JP7360145B2 - Massage device and cushion - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a massage device and a cushion.

The massage device of Patent Document 1 includes a driving means, a rotary table rotated by the driving means, and massaging balls attached to the surface of the rotary table.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-75113

However, in such a massage device, the rotating motion of the rotary table by the driving means is performed at a constant rotation speed, and the movement of the massaging balls becomes monotonous, so there is room for improvement in the comfort of massaging.

The present invention aims to improve the feeling of massaging in a massage device.

One aspect of the present invention includes a drive unit, at least one turntable driven to continuously rotate by the drive unit, at least one kneading ball attached to the turntable, and a kneading ball attached to the turntable. a control section that controls the drive section so that the rotation speed can be changed; the control section controls the drive section so that the rotation speed of the turntable changes periodically in a predetermined first cycle; A massage device is provided.

According to this configuration, since the rotation speed of the rotary table changes periodically, the movement of the kneading balls is slowed down and the kneading feeling can be improved.

The control unit may control the drive unit so that a change in the rotation angle of the rotary table over time and a change in the rotation speed of the rotary table over time are asynchronous.

According to this configuration, the rotation speed of the rotary table changes so that the time change in the rotation speed of the rotary table is asynchronous to the time change in the rotation angle of the rotary table, so the movement of the kneading balls becomes complicated and the kneading It can improve your comfort.

The rotary table may rotate once in a second period different from the first period.

The first period of the rotation speed of the rotary table is set such that the rotation angle of the rotary table during one first period is other than 360°.

If the rotation angle at which the turntable rotates during one first cycle of the rotation speed is 360 degrees, the rotation speed at each rotation angle of the turntable does not change every time the turntable rotates. In other words, the number of rotations of the rotary table when it reaches a certain rotation angle is always constant. As a result, the movement of the massaging balls becomes monotonous. According to this configuration, since the rotation angle at which the rotary table rotates during one first cycle of the rotation speed is other than 360°, the rotation speed at each rotation angle of the rotary table differs every time the rotary table rotates. In other words, the rotational speed when the rotary table reaches a certain rotation angle changes as the rotary table repeats rotation. As a result, the movement of the kneading balls becomes complicated, so that the kneading feeling can be improved.

The rotation speed of the rotary table may vary linearly.

Another aspect of the invention provides a cushion incorporating the massage device described above.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the feeling of massaging in a massage device and a cushion incorporating the massage device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cushion incorporating a massage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a massage device according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a massage device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the massage device according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a side view of a massage device according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a front view of a massage device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the rotary table of the massage device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a change in the rotation angle of the rotary table of the massage device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the rotary table of the massage device according to a modification of the embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cushion C according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a cushion C connects a massage device 1, a cover 2 housing the massage device 1, and a power cord (not shown) connected to a power source, such as a household electrical outlet (not shown). It is equipped with a power supply connector 3 for That is, the massage device 1 is built into the cushion C. The massage device 1 of this embodiment operates by receiving power from a power source such as a household outlet.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the massage device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the massage device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the massage device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a casing 10, a motor 20 housed in the casing 10, and at least one transmission mechanism 30 mechanically connected to the motor 20. Be prepared. Furthermore, the massage device 1 according to the present embodiment includes at least one rotary table 40 that is driven to rotate continuously by the motor 20, and at least one massaging ball 50 attached to the rotary table 40. In this embodiment, each rotary table 40 includes two kneading balls 50. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the massage device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 60 that controls the motor 20 so that the rotation speed of the rotary table 40 can be changed.

The casing 10 of this embodiment includes a casing body 11 that is open on one side (the upper side in FIG. 3), and a lid 12 that covers the opening of the casing body 11. Inside the casing 10, one double-shaft type motor 20 and four transmission mechanisms 30 are housed. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the lid 12 of the casing 10 has a hole 12a through which the second rotating shaft 33 of each transmission mechanism 30 is inserted. That is, the lid body 12 has four holes 12a.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the massage device 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a side view of the massage device 1 according to this embodiment. 4 and 5, illustration of the casing 10 of the massage device 1 is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the motor 20 according to this embodiment is a double-shaft motor having two output shafts 21. The motor 20 is electrically connected to a power source (not shown) and is driven by power supplied from the power source. The output shaft 21 of the motor 20 has a threaded groove (not shown) formed at its tip. In other words, each of the output shafts 21 of the motor 20 has a drive gear such as a worm gear or a spiral gear. The motor 20 according to the present embodiment is an example of a drive unit according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the transmission mechanism 30 includes a first rotary shaft 31, an intermediate gear 32 fixed to the first rotary shaft 31, a second rotary shaft 33, and a second rotary shaft 33 fixed to the second rotary shaft 33. and a driven gear 34. The transmission mechanism 30 is provided to transmit the rotational force of the motor 20 to the rotary table 40. Two transmission mechanisms 30 are provided on each side of the motor 20 in the axial direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4). In other words, a pair of transmission mechanisms 30 are provided for one output shaft 21 of the motor 20.

