JP7572094B2 - chair - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a chair.

Conventionally, massage machines are known that tilt the entire seat by raising and lowering auxiliary legs provided below the seat (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also known is a massage machine that rotates the backrest by expanding and contracting a drive bag provided on the back of the backrest (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2010-220701 A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-10269

The massage machine of Patent Document 1 has a problem that the angle between the seat and the backrest is always constant and the angle of the backrest relative to the seat cannot be changed, so the backrest cannot be adjusted to an angle desired by the user.The massage machine of Patent Document 2 has a problem that the angle of the seat is always constant and the angle of the seat cannot be changed, so the seat cannot be adjusted to an angle desired by the user.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a massage machine that can achieve a variety of rocking movements by rocking the seat and backrest separately.

The present invention comprises a base, a seat pivotally supported on the base, a support part erected from the rear of the seat, a backrest pivotally supported on the support part, a first drive part for rocking the seat in a forward and backward direction relative to the base, a second drive part for rocking the backrest forward relative to the support part, and a control part, wherein the backrest part has a massage part that massages the user.
With this configuration, the seat portion and the backrest portion can be swung separately, thereby realizing a variety of swung movements.

It is also preferable that the base has an attachment portion, the first drive portion is provided on the attachment portion, and the second drive portion is provided between the backrest portion and the support portion.
With this configuration, the seat portion can be swung forward and backward relative to the base, and the backrest portion can be swung forward relative to the support portion.

In addition, it is preferable that the first drive portion has a front first drive portion that rocks the seat portion forward and/or a rear first drive portion that rocks the seat portion rearward.
With this configuration, the seat can be swung back and forth relative to the base.

Moreover, it is preferable that the first drive portion is an air cell that expands and contracts by supplying and discharging air.
With this configuration, a variety of swinging movements can be achieved at low cost.

The second drive unit is preferably a mechanical actuator or an air cell that expands and contracts by supplying and discharging air.
By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to realize a variety of swinging movements with a simple configuration.

The base preferably has a biasing means for biasing the seat in a direction approaching the base.
With this configuration, the seat portion can be biased in a direction approaching the base.

It is also preferable that the control section independently controls the first drive section and the second drive section.
With this configuration, a variety of swinging movements can be achieved.

According to the present invention, a variety of rocking movements can be achieved by rocking the seat and backrest separately.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a massage machine in a standing position according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A and 1B are side views of a massage machine in an upright position according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the left, where FIG. 1A is a massage machine without a biasing means, and FIG. 1B is a massage machine with a biasing means. 1 is a block diagram of a massage machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a base of a massage machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a chair body according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a backrest portion according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front view showing a massage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a side view of a massage machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the left, in which (a) is a diagram showing the state before the front first driving unit and the rear first driving unit are driven, (b) is a diagram showing the state after the front first driving unit has been driven, and (c) is a diagram showing the state after the rear first driving unit has been driven. FIG. 1 is a side view of a massage machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the left; (a) is a diagram showing the state in which the second driving unit is driven; (b) is a diagram showing the state in which the front first driving unit is driven with the second driving unit driven; and (c) is a diagram showing the state in which the rear first driving unit is driven with the second driving unit driven. FIG. 1 is a side view of a massage machine having a biasing means according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the left, in which (a) is a diagram showing the state before the front first driving unit and the rear first driving unit are driven, (b) is a diagram showing the state after the front first driving unit has been driven, and (c) is a diagram showing the state after the rear first driving unit has been driven. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a massage machine in a standing position according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a seat and a footrest are omitted from a massage machine in a standing position according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a side view of a massage machine in an upright position according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the left. FIG. 11 is a side view of a massage machine in an upright position according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the left. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a seat portion of a massage machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a footrest of a massage machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a massage machine in a standing position according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a side view of a massage machine in an upright position according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the left. FIG. 11 is a side view of a massage machine in an upright position according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the left.

