of the main body 2 is 45 degrees, the shape of the peripheral part of the through hole 41 is determined so that the height of the peripheral part on the right side of the through hole 41 is higher. Alternatively, an adjustment plate designed so that the height of the peripheral part on the right side of the through hole 41 is higher is inserted on the upper side of the first layer 42 or under the second layer 43.

Also, a model of a head may be made based on the above-mentioned average head data, and rolled on the main body 2 to obtain sleeping posture data by motion capture, and data B may be generated. Also, sleeping posture data of a person with an average physique may be obtained by motion capture, and combined with the head data to generate data B.
Similarly, data B for the contact portions 3 and 5 is generated, and the contact portions 3 and 5 are fabricated.
The prepared contact portions 3 , 4 , and 5 are fitted into the recesses 21 , 23 , and 23 of the main body 2 .

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the main body 2 with the contact portions 3 , 4 , and 5 fitted into the recesses 21 , 23 , and 23 is covered with an inner cover 6 .
The inner cover 6 is bag-shaped. Various fibers can be used as the material for the inner cover 6, including natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, silk, and wool, fibers made from resin materials such as polyester, and processed fibers made from natural materials such as cellulose fiber. However, the material is not limited to fibers, and resin materials or processed natural materials can also be used as long as they can be used as a coating material. The inner cover 6 has three through holes 60 corresponding to the through holes 31, 41, and 51.
A tubular portion 61 is provided in the central through-hole 60, aligned with the through-holes 31 and 22 of the contact portion 3. The tubular portion 61 has a sewn portion 62 at its upper end, which is sewn to the upper edge of the through-hole 60. The tubular portion 61 has a plurality of fixing portions 63 arranged radially at its lower end, which are fixed to the rear surface of the inner cover 6 by, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener structure.
Similarly, cylindrical portions 61 are provided in the through holes 60 on both ends.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, with the pipe accommodating section 7 and the plate section 8 positioned below the inner cover 6, the inner cover 6 is covered by the outer cover 9.

As shown in Fig. 10, the pipe housing 7 has a plurality of partitioned housing chambers 72 for housing materials such as urethane chips and soft polyester pipes. The height of the pillow 1 is adjusted by adjusting the amount of the materials housed in the housing chambers 72. The pipe housing 7 has three through holes 71 corresponding to the through holes 31, 41, and 51. The number of housing chambers 72 is not limited to the case shown in Fig. 10.
Height adjustment can be achieved by incorporating a measuring tape capable of measuring the distance between data on the screen into the computer program and measuring the required distance. When using the body surface shape measuring device 14 described below, the head is lifted by the measuring unit 15, so the height to be adjusted can be easily obtained.

As shown in FIG. 11, the plate portion 8 is a thin plate, for example made of urethane, with a thickness of 1 to 2 cm, and is stacked one or more to adjust the height of the pillow 1. The plate portion 8 has a through hole 81 that corresponds to the through holes 31, 41, and 51 and extends in the longitudinal direction. Conventional urethane plates for adjusting height are prone to movement and are thick overall to maintain their shape, but the plate portion 8 of this embodiment has a through hole 81, and the movement of the plate portion 8 is restricted by the tube portions 61 and 91. Because the movement of the plate portion 8 can be restricted, the plate portion 8 can be positioned in the desired position.

The outer cover 9 is bag-shaped and has three through holes 90 corresponding to the through holes 31, 41, and 51. As the material for the outer cover 9, various fibers can be used, including natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, silk, and wool, fibers made from resin materials such as polyester, and processed natural materials such as cellulose fiber, but it is not limited to fibers, and resin materials or processed natural materials can also be used, as long as they can be used as a coating material.
A tubular portion 91 is provided in the central through-hole 90 so as to be aligned with the tubular portion 61 of the inner cover 6. The tubular portion 91 is sewn to the upper edge of the through-hole 90. The tubular portion 91 has a plurality of fixing portions 92 arranged radially at the lower end, and the fixing portions 93 are fixed to the rear surface of the outer cover 9 by, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener structure.
Similarly, cylindrical portions 91 are provided in the through holes 90 on both ends.
The tube portion 91 may be prepared in a variety of tube lengths and gusset widths depending on the user.

As shown in Fig. 8, the through holes 22, 60, 71, 81, and 90 of the main body 2, the inner cover 6, the pipe housing portion 7, the plate portion 8, and the outer cover 9 are connected to the through hole 31. Note that the cylindrical portion 61 and the cylindrical portion 91 are omitted in Fig. 8.
As shown in Fig. 9, the through holes 24, 60, 71, 81, and 90 of the main body 2, the inner cover 6, the pipe housing portion 7, the plate portion 8, and the outer cover 9 are connected to the through hole 41. Note that the cylindrical portion 61 and the cylindrical portion 91 are omitted in Fig. 9.

According to this embodiment, the contact parts 3, 4, and 5 can distribute the body pressure well along the shape of the head and maintain the shape of the sleeping position. In addition, by using a material that can withstand changes over time for the contact parts 3, 4, and 5, the functional deterioration of the pillow over time can be suppressed.
For example, the angle between the axis of the neck to chin and the bed top when sleeping on one's back is approximately 15 degrees, which is considered to be the ideal sleeping posture, and the head, neck, spine, and hip bones are connected in a straight line when sleeping on one's side. Therefore, many people cannot get out of their ideal sleeping posture because their usual sleeping posture is different for some reason. Some people find it difficult to get into the ideal sleeping posture. Under the proper guidance of an expert, it is possible to correct the current sleeping posture to the ideal sleeping posture for the user by gradually adjusting the angle. For example, by raising the angle by 2 degrees or 4 degrees, the user can get closer to the ideal sleeping posture that should be for the user, while checking the S-shaped curve of the neck and breathing, so that they can get a better sleep. In such guidance, in the past, a new product would have to be purchased every time the angle was changed, but in the case of this embodiment, it is only necessary to select from multiple contact parts 3, 4, and 5, or to insert an adjustment plate above or below the contact part.

