US20190110618A1

US20190110618A1 - Smart Neck Pillow

Info

Publication number: US20190110618A1
Application number: US15/821,709
Authority: US
Inventors: Yulin Ye; Shichun Zhou
Original assignee: Ningbo Fellow Traveler Information Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ningbo Fellow Traveler Information Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-10-17
Filing date: 2017-11-22
Publication date: 2019-04-18
Also published as: CN107468001A

Abstract

A smart neck pillow is disclosed which includes a body having a U-shaped part, wherein the body includes a first neck support extending upwards from the U-shaped part to support an occiput of a user, the first neck support having a via corresponding to a center of the occiput, and a control module and a plurality of pressure detection modules arranged on the body, the plurality of pressure detection modules being electrically connected to the control module, the plurality of pressure detection modules being arranged at least on the upper side, the left side and the right side of the via of the first neck support. The smart neck pillow monitors sleeping posture information of the user to farthest avoid causing damage to the cervical vertebrae.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Application No. 201710966059.X filed on Oct. 17, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of pillows, and in particular, to a smart neck pillow.

BACKGROUNDS

A neck pillow is a new model of cervical vertebrae protection products usually comprising a U-shaped body. When used, the neck pillow is arranged around the neck and attached to the top of the shoulder, so that a user leaning on a seat would have his or her head steadily supported. The support is also soft and comfortable to greatly reduce strain on the cervical vertebrae. However, existing neck pillows are not smart enough to inform the user of his or her own sleeping data during use. Strain on the cervical vertebrae would still cause damage thereto if the user keeps in a single posture for a long time or an incorrect posture.

