초록 ▼

An air cushion control system having an air chamber sensor including an air chamber, a bottom out sensor and an overinflation sensor, an air pump to inflate the air chamber, an air valve to release air from the air chamber, connections for the air cushion control system to an air cushion, and a micr

An air cushion control system having an air chamber sensor including an air chamber, a bottom out sensor and an overinflation sensor, an air pump to inflate the air chamber, an air valve to release air from the air chamber, connections for the air cushion control system to an air cushion, and a microprocessor to control the inflation and the release of air from the air chamber. The air cushion control system reduces decubitus ulcers by incorporating both an automatic adjustment system to prevent the seated individual from bottoming-out in the air cushion and measure immersion depth to maximize pressure reduction.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An air cushion immersion control system comprising: an air chamber sensor including an air chamber, a bottom out sensor and an overinflation sensor; an air pump to inflate the air chamber sensor, an air valve to release air from the air chamber sensor; means to connect the ai

What is claimed is: 1. An air cushion immersion control system comprising: an air chamber sensor including an air chamber, a bottom out sensor and an overinflation sensor; an air pump to inflate the air chamber sensor, an air valve to release air from the air chamber sensor; means to connect the air chamber sensor of the air cushion control system to an air cushion; and a microprocessor monitoring the bottom out sensor and the over inflation sensor, the microprocessor controlling the air pump and the air valve to adjust a depth of immersion of an individual into the air cushion by the inflation and the release of the air from the air chamber sensor and the air cushion. 2. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 1, wherein a housing contains the air pump, the air valve, the microprocessor, the bottom out sensor, the over inflation sensor, the air chamber sensor, and batteries. 3. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 2, wherein the air chamber sensor connects to the housing by air tubes or air connects. 4. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 2, wherein the housing is comprised of a lower housing and an upper housing, wherein the lower housing is removably connected such that the lower housing may be interchanged with a second lower housing of a different size or a different design. 5. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 2, wherein the microprocessor manages a low voltage monitoring system for batteries that power the air cushion immersion control system, wherein the low voltage monitoring system will activate an alarm when a low voltage is detected and will confirm the correct installation of the batteries with a short audible alarm. 6. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 2 further comprising a silent LED light system or a visual read out display. 7. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 6, wherein the silent LED light system or the visual read out display signals a bottom-out condition, an overinflation, or that an adjustment process is occurring. 8. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 6, wherein the microprocessor reinstates an audible alarm if the silent LED light system or the visual read out display is disconnected. 9. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 6, wherein the LED light system or the visual read out display is plugged into the microprocessor. 10. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 6, wherein an adjustment button on the housing contains an LED light and actuating the adjustment button first turns on the LED light and again actuating the adjustment button activates an audible alarm system. 11. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 2, wherein the housing comprises: a bottom housing layer, a middle housing layer, and a top housing layer; and wherein the top housing layer is molded and comprises chases or voids for directing wiring and tubing and further comprises compartments to house the batteries, the air pump, and the air valve. 12. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 11, wherein the middle housing layer is comprised of a thin material. 13. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor performs a timing sequence that measures a duration that the air cushion is in a bottom-out condition without an audible or a visible alarm being activated. 14. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 13, wherein the microprocessor activates an alarm, if the bottom-out condition persists beyond a programmed time period. 15. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor manages a battery saver system that closes the air valve and deactivates the air cushion immersion control system if an adjustment button is activated without an occupant on a seat cushion connected to the air cushion immersion control system. 16. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor controls the air pump to continue to operate for a designated period of time after the bottom-out sensors are no longer activated. 17. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment button that when activated signals the microprocessor to open the air valve to release air from the air chamber sensor and the air cushion until a bottom-out condition is determined by contacting the bottom-out sensor which activates the microprocessor to close the air valve and activate the air pump. 18. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment button that when activated signals the microprocessor to: confirm with an audible sound that the adjustment button has been activated; perform a timing sequence that measures a duration that an air cushion is in a bottom-out condition without an audible or a visible alarm being activated; manage a battery saver system that closes the air valve and deactivates the air cushion control system if the adjustment button is activated without an occupant on a seat cushion connected to the air cushion immersion control system; or control the air pump to continue to operate for a short period of time after the bottom-out sensors are no longer tripped. 19. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 1, further comprising bottom-out sensors that when activated signal the microprocessor to: perform a timing sequence that measures a duration that an air cushion is in a bottom-out condition without an audible or a visible alarm being activated; manage a battery saver system that closes the air valve and deactivates the air cushion immersion control system if the adjustment button is activated without an occupant on a seat cushion connected to the air cushion control system; or control the air pump to continue to operate for a short period of time after the bottom-out sensors are no longer tripped. 20. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor closes the air valve of the air cushion immersion control system after a programmed time delay if an adjustment process is activated without an occupant on a seat cushion connected to the air cushion immersion control system. 21. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor closes the air valve of the air cushion control system after a programmed time delay if an adjustment process is activated by an increase in internal pressure in the air chamber sensor due to increased temperature, pressure, or altitude and the bottom out sensors have not been contacted. 22. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 1, wherein the air cushion control system will automatically recognize an occupant by an air pressure activated switch and activates an adjustment procedure. 23. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 1, wherein the air cushion immersion control system will automatically recognize an occupant by an externally mounted strip sensor or a mechanical switch and activates an adjustment procedure. 24. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor performs a timing sequence that measures a duration that the air cushion is in an over inflation condition without an audible or a visible alarm being activated. 25. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 24, wherein the microprocessor activates an alarm, if the over inflation condition persists beyond a programmed time period. 26. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 1, further comprising bottom-out sensors that when activated signal the microprocessor to: perform a timing sequence that measures a duration that an air cushion is in an over inflated condition without an audible alarm or visible alarm being activated; manage a battery saver system that closes the air valve and deactivates the air cushion immersion control system if the adjustment button is activated without an occupant on an air cushion connected to the air cushion control system; or control the air pump to continue to operate for a short period of time after the bottom-out sensors are no longer tripped. 27. An air cushion immersion control system comprising: an air chamber sensor, including an air chamber, a bottom-out sensor, and an overinflation sensor, an air pump to inflate the air chamber sensor and air cushion, and an air valve to release air from the air chamber sensor and cushion; and, means to connect the air chamber sensor of the air cushion immersion control system to an air cushion; the air chamber sensor formed by sealing together two layers of a material, channel walls in the air chamber sensor separating the air chamber sensor into multiple interior air channels, the air channels extending throughout the length and width of the air chamber sensor; the distance from an edge of the air chamber sensor to an end of the channel wall does not exceed one half of the distance between the channel walls; and wherein the spacing of channel walls controls inflation height and air distribution within the air chamber sensor and the air cushion; and wherein the overinflation sensor comprises a magnet and a reed switch. 28. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 27, wherein the ends of the channel walls do not extend totally to the edge of the air chamber sensor. 29. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 27, wherein a third layer of material is sealed to the first two layers of the air chamber sensor, the third layer containing a vent hole; wherein a fourth pocket layer is attached to the third layer and is capable of holding a sensor board, the sensor board holding a magnet, and sensor strips; and wherein the pocket layer aligns the magnet and sensor board with the bottom-out sensors and the reed switch. 30. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 27, wherein the air chamber sensor assembly has air connects on its sides or bottom. 31. An air cushion immersion control system comprising: an air chamber sensor, a bottom out sensor and an overinflation sensor; an air pump to inflate the air chamber sensor and cushion, an air valve to release air from the air chamber sensor and cushion; means to connect the air chamber sensor of the air cushion control system to an air cushion; the air chamber sensor with multiple interior air channels, the air channels containing support strips; wherein the support strips reduce the bleeding of air from the air chamber sensor back into the air cushion when the air cushion is unoccupied. 32. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 31, wherein the support strips are a foam material, a plastic material, a combination thereof or any other hard material. 33. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 31, wherein the air chamber sensor includes the air chamber formed by sealing together two layers of material with multiple air channels that contain the support strips wherein the support strips are capable of activating the bottom-out sensor; and a magnet can be contained within the support strip. 34. The air cushion immersion control system according to claim 31, wherein the air chamber sensor comprises the air chamber formed by sealing together two layers of material with multiple air channels that contain the support strips, wherein the support strips are capable of activating the bottom-out sensor; and a pocket on top of the third layer containing a sensor board, magnet and activation control strips.