JP6476063B2 - Muscle electrical stimulator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical muscular stimulation device.

  Conventionally, it is widely known that muscle contraction occurs when an electric current is applied to muscle fibers. In particular, it is used for the purpose of strengthening muscles in the medical and sports fields. Specifically, a muscle stimulation method is used in which electricity is applied through an electrode attached to a human body, and the muscle is tensioned and relaxed based on an electrical signal. A low frequency signal is particularly effective as an electrical signal for contracting muscles. This is because as the frequency of the electrical signal increases, muscle contraction is not performed.

  However, when the electrical signal has a low frequency, pain is likely to occur due to the influence of electrical resistance or the like on the human skin surface. On the other hand, when the electrical signal is set to a high frequency, there is a property that it is not easily affected by the electrical resistance or the like and pain is hardly caused.

  As a muscle stimulating device that stimulates muscles using an electrical signal, Patent Document 1 includes a main body portion with a built-in power supply and a pair of electrodes extending from the main body portion. An apparatus configured to apply muscle stimulation by applying an electric pulse to the human body by being attached to the human body is disclosed. This muscle stimulating device is configured to adjust the output pulse by operating the control circuit unit via the cantilever elastic pressing side by pressing the symbol portion provided on the upper lid. Since the main body and the electrode are integrated, the device can be worn under clothes. Therefore, daily activities can be performed while wearing the apparatus, and the apparatus can be operated from above the clothes.

  In the field of electronic devices, a technique is known in which a user is notified that an electronic device has accepted the operation by generating a sound when the electronic device is operated. Since the apparatus is configured to perform an operation while being worn under clothes, application of a technology that generates a sound in accordance with the operation improves usability for the user.

Utility Model Registration No. 3158303

  When the muscle stimulator of Patent Document 1 is kept worn for a long time, sweat, moisture, etc. tend to stay between the device and the skin. If sweat, moisture or the like enters the main body, the electronic components in the main body may be damaged. Therefore, it is desirable that this type of muscle stimulating device has a drip-proof type or more waterproof performance. However, when the above-described device is made waterproof, the main body is hermetically sealed, making it difficult for sound generated from the main body to be transmitted to the outside. Therefore, the conventional apparatus has a problem that it is difficult for the user to recognize that the operation has been accepted by the apparatus and the usability is poor.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and intends to provide an easy-to-use muscle electrical stimulation device.

One aspect of the present invention is a muscle electrical stimulation device that has two or more electrodes and applies electrical stimulation to muscles via the electrodes,
A main body for supplying power to the electrodes;
An extension part extending outward from the body part and presenting a sheet shape;
The electrode disposed on one surface of the extension, and
The main body includes an outer shell forming body in which an operation surface for changing an operation mode of the electrical muscular stimulation device is disposed on the outer surface, a case accommodated in the outer shell forming body, a case housed in the case, It has a sounding body that is pronounced when the operation mode is changed by the operation surface,
The case has an opening at a position facing the sounding body,
The outer shell forming body is in an electrical muscular stimulation device, characterized in that it has a thin wall portion that is thinner than its surroundings at a position facing the sounding body.

  The main body portion in the muscular electrical stimulation device (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “EMS device”) has the outer shell forming body having the operation surface on the outer surface, and has the sounding body incorporated therein. ing. The outer shell forming body has the thin portion at a position facing the sounding body. Therefore, the outer shell forming body can efficiently transmit the sound generated from the sounding body to the outside of the main body through the thin portion. Therefore, the EMS device can make the user easily recognize the sound generated when the operation is performed as compared with the conventional EMS device.

  As a result, when the EMS device is operated, the user can easily recognize whether or not the operation is accepted by the device, and the usability can be further improved compared to the conventional EMS device. it can. Moreover, since the said EMS apparatus can transmit the sound which generate | occur | produced from the said sounding body to the exterior more efficiently as mentioned above, the usability can be improved more, for example also in the aspect worn in clothes.

The front view of the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus in Example 1. FIG. The rear view of the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus in Example 1. FIG. The side view of the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus in Example 1. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical muscular stimulation device in Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) is the Va-Va line position cross-section partial enlarged view in FIG. 1, (b) is the Vb-Vb line position cross-section partial enlarged view in FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the sounding body in FIG. The schematic diagram explaining the usage condition of the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus in Example 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a muscle electrical stimulation device in Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows the basic waveform memorize | stored in the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus in Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows the burst wave output from the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus in Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows the voltage change output from the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus in Example 1. FIG. The flowchart explaining the main operation | movement of the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus in Example 1. FIG. The flowchart explaining the 1st interruption process of the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus in Example 1. FIG. The flowchart explaining the 2nd interruption process of the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus in Example 1. FIG. The flowchart explaining the 3rd interruption process of the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus in Example 1. FIG. The front view of the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus in the modification 2. FIG. The rear view of the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus in the modification 2. The block diagram which shows the structure of the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus in the modification 3. FIG. The partially expanded sectional view which shows the principal part of the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus which comprised the thin part in the modification 4 separately from the outer shell formation body.

In the EMS device, the body portion has a case where the sounding body is built, the case is accommodated in the outer shell forming member. Therefore , the presence of the outer shell forming body can prevent moisture such as sweat or moisture from entering the case. Therefore, the waterproof performance of the main body can be improved more easily. In this case, the case may be entirely covered with the outer shell forming body or may have a portion not covered with the outer shell forming body.

  The thin-walled portion may be formed integrally with the outer shell forming body or may be formed separately. When the thin-walled portion is formed separately from the outer shell-forming body, a material having higher sound transmission than the outer shell-forming body can be adopted as the material for the thin-walled portion. Therefore, the sound transmission performance in the thin portion can be easily improved, and the usability can be further improved as compared with the conventional EMS apparatus.

  When the thin portion is formed separately from the outer shell forming body, for example, the following configuration can be employed. That is, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a through hole is arranged at a position facing the sounding body in the outer shell forming body, and a thin portion is joined to an edge of the through hole. For joining the outer shell forming body and the thin portion, for example, a method such as welding or adhesion can be employed.

  As the thin-walled portion, a material that is waterproof and can be liquid-tightly joined to the outer shell forming body can be used. More preferably, the thin-walled portion is made of a material having gas permeability. In this case, the sound transmission performance in the thin portion can be further improved. As a material having gas permeability, for example, a porous film made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin can be used.

  In the above case, when the case is accommodated in the outer shell forming body, for example, the following configuration can be adopted. That is, the case has an opening at a position facing the sounding body, the outer shell forming body has a through hole at a position facing the opening, and the outer shell forming body is It can be set as the structure by which the thin part formed in the different body was joined to the edge of the said through-hole.

