Separable bed

A separable bed includes a bed portion and a wheelchair portion that is combined with the bed portion to compose the separable bed. The wheelchair portion includes a second seat portion, and a second guide portion that supports the second seat portion, the bed portion includes a first bed bottom portion, a first guide portion that supports the second seat portion and the first bed bottom portion, a lifter that performs lifting operation of the first bed bottom portion, and a controller, and the controller lowers the first guide portion to a second lower limit position in a case where separation operation is performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a separable bed that can be utilized as a wheelchair by separating a part of the separable bed.

BACKGROUND ART

In a hospital or a caring facility, a patient, a care receiver, or the like (hereinafter collectively abbreviated as a “care receiver”) is sometimes transferred from a bed to a wheelchair, or a care receiver is sometimes transferred from a wheelchair to a bed. Support for such transfer is generally performed by hands of a human such a nurse or a caregiver (hereinafter collectively abbreviated as a “caregiver”), but is a physical burden on the caregiver, and causes lumbago.

In order to reduce the physical burden on the caregiver in the support for such transfer, a separable bed that can be utilized as a wheelchair by separating a part of the separable bed is proposed (see Patent Literature 1, for example).

FIG. 6AandFIG. 6Beach show a conventional separable bed21. As shown inFIG. 6A, the separable bed21in a separated state is composed of a wheelchair portion22and a bed portion23. As shown inFIG. 6B, in the separable bed21in a combined state, a bed bottom on which a care receiver lies is formed by integrating the wheelchair portion22and the bed portion23. The separable bed21in the combined state can be utilized as a general electric bed.

By the separable bed21having such a configuration, a caregiver can easily perform transfer between the bed and the wheelchair alone.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: WO 2011/155177 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In a care-giving site, the whole of a bed is often lowered to a lowest limit position so as to reduce impact in a case where a care receiver lying on the bed turns over and falls from the bed. However, in a configuration of the conventional separable bed21, when the bed is lowered to the lowest limit position, there is a possibility that wheels of the wheelchair portion22are grounded on a floor, and the wheelchair portion22is separated from the bed portion23.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a separable bed that can be safely utilized.

Solution to Problem

In accomplishing the objects, a separable bed according to one aspect of the present invention comprises:

a bed portion; and

a separation portion that is combined with the bed portion to compose the separable bed, wherein

the separation portion comprises a second seat portion, and a second guide portion that supports the second seat portion,

the bed portion comprises a first bed bottom portion, a first guide portion that supports the first bed bottom portion, and supports the second seat portion at a time of combination, a lifter that lifts the first guide portion, and a controller that controls lifting operation of the lifter,

the controller lowers the first bed bottom portion to a second lower limit position in a case where there is a separating instruction for separating the separation portion from the bed portion, and controls the lifting operation of the lifter to lower the first bed bottom portion to a first lower limit position in a case where there is not the separating instruction, and

the first lower limit position is higher than the second lower limit position that is a lower side position, and is an intermediate position where the separation portion is not in contact with a floor.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The above aspect of the present invention can provide the separable bed that can be safely utilized.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is sometimes omitted. In order to facilitate understanding, the drawings schematically mainly illustrate the respective components.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1AandFIG. 1Beach are a schematic perspective view of a separable bed1according to a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1Ais a schematic perspective view showing a separated state of the separable bed1.FIG. 1Bis a schematic perspective view showing a combined state of the separable bed1.FIG. 1Cis a block diagram showing a configuration of a drive system of the separable bed of the first embodiment.

The separable bed1of the first embodiment is composed by combining a wheelchair portion2that functions as an example of a separation portion, and a bed portion12. Examples of the separation portion include a stretcher, and a shower chair, in addition to the wheelchair portion such as a manual or electric wheelchair. That is, the example of the separation portion functions as an electric bed when combined with the bed portion12. In the combined state, the separable bed1is an electric reclining bed for care that changes its posture by a first driver (drive unit)90, for example. The first driver90is, for example, a bed driver for changing a posture of a bed and lifting (moving up and down) the bed. In the separated state, the wheelchair portion2is, for example, an electric reclining wheelchair that changes its posture by a second driver (drive unit)91. The second driver91is, for example, a wheelchair driver for changing a posture of a wheelchair.