[Overall configuration of the massage machine]
The overall configuration of the massage machine 1 of the present invention will now be described.
In addition, the concept of directions used in the following explanation is that, as seen from the user seated on the massage machine 1, the head side in the height direction is defined as "up," the waist side in the height direction is defined as "down," the left hand side is defined as "left," and the right hand side is defined as "right," and other cases will be explained as appropriate.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a massage machine 1 in an upright position according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of a massage machine 1 in an upright position according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the left, where (a) is a massage machine 1 without a biasing means 17, and (b) is a massage machine 1 with a biasing means 17. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a massage machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a base 3 of a massage machine 1 in an upright position according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a chair body 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a backrest portion 5 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a massage unit 6 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a side view of a massage machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the left, where (a) is a view showing a state before the front first drive unit 11a and the rear first drive unit 11b are driven, (b) is a view showing a state after the front first drive unit 11a is driven, and (c) is a view showing a state after the rear first drive unit 11b is driven. 9 is a side view of the massage machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention seen from the left, (a) is a diagram showing a state in which the second drive unit 12 is driven, (b) is a diagram showing a state in which the front first drive unit 11a is driven in a state in which the second drive unit 12 is driven, and (c) is a diagram showing a state in which the rear first drive unit 11b is driven in a state in which the second drive unit 12 is driven. FIG. 10 is a side view of the massage machine 1 having the biasing means 17 according to one embodiment of the present invention seen from the left, (a) is a diagram showing a state before the front first drive unit 11a and the rear first drive unit 11b are driven, (b) is a diagram showing a state in which the front first drive unit 11a is driven, and (c) is a diagram showing a state in which the rear first drive unit 11b is driven.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the massage machine 1 of the present invention mainly includes a seat 4 on which a user sits, a support F erected from the rear of the seat 4, a backrest 5 on which the user leans, which is pivotally supported by the support F, a base 3 pivotally supporting the seat 4, a pad member (not shown) covering the surface of the seat 4 and the surface of the backrest 5, a control unit 9 for controlling various operations of the massage machine 1, and a controller 16 (see Fig. 3) for performing various operations of the massage machine 1. The backrest 5 is provided with a massage section a (massage unit 6) for massaging the user. The backrest 5 can be swung forward relative to the support F. The seat 4 can be swung in the front-rear direction relative to the base 3. Armrests (not shown) on which the user's arms are placed may be provided on both the left and right sides of the seat 4. In this case, a massage section (not shown) for massaging the user's arms may be provided on the armrests (not shown).
The configurations of the backrest portion 5, the support portion F, and the seat portion 4 will be described later.

[Configuration of the massage machine]
As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, the massage machine 1 is composed of a seat 4 on which a user sits, a backrest 5 on which the user leans, and a support F erected from the rear of the seat 4. The support F is erected at an angle from the rear of the seat 4. Specifically, the support F is inclined at about 120 degrees from the front to the rear with respect to the seating surface of the seat 4. Hereinafter, the seat 4, the backrest 5 and the support F may be collectively referred to as the chair body 2.
The inclination angle of the support portion F relative to the seat portion 4 is just one example, and any angle may be used as long as it allows a user seated on the seat portion 4 (massage machine 1) to easily lean against the backrest portion 5.

The support part F is composed of a pair of left and right side plates F1, a top plate F2 located on the upper side, and a bottom plate F4 located opposite the backrest part 5. In other words, the support part F is in the shape of a recess (frame body) with a space in the center.
Specifically, the pair of left and right side panels F1 are integrally formed from a position facing the side of the backrest portion 5 to a position facing the side of the seat portion 4. A hole B2 is provided below the position of the pair of left and right side panels F1 facing the backrest portion 5. The hole B2 is a hole for pivoting the second axis A2 of the backrest portion 5. The backrest portion 5 can swing forward relative to the support portion F via the second axis A2.

A first axis A1 having an axial direction in the left-right direction is provided approximately in the center of a position facing the side of the seat 4. The seat 4 can swing back and forth relative to the base 3 via the first axis A1. A second drive unit 12 for swinging the backrest 5 forward with the second axis A2 as a fulcrum is attached above the bottom plate F4.
The configuration of the support portion F is merely an example, and any configuration may be used as long as it is capable of supporting the backrest portion 5. For example, it may be a single plate-shaped member.
The configurations of the backrest portion 5 and the second drive portion 12 will be described later.

[Base configuration]
As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the base 3 is composed of a first pedestal portion 3a that contacts the floor surface, a second pedestal portion 3b for attaching the first driving unit 11 and the biasing means 17, a connecting portion 3c for holding the first pedestal portion 3a and the second pedestal portion 3b at a predetermined distance, and a body support portion 2a that supports the chair body 2.

[Configuration of first pedestal part]
The first pedestal portion 3a is composed of a circular plate-like member. The back surface of the first pedestal portion 3a is in contact with the floor surface. A connecting portion 3c is provided at the center of the surface of the first pedestal portion 3a. The connecting portion 3c is provided so as to protrude upward from the surface of the first pedestal portion 3a. The other end of the connecting portion 3c is attached to the back surface of the second pedestal portion 3b. In other words, the first pedestal portion 3a and the second pedestal portion 3b are fixed together by the connecting portion 3c.
The shape of the first base portion 3a is merely an example, and other shapes may be used. For example, the first base portion 3a may be configured with a plurality of legs (e.g., 3 to 5 legs) extending radially outward from the center. Casters (not shown) may be provided on the legs. Providing casters (not shown) makes it easier to move the massage machine 1.