(Embodiment 2)
Fig. 12 is a plan view of the main body 2 and the contact portion 4 according to embodiment 2. In the figure, the same parts as those in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
In the main body 2 according to the second embodiment, three contact portions 4 are fitted.
The contact part 4 in the center has a shape corresponding to the sleeping position when the angle between a cross section of the head data 10 cut by a line passing through the longitudinal direction of the ears and the plane of the main body 2 is 90 degrees, similar to the head data 10 in Fig. 3. The contact part 4 on the right side of Fig. 12 has a shape corresponding to the sleeping position when the angle between the cross section and the plane of the main body 2 is 45 degrees. The contact part 4 on the left side of Fig. 12 has a shape corresponding to the sleeping position when the angle between the cross section and the plane of the main body 2 is 135 degrees.
The present invention is not limited to the case where the three contact portions 4 have different shapes, and the shapes of the left and right contact portions 4 may be adjusted using the above-mentioned adjustment plate.

With the above configuration, a user who sleeps on his/her left side will initially sleep on the center contact part 4 in the 90 degree sleeping position. When the user sleeps at the 45 degree angle, the head will contact the right contact part 4. When the user sleeps at the 135 degree angle, the head will contact the left contact part 4. A good sleeping position can be achieved according to the angle of the side sleeper.
During the initial period of falling asleep, having a pillow shape that fits the user's sleeping position reduces unnecessary tossing and turning caused by restricted blood circulation, improving the quality of sleep.

(Embodiment 3)
In the pillow 1 according to the third embodiment, the contact portion 3 is configured to be detachable.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the contact portion 3. As shown in FIG.
The contact part 3 can be removed and used as a travel pillow, with the head resting against a train or airplane seat.
It is also possible to place the contact portion 3 on a cushion and take a nap.

(Embodiment 4)
In the fourth embodiment, the contact portions 3, 4, and 5 are manufactured based on data B which is based on the bone shape of each user, which is measured, and sleeping posture data is generated based on data A which is related to the bone shape.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a bedding manufacturing system 13 according to the fourth embodiment.
The bedding manufacturing system 13 includes an acquisition device 11 that acquires imaging data, and a PC 12 as a generation device that extracts data A relating to the bone shape of the user's head and the shape, size, and position of the ears from the imaging data, and generates data B for forming contact portions 3, 4, and 5.
The acquisition device 11 may be, for example, a 3D scanner. A camera may also be used as the acquisition device 11. Furthermore, position information of the head movement when the patient turns over to sleep on his/her side may be acquired by motion capture, and the contact portions 4 and 5 may be produced based on the A data and the position information.

The PC 12 includes a control unit 121, a storage unit 122, an input unit 124, and an interface unit 125. These units are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.
The input unit 124 accepts input of imaging data from the acquisition device 11. The interface unit 125 is configured with, for example, a LAN interface and a USB interface, and performs wired or wireless communication with the acquisition device 11. The communication is not limited to wired or wireless, and data may be transferred using a USB memory or the like.

The storage unit 122 is configured, for example, with a hard disk drive (HDD) or the like, and stores various programs and data. For example, a pillow manufacturing program 123 is stored in the storage unit 122. The pillow manufacturing program 123 is provided in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium 16, for example, a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, USB memory, or the like, and is stored in the storage unit 122 by installing it in the PC 12. The pillow manufacturing program 123 may also be obtained from an external computer (not shown) connected to a communication network and stored in the storage unit 122. The storage unit 122 may also store a mat manufacturing program for manufacturing a mat.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the body surface shape measuring device 14, and FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the body surface shape measuring device 14 is used to obtain the body surface shape of a user in a lying position.
The body surface shape measuring device 14 includes box-shaped support sections 141 , 141 , 141 that support a user in a lying position, and a measuring section 15 .
The measuring unit 15 includes a platform 151, pillars 152, 152 that can be moved up and down by an actuator, a rectangular net 153, and a net support unit 154. The net support unit 154 is provided on the upper ends of the pillars 152, 152, supports both sides of the net 153, and includes support plates 154a, 154a that move up and down in accordance with the up and down movement of the pillars 152, 152, and a top plate 154b that is U-shaped in a plan view and is attached to the support plates 154a, 154a.

The net 153 is a net-like structure, rectangular, and attached to the inner circumference of the U-shape of the net support part 154. Various fibers can be used as the material of the net 153, including natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, silk, and wool, fibers made of resin materials such as polyester, and processed natural materials such as cellulose fiber. However, it is not limited to fibers, and resin materials or processed natural materials can also be used, as long as they can be used as a coating material. The net 153 is attached to the net support part 154 so that it has a tension to adhere closely to the head in a state in which the head protruding horizontally from the torso does not drop when measuring the body surface shape including the bone shape of the head as shown in FIG. 16. Too much tension is not preferable because it does not conform to the shape and may cause pain to the person being measured. It is preferable to loosen the tension moderately and gently conform to the human body, but it is not essential because the measurement itself is possible.
The mesh is preferably large enough to prevent hair or flesh from sticking out. The mesh is more preferably 4 mm or less on a side, and even more preferably about 2 mm on a side.
The net 153 is preferably one through which the surface of the object to be measured can be seen, and is more preferably thin, but is not limited to this.
The reason why it is better to be able to see through the screen is so that the person being measured can easily recognize that he or she has been measured when looking at the measurement screen, but it is not essential.
The thickness affects the measured shape; the thicker the film, the more it is deformed; however, since the measurement itself is possible, it is not essential that the film be thin.