The wheelchair portion2is composed of at least a second seat portion3composed by freely bendably coupling a plurality of divided portions, and a second guide portion5that supports the second seat portion3. The second seat portion3is an example of a separation portion seat portion, for example, a wheelchair seat portion. The wheelchair seat portion is, for example, a support member that supports a person on a wheelchair, and a wheelchair bottom. The second guide portion5is an example of a separation portion guide portion, for example, a wheelchair guide portion.

The second guide portion5can be composed as a part of a second main body portion4. The second main body portion4is an example of a separation portion main body portion, for example, a wheelchair main body portion. In this case, the second main body portion4is composed of the second guide portion5, a second base portion6that fixes a part of the second guide portion5(e.g., part corresponding to the vicinity of buttocks of a care receiver), and a traveling portion7that supports the second base portion6and moves the whole of the wheelchair portion2. The second base portion6is an example of a separation portion base portion, for example, a wheelchair base portion that is a base of a wheelchair. The traveling portion7has a plurality of traveling wheels7a, and a third driver (drive unit)7bsuch as motors that normally or reversely rotate the traveling wheels7a. The wheelchair portion2further has the second driver91as described above. The second driver91is composed of a second drive device91a, a second link91bthat is coupled to the second guide portion5and the second drive device91a, and changes a posture of the second guide portion5by the drive of the second drive device91a. The second drive device is, for example, a linear actuator. The second link91bis, for example, a wheelchair link for changing a posture of a seat portion of a wheelchair. The second guide portion5is composed of a plurality of divided portions, and is bendable between the adjacent divided portions. Accordingly, other divided portions are bent based on a divided portion located on the part fixed to the second base portion6(e.g., part corresponding to the vicinity of buttocks of a care receiver) by the drive of the second drive device91a, so that the second guide portion5can change a posture between a flat posture and a sitting posture. The wheelchair portion2is composed such that a posture of the second seat portion3changes according to the change of a posture of the second guide portion5, when the second driver91changes the posture of the second guide portion5. In the first embodiment, divided portions that compose the second seat portion3are bendable, and therefore the second seat portion3cannot maintain a fixed posture. Namely, in the first embodiment, the second seat portion3maintains or changes the posture integrally with the posture of the second guide portion5.

The bed portion12is composed of at least a first bed bottom portion13composed by freely bendably coupling plurality of divided portions, a first guide portion15that supports the first bed bottom portion13, and a lifter (lifting unit)18that performs lifting operation of the first bed bottom portion13. The first bed bottom portion13is, for example, a bed bottom portion. The bed bottom portion is, for example, a support member that supports a person on a bed, and is a bed bottom. The first guide portion15and the lifter18can also compose as a part of a first main body portion14. The first main body portion14is, for example, a bed main body portion. In this case, the first main body portion14can be composed of the first guide portion15, a first upper portion16that fixes a part of the first guide portion15(e.g., part corresponding to the vicinity of buttocks of a care receiver), a first base portion17that supports the first upper portion16, and the lifter18that performs lifting operation of the first upper portion16(i.e., first guide portion15) relative to the first base portion17. The first upper portion16is, for example, a bed upper portion that is an upper member of the bed portion. The first base portion17is, for example, a bed base portion that is a lower member being a base of the bed portion. The lifter18is composed of a third actuator18m, and a third link18athat lifts the first guide portion15by the drive of the third actuator18m. The third actuator18mis, for example, a lifting linear actuator such as a lifting motor. The third link18ais, for example, a lifting link. The third link18ais coupled to the first guide portion15and the third actuator18m. Instructions of rising/lowering operation to the third actuator18mof the lifter18are performed by a handset19described later. In the first embodiment, the divided portions composing the first bed bottom portion13are freely bent, and therefore the first bed bottom portion13cannot maintain a fixed shape. As shown inFIG. 4AtoFIG. 5C, the bed portion12may have wheels37at the lower ends of four corners to be movable.