[Configuration of second pedestal portion]
The second pedestal portion 3b is composed of a circular plate-like member. The other end of the connecting portion 3c, which is provided so as to protrude upward from the center of the surface of the first pedestal portion 3a, is attached to the center of the back surface of the second pedestal portion 3b. The first driving portion 11 and the main body support portion 2a are attached to the surface of the second pedestal portion 3b. Specifically, the main body support portion 2a is attached to the center of the surface of the second pedestal portion 3b so as to extend in the left-right direction. The front side of the main body support portion 2a is attached to the rear first driving portion 11b for swinging the seat portion 4 backward relative to the base 3. The rear side of the main body support portion 2a is attached to the front first driving portion 11a for swinging the seat portion 4 forward relative to the base 3.
The shape of the second pedestal portion 3b is merely an example, and other shapes may be used. For example, the second pedestal portion 3b may be a polygon such as a rectangle.

[Configuration of mounting part]
An attachment portion 3d is provided on the base 3 (more specifically, on the surface of the second pedestal portion 3b). The attachment portion 3d is for attaching the first driving unit 11. The presence of the attachment portion 3d allows the first driving unit 11 to be attached without being affected by the shape of the second pedestal portion 3b. In other words, the first driving unit 11 can be attached even if the outer edge side of the second pedestal portion 3b is substantially bowl-shaped with an inclination from the center to the outside as shown in FIG. 2(a) or even if it is a plate-like shape with no inclination as shown in FIG. 2(b).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2(a), by forming the second pedestal portion 3b into a substantially bowl shape, the rocking of the seat portion 4 in the front-rear direction relative to the base 3 can be restricted to a certain degree.
Specifically, when the front first drive unit 11a is driven to swing the seat 4 (more specifically, the rear part of the seat 4) forward relative to the base 3, the lower surface of the seat 4 abuts against the front outer edge of the second pedestal 3b. The lower surface of the seat 4 abuts against the front outer edge of the second pedestal 3b, so that the seat 4 does not swing downward beyond the second pedestal 3b. In addition, when the rear first drive unit 11b is driven to swing the seat 4 (more specifically, the front part of the seat 4) backward relative to the base 3, the lower surface of the seat 4 abuts against the rear outer edge of the second pedestal 3b. The lower surface of the seat 4 abuts against the rear outer edge of the second pedestal 3b, so that the seat 4 does not swing downward beyond the second pedestal 3b.

As shown in FIG. 2(b), by attaching a biasing means 17 to the second pedestal portion 3b, the seat portion 4 can be biased in a direction approaching the base 3. One biasing means 17 is provided on each of the front and rear sides of the second pedestal portion 3b. By providing the biasing means 17 on the front and rear sides of the second pedestal portion 3b, the front and rear sides of the seat portion 4 can be biased in a direction approaching the base 3, so that the initial position of the seat portion 4 (the position of the seat portion 4 before the user sits on the massage machine 1) can be determined.

In other words, when the seat 4 swings forward relative to the base 3, the front first drive unit 11a (first drive unit 11) is driven, causing the rear biasing means 17 (in this embodiment, a spring) to expand, causing the rear of the seat 4 to swing away from the base 3. At this time, the rear biasing means 17 biases the seat 4 (more specifically, the rear of the seat 4) in a direction approaching the base 3, so when the drive of the front first drive unit 11a is stopped, the seat 4 (more specifically, the rear of the seat 4) can swing smoothly in a direction approaching the base 3.

Furthermore, when the seat 4 swings backward relative to the base 3, the rear first drive unit 11b (first drive unit 11) is driven, so that the front biasing means 17 (a spring in this embodiment) expands and the front part of the seat 4 swings in a direction away from the base 3. At this time, the front biasing means 17 biases the seat 4 (more specifically, the front part of the seat 4) in a direction approaching the base 3, so that when the drive of the rear first drive unit 11b is stopped, the seat 4 (more specifically, the front part of the seat 4) can swing smoothly in a direction approaching the base 3.
The configurations of the first drive unit 11 and the main body support unit 2a will be described later.

[Configuration of the biasing means]
The biasing means 17 is composed of a spring having elasticity. One biasing means 17 is attached to each of the front and rear sides of the second pedestal portion 3b. The biasing means 17 attached to the front side of the second pedestal portion 3b biases the seat portion 4 (more specifically, the front part of the seat portion 4) in a direction approaching the base 3. The biasing means 17 attached to the rear side of the second pedestal portion 3b biases the seat portion 4 (more specifically, the rear part of the seat portion 4) in a direction approaching the base 3.

