JP2000060978A - Massage equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a massage device that does not simultaneously apply an electric stimulation and a vibration stimulation. A control means (70) selectively supplies electricity to an electric conduction stimulation electrode (40) and drives a moving body (50) having pins (51) formed thereon.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a massage device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a massage device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-296704, a low frequency stimulating electrode is attached to an insulating surface plate of a housing which is a main body, and the insulating surface plate vibrates. It is designed to be vibrated by means. Thus, when the treated region of the sole of the foot is placed on the low-frequency electrode, the stimulation caused by the vibration and the stimulation caused by the electric current are simultaneously applied to the treated region, so that the pain caused by the electric stimulation is removed. It also improves the circulation of blood on the soles of the feet.

[0003]

However, when the stimulation by vibration and the stimulation by energization are simultaneously applied to the region to be treated, the stimulation may be too strong for some users. Therefore, a massage device capable of generating a moderate stimulus has been desired.

Therefore, it is a technical object of the present invention to not provide a massage device that meets such a demand.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] (1) The technical means (first technical means) taken in claim 1 for solving the above-mentioned problems is provided with a through hole and is in contact with a treatment site. A main body having a surface to be placed, an electrode for electrical stimulation, which is affixed to the surface so as to be located around the opening of the through hole and which applies electrical stimulation by a low frequency to the treatment site when the current is applied, and the through hole A moving body that passes through and extends from the inside of the main body to the surface side and gives a vibration stimulus to the treatment site during vertical movement, a driving means mounted inside the main body to operate the moving body, and the energization stimulus. The massage device is provided with a control means for selectively energizing the working electrode and driving the driving means.

(2) The technical means (second technical means) taken in claim 2 for solving the above-mentioned problems are:
In the first technical means, there are a plurality of modes of the vibration stimulation generated by the control means.

(3) The technical means (third technical means) taken in claim 3 for solving the above-mentioned problems are:
In the second technical means, the intensity of each of the plurality of modes can be adjusted.

(4) The technical means (fourth technical means) taken in claim 4 for solving the above-mentioned problems are:
In the first technical means, there are a plurality of modes of the energization stimulation generated by the control means.

(5) The technical means (fifth technical means) taken in claim 5 for solving the above-mentioned problems are:
In the fourth technical means, the intensity of each of the plurality of modes can be adjusted.

(6) The technical means (sixth technical means) taken in claim 6 for solving the above-mentioned problems are:
In the first technical means, when one of the energization and the driving of the moving body is switched to the other, the state at that time is stored.

[0011]

[Operations and effects] (1) In the above-mentioned first technical means, the electrical stimulation and the vibration stimulation are not applied to the treated area at the same time, so that the stimulation becomes excessively strong unlike the conventional case. Without being present, a moderate stimulus is applied to the treatment site.

(2) In the above-mentioned second technical means, in addition to the action and effect brought about by the above-mentioned first technical means, a plurality of vibration stimulation modes are provided. You can choose the one that suits your taste.

(3) In the above-mentioned third technical means, in addition to the action and effect brought about by the above-mentioned first and second technical means, the intensity of the selected vibration stimulus can be adjusted. Can select the optimum vibration intensity for himself.

(4) In the above-mentioned fourth technical means, in addition to the action and effect brought about by the above-mentioned first technical means, a plurality of modes of electrical stimulation are provided, so that the user is You can choose the one that suits your taste.

(5) In the fifth technical means described above, in addition to the action and effect brought about by the first and fourth technical means described above, the intensity of the selected electrical stimulation can be adjusted, so that the user can Can select the optimum vibration intensity for himself.

(6) In the sixth technical means described above, in addition to the action and effect brought about by the first technical means described above, when one state is restored, the state before the restoration can be immediately realized. It is convenient without making adjustments again.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Overall Structure of Massage Device) FIGS. 1 and 2
In, the massage device 10 includes a main body 20, an AC adapter 80 that supplies an operating voltage to the main body 20, and a remote controller 90 that drives various mechanisms (described later) mounted on the main body 20.

The main body 20 is formed of an upper portion 21 which is a front surface portion and a lower portion 22 which is a back surface portion. Swelling portions 20a are formed on the left and right sides of the upper portion 21 of the main body 20 so that the soles to be treated fit. A plurality of through holes 30 are formed in each bulged portion 20a. Each bulge 20a
A current-stimulating electrode 40 is attached on the upper surface of the electrode so as not to block the through hole 30, and when the electrode 40 is energized by the low-frequency generation circuit 41, the low-frequency current is applied to the treated site. It is designed to apply energization stimulation by frequency.