The first rotating shaft 31 is rotatably supported by the bottom surface of the casing body 11 of the casing 10 (shown in FIG. 3) and the lid 12. An intermediate gear 32 is fixed to the first rotating shaft 31 . The intermediate gear 32 includes a large gear 32a that meshes with a drive gear provided on the output shaft 21, and a small gear 32b having a smaller diameter than the large gear 32a. In other words, the intermediate gear 32 is a two-stage gear. The large gear 32a of this embodiment is a worm wheel or a helical gear, and the small gear 32b is a spur gear.

The second rotating shaft 33 is rotatably supported by the casing body 11 of the casing 10 (shown in FIG. 2) and the hole 12a provided in the lid body 12 so as to be rotatable about the first rotating shaft C1. . The second rotating shaft 33 is provided with a driven gear 34 that meshes with a small gear 32b provided on the first rotating shaft 31. The driven gear 34 of this embodiment is a spur gear. Moreover, the upper part of the second rotating shaft 33 is provided so as to protrude from the lid 12 of the casing 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a rotating table 40 is fixed to the upper part of the second rotating shaft 33.

The transmission mechanism 30 transmits power from the motor 20 to the rotary table 40 . Specifically, by the meshing between the drive gear (not shown) provided on the output shaft 21 of the motor 20 and the large gear 32a of the intermediate gear 32, and the meshing between the small gear 32b of the intermediate gear 32 and the driven gear 34. , the rotational motion of the output shaft 21 of the motor 20 is transmitted to the second rotating shaft 33.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the massage device 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 6, illustration of the casing 10 of the massage device 1 is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 6, the rotating table 40 of this embodiment has a substantially circular shape when viewed from the front. In this embodiment, four rotating tables 40 are provided. Specifically, two rotary tables 40 are provided on both sides of the motor 20 in the axial direction (vertical direction in FIG. 6). In other words, a pair of rotary tables 40 are provided for one output shaft 21 of the motor 20. Also, referring to FIG. 5, the rotating table 40 is fixed to the upper part of the second rotating shaft 33. Thereby, the turntable 40 is rotatable around the first rotation axis C1. In other words, the turntable 40 is rotatable. Further, the rotary table 40 is configured to be driven by the motor 20 so as to rotate continuously.

As described above, the rotary table 40 of this embodiment is configured to rotate about the first rotation axis C1. Thereby, the rotary table 40 of this embodiment rotates while maintaining its relative position with respect to other components of the massage device 1, such as the casing 10 or the motor 20. In other words, the rotary table 40 of this embodiment does not perform movements such as revolution (or rocking) around the central axis of the massage device 1 or movement in the axial direction of the first rotation axis C1, for example.

The massaging balls 50 of this embodiment are provided on the upper surface of the rotary table 40. Specifically, two kneading balls 50 are provided for each rotating table 40. The two kneading balls 50 are arranged at 180° intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotary table 40. Moreover, the two kneading balls 50 are each provided eccentrically with respect to the rotary table 40. In other words, the kneading balls 50 are provided at an eccentric position with respect to the first rotation axis C1. Thereby, the massaging balls 50 revolve around the first rotation axis C1 as the rotating table 40 rotates around the first rotation axis C1.

The massaging balls 50 of this embodiment are attached to the rotary table 40 so as to be rotatable relative to the rotary table 40. Specifically, the massaging balls 50 are rotatable (freely rotatable) with respect to the rotary table 40 around a second rotation axis C2 (shown in FIG. 5) provided on the rotary table 40. In this embodiment, the second rotation axis C2 is inclined so that the human body (user) side is spaced apart from the first rotation axis C1.

Referring also to FIG. 5, the massaging balls 50 of this embodiment have a hemispherical shape, and are provided so as to protrude from the top surface of the rotating table 40 to one side (upper side in FIG. 5) of the first rotating shaft C1. There is. In other words, the massaging balls 50 are provided so as to protrude toward the user, as shown in FIG. Each of the massaging balls 50 of this embodiment has a massaging ball main body 51 having a substantially hemispherical shape, and three convex portions 52 provided on the upper surface of the massaging ball main body 51. The three convex portions 52 are spherical and are provided eccentrically with respect to the massaging ball body 51, respectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the massaging balls 50 extend from the inside of the cover 2 toward the surface so as to press against the user's body surface when the massage device 1 is built into the cushion C. It is located.