  In addition, in said structure, it is also possible to join a thin part to the edge part of the opening part in a case, without joining a thin part to the edge part of a through-hole. From the viewpoint of waterproof performance, a configuration in which the thin portion is joined to the edge of the through hole is more preferable.

  It is preferable that the thin portion is disposed between the outer shell forming body and the case. In this case, the thin-walled portion is less susceptible to friction or the like than when the thin-walled portion is joined to the outer surface of the outer shell forming body. Therefore, troubles such as peeling of the thin portion from the outer shell forming body or damage of the thin portion can be easily avoided.

  In the EMS apparatus, the thin portion may be formed integrally with the outer shell forming body. In this case, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where the thin portion is formed separately from the outer shell forming body. Furthermore, in this case, since it is not necessary to perform an operation of joining the thin portion to the outer shell forming body in the process of manufacturing the EMS device, the productivity of the EMS device can be further improved.

  When the thin-walled portion is formed integrally with the outer shell forming body, for example, a configuration in which the thin-walled portion is disposed at a position facing the sounding body in the outer shell forming body can be employed. In this case, it is preferable that the thin portion is disposed flush with the outer surface of the outer shell forming body. Thereby, compared with the case where the thin part is depressed inside the outer surface of the outer shell forming body, dirt or the like is less likely to accumulate near the thin part. Therefore, it becomes easy to maintain the EMS device in a clean state. In this case, the design of the main body can be more easily improved.

  In the above case, when the case is accommodated in the outer shell forming body, the following configuration can be adopted. That is, the case may have an opening at a position facing the sounding body, and the thin portion may be formed integrally with the outer shell forming body and disposed at a position facing the opening. .

  Also in the above case, it is preferable that the thin portion is disposed flush with the outer surface of the outer shell forming body. In this case, as described above, the EMS device can be easily maintained in a clean state, and the design of the outer shell forming body can be further improved.

  In this case, it is preferable that the outer shell forming body and the thin portion are formed of a silicone resin. By configuring the outer shell forming body and the thin portion from a silicone resin, the waterproof performance of the main body portion can be easily improved, and damage to the thin portion can be further suppressed.

Example 1
An embodiment of the electrical muscular stimulation device will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, the EMS device 1 of this example includes two or more electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323, and applies electrical stimulation to muscles via these electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323. It is configured to be able to. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the EMS device 1 includes a main body 10 that supplies power to the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323, and an extending portion that extends outward from the main body 10 and presents a sheet shape. 120. Electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 are disposed on one surface of the extension part 120.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5, the main body 10 includes an outer shell forming body 12 in which an operation surface 54 that changes the operation mode of the EMS device 1 is disposed on the outer surface. Further, the main body 10 includes a sounding body 43 that generates sound when the operation mode is changed by the operation surface 54. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the outer shell forming body 12 has a thin portion 123 having a thickness smaller than that of the surrounding area at a position facing the sounding body 43.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the EMS device 1 of this example is configured to be used by being attached to the abdomen 3 of the human body 2. In the following description of the configuration of the EMS device 1, for the sake of convenience, directions are displayed with reference to the state in which the EMS device 1 is worn as shown in FIG. 7. That is, the longitudinal direction of the height of the human body 2 is referred to as the height direction Y, the direction toward the head in the height direction Y is referred to as the upper side Y1, and the direction toward the leg is referred to as the lower side Y2. The direction from the central axis 2a of the human body 2 facing the front of the human body 2 and passing through the navel 3a parallel to the height direction Y to the right hand 5a side of the human body 2 is the right direction X1, and The direction toward the left hand 5b side is defined as a left direction X2. The right direction X1 and the left direction X2 are collectively referred to as the left-right direction X. In addition, these displays are for convenience and the orientation when the EMS device 1 is actually worn is not limited to the mode illustrated in FIG.

The principal part of the EMS apparatus 1 of this example is demonstrated more concretely.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5, the main body 10 of this example includes an outer shell forming body 12 and a case 11 in which a sounding body 43 is built. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the outer shell forming body 12 has a substantially cup shape, and an operation surface 54 is disposed on the outer surface at the top. The case 11 is accommodated in the outer shell forming body 12, and a second case 112 (described later) constituting a part of the case 11 is exposed at the opening surface of the outer shell forming body 12. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the EMS device 1 of this example is worn with the second case 112 facing the human body 2 and the operation surface 54 facing the outer surface.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the case 11 incorporates a speaker 430 as a sounding body 43. The speaker 430 is arranged so as to face the operation surface 54 side, that is, the outer surface side in a state where the EMS device 1 is worn, and faces the first case 111 (described later) constituting a part of the case 11. Yes. In this example, the speaker 430 is used as the sound generator 43. However, instead of the speaker 430, an electronic component that generates a sound such as a buzzer may be used.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a plurality of openings 114 (114 a, 114 b) are provided at positions facing the speaker 430 in the case 11. In this example, an opening 114a is provided at a position corresponding to the center of the speaker 430, and a plurality of openings 114b having an opening diameter smaller than that are provided around the opening 114a.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a thin portion 123 having a thickness smaller than that of the surroundings is disposed at a position facing the opening 114 in the outer shell forming body 12. More specifically, the thin-walled portion 123 has a circular shape centered on a position corresponding to the center of the opening 114a, and is formed so as to face both the opening 114a and the opening 114b.

  The thin-walled portion 123 of this example is formed integrally with the outer shell forming body 12 and is disposed flush with the outer surface of the outer shell forming body 12. That is, the thin portion 123 is formed by recessing a part of the outer shell forming body 12 on the side facing the first case 111 into a concave shape.