Inside the main body 20, there is housed a pair of moving bodies 50 having pins 51 formed at their tips. The moving body 50 extends through the through hole 30 from the inside of the main body 20 to the surface side, and when the moving body 50 is vertically moved by the motor 60, the moving body 50 applies a vibration stimulus to the treatment site. .

However, the vertical movement of the moving body 50 by driving the motor 60 and the energization of the electrode 40 (specifically, the application of the low frequency pulse) are selectively performed by the control device 70. Has become. That is, while one is operating, the other is not activated, so that the simultaneous actuation of both prevents excessive stimulation of the user.

The massage device 10 is operated by operating the operation switch 29 of the display unit 25 installed forward (upper side in FIG. 1) from the central tip side of the main body 20, that is, the region between the pair of bulging portions 21a. After the massage device 10 is activated, the remote controller 90 is operated.
Then, when the switch on the remote controller 90 is pressed to select a desired state (details will be described later), an infrared signal indicating that is received by the light receiving section 26 of the display section 25 from the light emitting section 91. Then, the control device 70 controls the motor drive circuit 6
1, the motor 60 is driven to move the moving body 50 up and down, or a low frequency pulse is applied to the electrode 40 from the low frequency generation circuit 41.

The operating state of the massage device 10 is as follows.
It is displayed on the lamp of the display unit 25, and the buzzer 79 sounds whenever the selected state changes. Further, a constant voltage circuit 78 for stable operation of the control device 70 is mounted inside the main body 20.

(Specific Structure of Main Body) The structure of the main body 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8. The main body 20 is the upper part 2
1 is formed by fastening the lower portion 22 to the lower portion 22, and a space portion 24 is defined inside the main body 20. Therefore, in the space 24, the base 52 of the moving body 50 is
The bases 52 of both moving bodies 50 are connected to a common bracket 53. Both motors 60 are held by the bracket 53, and the shaft 60a of each motor 60 is directed to the outside (left and right direction in FIG. 5).

The bracket 53 has a central portion of a strong rubber band 54 fixed to the inner surface of the upper portion 21 on both sides and the upper portion 2.
It is elastically held between itself and the inner surface portion of 1. Then, the disc 61 is eccentrically fixed to the shaft 60a of each motor 60, and when the motor 60 is driven, the disc 61 makes a non-circular motion as the shaft 60a rotates.
By this movement, the bracket 53 that holds the motor 60
As a whole, periodically vibrates in the vertical direction, and the pin 51 of the moving body 50, which is integral with the bracket 53, moves through the through hole 3
It appears and disappears from 0, and a vibration stimulus is applied to the treated area.

(Structure of Display Section) A display section 25 as shown in FIG. 9 is installed on the front side of the center of the main body 20, that is, in front of the portion between the pair of bulging portions 21a (upper side in FIG. 1). Has been done. The display unit 25 is provided with a power lamp 29a that is turned on (turned off) when the power switch 29 is on (off).

At the tip of the display unit 25, when the vibration tap "tapping" mode, "hard course" mode, "soft course" mode and "switch" mode are selected (details will be described later), respectively. , The lighted lamps 26a, 2
6b, 26c and 26d are provided. Further, on the lower side thereof, lamps 26x, 26y, and 26z which are turned on when the "striking" mode, the "momming" mode, and the "course" mode of the electrical stimulation are selected (details will be described later). Is provided.

Further, a series of lamps 26a, 26b, 26c
A digital display 27 is provided below the signals 26 and 26d, and the intensity of each selected mode is digitally displayed. In addition, the line indicators 28a to 28h, each of which has a unit of three bar lamps (which can be easily formed by using LEDs), are separately arranged on both sides of the lamp 29a. Line indicators 28a to 28h
Is provided for the purpose of improving the design and the visibility.

(Structure of Remote Controller) As shown in FIG. 10, the power switch 9 is provided on the upper right side of the surface of the remote controller 90.
1, a strength up switch 92a and a strength down switch 62b are provided on the lower right side, respectively. When the power switch 91 is turned on, or when the power switch 29 on the main body 20 side is not already turned on, the device 10 is brought into an operating state. Also, strength up switch 9
Each time 2a (intensity down switch 92b) is pressed, the intensity of the stimulus in the selected mode is increased (decreased) step by step.