The shape of the support portion 141 is not limited to a box shape. The number of the support portions 141 is not limited to three. The support portions 141 are arranged so as to correspond to the part of the user's body to be measured.
When the part to be measured is the head, the measuring section 15 is disposed at one end side of the support sections 141, 141, 141 aligned in the longitudinal direction so that the head faces the net 153, as shown in FIG.
When the part to be measured is the waist, the measuring unit 15 is arranged so as to face the waist, and the supporting units 141, 141, 141 are arranged so that the measuring unit 15 is sandwiched between the supporting units 141, 141.

The shape of the net 153 is not limited to a square shape. It is preferable that the thickness of the net 153 is thin so that the bone shape can be clearly recognized.
The support section 141 may be configured to hold, for example, the bedding used by the user at home or several similar samples that have been prepared in advance, and allow measurement in a sleeping position similar to that at home.

As shown in Figure 16, when the head is placed facing the net 153 of the measuring unit 15, the part from the shoulders to the top of the head is protruded from the support part 141 so as to be suspended in the air, and the other parts of the user are supported by the support parts 141, 141, 141. Then, with the net 153 adjusted to fit the bone shape from the head to the base of the neck in a sleeping position, the body surface shape including the bone shape is measured by the acquisition device 11. It is preferable to adjust the net 153 by raising and lowering the net support part 154 to determine the position and posture while checking whether breathing is easy and whether there are any parts that cause discomfort or discomfort when sleeping.

When taking measurements, the net support part 154 is raised and lowered to adjust the relative heights of the support part 141 and the measurement part 15. Taking into consideration the mat and futon used by the user, the pillow 1 is manufactured so that the user can achieve a sleeping posture with a natural curve of the spine without exerting force.
The body surface shape measuring device 14 can measure the nerves from the back of the head to the shoulders, the shape of the neck bones, and the surface shape of the skull. If the gaps between the skull, neck bones, and nerves are filled comfortably, a person can sleep peacefully and turn over easily. This gap varies from person to person and is small, but it is a very important part when falling asleep.

When the pillow 1 is manufactured by the body surface shape measuring device 14 in the manner described above, data A relating to the body surface shape including the head bone shape of each user is obtained.
The PC 12 rotates the A data using reverse engineering software such as 3D CAD software to generate data on the sleeping position such as lying on one's back and lying on one's side, and generates data (B data) on the three-dimensional shape of the contact parts 3, 4, and 5. Based on the B data based on the bone shape and the sleeping position, the first, second, and third layers of the contact parts 3, 4, and 5 are produced by cutting such as NC cutting or robot arm cutting, or by 3D printing, etc. The adjustment plate may be produced and adjusted for each user.
In addition, the change in the body surface shape according to the sleeping position may be obtained as data, and the data may be converted into output data (B data) such as STL data and surface data by applying reverse engineering to produce the contact portion 3.
The manufactured contact portions 3, 4, and 5 are fitted into the recesses 21, 23, and 23 of the main body 2 to manufacture the pillow 1.

Instead of using the body surface shape measuring device 14, the user may be photographed in a standing or sitting position with a camera to obtain data on the bone shape of the head. When measuring the shape of the side of the head, the bone shape around the ears, which is particularly important for dispersing body pressure, and similarly for the back of the head, the bone shape from the top of the back of the head to the neck, are obscured due to hair, so measurements are taken using a swimming cap or other device that can hold or tie up the hair.
When a person is standing, the body is tense to support the spine, and when the person is sleeping, the body is relaxed and the muscles are loose. Therefore, the shape of a person's bones and muscles differs between a standing or sitting position and a lying position.
The curve of the human spine is to support the standing posture, and is a physiological phenomenon in which muscles work to support the body, so if the depth of the neck curvature is measured in a standing or sitting position and reflected in the shape of the contact part, the person may feel uncomfortable when lying down. It is preferable to obtain the A data using the body surface shape measuring device 14. When the body surface shape measuring device 14 is used, the shape of the head to shoulders can be obtained when the person is lying down on his/her back or side and suspended, that is, when hanging in the air with relaxed tension.

It is known that humans turn over in their sleep to regulate body temperature, recover from mental and physical fatigue, improve immunity, organize memories, repair internal tissues, etc. When using the body surface shape measuring device 14, it is necessary to perform the measurement in a position that allows easy turning over.
Experiments have confirmed that the positions that make it easy to turn over in bed when sleeping on your side are when the head, neck, spine, and hips are parallel to the bottom of the bedding and connected in as straight a line as possible, and when sleeping on your back, when the body from the neck down is connected in as straight a line as possible to the bottom of the bedding and the head is angled slightly above a straight line, which are not uncomfortable sleeping positions.
A test was conducted to determine the angle at which turning over is easy. When the angle between the axis of the head and the horizontal line was in the range of 10 to 20 degrees, a comfortable pillow was provided for all subjects. After the user assumes a sleeping position, the height of the net support part 154 is adjusted and measured so that the angle is comfortable, based on the standard range of 10 to 20 degrees, and then it is preferable to adjust it by the pipe housing part 7 and the plate part 8 when manufacturing the pillow 1.

As mentioned above, the shape of bones and muscles differs between the standing or sitting position and the lying position. In this embodiment, data A is acquired when the head of the user in the lying position is suspended in mid-air above the torso, so a pillow 1 that matches the shape of the actual lying position can be manufactured.