When the rear first drive unit 11b is driven, the seat 4 swings rearward around the first axis A1 attached to the base 3 as a fulcrum. At this time, the biasing means 17 attached to the front side of the second pedestal 3b expands and the biasing means 17 attached to the rear side of the second pedestal 3b contracts, causing the seat 4 to swing rearward (see FIG. 10(c)). The biasing means 17 biases the seat 4 in a direction approaching the base 3, so when the drive of the rear first drive unit 11b is stopped, the biasing means 17 attached to the front side of the second pedestal 3b contracts, allowing the seat 4 (more specifically, the front part of the seat 4) to swing smoothly in a direction approaching the base 3.

When the first front drive unit 11a is driven, the seat 4 swings forward around the first axis A1 attached to the base 3 as a fulcrum. At this time, the biasing means 17 attached to the rear side of the second pedestal 3b expands and the biasing means 17 attached to the front side of the second pedestal 3b contracts, causing the seat 4 to swing forward (see FIG. 10(b)). The biasing means 17 biases the seat 4 in a direction approaching the base 3, so when the drive of the first front drive unit 11a is stopped, the biasing means 17 attached to the rear side of the second pedestal 3b contracts, allowing the seat 4 (more specifically, the rear part of the seat 4) to swing smoothly in a direction approaching the base 3.

When the biasing means 17 is attached, the second seat portion 3b is preferably formed in a flat shape (see FIG. 2(b)). The driving of the first driving portion 11 (the front first driving portion 11a and the rear first driving portion 11b) is controlled by the control portion 9. The spring as the biasing means 17 is only one example, and any means may be used as long as it can bias the seat portion 4 in a direction approaching the base 3.
The configurations of the first drive unit 11 (the front first drive unit 11a and the rear first drive unit 11b) and the main body support unit 2a will be described later.

[Configuration of main body support part]
The main body support part 2a is composed of a horizontally long plate-like member. Both ends of the main body support part 2a are bent upward to form a generally concave shape in front view. A hole B1 is provided in the part of the main body support part 2a bent upward (hereinafter referred to as the bent part 2b). The main body support part 2a is attached to the surface of the base 3 (more specifically, the surface of the second base part 3b). A first axis A1, which is provided on the chair body 2 and has an axial direction in the left-right direction, is inserted into the hole B1 provided in the bent part 2b. This allows the seat part 4 to swing in the front-rear direction relative to the base 3 with the first axis A1 as a fulcrum.

[Configuration of first driving unit]
The first driving unit 11 is composed of an air cell. The air cell expands and contracts by supplying and exhausting air from the air supply and exhaust device 10. The first driving unit 11 is attached to the base 3 (more specifically, to a mounting portion 3d provided on the surface of the second pedestal portion 3b). The first driving unit 11 is composed of a front first driving unit 11a attached to the rear of the base 3 and a rear first driving unit 11b attached to the front of the base 3.

The front first driving portion 11a and the rear first driving portion 11b are attached so as to expand upward.
Specifically, since the first front drive unit 11a is attached to the mounting portion 3d on the rear side of the base 3, the seat 4 (more specifically, the rear portion of the seat 4) can be swung forward. In this way, when the first front drive unit 11a is driven, the seat 4 can be swung forward with the first axis A1 as a fulcrum.
In addition, since the rear first driving unit 11b is attached to the front mounting portion 3d of the base 3, the seat 4 (more specifically, the front portion of the seat 4) can be swung rearward. In this way, when the rear first driving unit 11b is driven, the seat 4 can be swung rearward with the first axis A1 as a fulcrum.
The drive of the front first drive portion 11a and the drive of the rear first drive portion 11b are each controlled independently by the control portion 9.

[Configuration of second driving unit]
The second drive unit 12 is composed of an air cell. The air cell expands and contracts by supplying and exhausting air from the air supply and exhaust device 10. The second drive unit 12 is attached to the support unit F (more specifically, the bottom plate F4). Specifically, the second drive unit 12 is attached to the support unit F (more specifically, the bottom plate F4) so as to expand and contract with the lower side (seat portion 4 side) of the bottom plate F4 constituting the support unit F as a fulcrum.
In this way, when the second drive unit 12 is driven, the backrest unit 5 can be swung forward around the second axis A2 as a fulcrum. The drive of the second drive unit 12 is controlled by the control unit 9.