From the upper left side to the lower left side of the surface portion of the remote controller 90, "tapping" mode, "hard course" mode, "soft course" mode and "switch" are used as vibration stimuli.
Switches 93a, 93b and 93 for selecting the respective modes
c are arranged in a row. Then, successively, switches 93x, 93y and 93z for selecting the "tapping" mode, the "momming" mode and the "course" mode respectively as the electrical stimulation are arranged in a row. Finally, a changeover switch 94 is provided. Regarding the function of the changeover switch 94,
It will be described later.

Then, the massage device 10 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the user sits down on a chair and puts the sole of the foot to be treated on the bulging portion 21 a of the main body 20. In such a case, the light emitting unit 91 of the remote controller 90 does not take an unreasonable posture.
In order to reliably receive the infrared signal emitted from the main body 20 side, the position of the light receiving portion 29 of the display portion 25 is set to be in front of the toe.

(Summary of Stimulation Control) The stimulation control will be summarized as follows in consideration of the above.

The vibration stimulation is performed by vertically moving the moving body 50 on which the pin 51 is formed by the motor 60. The control of driving of the motor 60 is performed by the control device 70.

There are three vibration stimuli: a "tapping" mode, a "hard course" mode and a "soft course" mode.

The electrical stimulation is performed by applying a low frequency pulse from the low frequency generating circuit 41 to the electrode 40.
The control of this application is performed by the control device 70.

There are three energizing stimuli: a "tapping" mode, a "mom" mode and a "course" mode.

It is not possible to select either one of the vibration stimulation mode and the energization stimulation mode at the same time.

When the "switch" mode is selected, the currently selected vibration stimulus (electrical stimulus) can be automatically switched to the electric stimulus (vibration stimulus).
When the switching is performed, the state before the first switching is restored.

A strength up switch 92 of the remote controller 90
Each time a (intensity down switch 92b) is pressed, the intensity of the stimulus in the selected mode (excluding "hard course" and "soft course" of vibration stimulus) is increased (decreased) step by step. ing.

("Tapping" Mode of Vibration Stimulation) When this mode is selected, the control device 70 causes both motors 60 to operate.
Are rotated under the conditions of the same frequency, the same phase, and the same amplitude, and as a result, as shown in FIG. 12, a motion in which only the amplitude is doubled (single vibration) is generated. Exercise body 5
The pin 51 of 0 moves up and down in synchronization with this vibration, and massages the sole of the foot to be treated.

In this mode, the intensity can be changed in 5 steps. In each step, the display on the display 27 and the line display section 28 is set as follows.

When the intensity 1 is set: "1" is displayed only on the display 27.

When setting the intensity 2: "2" is displayed on the display 27, and at the same time, the line displays 28d and 28e.
Is lit.

When setting the intensity 3: "3" is displayed on the display 27 and at the same time the line displays 28c, 28d,
28e and 28f are turned on.

When setting the intensity 5: "4" is displayed on the display 27 and at the same time the line display 28b, 28c,
28d, 28e, 28f and 28g are turned on.

When setting the intensity 5, "5" is displayed on the display 27 and at the same time, the line display 28a, 28b,
28c, 28d, 28e, 28f, 28g and 28h are turned on.

As described above, by performing the intensity setting digitally and analogly, the setting can be performed easily and the confirmation can be performed easily, which is very convenient.

During operation, the display 27 displays the set intensity digitally, and the line displays 28d, 2
8c, 28b and 28a are sequentially turned on one by one, and the line indicators 28e, 28f, 28g and 28h are sequentially turned on one by one. It should be noted that the lighting movement speed, that is, the time until a certain line display is completely turned on and then turned off, and the next line display to be turned on is shorter as the frequency is higher.

("Hard course" mode of vibration stimulation) When this mode is selected, the control device 70 causes both motors 60 to rotate under the conditions of different frequencies, different phases, and the same amplitudes, as shown in FIG. As a result, as a result, the movement or vibration is generated so that the peak value shows a constant value. The pin 51 of the moving body 50 moves up and down in synchronization with this vibration to massage the sole of the foot to be treated. Since the peak value is large, a strong massage feeling can be obtained.

In this mode, the intensity can be changed in 5 steps. In each step, the display on the display 27 and the line display section 28 is set as follows.

When setting the intensity 1: "1" is displayed only on the display 27.

When setting the intensity 2: "2" is displayed on the display 27, and at the same time, the line displays 28d and 28e.
Is lit.

When setting the intensity 3: "3" is displayed on the display 27, and at the same time, the line display 28c, 28d,
28e and 28f are turned on.