When making a pillow 1 for a user who sleeps on his/her stomach, the body surface shape measuring device 14 acquires data A relating to the bone shape of the face from both cheeks and the bone shape from the neck to the chest when the user is lying on his/her stomach. Then, data relating to the sleeping position of each user is acquired, and data B for making a contact part is generated based on the acquired data. The contact part for sleeping on the stomach has a shape that allows the chin to be placed on the center of the upper part of the main body 2. The pillow 1 may be made exclusively for sleeping on the stomach, or a contact part for sleeping on one's side may be made taking into account the sleeping position on one's side.
For users with symptoms of sleep apnea syndrome, data on the ideal sleeping posture for the user, which prevents the base of the tongue from sinking and narrowing the upper airway, is obtained in cooperation with a doctor, and data B is generated.

When using the body surface shape measuring device 14 to measure a part other than the head, such as the lower back, the top plate 154b is removed, the measuring unit 15 is positioned so that the part to be measured faces the net 153, and the part other than the part to be measured is positioned so that it is supported by the support unit 141, and the body surface shape of the part to be measured is measured.

(Embodiment 5)
Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a body surface profile measuring device 14 according to embodiment 5, and Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the body surface profile measuring device 14 is used to obtain the body surface profile of a user in a lying position. In Figs. 17 and 18, the same parts as those in Figs. 15 and 16 are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
The body surface shape measuring device 14 comprises a head measuring section 150, a base 158, pillars 157, 157 which can be moved up and down by an actuator and can slide left and right, a net 156, net support sections 155, 155, a support section 159, and a base 160. For example, six nets 156 and five support sections 159 are provided. The net 156 is stretched across the measuring section between the support sections 159, 159. The number and arrangement of the nets 156 and support sections 159 are not limited to those in FIG. 17 .
The net support parts 155, 155 are provided at the upper ends of the pillars 157, 157, support both sides of the net 156, and move up and down in accordance with the up and down movement of the pillars 157, 157. The tension and deflection of the net 156 are adjusted in accordance with the left and right sliding of the pillars 157, 157.

The net 156 is a rectangular net-like structure. A variety of fibers can be used as the material for the net 156, including natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, silk, and wool, fibers made from resin materials such as polyester, and processed natural materials such as cellulose fiber. However, it is not limited to fibers, and resin materials or processed natural materials can also be used, as long as they can be used as a coating material.

The head measurement unit 150 has a configuration similar to that of the measurement unit 15 in embodiment 4.

The support section 159 is box-shaped and placed on a base 160. The support section 159 may be made of a material capable of supporting the body weight and maintaining a natural sleeping position, for example, a resin such as urethane or gel, or a recycled material made of fiber, feathers, cellulose fiber, etc., that has cushioning properties and can maintain a sleeping position.
The platform 160 may be provided with casters and may be movable up and down. The support portion 159 supports the parts of the user's body that are not to be measured.
18, the head measuring unit 150 is disposed at one end of the nets 156 arranged in the longitudinal direction so that the head faces the net 153. The area from the user's head to the neck faces the net 153.
Starting from the head side, each net 156 is placed facing the neck to the shoulder blades, the shoulder blades to the lower back, the lower back to the lower buttocks, the lower buttocks to the lower knees, the lower knees to the ankles, and the ankles to the heels. The part of the user to be measured that the nets 156 are placed facing is not limited to the above case.
The shape of the net 156 is not limited to a square shape. It is preferable that the thickness of the net 156 is thin so that the shape of the body surface can be clearly recognized.

In FIG. 17, the base 151 is shown in a state where it is cut off at the end on the foot side, but as shown in FIG. 18, the base 151 extends to the foot side. The base 151 has a guide section 161 for the acquisition device 11 extending in the longitudinal direction at the center of the short side. As shown in FIG. 18, when the user lies on his/her back on the body surface shape measuring device 14, the acquisition device 11 moves from the head side to the heel side, and acquires the body surface shape of the measured parts from the head to the neck, from the neck to the shoulder blades, from the shoulder blades to the lumbar cavity, from the lumbar cavity to the lower part of the buttocks, from the lower part of the buttocks to the lower part of the knees, from the lower part of the knees to the ankles, and from the ankles to the heels. For example, casters are attached to the acquisition device 11, and the acquisition device 11 can be moved along the guide section 161 to capture the whole body at once. It is preferable that the casters be able to go back and forth at the same place like a railroad track, but this is not limited thereto. The acquisition device 11 may be moved by an actuator.
Anything other than casters can be used to make the acquisition device 11 mobile. For example, the acquisition device 11 can be mounted on a drone, a pulley, a radio-controlled cart, a dolly, a conveyor, etc., and used to take pictures in a lying position.
The key is to be able to move underneath the user while they are lying down and take the picture.

The body surface shape is acquired for each measurement part in a suspended state supported by the net 156. A body surface shape that matches the actual human body lying on its back with no tension is obtained.
The parts that protrude below the body surface shape are the parts on which the body weight (body pressure, load) is applied, and information on the body pressure distribution can also be obtained satisfactorily.
A sheet for measuring body pressure distribution may be placed on the net 156 to measure the body pressure distribution in addition to the body surface shape.

The body surface shape is acquired in the same manner when the user sleeps on his/her side or on his/her stomach. To acquire the body surface shape when sleeping on his/her side without distortion, the acquisition device 11 may be adapted to move not only along the center but also along the right and left ends. Three acquisition devices 11 may be provided and moved in parallel at the same time.

Multiple nets 156 may be integrated.

As shown in Fig. 18, when the head is placed facing the net 153 of the head measuring unit 150, the part from the neck to the top of the head is protruded so as to be suspended in the air, and the other parts of the user are supported by the net 156 and the support unit 159. Then, with the net 153 adjusted to fit the bone shape from the head to the base of the neck in the sleeping position, the body surface shape including the bone shape is measured by the acquisition device 11. It is preferable to adjust the net 153 by raising and lowering the net support unit 154 to determine the position and posture while checking whether breathing is easy and whether there are any parts that are uncomfortable or uncomfortable to sleep on. In addition, it is preferable that the height be such that the user can turn over without any motion and without exerting any force.
For the parts to be measured other than the head, the net 156 is adjusted so as to conform to the shape of the body surface in the lying position. It is also preferable to adjust the height and lateral position of the pillars 157.