[Configuration of the backrest]
As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6, the backrest 5 is made up of a rectangular member that is long in the height direction. An opening 5a is provided in the center of the backrest 5. The opening 5a is provided with a lift guide rail 5b (see Figures 1 and 6) and a massage unit 6 that moves up and down by the lift guide rail 5b. The massage unit 6 is a massage section a that performs kneading massage and/or tapping massage. The massage unit 6 moves along the lift guide rail 5b. Since the massage unit 6 can move in the height direction, the massage unit 6 can massage the upper half of the user's body (between the neck and the waist).
The configuration of the massage unit 6 will be described later.

A plurality of air cells are attached as massage sections a for massaging the user on the front side (the side that comes into contact with the user) of the backrest section 5. Specifically, a pair of back massage sections a1 for massaging the user's back is attached to the left and right sides of the upper side of the backrest section 5. A pair of lower waist massage sections a2 for massaging the user's lower back is attached to the left and right sides of the lower side of the backrest section 5.
For example, a body side portion (not shown) may be provided on the side of the backrest portion 5, and a shoulder massage portion (not shown) for massaging the shoulders and upper arms of the user may be provided on the body side portion (not shown).

A second axis A2 is provided on both the left and right sides of the backrest 5 for swinging the backrest 5 forward relative to the support F. The second axis A2 is provided below both the left and right sides of the backrest 5 with the left-right direction as the axial direction. The second axis A2 is inserted into a hole B2 provided in the support F (more specifically, the side plate F1) (see FIG. 5). The backrest 5 can swing forward relative to the support F with the second axis A2 as a fulcrum. Specifically, by driving the second drive unit 12 provided above the bottom plate F4 constituting the support F, the backrest 5 can be swing forward relative to the support F with the second axis A2 as a fulcrum. The drive of the second drive unit 12 is controlled by the control unit 9.
The second drive unit 12 will be described later.

[Seat configuration]
As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the seat 4 is made of a rectangular plate-like member. At the rear of the seat 4, a support F is located, which stands upright from the rear of the seat 4. At the side of the seat 4, a side plate F1 of the support F stands upright from a position facing the side of the backrest 5 to a position facing the side of the seat 4. In other words, the seat 4 is formed integrally with the support F. A first axis A1 having an axial direction in the left-right direction is provided on both the left and right sides of the seat 4, approximately near the center. The first axis A1 is inserted into a hole B1 provided in the bent portion 2b of the main body support portion 2a. The seat 4 can swing in the front-rear direction relative to the base 3 with the first axis A1 as a fulcrum. A pair of buttock massage parts a3 are attached to the front and rear of the front side of the seat 4 (the side that comes into contact with the user). The buttock massage parts a3 are air cells.
For example, a massage section (not shown) for massaging the thighs of a user may be provided on the front side (the side that comes into contact with the user) of the seat section 4.

[Massage unit configuration]
FIG. 7 is a front view showing the massage unit 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in Fig. 7, the backrest 5 is provided with a massage unit 6 for massaging the upper body of the user from the rear (back). The massage unit 6 is composed of a pair of arms 61 on the left and right and treatment elements 62 provided at both the top and bottom ends of the arms 61. A kneading massage can be performed by driving the massage motor M1 so that the left and right treatment elements 62 move toward and away from each other, and a tapping massage can be performed by driving the massage motor M2 so that the left and right treatment elements 62 move alternately toward and away from the user. The massage unit 6 can also be moved upward or downward along the height direction by driving the lifting motor M3 to change its position relative to the body or perform a rolling massage.
The backrest 5 is provided with a pair of lifting guide rails 5b (see Figs. 1 and 6) extending in the height direction, and the massage unit 6 moves along the lifting guide rails 5b. Since the massage unit 6 can move in the height direction, the upper body (between the neck and the waist) of the user can be massaged by the treatment elements 62.

The massage unit 6 also has a base frame 60a and a movable frame 60b supported by the base frame 60a. The base frame 60a has guide rollers 63 that fit into the lift guide rails 5b on both the left and right sides. The base frame 60a can move along the height direction by a lift mechanism (not shown) consisting of a rack and pinion or the like. The movable frame 60b is supported by the base frame 60a via a swing shaft 64 in the left and right direction. Between the base frame 60a and the movable frame 60b, a forward and backward drive unit 65 consisting of an air cell or the like is provided. The movable frame 60b can move forward and backward with respect to the user around the swing shaft 64 by driving the forward and backward drive unit 65. Note that the structure does not have to move the movable frame 60b forward and backward, and the forward and backward drive unit 65 may be provided on the arm 61 to move only the arm 61 forward and backward.

