JP7748265B2 - Electrical stimulation device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical stimulation device.

In conventional electrical stimulation devices, a motor in the device body rotates a sleeve attached to a rotating shaft, which in turn rotates the massage prongs. The rotating massage prongs are brought into contact with the user's scalp, massaging the user's scalp.

JP 2014-171856 A

However, the electrical stimulation device in Patent Document 1 only provides physical stimulation and is unable to provide electrical stimulation.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an electrical stimulation device that can perform both electrical stimulation and physical stimulation.

An electrical stimulation device according to one embodiment is an electrical stimulation device that provides electrical stimulation and physical stimulation, and includes a main body having a current supply unit and a rotation drive unit, and a first head unit detachably attached to a portion of the main body. The first head unit includes a first attachment unit attached to the portion of the main body, and a plurality of first stimulators provided on the first attachment unit and rotated by the rotation drive unit. The first head unit may be made of a conductive material, and the first attachment unit and the plurality of first stimulators may be configured as a single unit, and electrical stimulation may be provided by a current from the current supply unit.

The device may further include a second head unit detachably attached to a part of the main body when the first head unit is detached from the main body, the second head unit including a second attachment unit attached to the head unit and a plurality of second stimulators provided on the second attachment unit and rotated by the rotation drive unit, the second head unit being made of a non-conductive material, and when the second head unit is attached to the main body, current from the current supply unit does not flow to the second stimulator, and when the first head unit is attached to the main body, current from the current supply unit flows to the first stimulator, providing electrical stimulation.

The first stimulator of the first head unit may apply a weak current to at least the person's scalp using the current from the current supply unit.

The rotation drive unit has a plurality of output parts that protrude from the portion of the main body and are driven to rotate. When the first head unit is attached to the portion of the main body, the plurality of output parts are inserted into the plurality of first stimulators of the first head unit. When the second head unit is attached to the portion of the main body, the plurality of output parts are inserted into the plurality of second stimulators of the second head unit. The plurality of output parts may be made of a conductive material, and current from the current supply unit may flow to the plurality of first stimulators via the plurality of output parts.

The device may further include a plurality of third stimulators that are provided so as to protrude from the portion of the main body, are rotationally driven by the rotation drive unit, are made of a conductive material, and apply EMS to muscles using current from the current supply unit. When the first head unit is attached to the portion of the main body, the plurality of third stimulators are inserted into the plurality of first stimulators of the first head unit, current from the current supply unit flows to the plurality of first stimulators via the plurality of third stimulators, and the plurality of third stimulators are rotationally driven by the rotation drive unit, causing the plurality of first stimulators to rotate.

The present invention provides an electrical stimulation device capable of providing both electrical and physical stimulation.

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the electrical stimulation device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view of the first head unit. FIG. 2A is a side view of the second head unit, and FIG. 2B is a top view of the second head unit. FIG. 10 is a side view of a main body of an electrical stimulation device according to a modified example.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of an electrical stimulation device 1 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the first head unit 20 of FIG.

The electrical stimulation device 1 is an electrical stimulation device that applies electrical and physical stimulation to a person's scalp. As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical stimulation device 1 comprises a main body 10, a first head unit 20, and a second head unit 30. In the electrical stimulation device 1, either the first head unit 20 or the second head unit 30 can be attached to the main body 10, and either one is attached to the main body 10 for use.

The main body 10 has a hollow casing 11, a control unit 12, and a rotation drive unit 13. The casing 11 has a waterproof structure and comprises an upper portion 11A, an intermediate portion 11B, and a lower portion 11C. A power button and an operation button for receiving instructions from the user are provided on the upper surface of the upper portion 11A. The intermediate portion 11B is located between the upper portion 11A and the lower portion 11C, has a smaller diameter than the upper portion 11A, and is the portion that is held between the user's two fingers. The lower portion 11C is located below the intermediate portion 11B and houses the control unit 12 and the rotation drive unit 13. The lower portion 11C has a generally dome shape with a bottom and is the portion that is gripped by the user. The outer periphery of the lower end of the lower portion 11C has multiple attachment protrusions 11D that protrude outward.

The control unit 12 includes a power supply, an oscillator circuit, and a control circuit. The current generated by the oscillator circuit is supplied to the first head unit 20 or the second head unit 30 via the output unit 13A (described below). A secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery is used as the power supply. The control unit 12 functions as a current supply unit.

