A system for neck support

Abstract

There is provided a neck support with a plurality of independently controlled airbags. This may have the advantage that the tilt, comfort and/or support of the user's neck can be adjusted to reduce neck strain and/or the user's sleeping/waking state can be managed according to the journey progress.

1 . A system for neck support comprising:
 a neck support collar,   a plurality of independent airbags distributed around the collar, and   a controller module configured to adjust the tilt, comfort and/or support of a user's neck by adjusting the pressure in one or more of the plurality of airbags.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of sensors configured to detect the tilt of the user's neck, wherein the controller module is configured to adjust the pressure based on one or more sensor outputs. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a user interface configured to communicate with the controller module according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         4 . The system according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller module is configured to sense the resting state of the user and adjust the pressure accordingly. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the resting state of the user is sensed based on the sensor outputs. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the controller module is configured to provide music to the user depending on the resting state of the user. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller module is configured to adjust the pressure to move the user's neck towards an upright position. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of airbags comprises a pair of support airbags configured to support different parts of the back of the user's neck and wherein upon detecting the tilt of the user's neck towards a part, the controller module is configured to inflate the support airbag configured to support the part. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of airbags comprises a pair of tilt correction airbags configured to support different sides of the user's neck and wherein upon detecting that the tilt of the user's neck towards a side is greater than a predetermined amount, the controller module is configured to inflate the tilt correction airbag configured to support the side and deflate the other tilt correction airbag. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein upon detecting that the tilt of the user's neck towards a side is less than the predetermined amount, the controller module is configured to deflate both the tilt correction airbags by different amounts. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller module is configured to detect that a user's neck is in an upright position for a predetermined amount of time and upon said detection, to adjust the pressure to allow the user's neck to move away from the upright position. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to any preceding claim, wherein a circumference of the neck support collar is adjustable to fit the user's neck. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to any preceding claim, wherein the neck support collar comprises:
 a main support unit; and   an outer sleeve covering the main support unit, wherein the outer sleeve comprises height adjustment pads adjustable to fit the user's neck length.   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the sensors is a six DOF MEMS. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , further comprising a frame incorporated with the neck support collar, the frame being configured to allow mounting of at least two six DOF MEMS. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the frame is configured to maintain a constant alignment of the at least two six DOF MEMS. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the main support unit is configured to be adjustable during use. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the outer sleeve further comprises a plurality of magnets and a fastener device. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the main support unit includes air channels. 
     
     
         21 . A user interface configured to communicate with the controller module according to  claim 1 .