Next, the other part of the EMS apparatus 1 of this example is demonstrated.
As shown in FIG. 1, a main body 10 is provided in the center of the EMS device 1. As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.3, the main-body part 10 has comprised the substantially disk shape. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the main body 10 includes a case 11 that houses a power supply unit 20 and a control unit 40, which will be described later, and an outer shell of the EMS device 1 that is attached to the case 11. And an outer shell forming body 12 to be formed. Case 11 is made of ABS. The outer shell forming body 12 is made of silicon. The case 11 includes a first case 111 having a concave shape, and a second case 112 that is attached to the first case 111 and forms a storage portion 13 that stores the control unit 40 between the first case 111 and the first case 111. A rib 112 a erected along the outer edge of the second case 112 fits inside the outer edge 111 a of the first case 111, and the second case 112 is joined to the first case 111.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5B, the first case 111 is formed with a first cantilever 51a and a second cantilever 51b that form a part of an operation unit 50 described later. The first cantilever 51 a and the second cantilever 51 b are formed in a cantilevered state by hollowing out a part of the wall of the first case 111. The first cantilever 51a and the second cantilever 51b are arranged in this order from the upper side Y1 in the height direction Y toward the lower side Y2.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5B, the outer shell forming body 12 is attached to the first case 111 opposite to the second case 112. And as shown in FIG. 1, the outer shell formation body 12 has covered both the cantilevers 51a and 51b. In the outer shell forming body 12, a symbol “+” protrudes immediately above the first cantilever 51 a, and a symbol “−” protrudes immediately above the second cantilever 51 b, and an operation unit 50 described later. The operation surface 54 that forms a part of is formed. According to the arrangement of the cantilevers, “+” becomes the upper side Y1 in the height direction Y, and “−” becomes the lower side Y2 in the height direction Y, so that the user can operate it ergonomically.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the storage unit 13 formed between the first case 111 and the second case 112 has a control unit 40 (see FIG. 8). A substrate 41 is accommodated. The control board 41 is a printed board, and a control circuit is formed on the control board 41 by providing a wiring pattern (not shown), an electronic component 42, and the like. In addition, a small surface-mounted speaker 430 is electrically connected to the control board 41. The drive voltages of the electronic component 42 and the speaker 430 are both 3.0V. Although not shown, a booster circuit is mounted on the control board 41, and the output voltage of the battery 21 constituting the power supply unit 20 can be boosted by the booster circuit. Thereby, the electric power of the battery 21 is boosted to a predetermined voltage (for example, 40 V) and supplied to the electrode unit 30 including the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the storage unit 13 also stores a switch mechanism 52 that forms the operation unit 50. The switch mechanism 52 is a tact switch and includes a switch unit 53 that can be pressed. The switch mechanism 52 is electrically connected to the control unit 40. The switch mechanism 52 is disposed immediately below the first cantilever 51a and the second cantilever 51b formed in the first case 111, respectively. As a result, when the first cantilever 51a is pressed from the outside via the operation surface 54 of the outer shell forming body 12 covering the first case 111, the first cantilever 51a in the cantilever state is bent, so that the switch mechanism 52 The switch unit 53 is pressed. When the pressing on the operation surface 54 is released, the first cantilever 51a returns to the original position by the restoring force of the first cantilever 51a in the cantilever state. Similarly, the second cantilever 51b is configured to be pressed and released.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the second case 112 is formed with a battery holding unit 14 that holds the battery 21 that constitutes the power supply unit 20. As a result, the power supply unit 20 is built in the main body unit 10. The battery 21 is replaceable, and in this example, a small and thin coin battery (lithium ion battery CR2032, nominal voltage 3.0 V) is adopted as the battery 21. In addition, it can replace with the said battery 21 and can employ | adopt the battery whose nominal voltage is 3.0-5.0V.

  A lid 15 that prevents the battery 21 from falling off is detachably attached to the battery holding portion 14 that holds the battery 21. The lid 15 has a disk shape that is slightly larger than the battery 21, and an O-ring 16 that seals between the lid 15 and the second case 112 is fitted on the outer periphery thereof. The battery 21 is electrically connected to the control unit 40 via a lead (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of ventilation grooves 113 extending radially from the outer periphery of the lid 15 are formed in the second case 112 at equal intervals.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the second case 112 is formed with a flange portion 112 b that protrudes outside the rib 112 a. A sheet-like base material 33 is sandwiched between the flange portion 112b and the outer edge portion 111a of the first case 111 via a waterproof double-sided seal (not shown). The base material 33 is made of PET. As shown in FIG. 2, the base material 33 extends over the entire surface (back side surface 33 a) opposite to the surface (front side surface) on the outer shell forming body 12 side in the EMS device 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an extension 120 is disposed around the main body 10. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the extended portion 120 is formed between the electrode support portion 121 extending from the outer peripheral edge of the outer shell forming body 12, and the flange portion 112 b and the outer edge portion 111 a of the first case 111. And a base material 33 sandwiched between the two. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the front side surface of the base material 33 is covered with an electrode support portion 121. Moreover, the base material 33 and the electrode support part 121 are joined by the adhesive tape and silicon adhesion processing agent by 3M company which are not shown in figure.

  The electrode unit 30 is disposed on the back side surface 33 a of the base material 33. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the electrode unit 30 includes a first electrode group 31 and a second electrode group 32. As shown in FIG. 7, the first electrode group 31 is disposed so as to be positioned on the right-hand side X <b> 1 of the human body 2 with respect to the center line 10 a when attached to the abdomen 3. The second electrode group 32 is arranged so as to be positioned on the left hand side X <b> 2 of the human body 2 with respect to the center line 10 a when attached to the abdomen 3. The first electrode group 31 includes right electrodes 311 to 313, and the second electrode group 32 includes left electrodes 321 to 323.

  Each of the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners. The longitudinal directions of the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 (for example, the direction indicated by the symbol w in the third right electrode 313) are generally along the left-right direction X. In this example, each of the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 has the same shape. The shapes of the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 are such that, for example, when the length in the longitudinal direction is w and the length in the short direction is h, h / w is 0.40 to 0.95, preferably 0. .50 to 0.80, and in this example, h / w is 0.55.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of non-electrode forming portions 34 each having a predetermined hexagonal shape are formed at predetermined intervals inside each of the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323. The right electrodes 311, 312, and 313 are formed so that lead portions 311 a, 312 a, and 313 a for electrical connection to the power supply unit 20 through the control unit 40 are drawn out from the main body unit 10. Yes. Similarly, lead portions 321 a, 322 a, and 323 a for connecting to the control unit 40 are respectively formed on the left electrodes 321, 322, and 323 so as to be drawn out from the main body unit 10. Each of the lead portions 311a to 313a and 321a to 323a is coated with silicon so that it cannot be electrically connected to the outside. In addition, each electrode 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 has a silicon coating applied to the portion connected to the lead portions 311a to 313a and 321a to 323a and the vicinity thereof (the hatched region indicated by C in FIG. 2). , Can not be connected to the outside. The right electrodes 311 to 313 are connected to each other in parallel, and the left electrodes 321 to 323 are also connected to each other in parallel.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electrode portion 30 is formed on the back side surface 33 a of the base material 33. In this example, the electrode part 30 is formed by printing a conductive ink containing a silver paste on the back side surface 33 a of the base material 33. Thereby, the electrode part 30 is formed integrally with the base material 33. In addition, the electrode part 30 can also be formed integrally with the base material 33 by embedding a conductive member prepared separately from the base material 33 in the base material 33.