The bed portion12further has the first driver90. The first driver90is composed of a first drive device90a, and a first link90bthat is coupled to the first guide portion15and the first drive device90a, and changes a posture of the first guide portion15by the drive of the first drive device90a. The first link90bis, for example, a bed link for changing a posture of a bed bottom portion of a bed portion. The first guide portion15is composed of a plurality of divided portions, and is bendable between the adjacent divided portions. The first drive device90ais composed of a first actuator90a-1and a second actuator90a-2. The first actuator90a-1is a linear actuator for performing bending operation or bend releasing operation of a divided portion related to back lifting of the first guide portion15. The second actuator90a-2is a linear actuator for performing bending operation or bend releasing operation of divided portions related to knee lifting of the first guide portion15. Accordingly, other divided portions are bent based on a divided portion located on the part fixed to the first upper portion16(e.g., part corresponding to the vicinity of buttocks of a care receiver) by the drive of the first drive device90a, so that the first guide portion15can change the posture between the flat posture and a back lifting posture-and-knee lifting posture. Accordingly, the first bed bottom portion13is composed such that a posture of the first bed bottom portion13changes according to the change of a posture of the first guide portion15, when the first driver90changes the posture of the first guide portion15. That is, the first bed bottom portion13maintains or changes the posture integrally with the posture of the first guide portion15.

The separable bed1further includes a controller (control unit)100that controls combination operation and separation operation, the handset19that is an example of an input unit, a first decision unit92, a setter (setting unit)93, and a second decision unit96. The first decision unit92is, for example, an instruction decision unit that decides instructions input to the handset19. The second decision unit96is, for example, a height decision unit that decides the height of the first upper portion16. The setter93is, for example, a lower limit value setter (setting unit) that sets a lower limit value of the height of the first upper portion16. The handset19is desirably provided in the bed portion12.

The controller100controls lifting operation of the lifter18. More specifically, the controller100controls the drive of the third actuator18mof the lifter18and the drive of the first drive device90aof the first driver90, in accordance with instructions input by the handset19and decided by the first decision unit92. During lowering operation, after the setter93sets a lower limit value, the controller100controls the drive of the third actuator18mof the lifter18so as to lower the first upper portion16to the set lower limit value. Hereinafter, respective components are described in detail.

FIG. 1Dis a view showing a manipulation surface of the handset19. The handset19has a first button19a, a second button19b, a third button19c, a fourth button19d, and a fifth button19e, as an example. The first button19ais, for example, a lifting button for a lifting (moving-up-and-down) instruction. The second button19bis, for example, a back lifting button for a back lifting instruction. The third button19cis, for example, a knee lifting button for a knee lifting instruction. The fourth button19dis, for example, a combining button for a combining Instruction. The fifth button19eis, for example, a separating button for a separating instruction. The handset19is connected to the controller100of the bed portion12by wire or wirelessly. When any of the buttons19ato19eof the handset19is manipulated, the controller100controls operation of the first actuator90a-1and the second actuator90a-2of the first drive device90a, or operation of the third actuator18mof the lifter18, on the basis of instruction information input to the first decision unit92.

The first button19ais a switch that drives the third actuator18mof the lifter18. The first button19avertically changes the heights of the first bed bottom portion13and the like (hereinafter, referred to as the “first bed bottom portion13and the like” when the first bed bottom portion13, the first guide portion15, and the first upper portion16are integrally handled) of the separable bed1after combination, within a bed liftable range.

The second button19bis a switch that drives the first actuator90a-1, and performs back lifting operation or back lowering operation of the separable bed1.

The third button19cis a switch that drives the second actuator90a-2, and performs knee lifting operation or knee lowering operation of the separable bed1.

The fourth button19dis a switch for driving the third actuator18mof the lifter18to combine the separated separable bed1(that is, to combine the wheelchair portion2with the bed portion12). While the fourth button19dis pressed, the controller100raises the first bed bottom portion13and the like to an upper end position for combination operation by the drive of the third actuator18m.

The fifth button19eis a switch for driving the third actuator18mof the lifter18to separate the combined separable bed1. While the fifth button19eis pressed, the controller100lowers the first bed bottom portion13and the like to a second lower limit position by the drive of the third actuator18m. Although later described in detail, the second lower limit position is a position where the wheelchair portion2and the bed portion12can be separated, which is a lower limit position for lowering for separation operation.

The first decision unit92decides on the basis of information inputted from the handset19whether either the separation operation for separating the wheelchair portion2from the bed portion12, or the lowering operation as an electric caring bed is performed. The first decision unit92outputs a result of this decision to the controller100.

The setter93sets a lower limit value when the first bed bottom portion13and the like are lowered, on the basis of the decision result by the first decision unit92. The lower limit value is previously decided, and is stored in, for example, a storage inside the setter93. On the basis of the decision result by the first decision unit92, the lower limit value stored in this storage is selected and set. When the first bed bottom portion13and the like are lowered, the controller100controls the drive of the third actuator18mof the lifter18to the lower limit value set by the setter93.