The control unit 60 of this embodiment is electrically connected to the motor 20. The control unit 60 controls the motor 20 so that the rotation speed N of the turntable 40 can be changed. The control unit 60 changes the rotation speed N of the rotary table 40 by changing the output of the motor 20 using, for example, pulse width modulation (PMW). The rotation speed N of the rotary table 40 is the number of times the rotary table 40 rotates per unit time. The number of rotations N can also be said to be the rotation speed.

(Operation of massage device 1)
When the motor 20 is driven by electric power supplied from a power source (not shown), the output shaft 21 of the motor 20 rotates. This rotational motion is transmitted to the rotary table 40 via the transmission mechanism 30, and the rotary table 40 rotates around the first rotation axis C1. Thereby, the massaging balls 50 rotate around the first rotation axis C1. In other words, the massaging balls 50 revolve around the first rotation axis C1 due to the rotation of the rotary table 40 around the first rotation axis C1. At this time, the massaging balls 50 rotate around the second rotation axis C2 without electric power due to contact with the user's body surface or the like.

In this embodiment, a pair of rotary tables 40 that are rotationally driven by the output shaft 21 on one axial side (the upper side in FIG. 6) of the motor 20 rotate in opposite directions (see solid line arrows in the figure). Similarly, in this embodiment, the pair of rotating tables 40 that are rotationally driven by the output shaft 21 on the other axial side (the lower side in FIG. 6) of the motor 20 rotate in opposite directions (solid line arrows in the figure). reference). Furthermore, in this embodiment, by reversing the rotational direction of the motor 20, the rotational direction of each rotary table 40 can be reversed (see broken line arrows in the figure). Moreover, since the four transmission mechanisms 30 each have the same configuration, the rotation speeds N of the four rotary tables 40 are synchronized.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the rotary table 40 of the massage device 1 according to the present embodiment. In the upper graph and lower graph of FIG. 7, the horizontal axis represents time t [arbitrary scale]. In the upper graph of FIG. 7, the vertical axis is the rotation speed N [rpm] of the rotary table 40. In the lower graph of FIG. 7, the vertical axis is the rotation angle θ [°] of the rotary table 40. The rotation angle θ is, for example, the angle at which the rotary table 40 rotates about the first rotation axis C1 from the initial state when the state shown in FIG. 6 is the initial state. More specifically, the rotation angle θ is the angle at which the rotary table 40 rotates around the first rotation axis C1 from the starting line IL extending in the radial direction of the rotary table 40 with the first rotation axis C1 as an end point. Moreover, FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a change in the rotation angle θ of the rotary table 40 during one rotation of the rotary table 40 of the massage device 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis represents time t [arbitrary scale]. In FIG. 8, the vertical axis is the rotation angle θ [°] of the rotary table 40.

Referring to the upper graph of FIG. 7, the control unit 60 controls the motor 20 so that the rotation speed N of the rotary table 40 changes periodically at a predetermined first period T1. In other words, the control unit 60 controls the motor 20 so that the rotational speed N of the turntable 40 changes periodically over time. Specifically, the control unit 60 causes the rotation speed N of the turntable 40 to linearly decrease from a predetermined second rotation speed N2 that is larger than the predetermined first rotation speed N1 toward the first rotation speed N1. The motor 20 is controlled so as to. Next, the control unit 60 controls the motor 20 so that the rotation speed N of the turntable 40 increases linearly from the first rotation speed N1 to the second rotation speed N2. Thereafter, the control unit 60 controls the motor 20 so that the rotational speed N of the rotary table 40 alternately decreases and increases. In other words, the control unit 60 controls the motor 20 so that the graph representing the change in the rotation speed N of the turntable 40 with respect to time has a triangular wave shape. Here, the predetermined first period T1 means that the rotation speed N of the turntable 40 starts from a certain rotation speed (for example, the first rotation speed N1) and then returns to the rotation speed (for example, the first rotation speed N1). , and the direction of change (increase or decrease) in the rotational speed N becomes the same.

Referring to the lower graph of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, since the rotation speed N of the rotary table 40 changes periodically, the rotation angle θ of the rotary table 40 does not change linearly with respect to time t. , is changing while the slope is changing. Further, the turntable 40 rotates once in the second period T2. In other words, the second period T2 is the time required for the turntable 40 to rotate once. Specifically, the second period T2 is the time until the rotation angle θ of the rotary table 40 changes from 0° to 360°.