The rotary drive unit 13 includes, for example, a motor, a gear unit, multiple rotary shafts, and multiple output parts 13A. The rotational speed of the motor is reduced by the gear unit, and the multiple rotary shafts rotate at the reduced speed. Each rotary shaft extends in the vertical direction, and each approximately cylindrical output part 13A is attached at an angle to the corresponding rotary shaft. The multiple rotary shafts and multiple output parts 13A are made of a conductive material and pass current from the power source to the first head unit 20 or the second head unit 30. In this embodiment, there are six multiple output parts 13A, which are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference and protrude externally from the underside of the lower part 11C. The multiple output parts 13A are rotationally driven by the rotation of the multiple rotary shafts. The multiple rotary shafts and multiple output parts 13A have the same resistance value.

The first head unit 20 is made of a conductive material (e.g., silicone mixed with carbon). The first head unit 20 includes a first mounting unit 21 and multiple first stimulators 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the first mounting unit 21 has a generally elliptical dish shape. Multiple mounting recesses 21a are formed in the first mounting unit 21. The multiple mounting recesses 21a fit onto multiple mounting protrusions 11D on the lower portion 11C, thereby attaching the first mounting unit 21 to the lower end of the lower portion 11C of the casing 11. The first head unit 20 may be attached to and detached from the casing 11 using a magnet.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multiple first stimulators 22 are generally cylindrical and protrude downward from the first attachment part 21. The first attachment part 21 and the multiple first stimulators 22 are configured as a single unit. That is, the multiple first stimulators 22 cannot be removed from the first attachment part 21. In this embodiment, there are seven multiple first stimulators 22, with six first stimulators 22 arranged at equal intervals along the circumference and the remaining one first stimulator 22 arranged at the center of the six first stimulators 22. The tip of each first stimulator 22 is provided with multiple cylindrical massaging protrusions 23. These massaging protrusions 23 are the parts that come into contact with the user's scalp. The tip of each massaging protrusion 23 has multiple thinner protrusions.

As shown in FIG. 2, each first stimulator 22 has a first insertion hole 22a. When the first head unit 20 is attached to the lower part 11C of the casing 11, each output unit 13A is inserted into each first insertion hole 22a so that a portion of each output unit 13A abuts the inner circumferential surface of the first insertion hole 22a. The multiple output units 13A are driven to rotate by the rotary drive unit 13, causing the multiple first stimulators 22 to rotate. Each first stimulator 22 applies electrical stimulation (including weak current) to the user's scalp using current from the power source.

A method of using the electrical stimulation device 1 in which the first head unit 20 of this embodiment is attached to the main body 10 will be described.
In the electrical stimulation device 1, the user operates the operation button on the upper portion 11A to drive the motor, which rotates the multiple rotation shafts and multiple output units 13A via a gear unit. Because each output unit 13A is tilted relative to the axial direction of the corresponding rotation shaft, the tip of each output unit 13A rotates around the corresponding rotation shaft in a circular orbit centered on the corresponding rotation shaft. This movement of each output unit 13A is transmitted to each first stimulation body 22. As a result, the tip (massage protrusion 23) of each first stimulation body 22 also rotates around the corresponding rotation shaft in a circular orbit centered on the corresponding rotation shaft.

When the massage protrusions 23 that move in this way are brought into contact with the scalp, the user's scalp moves in accordance with the movement of the massage protrusions 23. As a result, the user's scalp is kneaded by the massage protrusions 23, providing a massage effect through kneading and loosening.

In addition, current from the power supply flows to each rotating shaft and each output unit 13A via a conductive member (not shown). In other words, a voltage is applied to a pair of adjacent output units 13A. Because the first head unit 20 is made of a conductive material, current also flows through each first stimulator 22. When the massage protrusions 23 contact the scalp, electrical stimulation is applied to the user's scalp. Electrical stimulation may be achieved by applying a low-current, such as a weak current, to the scalp. For example, the user may experience electrical stimulation by applying a current of less than 5 mA, a low voltage (e.g., less than 30 V), and a long pulse width (e.g., 100 μsec or more). Alternatively, the user may experience electrical stimulation by applying a weak current of less than 1000 μA and a voltage in the range of 400 to 800 V without load. In this way, the electrical stimulation device 1, in which the first head unit 20, which is made of a conductive material and in which the first attachment unit 21 and multiple first stimulators 22 are integrated, is attached to the main body 10, can provide electrical stimulation and physical stimulation to the scalp using a weak current. Furthermore, because the output unit 13A is made of a conductive material, it can reliably pass current through the first stimulators 22.

