US 11,685,303 B2 · Berth apparatus and methods using physiological parameters for controlling berth motion to promote relaxation and to induce sleep

Abstract

A berth apparatus and method for promoting relaxation and/or inducing sleep in a recumbent passenger occupying a berth belonging to the berth apparatus. The apparatus is mounted in a vehicle and has a secondary suspension with a vibration detection system and a motion management system. The berth may execute motion in all six degrees of freedom with at least the vertical degree of freedom being monitored for unwanted motion. The motion management system has a motion removing component for removing unwanted motion in at least the vertical degree of freedom, and it also has a motion adding component to add to the berth a desirable motion of low frequency and small amplitude in at least one degree of freedom based on a physiological parameter, e.g., the inhalation cycle of the recumbent passenger. The apparatus and method may further use a vibration transfer element to transfer motion in one degree of freedom, such as horizontal displacement, to another degree of freedom, such as roll.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A berth apparatus having a berth for accommodating a recumbent passenger, said berth apparatus being mounted in a vehicle and comprising:

a) a secondary suspension for supporting said berth;
b) a vibration detection system comprising at least one sensing element for detecting an unwanted motion of said berth produced by vibrations in at least one degree of freedom of rigid body motion;
b) a motion management system in communication with said vibration detection system, said motion management system comprising said secondary suspension and further having:
i) a motion removing component for removing from said berth said unwanted motion in said at least one degree of freedom, said motion removing component having at least one element selected from the group consisting of passive vibration isolation elements, semi-passive vibration isolation elements and active vibration isolation elements;
ii) a motion adding component for adding to said berth a desirable motion in said at least one degree of freedom, said desirable motion having a low frequency and a small amplitude and being based on a physiological parameter of said recumbent passenger.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Berth apparatus and methods using physiological parameters for controlling berth motion to promote relaxation and to induce sleep

Life of this patent

Berth apparatus and methods using physiological parameters for controlling berth motion to promote relaxation and to induce sleep

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19