As shown in FIG. 8, from the start time 0 (the time when the rotation speed N of the turntable 40 is the second rotation speed N2) to the first time ta (the time when the rotation speed N of the turntable 40 becomes the first rotation speed N1). ), the graph representing the change in rotation angle θ with respect to time becomes convex upward (mountain-shaped). In other words, when the rotation speed N of the rotary table 40 decreases linearly, the graph representing the change in the rotation angle θ with respect to time becomes convex upward (in the shape of a mountain).

Next, between the first time ta (the time when the rotation speed N of the turntable 40 is the first rotation speed N1) and the second time tb (the time when the rotation speed N of the turntable 40 becomes the second rotation speed N2), , the graph representing the change in the rotation angle θ with respect to time has a downward convex shape (valley shape). In other words, when the rotation speed N of the rotary table 40 increases linearly, the graph representing the change in the rotation angle θ with respect to time becomes convex downward (in a valley shape).

After that, between the second time tb (the time when the rotation speed N of the turntable 40 is the second rotation speed N2) and the third time tc (the time when the turntable 40 makes one rotation), the rotation angle θ changes with respect to time. The graph representing the curve is convex upward (mountain shape). In other words, when the rotation speed N of the rotary table 40 decreases linearly, the graph representing the change in the rotation angle θ with respect to time becomes convex upward (in the shape of a mountain).

As a result, the graph representing the change in the rotation angle θ with respect to time increases as a whole and changes to repeat a mountain shape and a valley shape while the rotary table 40 rotates once.

Referring to the two graphs in FIG. 7 together, the control unit 60 of the present embodiment controls the rotation speed N of the rotary table 40 to be asynchronous with the time change of the rotation angle θ of the rotary table 40. The motor 20 is controlled. The asynchronous change in the rotational speed N of the rotary table 40 and the temporal change in the rotational angle θ means that the rotational speed N and the rotational angle θ of the rotary table 40 do not correspond one-to-one. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, the rotation angle θ of the turntable 40 differs from each other at each of a plurality of times when the rotation speed N of the turntable 40 reaches a certain rotation speed (for example, the second rotation speed N2). On the other hand, the rotation speed N of the rotary table 40 when the rotary table 40 reaches a certain rotation angle θ (for example, 360°) changes as the rotary table 40 repeats rotation.

The predetermined first cycle T1 of the rotation speed N of the rotary table 40 is set such that the rotation angle θ at which the rotary table 40 rotates during one first period T1 is other than 360°. In other words, the predetermined first period T1 regarding the rotation speed N of the rotary table 40 and the second period T2 regarding the rotation angle θ of the rotary table 40 do not match. Preferably, the predetermined first period T1 of the rotation speed N of the rotary table 40 is set such that the rotation angle θ at which the rotary table 40 rotates during one first period T1 is less than 360°. There is.

Further, the second period T2 of the rotation of the turntable 40 varies due to periodic changes in the rotation speed N of the turntable 40.

According to this embodiment, the movement of the kneading balls 50 is slowed down by the periodic change in the rotational speed N of the rotary table 40, and the kneading feeling can be improved.

If the time change in the rotational speed N of the turntable 40 is synchronized with the time change in the rotation angle θ of the turntable 40, the movement of the kneading balls 50 becomes monotonous. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the rotation speed N of the rotary table 40 changes independently and asynchronously with the rotation angle θ of the rotary table 40, so the movement of the kneading balls 50 becomes complicated and the kneading feeling is reduced. can be improved.

Assuming that the rotation angle θ at which the turntable 40 rotates during one first cycle T1 of the rotation speed N is 360°, the rotation speed N at each rotation angle θ of the turntable 40 is It does not change with each rotation. In other words, the number of rotations N when the rotary table 40 reaches a certain rotation angle θ is always constant. As a result, the movement of the massaging balls 50 becomes monotonous. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, since the rotation angle θ at which the turntable 40 rotates during one first cycle T1 of the rotation speed N is other than 360°, each rotation angle θ of the turntable 40 is The rotational speed N differs each time the rotary table 40 rotates. In other words, the rotational speed N when the rotary table 40 reaches a certain rotation angle θ changes as the rotary table 40 repeats rotation. In other words, the rotation speed N of the rotary table 40 when the rotary table 40 reaches a certain rotation angle θ differs each time the rotary table 40 repeats rotation. As a result, the movement of the kneading balls 50 becomes complicated, so that the feeling of kneading can be improved.