When taking measurements, the net support part 154 is raised and lowered to adjust the relative heights of the net 156 and support part 159 and the head measurement part 150. Taking into consideration the mattress used by the user, the mattress 17 is made so that the user can achieve a sleeping position that allows for a natural curve of the spine without exerting any strain.

According to the body surface shape measuring device 14 of this embodiment, the body surface shape from the head to the heels can be measured satisfactorily. A pillow 1 can be manufactured that comfortably fills the gap between the skull, the neck bones, and the nerves.
It is possible to manufacture a mattress 17, which will be described later, that fits the contours of the user's body surface shape, allows the spine to form a gentle S-shape when sleeping on one's back, and allows the user to achieve a relaxed sleeping position. When there is no gap between the body surface shape and the bedding, the person can sleep comfortably and can easily turn over in bed.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a mat 17 produced using the body surface shape measuring device 14 of this embodiment.
The mat 17 includes a main body 170, a recess 171 based on the body surface shape in a supine sleeping position, a recess 172 based on the body surface shape in a sideways sleeping position, a contact portion 18 that fits into the recess 171, and a contact portion 19 that fits into the recess 172. The main body 170 includes a synthetic resin material such as low-resilience urethane. The main body 170 has a shape that is close to a sleeping position in which the spine forms a gentle S-shape when sleeping on one's back, and no force is applied. The shape of the main body 170 has recesses and protrusions based on the body surface shape of each user measured individually by the body surface shape measuring device 14.
The thickness of the mat 17 is, for example, 5 to 8 cm, and it may be used as a mat by itself or may be placed on top of other bedding.

The contact portions 18 contact the protruding parts at the base of the neck, the shoulder blades, the protruding parts at the lower corners of the shoulder blades, the spine, the backs of the elbows, the upper protruding parts of the hip bones, the center of the buttocks (the center parts of the hip bones), both ends of the buttocks, and the heels.
The contact portion 18 has a through hole 181. The peripheral portion of the through hole 181 has a curved shape that fits the shape of the surface of the part of the human body that it comes into contact with.
The contact parts 19 come into contact with the outer parts of the shoulder blades, the elbows, both ends of the thighs, and the knees. The contact parts 19 have through holes 191. The periphery of the through hole 191 has a curved shape that fits the shape of the body surface that it comes into contact with.
In Fig. 19, the contact parts 18 and 19 are drawn as perfect circles, but in reality they have a circumferential shape that matches the shape of the body surface they are in contact with. In Fig. 19, the contact parts 19 shown to be located inside the hands are contacted by both ends of the thighs when sleeping on one side.
The protrusions are provided in correspondence with the concave portions of the measured body surface shape, from the neck to the shoulders, between the shoulder blades, from the back to the waist, the knees, and the ankles, and come into contact with these portions.
Incidentally, if the recessed and protruding portions are made to fit the shape of the body surface too closely, it will be difficult to turn over in sleep, so it is preferable that they are made slightly smaller.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mat 17.
The contact portion 18 is fitted into the recess 171. The contact portion 18 has a through hole 181, and the recess 171 has a through hole 170a communicating with the through hole 181.
The contact portion 18 includes a first layer 182 made of gel, a second layer 183 made of urethane, and a third layer 184 made of hard synthetic resin. The gel may be an elastic gel having a hardness of 0 to 12 measured according to SRIS0101, a standard of the Society of Rubber Industry of Japan. The synthetic resin may be PP, PE, PC, ABS, or the like.
The abutment portion 18 is manufactured separately from the main body 170 and is fitted into a recess 171 provided in the main body 170 .
The other contact portions 18 and 19 have the same configuration.
The contact portions 18 and 19 are not limited to the above-mentioned three-layer structure. They may have a structure of four or more layers. In addition, in order to adjust the shape of the periphery of the through holes 181 and 191, an adjustment plate designed in a predetermined shape may be placed on the upper or lower side of the above-mentioned three-layer structure. As the adjustment plate, urethane, gel, other synthetic resins, etc. having different densities, specific gravities, and hardnesses can be used.
As described above, a convex portion is formed from the back to the waist.

The main body 170 is covered by an inner cover 6 and an outer cover 9 .
The inner cover 6 is bag-shaped. Various fibers can be used as the material for the inner cover 6, including natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, silk, and wool, fibers made from resin materials such as polyester, and processed fibers made from natural materials such as cellulose fiber. However, the material is not limited to fibers, and resin materials or processed products made from natural materials can also be used, as long as they can be used as a coating material. The inner cover 6 has a through hole 60 corresponding to the through hole 170a.
The outer cover 9 is bag-shaped. The outer cover 9 has a through hole 90 corresponding to the through hole 170a. As the material for the outer cover 9, various fibers can be used, including natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, silk, and wool, fibers made of resin materials such as polyester, and processed natural materials such as cellulose fiber. However, the outer cover 9 is not limited to fibers, and may also be made of resin materials or processed natural materials, provided that it is usable as a coating material.
A plate portion 8 is inserted between the lower inner cover 6 and the outer cover 9. The plate portion 8 is a thin plate, for example made of urethane, having a thickness of 1 to 2 cm, and is stacked one or more times to adjust the height of the mat 17. The plate portion 8 has a through hole 81 that corresponds to the through hole 170a and extends in the longitudinal direction.