The arm 61 is connected to the kneading shaft 66 and the beating shaft 67 that extend in the left-right direction. On both the left and right sides of the kneading shaft 66, an inclined cam 66a having an inclined shaft portion 66b is provided, and the arm 61 is attached to this inclined cam 66a. The left and right inclined shaft portions 66b are inclined with respect to the axis of the kneading shaft 66 so as to be approximately V-shaped when viewed from the front. On both the left and right sides of the beating shaft 67, an eccentric cam 67a having an eccentric shaft portion 67b eccentric with respect to the axis of the beating shaft 67 is provided, and the arm 61 is attached to this eccentric cam 67a via a connecting rod 68. The left and right eccentric shaft portions 67b have different phases with respect to the axis of the beating shaft 67, specifically, they differ by 180 degrees. The kneading shaft 66 and the beating shaft 67 are rotated by the drive of the massage motors M1 and M2, respectively. The treatment element 62 performs a kneading massage by rotating the kneading shaft 66, and a tapping massage by rotating the tapping shaft 67. The arm 61 on which the treatment element 62 is mounted, the kneading shaft 66, and the tapping shaft 67 are supported by the movable frame 60b. Therefore, the treatment element 62 can move forward and backward relative to the user via the movement of the movable frame 60b.

The arm 61 is freely swingable in the front-rear direction, and is biased by a biasing means (not shown) such as a spring so that the upper treatment piece 62 protrudes forward. As shown in FIG. 3, the massage unit 13 has a detection sensor 69 for detecting the user's physical information. The detection sensor 69 can obtain physical information by detecting that the arm 61 has reached a predetermined swing position. To be more specific, when the upper treatment piece 62 reaches above the shoulder in the process of raising the massage unit 6 along the height direction, the load acting on the treatment piece 62 is released, and the arm 61 swings forward by the action of the biasing means (not shown) to a predetermined swing position. The detection sensor 69 detects that the arm 61 has reached a predetermined swing position, and detects the position of the shoulder based on the vertical position of the massage unit 6 at that time. The positions of other parts (neck, back, waist, etc.) are calculated based on the position of the shoulder. The detected physical information is stored in the memory unit 15. The user may input the physical information himself. In this case, for example, physical information can be input by operating the controller 16 and stored in the memory unit 15.

[Configuration of control unit]
As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 9 is electrically connected to the massage unit 6, the air supply and exhaust device 10, the memory unit 15, and the controller 16. The control unit 9 is provided under the seat 4. The memory unit 15 and the controller 16 will be described later. The control unit 9 controls the operation of the massage unit a (massage unit 6, massage units a1 to a3) and the driving of the first driving unit 11 and the second driving unit 12. By operating the controller 16, the user can cause the massage unit a (massage unit 6, massage units a1 to a3) to operate and the first driving unit 11 and the second driving unit 12 to be driven.

[Storage Unit Configuration]
The storage unit 15 stores massage courses C in which the massage section a (massage unit 6, massage sections a1 to a3) sequentially treat the user's treatment areas. The massage courses C are configured by combining multiple types of motion blocks in which the massage section a (massage unit 6, massage sections a1 to a3) performs multiple motions in a set sequence. The massage courses C are performed by executing the combined motion blocks in a set sequence.
The massage course C is preprogrammed so that the massage section a (massage unit 6, massage sections a1 to a3) sequentially massage the user's treatment areas. Note that the massage machine 1 may be provided with a communication section (not shown) so that a new massage course C can be downloaded from the Internet (for example, a server (not shown)) via the communication section (not shown) and stored in the storage section 15.

[Standing up assistance]
The standing up assist operation by the control unit 9 will be described.
After the predetermined massage course C is completed, the control unit 9 drives the first front drive unit 11a to swing the seat 4 (more specifically, the rear part of the seat 4) forward relative to the base 3 (see FIG. 8(b)). Thereafter, while keeping the first front drive unit 11a driven, the control unit 9 drives the second drive unit 12 to swing the backrest 5 forward relative to the support unit F (see FIG. 9(b)).
By doing so, the user's back is pushed out from a forward leaning position, making it easier for the user to stand up from the massage machine 1.

[Stretching action]
The stretching operation performed by the control unit 9 will now be described.
The control unit 9 drives the first rear drive unit 11b to swing the seat 4 (more specifically, the front part of the seat 4) backward relative to the base 3 (see FIG. 8(c)). After that, while keeping the first rear drive unit 11b driven, the control unit 9 drives the second drive unit 12 to swing the backrest 5 forward relative to the support unit F (see FIG. 9(c)).
By doing so, the user's back is pushed out from a state in which their own weight is applied backward, and thus the user can perform a forward bending stretch.