In addition, due to periodic changes in the rotational speed N of the rotary table 40, the second period T2 required for the rotary table 40 to rotate changes, which causes fluctuations in the movement of the kneading balls 50, improving the feeling of kneading. can.

Further, the movement performed by the rotary table 40 is only rotational drive around the first rotation axis C1, but by controlling the rotation speed N of the rotary table 40 as described above, the movement of the massaging balls 50 can be complicated. Can be done. Thereby, the movement of the massaging balls 50 can be complicated without complicating the mechanism of the massage device 1, and the massaging feeling can be improved.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the massage device 1 is built into the cushion C, so that the massage device 1 can be easily carried.

(Modified example)
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the rotary table of the massage device according to a modification of the present embodiment. In the upper graph and lower graph of FIG. 9, the horizontal axis represents time t [arbitrary scale]. In the upper graph of FIG. 9, the vertical axis is the rotation speed N [rpm] of the rotary table 40. In the lower graph of FIG. 9, the vertical axis is the rotation angle θ [°] of the rotary table 40.

Referring to the upper graph of FIG. 9, in the modified example shown in FIG. The motor 20 is controlled so that the number of revolutions increases linearly toward the second number of revolutions. Next, the control unit 60 controls the motor 20 so that the rotation speed N of the turntable 40 decreases linearly from the second rotation speed N2 toward the first rotation speed N1. After that, the control unit 60 controls the motor 20 so that the rotation speed N of the turntable 40 alternately increases and decreases.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims.

In the embodiment, the control unit 60 controls the motor 20 so that the graph representing the change in the rotation speed N of the turntable 40 with respect to time changes linearly like a triangular wave, but the control unit 60 is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 60 controls the motor 20 so that the graph representing the change in the rotational speed N of the turntable 40 with respect to time changes in a curved manner like a cosine curve (cosine wave) or a sine curve (sine wave). It's okay.

Further, in the embodiment, four rotating tables 40 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and at least one rotating table 40 may be provided.

In the embodiment, two kneading balls 50 were provided on one rotary table 40, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that at least one kneading ball is provided on one rotary table.

Furthermore, the mechanism for transmitting power from the drive unit to the rotary table is not limited to the transmission mechanism 30 of the embodiment.

In the embodiment, the massage device 1 according to the present invention is built into the cushion C, but the application of the massage device 1 is not limited to this, and the massage device 1 can be applied to, for example, a massage chair, a hand massager, or a foot massager. It may also be applied to a massager.

1 Massage device 2 Cover 3 Power connector 10 Casing 11 Casing body 12 Lid 12a Hole 20 Motor (drive unit)
21 Output shaft 30 Transmission mechanism 31 First rotating shaft 32 Intermediate gear 32a Large gear 32b Small gear 33 Second rotating shaft 34 Driven gear 40 Turntable 50 Massaging balls 51 Massaging ball main body 52 Convex portion 60 Control section C Cushion C1 1st rotation Axis C2 Second rotation axis N Number of rotations N1 First number of rotations N2 Second number of rotations θ Rotation angle

Claims (6)

A drive unit;
at least one rotary table driven to continuously rotate by the drive unit;
at least one massaging ball attached to the rotary table;
a control unit that controls the drive unit so that the rotation speed of the rotary table can be changed;
The control unit controls the drive unit so that the rotation speed of the rotary table changes periodically in a predetermined first period,
The control unit is configured to increase the rotation speed of the turntable over time from a predetermined first rotation speed to a predetermined second rotation speed larger than the first rotation speed by repeating the first cycle. , the driving unit is controlled so as to alternately repeat a decrease from the second rotational speed toward the first rotational speed, and a time change in the rotational speed of the rotary table is a time change in the rotation angle of the rotary table. controlling the drive unit so as to be asynchronous with
The control unit controls the drive unit so that the rotational speed of the turntable changes continuously over time during the first period,
The control unit controls the drive unit such that the rotational speed of the rotary table includes both the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed during one rotation of the rotary table. . The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the turntable rotates once in a second period different from the first period. The first period of the rotation speed of the rotary table is set such that the rotation angle at which the rotary table rotates during one first period is other than 360°. massage device. 4. The control section controls the drive section so that a graph representing a change in the rotation speed of the rotary table with respect to time has a triangular wave shape, a sine wave shape, or a cosine wave shape. The massage device described in . The massage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rotation speed of the rotary table changes linearly. A cushion incorporating the massage device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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