According to the above configuration, the recesses 171, 172 are provided based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping position of the relaxed human body, and the contact parts 18, 19 that are formed based on the body surface shape and contact the parts on which the weight is applied are fitted into the recesses 171, 172. Convex parts are provided in correspondence with the concave parts of the body surface shape of the main body 170. The unevenness of the body, including the parts on which the weight is applied, is in close contact with the bedding, so body pressure is well distributed, there is no discomfort, and stiff shoulders and neck, as well as headaches are suppressed. The user can turn over smoothly and with fewer turns, resulting in a good night's sleep.

Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the hip portion of the mat 17 of the modified example 1. In the figure, the same parts as those in Fig. 20 are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
In the modified mat 17 , the main body 170 is cut to form the recess 171 , and the third layer 184 , the second layer 183 , and the first layer 182 are laminated in this order around the periphery of the recess 171 to form the abutment portion 18 .

According to the above configuration, synthetic resin is laminated on the recesses 171, 172 obtained by cutting based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping position of the relaxed human body, forming the contact parts 18, 19 against which the weight-bearing part comes into contact. The weight-bearing part and the bedding are in close contact with each other, dispersing body pressure well, creating no discomfort and preventing stiff shoulders and neck, as well as headaches. The user can turn over smoothly and with fewer turns, resulting in a good night's sleep.

A method for producing the mat 17 of the first modified example will be described below.
FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a bedding manufacturing system 25 according to the fifth embodiment.
The bedding manufacturing system 25 includes an acquisition device 11 that acquires imaging data, a PC 12 as a generation device that extracts data A related to the body surface shape from the imaging data and generates data B for forming the contact portions 18, 19, and a 3D printer 30 that manufactures the contact portions 18, 19 of the mat 17 based on the data B.
The acquisition device 11 may be, for example, a 3D scanner. A camera may also be used as the acquisition device 11. In addition, position information of the movement of the user when the user turns over to sleep on his/her side may be acquired by motion capture, and the contact portions 18 and 19 may be created based on the A data and the position information.

The PC 12 includes a control unit 121, a storage unit 122, an input unit 124, and an interface unit 125. These units are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.
The input unit 124 accepts input of imaging data from the acquisition device 11. The interface unit 125 is configured with, for example, a LAN interface and a USB interface, and performs wired or wireless communication with the acquisition device 11. The communication is not limited to wired or wireless, and data may be transferred using a USB memory or the like.

The storage unit 122 is configured, for example, with a hard disk drive (HDD) or the like, and stores various programs and data. For example, a mat manufacturing program 126 is stored in the storage unit 122. The mat manufacturing program 126 is provided in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium 16, for example, a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, USB memory, or the like, and is stored in the storage unit 122 by installing it in the PC 12. In addition, the pillow manufacturing program 123 may be obtained from an external computer (not shown) connected to a communication network, and stored in the storage unit 122. The pillow manufacturing program may be stored in the storage unit 122.

Based on the A data, the PC 12 uses reverse engineering software such as 3D CAD software to generate data on the sleeping positions such as lying on one's back and lying on one's side, and generates data (B data) on the three-dimensional shape of the contact parts 18 and 19. Based on this B data, the first, second, and third layers of the contact parts 18 and 19 are produced by 3D printing or the like.
In addition, the change in the body surface shape according to the sleeping position may be obtained as data, and the data may be converted into output data (B data) such as STL data and surface data by reverse engineering, to create the contact portions 18, 19.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the mat manufacturing process by the control unit 121 of the PC 12.
The control unit 121 acquires imaging data of the user from the acquisition device 11 of the body surface shape measuring device 14, and acquires data B for forming the contact portions 18, 19 based on this data A (S1). When acquiring the body surface shape of the user in side sleeping using the body surface shape measuring device 14, it is not necessary to generate data on the body surface shape in side sleeping from data on the body surface shape in back sleeping.

The control unit 121 cuts the main body 170 based on the data B, and generates a recess 171 for the contact portion 18 and a recess 172 for the contact portion 19 (S2).
The control unit 121 causes the 3D printer 30 to eject synthetic resin onto the periphery of the recess 171 and the recess 172 to laminate the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, and so on (S3).
At this time, it is preferable to layer the synthetic resin while controlling the amount of synthetic resin dispensed, based on algorithmic analysis, so that the material will not collapse under its own weight and will represent the body surface shape.
A robot arm may be used to eject the synthetic resin instead of the 3D printer 30.

Similarly to the above, the mat 17 of FIG. 20 also acquires data A and data B relating to the body surface shape, and forms recesses 171 and 172 in the main body 170.
Based on the data B, the contact portions 18 and 19 are fabricated and fitted into the recesses 171 and 172 .
The contact portions 18 and 19 may be formed by discharging synthetic resin into the recesses 171 and 172 .

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a mat 17 of the second modified example.
The mat 17 of the second modification is formed by arranging a plurality of synthetic resin blocks 20 having different materials, hardness, or heights based on the body surface shape acquired by the body surface shape measuring device 14 .
The number of blocks 20 is not limited to that in FIG.
The blocks 20 may be made of gel, urethane, or may be filled with wool, feathers, cotton, or horsehair.
Based on the body surface shape and body pressure distribution obtained by the body surface shape measuring device 14, the material, hardness, or height of each block 20 is adjusted, and the surface shape of the mat 17 that fits the user's body surface shape as a whole is generated.