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a massage machine 1 in an upright position according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the seat 4 and the footrest 7 are omitted from the massage machine 1 in an upright position according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 is a side view of the massage machine 1 in an upright position according to another embodiment of the present invention, seen from the left. Figure 14 is a side view of the massage machine 1 in an upright position according to another embodiment of the present invention, seen from the left. Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the seat 4 of the massage machine 1 in an upright position according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the footrest 7 of the massage machine 1 in an upright position according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 17 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the massage machine 1 in an upright position according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 is a side view of the massage machine 1 in an upright position according to another embodiment of the present invention, seen from the left. Figure 19 is a side view of the massage machine 1 in an upright position according to another embodiment of the present invention, seen from the left.

[Other embodiments]
Furthermore, the massage machine 1 of the present invention is not limited to the form shown in the drawings, and may be of other forms within the scope of the present invention.
For example, as shown in Figures 11 to 14, the support part F may be extended (standing) to a position corresponding to the legs of the user, and the footrest 7 may be provided on the extended (standing) support part F. In this case, it is preferable that the footrest 7 and the seat part 4 are configured to swing in the front-rear and up-down directions. Also, as shown in Figures 17 to 19, the footrest 7 may be provided in front of the seat part 4 so as to swing in the front-rear and up-down directions, without extending (standing) the support part F.

[Seat configuration]
As shown in FIG. 15, the seat 4 is made of a rectangular plate-shaped member. A pair of buttock massage parts a3 for massaging the buttocks of the user is provided on the surface of the seat. The buttock massage parts a3 are controlled by the control unit 9 independently for the left and right. The arrangement of the buttock massage parts a3 is only an example, and any arrangement may be used as long as the buttocks of the user can be massaged. A third axis A3 having an axial direction in the left-right direction is provided on the front side of the side of the seat 4. The seat 4 can swing in the front-rear and up-down directions with the third axis A3 as a fulcrum relative to the chair body 2 described later. A hole B3 for pivoting the third axis A3 is provided at a position of the support part F facing the side of the seat 4 (more specifically, at a position facing the third axis A3). The third axis A3 is inserted into the hole B3.

A third drive unit 13 is attached to the bottom plate F4 of the support unit F. The third drive unit 13 is composed of an air cell. The air cell expands and contracts by supplying and exhausting air from the air supply and exhaust device 10. Specifically, the bottom plate F4 extends from the seat 4 to a position facing the back surface of the footrest 7. The third drive unit 13 is attached to the support unit F (bottom plate F4) so as to expand and contract around the front side of the seat 4 (the footrest 7 side) facing the back surface of the seat 4 of the bottom plate F4 as a fulcrum.
In this way, when the third drive unit 13 is driven, the seat 4 can be swung in the front-rear direction relative to the floor surface with the third axis A3 as a fulcrum. The drive of the third drive unit 13 is controlled by the control unit 9. The third drive unit 13 can be driven independently of the first drive unit 11, the second drive unit 12, and the fourth drive unit 14. The fourth drive unit 14 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 16, the footrest 7 is made of a rectangular plate-shaped member. A pair of left and right leg massage sections a4 for massaging the user's legs are provided on the surface of the footrest 7. The left and right leg massage sections a4 are controlled independently by the control section 9. The shape of the footrest 7 is just an example, and other shapes are also acceptable. For example, the footrest 7 may be provided with side walls (not shown) and an intermediate wall (not shown), and the user's legs may be massaged by inserting the legs into the recesses formed by the side walls (not shown) and the intermediate wall (not shown). The arrangement of the leg massage sections a4 is just an example, and any arrangement is acceptable as long as the user's legs can be massaged.

A fourth axis A4, whose axial direction is in the left-right direction, is provided above the side of the footrest 7. The footrest 7 can swing up and down relative to the seat 4, with the fourth axis A4 as a fulcrum. A hole B4 for pivoting the fourth axis A4 is provided in the side plate F1 of the support part F, which is extended to a position facing the side of the footrest 7. The fourth axis A4 is inserted into the hole B4.

A fourth drive unit 14 is attached to the bottom plate F4 of the support unit F. The fourth drive unit 14 is composed of an air cell. The air cell expands and contracts by supplying and exhausting air from the air supply and exhaust device 10. Specifically, the bottom plate F4 extends from the seat 4 to a position facing the back surface of the footrest 7. The fourth drive unit 14 is attached to the support unit F (bottom plate F4) so as to expand and contract around the upper side of the footrest 7 facing the back surface of the footrest 7 of the bottom plate F4 as a fulcrum.
In this way, when the fourth drive unit 14 is driven, the footrest 7 can be swung up and down relative to the seat 4 with the fourth axis A4 as a fulcrum. The drive of the fourth drive unit 14 is controlled by the control unit 9. The fourth drive unit 14 can be driven independently of the first drive unit 11, the second drive unit 12, and the third drive unit 13.