  The first electrode group 31 and the second electrode group 32 include four or more electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 in total. In this example, the first electrode group 31 and the second electrode group 32 include the same number of electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323, respectively, and the number thereof is three. That is, the first electrode group 31 includes a first right electrode 311, a second right electrode 312, and a third right electrode 313. The second electrode group 32 includes a first left electrode 321, a second left electrode 322, and a third left electrode 323. In the base material 33, the portions where the first right electrode 311, the second right electrode 312 and the third right electrode 313 are formed are respectively referred to as a first right base 331, a second right base 332 and a third right base 333. The portions where the first left electrode 321, the second left electrode 322, and the third left electrode 323 are formed are referred to as a first left base 341, a second left base 342, and a third left base 343, respectively.

  A gel pad 35 (“Technogel (registered trademark)” manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd., model number SR-RA240 / 100) is attached to each of the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323. The gel pad 35 has conductivity, and the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 can be energized to the abdomen 3 (see FIG. 7) via the gel pad 35. Moreover, the gel pad 35 has high adhesiveness, and the EMS device 1 is attached to the abdomen 3 through the gel pad 35.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gel pad 35 has a shape that is slightly larger than the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323, and individually covers the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323. Since the gel pad 35 is replaceable, the gel pad 35 can be replaced as appropriate when the adhesive force decreases, breaks, or becomes conspicuous with use. Alternatively, the used gel pad 35 may be replaced with a new one every predetermined period (for example, one month, two months, etc.).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first right electrode 311, the second right electrode 312, and the third right electrode 313 are all parallel to the height direction Y of the human body 2 (see FIG. 7) and pass through the center of the main body 10. It extends from the main body 10 so as to be positioned on the right hand side X1 (first region S1) of the human body 2 with respect to the line 10a. The first right electrode 311, the second right electrode 312 and the third right electrode 313 are arranged in this order from the upper side Y1 to the lower side Y2 along the height direction Y.

  On the other hand, the first left electrode 321, the second left electrode 322, and the third left electrode 323 extend from the main body 10 so as to be positioned on the left hand side X2 (second region S2) of the human body 2 with respect to the center line 10a. ing. The first left electrode 321, the second left electrode 322, and the third left electrode 323 are also arranged in this order from the upper side Y1 to the lower side Y2 along the height direction Y.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2, when the first electrode group 31 and the second electrode group 32 are attached to the abdomen 3 (see FIG. 7), the center line 10a in the left-right direction X of the main body 10 is used as a reference. It is comprised so that it may be located in line symmetry. That is, the first right electrode 311 and the first left electrode 321 are positioned symmetrically with respect to the center line 10a when attached to the abdomen 3, and the second right electrode 312 and the second left electrode 322 are line symmetrical. The third right electrode 313 and the third left electrode 323 are arranged in line symmetry.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first electrode group 31 and the second electrode group 32 are arranged in the height direction Y when attached to the abdomen 3 (see FIG. 7). In each of the groups 32, a pair of an upper electrode pair 301 including a first right electrode 311 and a first left electrode 321 located on the uppermost Y1, and a third right electrode 313 and a third left electrode located on the lowermost Y2. A pair of lower electrodes 303 made up of H.323, and a pair of central electrodes 302 made up of a pair of second right electrodes 312 and second left electrodes 322 located between the upper electrode pair 301 and the lower electrode pair 303, , Are formed. Accordingly, the upper electrode pair 301, the central electrode pair 302, and the lower electrode pair 303 are arranged in this order from the upper side Y1 to the lower side Y2 along the height direction Y.

  The center electrode pair 302 protrudes outward in the left-right direction X from the upper electrode pair 301 and the lower electrode pair 303. That is, when attached to the abdomen 3, the second right electrode 312 constituting the central electrode pair 302 is the first right electrode 311 constituting the upper electrode pair 301 and the third right electrode 313 constituting the lower electrode pair 303. It protrudes in the right direction X1. Similarly, the second left electrode 322 constituting the central electrode pair 302 protrudes in the left direction X2 more than the first left electrode 321 constituting the upper electrode pair 301 and the third left electrode 323 constituting the lower electrode pair 303. ing.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper electrode pair 301 is inclined in a V shape so as to be positioned on the upper side Y1 in the extending direction. As described above, the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 have the same size. On the other hand, each right base 331-333 in the base material 33 of the electrode part 30 is larger than each right electrode 311-313, and each left base 341-343 is larger than each left electrode 321-323. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper electrode pair 301 is arranged at a position that is outside in the left-right direction X with respect to the lower electrode pair 303 and inside in the left-right direction X with respect to the central electrode pair 302. That is, when attached to the abdominal part 3, the first right electrode 311 constituting the upper electrode pair 301 protrudes in the right direction X 1 from the third right electrode 313 constituting the lower electrode pair 303. Similarly, the first left electrode 321 constituting the upper electrode pair 301 protrudes in the left direction X2 from the third left electrode 323 constituting the lower electrode pair 303.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lower outer edge 331a of the first right base 331 bulges in the right direction X1, and the lower outer edge 341a of the first left base 341 bulges in the left direction X2.
Further, the center outer edge 332a of the second right base 332 is slightly bulged in the right direction X1, and the center outer edge 342a of the second left base 342 is slightly bulged in the left direction X2.
Further, the upper outer edge 333a of the third right base 333 bulges in the right direction X1, and the lower outer edge 333b of the third right base 333 bulges in the lower direction Y2. The upper outer edge 343a of the third left base 343 bulges in the left direction X2, and the lower outer edge 343b of the third left base 343 bulges in the lower direction Y2.

  By making the bases 331 to 333 and 341 to 343 in the base material 33 as described above, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, when the EMS device 1 is viewed from the front side, the EMS device 1 is in the abdomen 3. Arranged to wrap the rectus abdominis 4 in the left-right direction. Moreover, it can be expected that each muscle is efficiently stimulated by arranging the electrodes in combination with the section 4a of the rectus abdominis 4. Furthermore, by recognizing such a shape, the user can be reminded of an image in which the abdominal part 3 is tightened and the abdominal muscles are broken. Thereby, the effect of the image training for setting it as the abdominal part 3 which the abdominal muscle broke and was tightened by using the EMS apparatus 1 is acquired. (Improvement of exercise effect by image training is generally well known.)