With the mattress 17 of variant 2, synthetic resin blocks 20 are positioned based on the body surface shape that matches the actual sleeping position of the relaxed human body. The weight-bearing part and the mattress 17 are in close contact with each other, body pressure is well distributed, there is no discomfort, shoulder and neck stiffness and headaches are suppressed, and a good night's sleep can be obtained.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a portion of the body surface shape measuring device 14 of the third modified example that faces the portion to be measured.
The portion of the body surface shape measuring device 14 of the third modified example facing the portion to be measured comprises a net 156, a base 164, pillar portions 162, 162 which can be moved up and down by an actuator and can slide in the direction in which the support portion 159 is arranged, and net support portions 163, 163.
The net support parts 163, 163 are provided at the upper ends of the pillars 162, 162, support both sides of the net 156, and move up and down in accordance with the up and down movement of the pillars 162, 162. The tension, deflection and width of the net 156 are adjusted in accordance with the sliding of the pillars 162, 162 in the front-to-rear direction on the base 164.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the width of the measuring section across which the net 156 is stretched can be adjusted to suit the physique and shape of the user.
The configuration for expanding and contracting the width of the net 156 is not limited to the above.

FIG. 26 is a plan view showing a body surface shape measuring device 14 of the fourth modified example.
The body surface shape measuring device 14 of the fourth modification includes a rectangular plate 167, a plurality of measuring parts 165 into which the measured portion of the user fits, and four pillars 166 that support the plate 167. The plate 167 can be made of polyurethane, cotton, latex, polyester, or the like.
As an example, the measuring unit 165 is provided in correspondence with the head, the protruding portion at the base of the neck of the human body, the protruding portion at the lower angle of the scapula, the protruding portion on the upper side of the hip bone, and the center of the hip bone (the portion including the sacrum).
The number of measuring units 165 is not limited to five, but may be one, or six or more. The position of the measuring unit 165 is also not limited.

According to the above configuration, the body surface shape of the measurement part in a lying position suspended in mid-air can be obtained with a simple structure.
The plate portion 167 may be divided into a portion having the measuring portion 165 and a plurality of supporting portions for supporting portions other than the portion to be measured. When the measuring portion 165 is a gap between the supporting portions and a net is attached across it, it corresponds to the body surface shape measuring device 14 in FIG.
A plurality of body surface shape measuring devices 14 in FIG. 26 may be prepared, each with a different position and size of the measuring unit 165, in accordance with the height of the user.

(Embodiment 6)
Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing a body surface shape measuring device 14 according to embodiment 6. The same parts as in Fig. 18 are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The body surface shape measuring device 14 includes a head measuring unit 150, a base 158, pillars 157, 157 that can slide in the front-rear and left-right directions by an actuator, a net 156, net support units 155, 155, a support unit 159, and a base 160. For example, six nets 156 are provided, and five support units 159 are provided. The net support units 155 are provided at the front end of the pillars 157, support both sides of the net 156, and move in accordance with the movement of the pillars 157 in the front-rear direction and in the left-right direction. The number and arrangement of the nets 156 and support units 159 are not limited to those in FIG. 17 .
The head measuring unit 150 includes a platform 151, a pillar portion 152 that can be moved in the front-rear direction by an actuator, a rectangular net 153, and a net support portion 154. The net support portion 154 is provided at the front ends of the pillar portions 152, 152, supports both sides of the net 153, and includes a support plate 154a that moves in accordance with the front-rear movement of the pillar portions 152, 152, and a top plate 154b that is U-shaped in a plan view and is attached to the support plate 154a.

The body surface shape measuring device 14 can be used at an angle of 0 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction.
For example, if a user sleeps in a chair for naps, tilted 85 degrees from the horizontal, the body surface shape measuring device 14 is tilted to 85 degrees, the body surface shape in the sleeping position is measured in a relaxed state, and the surface of the chair is formed based on the body surface shape, thereby enabling the user to sleep well.

(Embodiment 7)
The memory unit 122 of the PC 12 in embodiment 7 has the same configuration as the bedding manufacturing system 25 in embodiment 5, except that it stores the following learning model and a database of teacher data for the learning model.
The teacher data database stores first data relating to the body surface shape of a large number of users in a standing or sitting position, and second data obtained by the body surface shape measuring device 14 of embodiment 4 for the same users in a lying position.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a learning model.
The learning model is a learning model that is expected to be used as a program module that is part of artificial intelligence software, and can use a multi-layer neural network (deep learning), for example, a convolutional neural network (CNN). Other machine learning may be used. The control unit 121 operates to perform calculations on the first data input to the input layer of the learning model according to instructions from the learning model, and output second data and a probability related to the body surface shape of the human body in a lying position. In the case of CNN, the intermediate layer includes a convolution layer, a pooling layer, and a fully connected layer. The number of nodes (neurons) is not limited to the case of FIG. 26.

The input layer, output layer, and intermediate layer each have one or more nodes, and the nodes in each layer are connected in one direction with the desired weights to the nodes in the previous and next layers.

The input layer of a trained learning model inputs the first data. The data provided to the nodes of the input layer is input and given to the first hidden layer, where the output of the hidden layer is calculated using weights and activation functions, and the calculated value is given to the next hidden layer, and so on, transmitted to subsequent layers (lower layers) in the same manner until the output of the output layer is determined. All of the weights connecting the nodes are calculated by the learning algorithm.

The output layer of the learning model outputs the second data and the probability.

The control unit 121 uses the teacher data to generate a learning model that outputs second data when first data is input. Specifically, the control unit 121 inputs the teacher data to an input layer, undergoes arithmetic processing in an intermediate layer, and acquires the second data from an output layer.
The control unit 121 compares the second data output from the output layer with the second data labeled with the first data in the teacher data, i.e., the correct answer value, and optimizes parameters used in the calculation process in the intermediate layer so that the output value from the output layer approaches the correct answer value. The parameters are, for example, the above-mentioned weights (coupling coefficients) and activation function coefficients. There are no particular limitations on the method of optimizing the parameters, but for example, the control unit 121 optimizes various parameters using an error backpropagation method.
The control unit 121 stores the generated learning model in the memory unit 122 and ends the series of processes.