SUMMARY

One technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a smart neck pillow for monitoring a user sleeping posture to avoid causing damage to the cervical vertebrae.
A smart neck pillow according to the present disclosure includes a body having a U-shaped part, wherein the body includes a first neck support extending upwards from the U-shaped part to support an occiput of a user, the first neck support having a via corresponding to a center of the occiput, and a control module and a plurality of pressure detection modules arranged on the body, the plurality of pressure detection modules being electrically connected to the control module, the plurality of pressure detection modules being arranged at least on the upper side, the left side and the right side of the via of the first neck support.
The embodiments as described above have the following advantages: The pressure detection modules of the smart neck pillow are used to detect the sleeping posture of the human body. The pressure detection modules are distributed on the upper side, the left side and the right side of the via of the first neck support. The magnitude of a pressure detected by the pressure detection module on the upper side is used to determine whether the head is leaned forward or backward, and the difference between the pressures detected by the left and right pressure detection modules is used to determine whether the head is leaned leftwards or rightwards. The sleeping posture information collected is more accurate and comprehensive. Each item of sleeping posture information collected by the pressure detection module and the time duration the user spends in that posture are recorded after being processed by the control module, so that a series of personal cervical vertebrae data can be summarized after a long time of usage by the user. The personal data is compared to medical occipital lesions of the cervical vertebrae to inform the user of any possible cervical vertebrae problems and offer advice on a correct sleeping posture and prevention from occipital lesions.
In some embodiments, the pressure detection modules are further arranged on the lower side of the via of the first neck support. This configuration can be used for a more accurate determination of forward and backward leaning by the pressure detection modules on the upper side, or a tightness level about matching of the U-shaped part and the human neck to allow proper user adjustment.
In some embodiments, the control module includes a communication unit communicatively coupled to a user mobile terminal. This configuration allows uploading the sleeping posture information and he time duration collected by the control module to the user mobile terminal. The user has more convenience in acquiring the personal cervical vertebrae data and advice.
In some embodiments, the smart neck pillow further includes a horizontal gyroscope module electrically connected to the control module and arranged on the body. With this configuration, the leaning orientation of the user's head can be collected by the pressure detection modules, and the leaning angle and orientation of the user's upper body can be collected by the horizontal gyroscope module. More comprehensive sleeping posture information can be collected.
In some embodiments, the smart neck pillow further includes a PCB box. The control module and the horizontal gyroscope module are installed in the PCB box. The body includes a mounting cavity, and the PCB box is installed in the mounting cavity of the body. By installing the control module and the horizontal gyroscope together, a concise structure is achieved which serves as protection for the electronic components. User convenience is not affected since the PCB box is embedded in the body.
In some embodiments, positioning grooves are arranged on the upper side, the left side and the right side of the via of the first neck support to position the pressure detection modules properly.
In some embodiments, the body includes an upper body and a lower body. Mounting grooves are arranged on a contacting surface of one of the upper body and the lower body. A contacting surface of the other one of the upper body and the lower body covers the mounting grooves to form the mounting cavity with the mounting grooves. One of the upper body and the lower body has mounting grooves on the contacting surface to form the mounting cavity with the other of the upper body and the lower body. The mounting cavity is invisible from the outside. The PCB box can be expediently installed between the contacting surfaces of the upper and lower bodies which form an integrated structure of the pillow body.
In some embodiments, the upper body is formed by incising at least a part of an upper surface of the U-shaped part, a front surface of the first neck support, and an inner surface of the rear side of the U-shaped part, and the mounting grooves are arranged on the inner surface of the rear side of the U-shaped part of the lower body. This configuration provides more appropriately designed upper and lower bodies as well as the mounting grooves.
In some embodiments, the body includes an auxiliary function detecting module electrically connected to the control module. The auxiliary function detecting module includes one or more of a temperature detection module, a carbon dioxide concentration detection module and a PM2.5 concentration detection module. Various new functions can be added to the smart neck pillow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a body of a smart neck pillow according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explosive view of the body of the smart neck pillow according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is another explosive view of the body of the smart neck pillow according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of the smart neck pillow with a pillowcase according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a functional schematic diagram of the smart neck pillow according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of a body of a smart neck pillow according to a second embodiment.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 body, 2 U-shaped part, 3 first neck support, 4 second neck support, 5 curved surface, 6 via, 7 control module, 8 pressure detection module, 9 communication unit, 10 user mobile terminal, 11 horizontal gyroscope module, 12 PCB box, 14 positioning groove, 15 upper body, 16 lower body, 17 mounting groove, 18 temperature detection module, 19 carbon dioxide concentration detection module, 20 PM2.5 concentration detection module, 21 pillowcase, 22 zipper, 23 rechargeable power source module, 24 charging interface, 25 electric switch, 26 elastic band, 27 paster.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in greater detail hereinafter.
In a first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, a smart neck pillow includes a body 1 and a U-shaped part 2. The body 1 includes a first neck support 3 extending upwards from the U-shaped part 2 to support an occiput of a user. A second neck support 4 to support the cervical vertebrae around a shoulder extends downwards from the U-shaped part 2. A curved surface 5 to fit the shoulder of the human body is arranged on the bottom of the U-shaped part 2. The first neck support 3 has a via 6 corresponding to a center of the occiput, and a control module 7 and a plurality of pressure detection modules 8 arranged on the body 1. The plurality of pressure detection modules 8 are all electrically connected to the control module 7. Three pressure detection modules 8 are arranged on the upper side, the left side and the right side of the via 6 of the first neck support 3, respectively.
The sleeping posture of the user is detected by the pressure detection modules 8 of the present disclosure. The pressure detection modules 8 are distributed on the upper side, the left side and the right side of the via 6 of the first neck support 3. The magnitude of a pressure detected by the pressure detection module 8 on the upper side is used to determine whether the head is leaned forward or backward, and the difference between the pressures detected by the left and right pressure detection modules 8 is used to determine whether the head is leaned leftwards or rightwards. The sleeping posture information collected is thus more accurate and comprehensive. Each item of sleeping posture information collected by the pressure detection module 8 and the time duration the user spends in that posture are recorded after being processed by the control module, so that a series of personal cervical vertebrae data can be summarized after a long time of usage by the user. The personal data is compared to medical occipital lesions of the cervical vertebrae to inform the user of any possible cervical vertebrae problems and offer advice on a correct sleeping posture and prevention from occipital lesions.
In some embodiments, the control module 7 includes a communication unit 9 communicatively coupled to a user mobile terminal 10. The communication unit 9 can be a Wi-Fi or GPRS wireless communication unit 9. This configuration allows uploading the sleeping posture information and he time duration collected by the control module 7 to the user mobile terminal 10. The user has more convenience in acquiring the personal cervical vertebrae data and advice.