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a cut portion 17 cut toward the main body portion 10 between the adjacent electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 in the first electrode group 31 and the second electrode group 32. Is formed. In this example, between the first right electrode 311 and the second right electrode 312, between the second right electrode 312 and the third right electrode 313, between the third right electrode 313 and the third left electrode 323, 3 between the left electrode 323 and the second left electrode 322, between the second left electrode 322 and the first left electrode 321, and between the first left electrode 321 and the first right electrode 311. A cut portion 17 is formed. Further, four vent holes 18 are formed around the main body 10.

  Next, the configuration of the EMS device 1 of this example and the mode of electrical stimulation will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The EMS device 1 of this example is configured to apply electrical stimulation to muscles in the following manner. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in this embodiment, a burst wave (B1 to B5) including a pulse group output period P and pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 is repeatedly generated from the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323. Is output. As shown in FIG. 9, in the pulse group output period P, a plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are output with output stop times N1 to N5 interposed therebetween. During the pulse group output interruption period R1 to R5, the output of the pulse signal is stopped longer than the output stop time N1 to N5.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the EMS device 1 includes a skin detection unit 402 and a battery voltage detection unit 406 in addition to the power supply unit 20, the control unit 40, and the operation unit 50 inside the main body unit 10.

  Skin detection unit 402 detects whether or not electrode unit 30 is in contact with the skin. Specifically, the skin detection unit 402 is electrically connected to the electrode unit 30 and detects a resistance value between the first electrode group 31 and the second electrode group 32. Then, the detected value is compared with a preset threshold value, and when the detected value is smaller than the threshold value, it is detected that the skin is in contact with the first electrode group 31 and the second electrode group 32.

  The battery voltage detection unit 406 detects the voltage of the battery 21 in the power supply unit 20 and determines whether or not the detected battery voltage V of the battery 21 in the power supply unit 20 is lower than a predetermined threshold value Vm. In this example, the nominal voltage V of the battery 21 is 3.0V, and the threshold value Vm is 2.1V.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the power supply unit 20 includes a battery 21. The control unit 40 includes an output adjustment unit 401, a power-off counter 403, a timer 404, an output mode switching unit 405, and an output mode storage unit 405a. The output adjustment unit 401 adjusts the output voltage (output level) at the electrode unit 30. In this example, the maximum output voltage is 40 V, and the 100% output voltage is set to decrease by 2.0 V every time the output level decreases by one. There are 15 output levels from level 1 to level 15.

  The power-off counter 403 measures an elapsed time after receiving the count start signal. The timer 404 measures an elapsed time after receiving the output start signal. The output mode switching unit 405 switches the output mode in the electrode unit 30 to any one of the first output mode, the second output mode, and the third output mode, and sets the frequency of the burst wave to be output. Part. The output mode storage unit 405a stores a first output mode, a second output mode, and a third output mode. In the first output mode, the second output mode, and the third output mode, a basic waveform as a burst wave pattern having pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 is stored in advance, and the output mode storage unit 405a stores the burst wave pattern. A storage unit is configured. Note that the burst wave pattern storage unit 405a includes a definition description of a burst wave waveform on the program.

Next, the output mode in the electrode unit 30 will be described.
First, five burst wave patterns (basic waveforms B1 to B5) shown in FIG. 9 are stored in the output mode storage unit 405a serving as a duration storage unit. Each basic waveform B1 to B5 includes a pulse group output period P and a pulse group output interruption period R1 to R5. That is, the basic waveforms B1 to B5 have a common pulse group output period P, and the lengths of the pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 are different.

  In the pulse group output period P, a plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are output with output stop times N1 to N5 interposed therebetween. In this example, five rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are output. That is, the pulse group output period P includes the first rectangular wave pulse signal S1, the first output stop time N1, the second rectangular wave pulse signal S2, the second output stop time N2, and the third rectangular wave pulse signal. S3, third output stop time N3, fourth rectangular wave pulse signal S4, fourth output stop time N4, fifth rectangular wave pulse signal S5, and fifth output stop time N5 are executed in this order.

  In this example, the pulse widths and pulse voltages of the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are constant, and the durations of the output stop times N1 to N5 are also constant. In this example, the pulse width of each of the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 is 100 μs, the pulse voltage is ± 40 V at 100% output, and the duration of the output stop time N1 to N5 is 100 μs. Therefore, the duration of the pulse group output period P is 1 ms. And the voltage polarity in each rectangular wave pulse signal S1-S5 is changed alternately by the order of output. That is, the first rectangular wave pulse signal S1, the third rectangular wave pulse signal S3, and the fifth rectangular wave pulse signal S5 have a positive polarity, and the second rectangular wave pulse signal S2 and the fourth rectangular wave. The pulse signal S4 has a negative polarity.

  As described above, the pulse width of each rectangular wave pulse signal S1 to S5 and the duration of each output stop time N1 to N5 in the pulse group output period P are 100 μs. Therefore, the pulse period of each rectangular wave pulse signal S1 to S5 in the pulse group output period P is 200 μs, which is sufficiently short. Therefore, the user recognizes these rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 as one electrical stimulus. In addition, the frequency of each rectangular wave pulse signal S1-S5 in the pulse group output period P is 5,000 Hz.

  In each of the basic waveforms B1 to B5, no pulse signal is output during the pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5. The duration of the pulse group output interruption period R1 to R5 is longer than the duration of the pulse group output period P. In this example, as shown in FIG. 9, the duration of the pulse group output period P is 1 ms, and the durations of the pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 are 499 ms, 249 ms, 124 ms, 61.5 ms, respectively. 49 ms. Thus, the pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 have a very long duration compared to the output stop time in the pulse group output period P.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the first burst wave (2 Hz) is composed of a pulse group output period P of 1 ms and a pulse group output interruption period R1 of 499 ms. That is, the first burst wave (2 Hz) is output with a frequency of the pulse group output period P of 2 Hz.
The second burst wave (4 Hz) includes a pulse group output period P of 1 ms and a pulse group output interruption period R2 of 249 ms. That is, the second burst wave (4 Hz) is output at a frequency of 4 Hz in the pulse group output period P.
The third burst wave (8 Hz) includes a pulse group output period P of 1 ms and a pulse group output interruption period R3 of 124 ms. That is, the third burst wave (8 Hz) is output at a frequency of 8 Hz in the pulse group output period P.
The fourth burst wave (16 Hz) includes a pulse group output period P of 1 ms and a pulse group output interruption period R4 of 61.5 ms. That is, the fourth burst wave (16 Hz) is output at a frequency of 16 Hz in the pulse group output period P.
The fifth burst wave (20 Hz) includes a pulse group output period P of 1 ms and a pulse group output interruption period R5 of 49 ms. That is, the fifth burst wave (20 Hz) is output with a frequency of 20 Hz in the pulse group output period P.