FIG. 3( a ) is a side view of the second head unit 30 , and FIG. 3( b ) is a top view of the second head unit 30 .
The second head portion 30 is made of a non-conductive material (e.g., silicone). The second head portion 30 includes a second mounting portion 31 and a plurality of second stimulators 32. As shown in FIG. 3 , the second mounting portion 31 has a generally elliptical dish shape. A plurality of mounting recesses 31a are formed in the second mounting portion 31. The plurality of mounting recesses 31a fit onto a plurality of mounting protrusions 11D on the lower portion 11C, whereby the first mounting portion 31 is mounted to the lower end of the lower portion 11C of the casing 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, the multiple second stimulators 32 are generally cylindrical and protrude downward from the second mounting portion 31. The second mounting portion 31 and the multiple second stimulators 32 are configured as a single unit. That is, the multiple second stimulators 32 cannot be removed from the second mounting portion 31. In this embodiment, there are seven multiple second stimulators 32, six of which are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference, and the remaining one second stimulator 32 is arranged at the center of the six second stimulators 32. The tip of each second stimulator 32 is configured to be tapered more than its base, and the tip of each second stimulator 32 has an inclined surface 22B.

As shown in Figure 3(b), each second stimulator 32 has a second insertion hole 32a. When the second head unit 30 is attached to the lower part 11C of the casing 11, each output unit 13A is inserted into each second insertion hole 32a so that a portion of each output unit 13A abuts the inner circumferential surface of the second insertion hole 32a. When the multiple output units 13A are rotationally driven by the rotation drive unit 13, the multiple second stimulators 32 rotate.

In the electrical stimulation device 1 in which the second head unit 30 is attached to the main body 10, as in the electrical stimulation device 1 in which the first head unit 20 is attached to the main body 10, when the user operates the operation button, the tip end (inclined surface 22B) of each second stimulator 32 moves so as to revolve around each rotation axis in a circular orbit centered on each rotation axis.

When the moving inclined surface 22B is brought into contact with the face, the user's facial muscles are moved in accordance with the movement of the inclined surface 22B. As a result, the user's facial muscles are massaged by the massage protrusions 23, providing a massaging effect through kneading and loosening.

Because the second head unit 30 is made of a non-conductive material, no current flows through each second stimulator 32. Thus, when the second head unit 30 is attached to the main body 10, current from the control unit 12 does not flow through the second stimulator 32, and when the first head unit 20 is attached to the main body 10, current from the control unit 12 flows through the first stimulator 22, providing electrical stimulation to the scalp. In this way, by switching the head unit, it is possible to allow or prevent electricity from flowing from the stimulator in the head unit, and by attaching the first head unit 20 to the main body 10, it is possible to pass a current appropriate for the scalp.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described examples. Those skilled in the art will be able to make various additions and modifications within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of main body 110 of electrical stimulation device 101 according to a modified example.
The electrical stimulation device 101 has a main body 110 and a first head unit 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The main body 110 has a hollow casing 11, a control unit 12, and a rotation drive unit 113. The rotation drive unit 113 has, for example, a motor, a gear unit, multiple rotation shafts, and multiple third stimulators 113A. The multiple third stimulators 113A are made of a conductive material, have a substantially elongated spheroid shape, and are attached with their major axes tilted relative to the multiple rotation shafts.

In this embodiment, there are six third stimulators 113A, which are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference and protrude outward from the underside of the lower portion 11C. The third stimulators 113A are driven to rotate by the rotation of multiple rotation shafts.

When the rotationally driven third stimulators 113A are brought into contact with the face, the user's facial muscles are moved in accordance with the movement of the third stimulators 113A. As a result, the user's facial muscles are massaged by the third stimulators 113A, providing a massaging effect through kneading and loosening.

Current from the power source flows through each rotating shaft and each third stimulator 113A via conductive members (not shown). When the tip of each third stimulator 113A is brought into contact with the face, electrical muscle stimulation known as EMS is applied to the user's facial muscles. EMS applies electrical stimulation to the skin at a frequency of several Hz to several kHz, causing muscle contraction and resulting in muscle movement and tension relief.

The first head unit 20 can be attached to the lower portion 11C of the casing 11 of the main body 110. When the first head unit 20 is attached, each third stimulator 113A is inserted into each first insertion hole 22a so that a portion of each third stimulator 113A abuts the inner circumferential surface of the first insertion hole 22a. The multiple third stimulators 113A are rotationally driven by the rotation drive unit 13, causing the multiple first stimulators 22 to rotate. Therefore, by attaching the first head unit 20 to the main body 110, electrical stimulation and physical stimulation can be applied to the scalp. In this way, according to this modified example, an electrical stimulation device 101 that applies electrical stimulation and physical stimulation to the scalp and face can be provided by including a single head unit.

In the above embodiment, the second head unit 30 was made of a non-conductive material, but it may also be made of a conductive material (for example, silicone mixed with carbon). The resistance value of the second head unit 30 is set to be smaller than the resistance value of the first head unit 20.

When current from the power source flows through each rotating shaft and each output section 13A via conductive members (not shown), current also flows through each second stimulator 32. In this state, when the tip (inclined surface 22B) of the second stimulator 32 is brought into contact with the face, electrical muscle stimulation known as EMS is applied to the facial muscles of the user. This makes it possible to provide an electrical stimulation device 1 that can apply electrical muscle stimulation and physical stimulation to facial muscles.