When setting the intensity 5, "4" is displayed on the display 27 and at the same time the line display 28b, 28c,
28d, 28e, 28f and 28g are turned on.

When setting the intensity 5, "5" is displayed on the display 27 and at the same time the line display 28a, 28b,
28c, 28d, 28e, 28f, 28g and 28h are turned on.

During operation, the display 27 displays the set intensity digitally, and the line displays 28d, 2
8c, 28b and 28a are sequentially turned on one by one, and the line indicators 28e, 28f, 28g and 28h are sequentially turned on one by one. The lighting movement speed of the line display on the higher frequency side is faster than the lighting speed of the other line display.

("Soft Course" Mode of Vibration Stimulation) When this mode is selected, the control device 70 causes both motors 60 to rotate under the conditions of different frequencies, different phases, and different frequencies. As shown in FIG. 14, as a result, a motion or vibration whose peak value changes periodically is generated. The pin 51 of the moving body 50 moves up and down in synchronization with this vibration to massage the sole of the foot to be treated. Since the peak value changes periodically, it gives a feeling of shaking and gives a weaker massage feeling than in the "hard course" mode.

In this mode, the intensity can be changed in 5 steps. In each step, the display on the display 27 and the line display section 28 is set as follows.

When setting the intensity 1: "1" is displayed only on the display 27.

When setting the intensity 2: "2" is displayed on the display 27 and at the same time the line displays 28d and 28e
Is lit.

When setting the intensity 3: "3" is displayed on the display 27, and at the same time, the line display 28c, 28d,
28e and 28f are turned on.

When the intensity 5 is set: "4" is displayed on the display 27 and at the same time the line display 28b, 28c,
28d, 28e, 28f and 28g are turned on.

When setting the intensity 5: "5" is displayed on the display 27 and at the same time the line display 28a, 28b,
28c, 28d, 28e, 28f, 28g and 28h are turned on.

During operation, the display 27 displays the set intensity digitally, and the line displays 28d, 2
8c, 28b and 28a are sequentially turned on one by one, and the line indicators 28e, 28f, 28g and 28h are sequentially turned on one by one. The lighting movement speed of the line display on the higher frequency side is faster than the lighting speed of the other line display.

(“Tapping” Mode of Electrical Stimulation) A low-frequency pulse is applied to the electrode 40 so as to alternately change forward and reverse single-shot pulses and automatically change the pulse cycle. That is, a pulse having a waveform as shown in FIG.
A low frequency pulse is generated by repeating the output of steps 1 to 16 as shown in FIG. 6, but the frequency is different in each step. As shown in FIG. 17, when the frequency is less than 2 to 12 hertz (12 to 20 hertz), a slow stimulus (fast stimulus) is induced as pattern A (pattern B). In addition, the execution time of each step is about 5
Seconds.

In this mode, as described above,
The intensity can be changed in 16 steps, but in each step, the display on the display 27 and the line display unit 28 is set as follows.

When setting the intensities 1 to 3: Display 2
A number indicating the strength is displayed only on 7.

When setting the intensities 4 to 6: Display 2
At the same time that the numeral indicating the intensity is displayed on 7, the line indicators 28d and 28e are turned on.

When setting strengths 7 to 9: Display 2
At the same time that the numeral indicating the intensity is displayed on 7, the line indicators 28c, 28d, 28e and 28f are turned on.

When setting the intensities 10 to 12: A number indicating the intensity is displayed on the display 27, and at the same time, the line indicators 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e, 28f and 28 are displayed.
g is turned on.

When setting the intensities 13 to 16: A number indicating the intensity is displayed on the display 27, and at the same time, the line indicators 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e, 28 are displayed.
f, 28g and 28h are turned on.

During operation, the set intensity is digitally displayed on the display 27, and the indicator 27e, 2 is turned on.
8d, 28e ・ 28f, 28d ・ 28c, 28f ・ 28
g, 28c / 28b, 28g / 28h, 28b / 28
The lights are circulated in the order of a, 28h, 28a, 28e and 28a.