  Then, by repeatedly outputting the basic waveforms B1 to B5 in a predetermined combination for a predetermined period, as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10E, a predetermined burst wave is output. As described above, since the user recognizes the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 in the pulse group output period P as one electrical stimulus, as shown in FIG. In the first burst wave repeating the above, an electrical stimulus having a frequency of 2 Hz is output. Similarly, in the second burst wave that repeats the basic waveform B2, an electrical stimulus with a frequency of 4 Hz is output, and in the third burst wave that repeats the basic waveform B3, an electrical stimulus with a frequency of 8 Hz is output, and the fourth burst repeats the basic waveform B4. In the burst wave, an electrical stimulus with a frequency of 16 Hz is output, and in the fifth burst wave that repeats the basic waveform B5, an electrical stimulus with a frequency of 20 Hz is output.

The first to third output modes stored in the output mode storage unit 405a serving as the duration storage unit are appropriately selected from the basic waveforms B1 to B5 stored in the output mode storage unit 405a. Composed of a combination of burst waves. First, as shown in Table 1, the first output mode is a warm-up mode configured to sequentially perform the following first status to fourth status. The conditions for each status are as follows.
(1) In the first status, 100% output is performed with the first burst wave (2 Hz) for 20 seconds. As shown in FIG. 11, so-called soft start is performed in which the output voltage is gradually increased from 0% to 100% for the first 5 seconds in the first status.
(2) In the second status, 100% output is performed for 20 seconds with the second burst wave (4 Hz).
(3) In the third status, 100% output is performed with the third burst wave (8 Hz) for 10 seconds.
(4) In the fourth status, 100% output is performed for 10 seconds with the fourth burst wave (16 Hz).
The duration of the first output mode (that is, the total duration of the first status to the fourth status) is 1 minute. In the first output mode, since the burst wave frequency is configured to increase stepwise from 2 Hz to 16 Hz, the first output mode is called a warm-up mode.

  In the first output mode as the warm-up mode, as the frequency of the burst wave increases stepwise from 2 Hz to 16 Hz, the exercise frequency of the muscle increases and the muscle and body gradually warm up. This prevents a sudden rise in blood pressure, temporary oxygen shortage in the muscle, and the like. Moreover, when the muscles are gradually warmed, the blood flow is increased and the flexibility of the muscles is increased. Thereby, in the subsequent training mode, it becomes easier to obtain the effect of muscle stimulation. Also, by performing the warm-up mode prior to the training mode, the user can be used to the stimulation moderately, so that the sensation is improved.

Next, as shown in Table 2, the second output mode is a training mode configured to perform the following first status to fourth status in order. The conditions for each status are as follows.
(1) In the first status, 100% output is performed for 3 seconds with the fifth burst wave (20 Hz), and then no output is maintained for 2 seconds. Repeat for 5 minutes.
(2) In the second status, 100% output is performed with the fifth burst wave (20 Hz) for 3 seconds, and then 100% output is performed with the second burst wave (4 Hz) for 2 seconds. Repeat for 5 minutes.
(3) In the third status, 100% output is performed with the fifth burst wave (20 Hz) for 4 seconds, and then 100% output is performed with the second burst wave (4 Hz) for 2 seconds. Repeat for 5 minutes.
(4) In the fourth status, 100% output is performed with the fifth burst wave (20 Hz) for 5 seconds, and then 100% output is performed with the second burst wave (4 Hz) for 2 seconds. Repeat for 5 minutes.
As shown in FIG. 11, in the second output mode, so-called soft start is performed in which the output voltage is gradually increased from 0% to 100% for the first 5 seconds in the first status to the fourth status. .
The duration of the second output mode is 20 minutes. In the second output mode, the fifth burst wave with a frequency of 20 Hz is maintained for a predetermined period, and then no output or the second burst wave with a frequency of 4 Hz is maintained for a predetermined period, so that it is excellent for stimulating muscles effectively. . Therefore, the second output mode is called a training mode.

Next, as shown in Table 3, the third output mode is a cool-down mode configured to perform the following first status to fourth status in order. The conditions for each status are as follows.
(1) In the first status, the fourth burst wave (16 Hz) is output for 10 seconds.
(2) In the second status, the third burst wave (8 Hz) is output for 10 seconds.
(3) In the third status, the second burst wave (4 Hz) is output for 20 seconds.
(4) In the fourth status, the first burst wave (2 Hz) is output for 20 seconds.
In the third output mode, as shown in FIG. 11, the output in each status is gradually reduced to 100% at the start of the first status and 50% at the end of the fourth status.
The duration of the third output mode is 1 minute. In the third output mode, the burst wave frequency is configured to gradually decrease from 16 Hz to 2 Hz. Therefore, the third output mode is called a cool-down mode.

  In the third output mode as the cool-down mode, the muscles and body that have been warmed up gradually as the frequency of the muscles decreases as the frequency of the burst wave gradually decreases from 16 Hz to 2 Hz. It will be cooled. Then, the fatigue substance generated in the muscle in the preceding training mode is positively discharged from the muscle, and the fatigue substance is prevented from remaining excessively in the muscle.

  As described above, the total time when the first output mode (warm-up mode), the second output mode (training mode), and the third output mode (cool-down mode) are continuously performed is 22 minutes. In this example, as shown in FIG. 11, a rest period of 2 seconds is provided at a total of four locations between the first output mode and the second output mode and between each status in the second output mode. It has been. Therefore, the total time of all the processes including the suspension period is 22 minutes and 8 seconds.

Next, the operation flow of the EMS device 1 of this example will be described in detail below.
The main operation flow S100 shown in FIG. 12 will be described. In the main operation flow S100, first, “+” on the operation surface 54 is pressed for 2 seconds (S101). As a result, the power of the EMS device 1 is turned on, the EMS device 1 is activated, and a notification sound (“pea”) notifying that it has been activated is emitted from the speaker 430 (S102). Thereafter, the EMS device 1 enters an output standby state, the output level is set to 0, and the input of the operation unit 50 is invalidated (S103).

  Next, it is detected by the skin detection part 402 whether the skin is contacting the electrode part 30 (S104). When the skin detection unit 402 detects that the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30 (Yes in S104), the operation unit 50 is validated (S105). Then, an output level is input by the operation unit 50 (S106). The input of the output level is performed from the operation surface 54 of the operation unit 50. Every time “+” on the operation surface 54 of the operation unit 50 is pressed, the output level increases by one level, and every time “−” on the operation surface 54 is pressed, the output level decreases by one level. When the output level is set, an output start signal is sent from the control unit 40 to the timer 404, and measurement is started in the timer 404 (S107). Further, the operation of the output level can be performed at any time during the usage time (after the operation unit 50 is activated until the power is turned off).