In another embodiment, the chair body 2 is composed of a backrest 5, a seat 4, and a footrest 7. The support F extends (stands up) at an angle downward from the front of the seat 4. In other words, the support F extends from a position facing the back of the backrest 5 to a position facing the back of the footrest 7.

Also, as shown in Figures 17 to 19, a footrest 7 may be provided on the front side of the seat 4 so as to be able to swing up and down. In the cases of Figures 17 to 19, the footrest 7 is provided on the front side of the seat 4. Specifically, a fourth axis A4 having an axial direction in the left-right direction is provided above the side of the footrest 7. The footrest 7 can swing up and down relative to the seat 4 with the fourth axis A4 as a fulcrum.
In other words, the footrest 7 is configured to be able to swing up and down relative to the seat portion 4 .

As shown in FIG. 16, the footrest 7 is made of a rectangular plate-shaped member. A pair of left and right leg massage sections a4 for massaging the user's legs are provided on the surface of the footrest 7. The left and right leg massage sections a4 are controlled independently by the control section 9. The shape of the footrest 7 is just an example, and other shapes are also acceptable. For example, the footrest 7 may be provided with side walls (not shown) and an intermediate wall (not shown), and the user's legs may be massaged by inserting the legs into the recesses formed by the side walls (not shown) and the intermediate wall (not shown). The arrangement of the leg massage sections a4 is just an example, and any arrangement is acceptable as long as the user's legs can be massaged.

A fourth drive unit 14 is attached to the front side of the seat 4. The fourth drive unit 14 is composed of an air cell. The air cell expands and contracts by supplying and exhausting air from the air supply and exhaust device 10. Specifically, the fourth drive unit 14 is attached so as to expand and contract from the bottom to the top (see FIG. 18 ).
In this way, when the fourth drive unit 14 is driven, the footrest 7 can be swung up and down relative to the seat 4 with the fourth axis A4 as a fulcrum. The drive of the fourth drive unit 14 is controlled by the control unit 9. The fourth drive unit 14 can be driven independently of the first drive unit 11 and the second drive unit 12.

When configured as shown in Figures 17 to 19, compared to the cases of Figures 11 to 16, there is no need to extend the support part F to a position facing the back surface of the footrest 7, so the cost of manufacturing the massage machine 1 can be reduced.

In the cases of Figures 17 to 19, the seat 4 may be attached so as to be freely swingable. For example, as shown in Figure 11, a hole B3 may be provided in the side plate F1 of the support part F, and a third axis A3 with an axial direction in the left-right direction may be provided on the side of the seat 4, so that the seat 4 can swing up and down relative to the floor surface via the third axis A3.

Specifically, a third drive unit 13 for rocking the seat 4 is provided on a portion of the bottom plate F4 that extends to a position facing the back surface of the seat 4. The third drive unit 13 is composed of an air cell that expands and contracts by supplying and exhausting air from the air supply and exhaust device 10. The third drive unit 13 is attached to the bottom plate F4 so that it expands and contracts with the front side of the seat 4 as a fulcrum. By driving the third drive unit 13, the seat 4 can be rocked vertically relative to the floor surface via the third axis A3. In other words, the seat 4 can be rocked vertically relative to the floor surface without being affected by the posture of the massage machine 1, and a variety of rocking operations can be realized.

The present invention can be applied to a massage machine that achieves a variety of rocking movements by rocking the chair body and the backrest separately.

Base 3
Backrest 5
Control unit 9
First drive unit 11
Second drive unit 12
Massage Department a
Support part F

Claims (7)

The base and
A seat pivotally supported on the base;
A support portion formed integrally with the seat portion and erected from a rear portion of the seat portion ;
A backrest pivotally supported on the support;
A first drive unit for swinging the seat portion in a front-rear direction relative to the base;
A second drive unit for swinging the backrest portion forward relative to the support portion;
A control unit,
A chair characterized in that the base has a biasing means for biasing the seat in a direction approaching the base. The base has a mounting portion,
The first drive portion is provided on the mounting portion,
The chair according to claim 1, wherein the second drive portion is provided between the backrest portion and the support portion. The chair according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first drive unit has a forward first drive unit that rocks the seat forward and/or a rearward first drive unit that rocks the seat backward. The chair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first drive unit is an air cell that expands and contracts by supplying and discharging air. The chair according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second drive unit is a mechanical actuator or an air cell that expands and contracts by supplying and discharging air. The chair according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit controls the driving of the first driving unit and the second driving unit independently. The chair according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the backrest portion has a massage portion that massages the user.

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