The second decision unit96compares a height detected by a first detector (detection unit)94mounted on the third actuator18m(height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13) with the lower limit value set by the setter93to output a comparison result to the controller100. The first detector94is a height detection sensor as an example of a height detector.

The controller100controls the drive of the third actuator18mon the basis of the comparison result by the second decision unit96.

As shown inFIG. 1A, in the wheelchair portion2in a wheelchair state, separated from the bed portion12, the second driver91is driven, so that the second guide portion5that is a posture change mechanism for a wheelchair changes the posture of the second seat portion3. As shown inFIG. 1B, in a bed state where the wheelchair portion2is combined with the bed portion12, the posture change mechanism of the second seat portion3in this embodiment is switched from the second guide portion5to the first guide portion15. In the wheelchair portion2in the bed state, the first driver90is driven, so that the second seat portion3and the first bed bottom portion13are integrated to perform posture change by the first guide portion15that is a posture change mechanism for a bed. At this time, as shown inFIG. 1B, the second guide portion5is located in parallel to the first upper portion16with a flat posture so as not to structurally interfere with the first upper portion16. Thus, the posture change mechanism of the second seat portion3is switched between the bed state and the wheelchair state, so that in the wheelchair state after separation, the wheelchair portion2can change the posture of the second seat portion3to a sitting posture peculiar to a wheelchair, as a general reclining wheelchair. Additionally, in the bed state after combination, the wheelchair portion2and the bed portion12can integrally change the posture of the second seat portion3and the posture of the first bed bottom portion13to a back lifting posture and a knee lifting posture peculiar to a bed, as an electric caring bed.

Now, operation of the separable bed1composed as described above is described.FIG. 2is a flowchart showing the combination operation of the separable bed of the first embodiment, andFIG. 3is a flowchart showing the separation operation of the separable bed of the first embodiment.

Herein, the initial height of the second seat portion3to a floor110in a case where the second seat portion3is in a flat posture is denoted by Lw (seeFIG. 4CandFIG. 5C), and the height of the first bed bottom portion13to the floor110is denoted by Lb. The initial height Lw is a distance from the lower surface of the traveling portion7to the upper surface of the second seat portion3. The initial height Lw of the second seat portion3in a case where the wheelchair portion2is in the wheelchair state is a fixed value (e.g., 400 mm). The height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13is a variation value that changes by lifting operation of the lifter18(e.g., 300 mm to 700 mm). A height when the first bed bottom portion13rises most by the lifting operation of the lifter18is defined as an upper side position Lmax (e.g., 700 mm) (seeFIG. 4AandFIG. 5A), and a height when the first bed bottom portion13lowers most by the ting operation of the lifter18is defined as a lower side position Lmin (e.g., 300 mm). Additionally, a height when the first bed bottom portion13slightly rises compared to the initial height Lw (e.g., 400 mm) of the second seat portion3is defined as an intermediate position Lmid (e.g., 410 mm). Herein, the intermediate position Lmid is a position showing a state where the first guide portion15supports and lifts up the second seat portion3. Additionally, the intermediate position Lmid is such a height that the wheels of the wheelchair portion2are not grounded on the floor110, and a first lower limit position in the lowering operation as an electric caring bed.FIG. 4AandFIG. 5Aeach illustrate the height of the upper side position Lmax that is reduced with compared to the initial height Lw, due to a reason of a space of a sheet. Accordingly, a movable range (bed liftable range) of the first bed bottom portion13and the like is a range in which the height of the upper surface of the first bed bottom portion is between the upper side position Lmax and the lower side position Lmin. In light of deflection of the separable bed1, or cushioning properties of the traveling wheels7a, a difference between the intermediate position Lmid and the lower side position Lmin is preferably at least 10 mm or more.

The second decision unit96compares the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13detected by the first detector94with a predetermined value. For example, when the first bed bottom portion13and the like rise, the second decision unit96decides whether or not the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13is higher than the initial height Lw of the second seat portion3, and thereafter decides whether or not the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13is higher than the intermediate position Lmid.