  From the time when the timer 404 starts measurement (elapsed time 0) to the elapsed time 1 minute, the output mode of the electrode unit 30 is set to the first output mode (warm-up mode) (S108). When the elapsed time reaches 1 minute, the output mode switching unit 405 as a frequency setting unit switches the output mode in the electrode unit 30 to the second output mode (training mode) and maintains it for 20 minutes until the elapsed time of 21 minutes (S109). ). When the elapsed time reaches 21 minutes, the output mode switching unit 405 serving as a frequency setting unit switches the output mode in the electrode unit 30 to the third output mode (cool down mode) and maintains it for 1 minute until the elapsed time of 22 minutes ( S110). When the elapsed time reaches 22 minutes, the measurement in the timer 404 is terminated (S111). Then, the EMS device 1 is stopped (S112). As described above, when S108 to S111 are performed, one set of the first output mode (warm-up mode), the second output mode (training mode), and the third output mode (cool-down mode) is performed, and the process ends. It will be.

  On the other hand, when the skin detection unit 402 determines that the skin is not in contact with the electrode unit 30 (No in S104), a notification sound (“pi, pi, pi”) notifying that effect is received by the speaker 430. It is emitted (S113). Then, a count start signal is sent from the control unit 40 to the power-off counter 403, and measurement of elapsed time is started in the power-off counter 403 (S114).

  Next, the skin detection unit 402 detects whether or not the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30 (S115). When the skin detection unit 402 detects that the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30, the process returns to the above-described step S103 and enters an output standby state (Yes in S115). On the other hand, when the skin detection unit 402 determines that the skin is not in contact with the electrode unit 30 (No in S115), it is determined whether the elapsed time in the power-off counter 403 has exceeded 2 minutes (S116). . When it is determined that the elapsed time in the power-off counter 403 does not exceed 2 minutes (No in S116), the process returns to S115 again, and the skin detection unit 402 detects whether the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30 or not. To do. On the other hand, in S116, when it is determined that the elapsed time in the power-off counter 403 exceeds 2 minutes (Yes in S116), the power of the EMS device 1 is turned off (S117).

  Next, a description will be given of an interrupt process that is preferentially interrupted between S105 and S110 in the main operation flow S100 described above. As shown in FIG. 13, a skin detection interrupt process S200 is performed as the first interrupt process. The skin detection interrupt process S200 is used as a function of automatically turning off the power when the electrode is detached from the human body during use. In the skin detection interruption process S200, first, the skin detection unit 402 detects whether or not the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30 (S201). When the skin detection unit 402 detects that the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30 (Yes in S201), the process returns to the original flow in the main operation flow S100. On the other hand, if the skin detection unit 402 determines that the skin is not in contact with the electrode unit 30 (No in S201), a notification sound (“pi, pi, pi”) notifying that effect is sent from the speaker 430. It is emitted (S202). Then, a count start signal is sent from the control unit 40 to the power-off counter 403, and the power-off counter 403 starts measuring elapsed time (S203).

  Next, the skin detection unit 402 detects whether or not the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30 (S204). When the skin detecting unit 402 detects that the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30, the process returns to step S103 of the main operation flow S100 (Yes in S204). On the other hand, when the skin detecting unit 402 determines that the skin is not in contact with the electrode unit 30 (No in S204), it is determined whether the elapsed time in the power-off counter 403 has exceeded 2 minutes (S205). . When it is determined that the elapsed time in the power-off counter 403 does not exceed 2 minutes (No in S205), the process returns to S204 again, and the skin detection unit 402 detects whether or not the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30. To do. On the other hand, when it is determined in S205 that the elapsed time in the power-off counter 403 exceeds 2 minutes (Yes in S205), the power of the EMS device 1 is turned off (S206).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14, a battery voltage lowering process S300, which is a second interrupt process interrupted between S105 to S110 in the main operation flow S100 described above, will be described. The battery voltage lowering process S300 is a function for automatically turning off the power when the battery voltage of the battery 21 decreases. As a result, the user can easily know when it is necessary to replace the battery. First, the battery voltage detection unit 406 determines whether or not the detected battery voltage V of the battery 21 in the power supply unit 20 is lower than a predetermined threshold value Vm (S301). When it is determined that the battery voltage V is not lower than the predetermined threshold value Vm (No in S301), the process returns to the original flow in the main operation flow S100. On the other hand, when it is determined that the battery voltage V is lower than the predetermined threshold value Vm, a notification sound (“pi, pi, pi”) notifying that is emitted from the speaker 430 (S302). Then, a count start signal is sent from the control unit 40 to the power-off counter 403, and the measurement of elapsed time is started in the power-off counter 403 (S303).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time in the power-off counter 403 has exceeded 2 minutes (S304). When it is determined that the elapsed time in the power-off counter 403 does not exceed 2 minutes (No in S304), the process returns to S304 again. When it is determined that the elapsed time in the power-off counter 403 exceeds 2 minutes (Yes in S304), the power of the EMS device 1 is turned off (S305).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 15, an interruption process S400, which is a third interruption process interrupted between S105 and S110 in the main operation flow S100 described above, will be described. First, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the time during which the “−” button on the operation surface 54 of the operation unit 50 is pressed is 2 seconds or more (S401). When it is determined that the time during which the “−” button is pressed is not 2 seconds or longer (No in S401), the process returns to the original flow in the main operation flow S100. On the other hand, when it is determined that the time during which the “−” button is pressed is 2 seconds or more (Yes in S401), a notification sound (“Peep”) is sent to notify the end of the EMS device 1 by turning off the power. ”) Is emitted from the speaker 430 (S402). Then, the power is turned off (S403).

  Hereinafter, the effect of the EMS apparatus 1 of this example is explained in full detail.

  The case 11 in the EMS device 1 accommodates a speaker 430 as the sounding body 43 and has openings 114 (114a and 114b) at positions facing the speaker 430. Further, the outer shell forming body 12 has a thin portion 123 at a position facing the opening 114. Therefore, the outer shell forming body 12 can efficiently transmit the sound generated from the speaker 430 to the outside of the main body portion 10 through the thin portion 123 while ensuring the waterproof performance of the main body portion 10. Therefore, the EMS device 1 can make a user easily recognize a sound generated when an operation is performed as compared with a conventional EMS device.

  The thin portion 123 is formed integrally with the outer shell forming body 12. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where the thin portion 123 is configured separately from the outer shell forming body 12. Furthermore, in this case, since it is not necessary to perform an operation of joining the thin portion 123 to the outer shell forming body 12 in the process of manufacturing the EMS device 1, the productivity of the EMS device 1 can be further improved.