The control unit 121 acquires first data relating to the body surface shape of the user in a standing or sitting position, the data being captured using a camera or the like.
The control unit 121 inputs the first data into the learning model.
The control unit 121 acquires second data having a probability of, for example, 80% or higher based on the second data and the probability output by the learning model.
According to this embodiment, the body surface shape of a user in a standing or sitting position can be easily measured, and the body surface shape in a lying position that would be obtained if a body surface shape measuring device 14 were used can be obtained without using a body surface shape measuring device 14.

(Embodiment 8)
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing a body surface shape measuring device 52 according to the eighth embodiment.
The body surface shape measuring device 52 includes a rectangular plate portion (support base) 53 , four pillar portions 54 that support the plate portion 53 , and a mold-making material 55 .
The mold-making material 55 is placed on the plate portion 53. When the user lies on his/her back, the mold-making material 55 undergoes plastic deformation under its own weight, and has a shape-retaining property that maintains the shape after deformation. Examples of the material for the mold-making material 55 include silicone rubber, clay, gel, jelly, and gypsum. Also, the impression form "Trisham" manufactured by BAUERFEIND may be used as the mold-making material 55. When using "Trisham," it is preferable to prepare a variety of hardness levels according to the weight of the user's head.

FIG. 30 is a plan view showing the molding material 55 after molding.
A recess 56 is formed to fit the shape of the user's body surface.

According to the above configuration, the recess 56 makes it possible to obtain data on the body surface shape of the measured part when the human body is suspended in mid-air in a sleeping position. The recess 56 makes it possible to directly obtain the shape of the recess or cut-out part of the mat or pillow that serves as a receptacle for receiving the user's body as a mold, and also to obtain data on the height of the block, allowing bedding to be produced easily and quickly.

(Embodiment 9)
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing a body surface shape measuring device 52 according to the ninth embodiment.
The body surface shape measuring device 52 includes a rectangular plate portion 57, a plurality of sets of two or four pillar portions 58, 58 supporting the plate portion 57, and a molding material 55. The plurality of plate portions 57 are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the human body.
The pillar portion 58 can be moved up and down by an actuator.

In this embodiment, the mold-making material 55 is placed on the part of the user's body surface shape to be measured. The height of the plate portion 57 on which the mold-making material 55 is placed and the other plate portions 57 are adjusted so that the part is suspended in mid-air in the lying position. The height can also be adjusted to suit the bedding used by the user.

The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The technical features described in the embodiments can be combined with each other, and the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the scope of the claims and equivalents to the scope of the claims.

The configurations of the pillow 1 and the mat 17 are not limited to those described in the above embodiment.
The pillow 1 is not limited to having the contact parts 3, 4, and 5. For example, when the user mainly sleeps on his/her back, only one contact part 3 may be provided in the center. Three contact parts 3 may be provided, and in this case, the shape of the periphery of the left and right through holes 31 may be changed according to the user's tendency to turn over in bed.

The body surface shape measuring device 14 is not limited to a configuration in which the measuring unit 15 and the support unit 141 are separate, and may be configured so that the measuring unit 15 is fitted into the inner part of the head side of the support unit 141.
Furthermore, the sleeping posture of the user may be recorded in advance as a video using motion capture or the like, and the shape of the contact portions 3, 4, 5 may be determined based on the characteristics of the user's turning over in sleep.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Pillow 2 Main body 21, 23 Recess 22, 24 Through hole 3, 4, 5 Contact portion 31, 41, 51 Through hole 6 Inner cover 7 Pipe storage portion 8 Plate portion 9 Outer cover 10 Head data 11 Acquisition device 12 PC
121 Control unit 122 Memory unit 123 Pillow manufacturing program 124 Input unit 125 Interface unit 126 Mat manufacturing program 13 Bedding manufacturing system 14, 52 Body surface shape measuring device 141 Support unit 15 Measurement unit 150 Head measurement unit 151, 164 Base 152, 162, 54, 58 Pillar unit 153, 156 Net 154, 163 Net support unit 161 Guide unit 53, 57 Plate unit 55 Impression material 17 Mat 171, 172 Recess 18, 19 Contact unit 181, 191 Through hole

Claims (6)

A plurality of support parts that support parts of the human body other than the part to be measured in the lying position;
A plurality of measuring units on which the measurement portions are placed;
An acquisition unit that acquires data related to the body surface shape of the measurement target portion;
Equipped with
The plurality of support parts are arranged in parallel such that the measurement part is interposed between the support parts;
a guide portion that guides the acquisition portion in a direction in which the plurality of support portions are arranged side by side;
the measurement part is placed on the measurement part, and a part other than the measurement part is supported by the support part, and a body surface shape of the measurement part is measured ;
The acquisition unit captures an image of the measurement target part in a non-contact manner and acquires imaging data relating to a body surface shape of the measurement target part.
Body surface shape measuring device. The guide portion is disposed below the measurement portion and extends in a direction in which the support portion is arranged so as to face the entire back side of the human body when the human body lies on its back on the measurement portion;
The acquisition unit runs along the guide unit and photographs the upper side.
The body surface shape measuring device according to claim 1 . A net is stretched across the measuring section,
A net support portion is provided for supporting at least both sides of the net,
3. The body surface shape measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the part to be measured is opposed to a plane of the net, and the body surface shape of the part to be measured is measured. The body surface shape measuring device according to claim 3 , further comprising a lifting unit that lifts and lowers the net support unit. 5. The body surface shape measuring device according to claim 3 , wherein a width of the net is expandable in a direction in which the support portions are arranged side by side. Using the body surface shape measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , data relating to a body surface shape including a head bone shape of a human body in a lying position is obtained;
The method for manufacturing a pillow includes forming a contact portion that contacts the head when in a sleeping position based on the data, and fitting the contact portion into the pillow body to manufacture the pillow.

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