Herein, when the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13is the initial height Lw of the second seat portion3or less, the second seat portion3is supported by the second guide portion5. When the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13is higher than the initial height Lw of the second seat portion3, the support of the second seat portion3is switched from the second guide portion5to the first guide portion15. In a case where it is decided whether either the second guide portion5or the first guide portion15supports the second seat portion3, comparison decision between the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13and the initial height Lw of the second seat portion3is performed.

Thereafter, the controller100performs comparison decision between the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13and the intermediate position Lmid, and raises the first bed bottom portion13until the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13becomes higher than the intermediate position Lmid, to confirm the completion of the combination operation.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the first bed bottom portion13and the like lower, only in a case where there is a separating instruction, the controller100lowers the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13to the second lower limit position (lower side position Lmin), to reliably ground the traveling wheels7aof the wheelchair portion2to the floor110, so that the wheelchair portion2is safely separable from the bed portion12. Even in the same lowering operation of the first bed bottom portion13and the like, when the lowering operation is performed in the bed state, the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13is lowered only to the first lower limit position (intermediate position Lmid). That is, the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13is not lower than the intermediate position Lmid, and therefore the wheelchair portion2is grounded on the floor110, so that the combined state can be prevented from becoming unstable.

Hereinafter, the combination operation for combining the wheelchair portion2with the bed portion12in order to switch the wheelchair state (state ofFIG. 1A) to the bed state (state ofFIG. 1B) is described with reference to FIG.2.

First, as shown inFIG. 4CandFIG. 5C, the second seat portion3is made to be in a full flat posture, and the second base portion6of the wheelchair portion2is disposed so as to be incorporated in a recessed portion12gof the side surface of the bed portion12.

In this state, the first decision unit92decides whether or not there is a combining instruction from the handset19(Step S1). Specifically, the first decision unit92decides whether or not the fourth button19dof the handset19is pressed.

When the first decision unit92decides that there is no combining instruction from the handset19in Step S1(No in Step S1), the controller100ends the processes of the combination operation.

When the first decision unit92decides that there is the combining instruction from the handset19in Step S1(Yes in Step S1), the controller100causes the lifter18to raise the first bed bottom portion13and the like, and starts the combination operation (Step S2).

Then, the controller100causes the second decision unit96to decide whether or not the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13detected by the first detector94is higher than the initial height Lw of the second seat portion3(Step S3).

When the second decision unit96decides that the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13is the initial height Lw of the second seat portion3or less in Step S3(No in Step S3), the controller100determines that the second seat portion3is supported by the second guide portion5, and returns to Step S1.

When the second decision unit96decides that the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13is higher than the initial height Lw of the second seat portion3in Step S3(Yes in Step S3), the process proceeds to Step S4. At this time, the support of the second seat portion3is switched from support by the second guide portion5to support by the first guide portion15. That is, this means that the posture change mechanism of the second seat portion3is switched from the second guide portion5to the first guide portion15.

In Step S4, when the lifter18further continues to raise the first bed bottom portion13, the first guide portion15, and the first upper portion16, the second decision unit96decides whether or not the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13is higher than the intermediate position Lmid (Step S4). When the second decision unit96decides that the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13is the intermediate position Lmid or less in Step S4(No in Step S4), the process returns to Step S1, and the combination operation is continued. When the second decision unit96decides that height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13is higher than the intermediate position Lmid in Step S4(Yes in Step S4), the process proceeds to Step S5.

In Step S5, under the control of the controller100, the rising operation by the lifter18is stopped, and thereafter the combination operation is completed (Step S6). A state where the combination operation is completed is a state shown inFIG. 4AandFIG. 5Athrough a middle state shown inFIG. 4BandFIG. 5B.

When the combination operation is completed, the wheelchair portion2is in a state where the first main body portion14is completely lifted up as shown inFIG. 4AandFIG. 5A, and is safely operated as an electric caring bed, and therefore becomes in the bed state.

In the first embodiment, the combination operation for combining the separated wheelchair portion2with the bed portion12is performed by such rising operation of the first bed bottom portion13by the lifter18, to shifts from the wheelchair state to the bed state.

Then, in a case where the first decision unit92decides that there is a lowering instruction from the handset19, there are two types of operations, namely, separation operation for switching the bed state (state ofFIG. 1B) to the wheelchair state (state ofFIG. 1A) (lowering operation for separating the wheelchair portion2from the bed portion12), and lowering operation as an electric caring bed, and it is necessary to clearly distinguish the both with reference toFIG. 3. The following processes are not applied in a case where there is no lowering instruction from the handset19.