In some embodiments, a horizontal gyroscope module 11 is included which is electrically connected to the control module 7. This configuration allows sensing of the leaning direction of the user by the pressure detection module 8. The horizontal gyroscope module 11 can also be used to sense the leaning angle and direction of the upper body of the user so that more comprehensive sleeping information can be collected.
In some embodiments, a PCB box 12 is included which contains the control module 7 and the horizontal gyroscope module 11. The body 1 contains a mounting cavity. The PCB box 12 is mounted in the mounting cavity of the body 1. The control module 7 and the horizontal gyroscope module 11 are installed together in this configuration. A concise structure is achieved which serves as protection for the electronic components. User convenience is not affected since the PCB box 12 is embedded in the body 1.
In some embodiments, positioning grooves 14 are arranged on the upper side, the left side and the right side of the via 6 of the first neck support 3 to position the pressure detection modules 8 properly.
In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the body 1 includes an upper body 15 and a lower body 16. Mounting grooves 17 are arranged on a contacting surface of one of the upper body 15 and the lower body 16. A contacting surface of the other one of the upper body 15 and the lower body 16 covers the mounting grooves 17 to form the mounting cavity with the mounting grooves 17. By separating the body 1 into an upper body 15 and a lower body 16, the mounting cavity for the PCB box 12 can be formed with the contacting surfaces of the body 1 so long as the mounting grooves are provided on one of the contacting surfaces. The mounting cavity is invisible from the outside. The PCB box 13 can be expediently installed between the contacting surfaces of the upper and lower bodies 15, 16 which form an integrated structure of the pillow body 1.
In some embodiments, the upper body 15 is formed by incising at least a part of an upper surface of the U-shaped part 2, a front surface of the first neck support 3, and an inner surface of the rear side of the U-shaped part 2. The mounting grooves 17 are arranged on the inner surface of the rear side of the U-shaped part 2 of the lower body. This configuration provides more appropriately designed upper and lower bodies 15, 16 as well as the mounting grooves 17.
In some embodiments, the body 1 includes an auxiliary function detecting module electrically connected to the control module 7. The auxiliary function detecting module includes one or more of a temperature detection module 18, a carbon dioxide concentration detection module 19 and a PM2.5 concentration detection module 20. Various new functions can be added to the smart neck pillow.
In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 4, the body 1 is covered by a pillow case 21. A zipper 22 is arranged on the pillow case 21 at the via 6 of the first neck support 3. The body 1 can be protected from stains by replacing the pillow case 21. The zipper 22 is provided for replacing the pillow case 21.
In some embodiments, a rechargeable power source module 23 and a charging interface 24 electrically connected thereto are arranged on the body 1. The rechargeable power source module 23 can be mounted in either one of the mounting cavity and the PCB box 12. The charging interface 24 is hidden inside the pillow case 21 with its outer ends adjacent to the zipper 22 of the pillow case 21.
In some embodiments, the inner ends of the charging interface 24 are adjacent to the mounting cavity to provide some supporting force by the relatively tougher PCB box 12 when the charging interface 24 is pressed down. The supporting force provided by the PCB box 12 avoids charging problems raised due to the inwardly sunken charging interface 24 caused by the softness of the materials of the body 1.
In some embodiments, an electric switch 25 exposed on the surface of the body 1 is included which is electrically connected between the rechargeable power source and the control module 7. The configuration facilitates switching on or off the power.
In some embodiments, the electric switch 25 is arranged on left side or right side of the opening on the upper surface of the U-shaped part 2 so that the user may expediently operate the electric switch 25.
A work flow of the smart pillow of the present disclosure is as follows:
If the pressure detected by the three pressure detection modules 8 on the upper side, left side and right side of the via 6 are less than a first set point value, a second set point value and a third set point value respectively, it is concluded the head is leaned forward. When the head is leaned forward, the pressure detection module 8 above the via 6 usually detects no pressure, i.e., zero pressure, and the pressure detection modules 8 on the left and right sides detect relatively smaller pressure values. If the pressure values then detected by the pressure detection modules 8 on the left and right sides are equal to each other, it is suggested the head is leaned forward but not tilted around. If the pressure detection module 8 on the left side of the via 6 then detects a pressure larger than that detected by the pressure detection module 8 on the right side and the difference therebetween is larger than a fourth set point value, it is suggested the head is leaned forward and leftwards. Otherwise, the head is leaned forward and rightwards.
If the pressure detected by the three pressure detection modules 8 on the upper side, left side and right side of the via 6 are larger than the first set point value, the second set point value and the third set point value respectively, and less than a fifth set point value, a sixth set point value and a seventh set point value respectively, the head is neither leaned forward nor backwards. If the pressure values then detected by the pressure detection modules 8 on the left and right sides are equal to each other, it is suggested the head is neither leaned leftwards nor rightwards. If the pressure detection module 8 on the left side of the via 6 then detects a pressure larger than that detected by the pressure detection module 8 on the right side and the difference therebetween is larger than a eighth set point value, it is suggested the head is leaned leftwards but neither forward nor backwards. Otherwise, the head is leaned rightwards but neither forward nor backwards.
If the pressure detected by the three pressure detection modules 8 on the upper side, left side and right side of the via 6 are larger than the fifth set point value, the sixth set point value and the seventh set point value respectively, it is suggested the head is leaned backwards. If the pressure values then detected by the pressure detection modules 8 on the left and right sides are equal to each other, it is suggested the head is leaned backwards but neither leftwards nor rightwards. If the pressure detection module 8 on the left side of the via 6 then detects a pressure larger than that detected by the pressure detection module 8 on the right side and the difference therebetween is larger than a ninth set point value, it is suggested the head is leaned leftwards and backwards. Otherwise, the head is leaned rightwards and backwards. The first, second and third set point values are respectively smaller than the fifth, sixth and seventh set point values.
If a deflection angle detected by the horizontal gyroscope module 11 is greater than a tenth set point value, it is suggested the upper body of the user is inclined. A greater deflection angle detected by the horizontal gyroscope module 11 indicates a greater inclining of the upper body of the user. The sleeping posture information and time duration collected by the pressure detection each time are recorded after being processed by the control module 7. The control module 7 uploads the collected sleeping posture information and time duration to a mobile terminal of the user so that the user have better understanding of his or her sleeping postures. A series of personal cervical vertebrae data can be summarized after a long time of usage by the user. The personal data is compared to medical occipital lesions of the cervical vertebrae to inform the user of any possible cervical vertebrae problems and offer advice on a correct sleeping posture and prevention from occipital lesions.
In a second embodiment as shown in Fig.6, distinguishing technical features include arranging a pressure detection module 8 on the lower side of the via 6 of the first neck support 3. The pressure detection module 8 on the lower side assists the pressure detection module 8 on the upper side in determination of the leaning direction of the head for more accurate results. The pressure detection module 8 on the lower side is also used to determine a tightness level related to matching of the U-shaped part 2 and the human neck to allow proper user adjustment. An elastic band 26 and a paster 27 are usually provided on the smart neck pillow to fix the body 1 as shown in FIG. 4. The tightness level related to matching of the U-shaped part 2 and the human neck can be adjusted by adjusting the docking positions of the elastic band 26 and the paster 27.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A smart neck pillow comprising a body (1) having a U-shaped part (2), wherein the body (1) comprises:

a first neck support (3) extending upwards from the U-shaped part (2) to support an occiput of a user, the first neck support (3) having a via (6) corresponding to a center of the occiput, and

a control module (7) and a plurality of pressure detection modules (8) arranged on the body (1), the plurality of pressure detection modules (8) being electrically connected to the control module (7), the plurality of pressure detection modules (8) being arranged at least on the upper side, the left side and the right side of the via (6) of the first neck support (3).

2. The smart neck pillow of claim 1, wherein the pressure detection modules (8) are further arranged on the lower side of the via (6) of the first neck support (3).

3. The smart neck pillow of claim 1, wherein the control module (7) comprises a communication unit (9) communicatively coupled to a user mobile terminal (10).

4. The smart neck pillow of claim 1, further comprising a horizontal gyroscope module (11) electrically connected to the control module (7) and arranged on the body (1).

5. The smart neck pillow of claim 4, further comprising a PCB box (12), wherein the control module (7) and the horizontal gyroscope module (11) are installed in the PCB box (12), the body (1) comprises a mounting cavity, and the PCB box (12) is installed in the mounting cavity of the body (1).

6. The smart neck pillow of claim 1,wherein positioning grooves (14) are arranged on the upper side, the left side and the right side of the via (6) of the first neck support (3) to mount the pressure detection modules (8).

7. The smart neck pillow of claim 5, wherein the body (1) comprises an upper body (15) and a lower body (16), mounting grooves (17) are arranged on a contacting surface of one of the upper body (15) and the lower body (16), a contacting surface of the other one of the upper body (15) and the lower body (16) covers the mounting grooves (17) to form the mounting cavity with the mounting grooves (17).

8. The smart neck pillow of claim 7, wherein the upper body (15) is formed by incising at least a part of an upper surface of the U-shaped part (2), a front surface of the first neck support (3), and an inner surface of the rear side of the U-shaped part (2), and the mounting grooves (17) are arranged on the inner surface of the rear side of the U-shaped part (2).

9. The smart neck pillow of claim 1, wherein the body (1) comprises an auxiliary function detecting module electrically connected to the control module (7), said auxiliary function detecting module comprises one or more of a temperature detection module (18), a carbon dioxide concentration detection module (19) and a PM2.5 concentration detection module (20).