(“Mumming” Mode of Electrical Stimulation) A low-frequency pulse is applied to the electrode 40 so that the forward and reverse pulse groups are alternately alternated and the group pause time between both pulse groups is automatically changed. That is, a pulse group having a waveform as shown in FIG. 18 generates a low frequency pulse by repeating the output of steps 1 to 16 as shown in FIG. 17, but the frequency is different in each step. There is. As shown in FIG. 20, when the group output time is 0.2 to less than 1.2 seconds (1.2 to 2.5 seconds), short stimulus (long stimulus) is set as pattern C (pattern D). ) Is caused. The execution time of each step is about 5 seconds. Further, a short pattern E and a long pattern F are prepared for the pause time (group pause time) between the positive pulse group and the reverse pulse group. The execution time of each step is about 5 seconds, and the frequency does not change in each step.

In this mode, as described above, the intensity can be changed in 16 steps, but in each step, the display on the indicator 27 and the line display section 28 is set as follows. .

When setting the intensities 1 to 3: indicator 2
A number indicating the strength is displayed only on 7.

When setting strengths 4 to 6: display 2
At the same time that the numeral indicating the intensity is displayed on 7, the line indicators 28d and 28e are turned on.

When setting strengths 7 to 9: Display 2
At the same time that the numeral indicating the intensity is displayed on 7, the line indicators 28c, 28d, 28e and 28f are turned on.

When setting the intensities 10 to 12: A number indicating the intensity is displayed on the display 27, and at the same time, the line indicators 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e, 28f and 28 are displayed.
g is turned on.

When setting the intensities 13 to 16: A number indicating the intensity is displayed on the display 27, and at the same time, the line indicators 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e, 28 are displayed.
f, 28g and 28h are turned on.

During operation, the display 27 displays the set intensity digitally and lights up for 28d · 2.
8e, 28d, 28c, 28e, 28f, 28d, 28
The lights are circulated in the order of c, 28b, 28e, 28f, 28g, and 28h.

(“Course” Mode of Electrical Stimulation) This is a mode in which the “tapping” mode and the “mom” mode of electrical stimulation are automatically repeated alternately.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an entire massage device according to the present invention.

2 is an electrical block diagram of the device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the main body of the device shown in FIG.

4 is a front view of the device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

6 is a bottom view of the inside of the main body of the apparatus shown in FIG.

7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.

9 is an enlarged plan view of a display unit mounted on the main body of the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a main part of a remote controller for the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state where the device shown in FIG. 1 is operated using a remote controller operation unit.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the principle of generating vibration for the “tap” mode of vibration stimulation.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the principle of generating vibration for the “hard course” mode of vibration stimulation.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the principle of generating vibration for the “soft course” mode of vibration stimulation.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a shape of a low-frequency pulse in a “tapping” mode of electrical stimulation.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a low-frequency pulse generation mode of a “tap” mode of electrical stimulation.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a pattern of low-frequency pulses in a “tap” mode of electrical stimulation.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the shape of a low-frequency pulse in a “mom” mode of electrical stimulation.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a low-frequency pulse generation mode in a “mom” mode of electrical stimulation.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a pattern of low-frequency pulses and quiescent time in the “mommy” mode of electrical stimulation.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Massage device 20 body 30 through holes 40 Electrodes for electrical stimulation 50 moving body 51 pin 90 remote control

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 15, 1998 (December 1998.
15)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 1]

FIG. 15

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 5]

[Figure 6]

[Figure 7]

[Figure 8]

[Figure 9]

[Figure 10]

FIG. 11

FIG. 17

[Fig. 12]

[Fig. 13]

FIG. 14

FIG. 16

FIG. 18

FIG. 19

FIG. 20

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 4C053 JJ01 JJ18 JJ22 JJ36 JJ40                 4C074 AA03 BB05 CC01 CC11 CC17                       DD02 FF09 GG08 HH03 HH08

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A main body having a surface having a through hole formed therein and in contact with a treatment site, wherein the treatment site is attached to the surface so as to be located around the opening of the through hole and is energized. Electrodes for electrical stimulation for imparting electrical stimulation by low frequency, a moving body that extends from the inside of the main body to the surface side through the through hole, and imparts vibrational stimulation to the treatment site during vertical movement, in the main body A massage device equipped with a drive means mounted on the base for operating the moving body, and a control means for selectively energizing the energization stimulating electrode and driving the drive means. 2. The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration stimulus generated by the control means has a plurality of modes. 3. The massage device according to claim 2, wherein the intensity of each of the plurality of modes is adjusted by the control means. 4. The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the energizing stimulation generated by the control means has a plurality of modes. 5. The massage device according to claim 4, wherein the intensity of each of the plurality of modes is adjusted by the control means. 6. The massage device according to claim 1, wherein when one of the energization and the driving of the moving body is switched to the other, the state at that time is stored.