First, in Step S11, the first decision unit92decides whether an instruction from the handset19is an instruction as to lowering of the first bed bottom portion13and the like for separation or an instruction as to bed lowering of the first bed bottom portion13and the like in the bed state.

Herein, in the separable bed1that is in the combined state (bed state), when the first decision unit92decides that there is instruction information from the first button19a, the process proceeds to Step S12. In this case, the first decision unit92decides that the instruction information from the first button19ais the instruction as to the bed lowering of the first bed bottom portion13and the like in the bed state (lowering as an electric caring bed).

Additionally, whether or not the separable bed is in the combined state is based on output information from a second detector (detection unit)95to the controller100and the first decision unit92. An example of the second detector95is a combined state detection sensor that detects whether or not the wheelchair portion2is combined with the bed portion12. An example of the second detector95is a contact sensor that is disposed in the bed portion12, and detects contact with the wheelchair portion2.

On the other hand, in the separable bed1that is in the combined state (bed state), when the first decision unit92decides that there is the instruction information from the fifth button19e, the process proceeds to Step S13. In this case, the first decision unit92decides that the instruction information from the fifth button19eis information as to the lowering of the first bed bottom portion13and the like for separation.

In Step S12, the setter93sets a lifting lower limit value of the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13to the intermediate position Lmid that is the first lower limit position. Thereafter, the process proceeds to Step S14.

In Step S13, the setter93sets a lifting lower limit value of the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13to the lower side position Lmin that is the second lower limit position. Thereafter, the process proceeds to Step S14.

In Step S14, the controller100lowers the first bed bottom portion13and the like by the drive of the third actuator18mso as to lower the first bed bottom portion13to the lower limit value set by the setter93. Thereafter, the process proceeds to Step S15.

In Step S15, the second decision unit96decides whether or not the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13reaches the lower limit value set by the setter93. When the second decision unit96decides that the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13reaches the lower limit value in Step S15(Yes in Step S15), the process proceeds to Step S16.

In Step S16, under the control of the controller100, the lowering operation by the third actuator18mis stopped. Thereafter, a series of processes are ended (Step S17).

When the second decision unit96decides that the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13does not reach the lower limit value set by the setter93in Step S15(No in Step S15), the process proceeds to Step S18.

In Step S18, the first decision unit92decides whether or not the instruction from the handset19is continued. When the instruction from the handset19is continued, the process returns to Step S14When the instruction from the handset19is not continued, the process proceeds to Step S16.

By performing the operation by such control, the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13is not lower than the intermediate position Lmid (seeFIG. 4CandFIG. 5C) at the time of the lowering operation in the combined state (bed state). Therefore, the posture change mechanism of the second seat portion3is switched from the first guide portion15to the second guide portion5by grounding the wheelchair portion2on the floor110, so that the support of the second seat portion3can be prevented from becoming unstable. That is, in the lowering operation as an electric caring bed, the intermediate position Lmid is made to be the first lower limit position ire the lowering operation, so that a state where the wheelchair portion2is completely lifted up by the first main body portion14is maintained, and the wheelchair portion2can be safely operated as the bed state.

In the first embodiment, under the control of the controller100, in the lowering operation by the separating instruction, the first bed bottom portion13lowers to the lower side position Lmin, and the traveling wheels7aof the wheelchair portion2are grounded on the floor110, and a member supporting the second seat portion3is switched from the first guide portion15to the second guide portion5. Therefore, the wheelchair portion2is pulled out from the bed portion12, so that the separable bed1is brought into a state capable of separating the wheelchair portion2. This state is a state where only the first guide portion15further lowers with respect to the second seat portion3compared to the states ofFIG. 4CandFIG. 5C. That is, in a case where the wheelchair portion2is separated, the height Lb of the first bed bottom portion13is lowered to the second lower limit position (lower side position Lmin), so that only in a case where there is the separating instruction, the controller100of the separable bed1of the first embodiment can ground the traveling wheels7aof the wheelchair portion2on the floor110, and safely separate the wheelchair portion from the bed portion12.

By appropriately combining arbitrary embodiments or modifications of the above various embodiments or modifications, the effects possessed by the respective embodiments or modifications can be produced.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A separable bed of the present invention is useful for an ordinary home, a caring facility, or a hospital facility where a person who needs care.