The resistance value of the second head unit 30 is set to be smaller than the resistance value of the first head unit 20, so that when the second head unit 30 is attached, an EMS current can be passed through the second stimulator 32, and when the first head unit 20 is attached, a weak current can be passed through the first stimulator 22. Alternatively, the resistance values of the first head unit 20 and the second head unit 30 may be set to be the same, and the current value from the power source may be switched between an EMS current value when the second head unit 30 is attached and a weak current value when the first head unit 20 is attached.

In the above embodiment, the multiple output units 13A had the same resistance value, but the resistance value may be changed between one pair of output units 13A to which voltage is applied and the other pair of output units 13A. This creates areas in the first head unit 20 where the strength of the electrical muscle stimulation varies, allowing for variation in the bodily sensation.

1, 101: Electrical stimulation device, 10, 110: Main body, 12: Control unit, 13: Rotation drive unit, 13A: Output unit, 20: First head unit, 21: First attachment unit, 22: First stimulator, 30: Second head unit, 31: Second attachment unit, 32: Second stimulator, 113A: Third stimulator

Claims (5)

An electrical stimulation device that provides electrical stimulation and physical stimulation,
a main body having a current supply unit and a rotation drive unit;
a first head portion detachably provided on a part of the main body,
the first head unit includes a first mounting unit mounted on the portion of the main body, and a plurality of first stimulators provided on the first mounting unit and rotated by the rotation drive unit;
the first head portion is made of a conductive material, the first attachment portion and the plurality of first stimulators are configured as an integrated body, and an electrical stimulus is applied by a current from the current supply portion ;
a second head unit that is detachably attached to the portion of the main body when the first head unit is detached from the main body;
the second head unit includes a second mounting unit mounted on the portion of the main body, and a plurality of second stimulators provided on the second mounting unit and rotated by the rotation drive unit;
the second head portion is made of a non-conductive material, and the second attachment portion and the plurality of second stimulators are configured as an integral body;
When the second head unit is attached to the main body, the current from the current supply unit does not flow to the second stimulator,
An electrical stimulation device in which, when the first head portion is attached to the main body, current from the current supply portion flows into the first stimulator to provide electrical stimulation . The electrical stimulation device according to claim 1 , wherein the first stimulator of the first head portion applies a weak current to at least the person's scalp using the current from the current supply unit. the rotation drive unit has a plurality of output units that protrude from the portion of the main body and are rotationally driven,
When the first head unit is attached to the portion of the main body, the plurality of output units are inserted into the plurality of first stimulators of the first head unit,
When the second head unit is attached to the portion of the main body, the plurality of output units are inserted into the plurality of second stimulators of the second head unit,
The electrical stimulation device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of output units are made of a conductive material, and the current from the current supply unit flows to the plurality of first stimulators via the plurality of output units. Further provided are a plurality of third stimulators provided to protrude from the part of the main body, which are rotationally driven by the rotation drive unit, which are made of a conductive material, and which apply EMS to muscles by current from the current supply unit;
2. The electrical stimulation device of claim 1, wherein when the first head unit is attached to the portion of the main body, the plurality of third stimulators are inserted into the plurality of first stimulators of the first head unit, current from the current supply unit flows to the plurality of first stimulators via the plurality of third stimulators, and the plurality of third stimulators are rotationally driven by the rotation drive unit, thereby causing the plurality of first stimulators to rotate. An electrical stimulation device that provides electrical stimulation and physical stimulation,
a main body having a current supply unit and a rotation drive unit;
a first head portion detachably provided on a part of the main body,
the first head unit includes a first mounting unit mounted on the portion of the main body, and a plurality of first stimulators provided on the first mounting unit and rotated by the rotation drive unit;
the first head portion is made of a conductive material, the first attachment portion and the plurality of first stimulators are configured as an integrated body, and an electrical stimulus is applied by a current from the current supply portion;
a second head unit that is detachably attached to the portion of the main body when the first head unit is detached from the main body;
the second head unit includes a second mounting unit mounted on the portion of the main body, and a plurality of second stimulators provided on the second mounting unit and rotated by the rotation drive unit;
the second head portion is made of a conductive material, and the second attachment portion and the plurality of second stimulators are configured as an integral body;
a resistance value of the second head portion is set to be smaller than a resistance value of the first head portion;
When the first head unit is attached to the main body, the first stimulator of the first head unit applies a weak current to at least the person's scalp by the current from the current supply unit,
When the second head unit is attached to the main body, the second stimulator of the second head unit applies an EMS current to at least the person's scalp using the current from the current supply unit.
Electrical stimulation device.