  Further, the thin portion 123 is disposed flush with the outer surface (operation surface 54) of the outer shell forming body 12. Therefore, compared to the case where the thin portion 123 is recessed inward from the outer surface of the outer shell forming body 12, dirt or the like is less likely to accumulate near the thin portion 123. Therefore, it becomes easy to maintain the EMS device 1 in a clean state. Furthermore, the design of the outer surface of the outer shell forming body 12 can be further improved.

  Moreover, the outer shell forming body 12 and the thin portion 123 are formed of a silicone resin. Therefore, the sound generated from the speaker 430 can be efficiently transmitted to the outside. Moreover, while being able to improve the waterproof performance of the main-body part 10 easily, damage to the thin part 123, etc. can be suppressed more.

  As a result, the user can easily recognize whether or not the operation has been accepted in the EMS device 1, and the usability can be further improved as compared with the conventional EMS device. Moreover, since the EMS apparatus 1 can transmit the sound generated from the sounding body 43 to the outside more efficiently, for example, it is possible to further improve usability even in a mode of wearing in clothes.

  Further, in the EMS device 1 of this example, a plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are output with the output stop time N1 to N5 sandwiched between the first to fifth burst waves forming the electrical stimulation in the pulse group output period P. The Therefore, in the pulse group output period P, the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are divided into a plurality of parts. Thereby, compared with the case where the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are continuously output without division in the pulse group output period P, the rectangular wave pulse signal S1 has the same total output time of the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5. Each pulse width of S5 can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the pain of the user while maintaining the electrical stimulation that is output from the EMS device 1 and flows to the muscles or nerves connected to the muscles, so that the sensation in using the EMS device 1 can be improved. .

  Further, in the burst wave (basic waveforms B1 to B5), the pulse group output period P is configured to output a plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 with the output stop time N1 to N5 interposed therebetween. Even when compared with a burst wave having a pulse output period that is continuously output during the same period as the output period P, the period P during which pulses are output is the same. Therefore, even in a burst wave having a pulse group output period P with the output stop time N1 to N5 interposed therebetween, a sensation close to that of a burst wave having a pulse output period with no output stop time interposed can be obtained.

  Further, in the pulse group output period P, a plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are output across the output stop time N1 to N5, and therefore the duration of the pulse group output period P is a plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1. ~ S5 pulse width and all output stop times N1 to N5 are combined. Therefore, compared with the case where the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are continuously output during the duration of the pulse group output period P, the output stop times N1 to N5 are kept the same as the duration of the pulse group output period P. Since the actual pulse signal output time is shortened by this amount, power consumption can be reduced. Therefore, it can be driven by a low-capacity power supply, which contributes to downsizing of the apparatus.

  The burst wave forming the electrical stimulation is composed of a pulse group output period P and pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5. The duration of the pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 is the output stop in the pulse group output period P. It is longer than the time N1 to N5. Since such a pulse group output interruption period R1 to R5 is provided in the burst wave, the duration of the pulse group output interruption period R1 to R5 is changed to a predetermined length without changing the pulse group output period P. By simply doing this, the frequency of the burst wave can be easily set to a desired value. Thereby, it becomes easy to control to output an electrical stimulus composed of a burst wave having a frequency suitable for contracting and relaxing the muscle, and the muscle can be stimulated efficiently.

  In this example, the pulse group output period P includes rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 having different polarities. Thereby, in one burst wave (basic waveform B1-B5), since the bias of an electric charge is easy to be eliminated, a user's pain can be further reduced. As a result, the sensation and ease of use in using the EMS device 1 can be further improved.

  Further, as in this example, the five rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 output in the first pulse group output period P in the first burst wave are in the order of “positive, negative, positive, negative, positive”. When output, the five rectangular wave pulse signals output in the second pulse group output period in the second burst wave that comes after the first burst wave are expressed as “negative, positive, negative, It is possible to output in the order of “positive, negative”. In this case, since the bias of the charge generated in the first burst wave can be surely eliminated by the second burst wave, the pain of the user can be further reduced. Further, the second pulse group output period only needs to reverse the polarity (invert the potential) of the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 output in the first pulse group output period P. Therefore, the control load can be reduced as compared with the case where the polarities of the individual rectangular wave pulse signals in each pulse group output period are individually controlled.

  In this example, rectangular wave pulse signals S1, S3, S5 and rectangular wave pulse signals S2, S4 having different polarities are included in the same pulse group output period P. It may be as follows. The polarity of all rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 in the first pulse group output period P of the first burst wave is positive, and the pulse wave output interruption period R1 to R5 comes after the first burst wave. The polarity of all rectangular wave pulse signals in the second pulse group output period of the second burst wave may be negative, and the first burst wave and the second burst wave may be repeated. In this case, for each pulse group output period, the rectangular wave pulse signal has the same polarity, but the entire burst wave that is repeatedly output includes rectangular wave pulse signals having different polarities. Become. Even in this case, since the charge bias generated in the first burst wave can be reliably eliminated by the second burst wave, the pain of the user can be further reduced.

  In this example, the duration of the pulse group output interruption period R1 to R5 is longer than the duration (1 ms) of the pulse group output period P. As a result, the pulse group output interruption period R1 to R5 ensures a sufficient interval between the pulse group output periods P that are repeatedly output in the burst wave. It becomes easy to recognize the wave pulse signals S1 to S5 as one electrical stimulus. As a result, a burst wave having a low frequency (2 to 20 Hz in this example) can be easily output from the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 having a high frequency (in this example, a frequency of 5,000 Hz) to stimulate muscles. It is possible to output electrical stimulation suitable for the above.

  In this example, the pulse group output period P has the same duration, and the pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 have different durations, so that a plurality of burst wave patterns (basic waveforms B1 to B5) having different frequencies are generated. Either a burst wave pattern storage unit (output mode storage unit 405a) stored in advance or a plurality of burst wave patterns (basic waveforms B1 to B5) stored in the burst wave pattern storage unit (output mode storage unit 405a) A frequency setting unit (output mode switching unit 405) that sets the frequency of the burst wave in the electrical stimulation is selected. Thereby, since a plurality of burst wave patterns (basic waveforms B1 to B5) having a predetermined frequency are stored in advance in the burst wave pattern storage unit (output mode storage unit 405a), when changing the frequency of the burst wave, The frequency setting unit (output mode switching unit 405) only needs to select a predetermined one from the burst wave patterns stored in the burst wave pattern storage unit (output mode storage unit 405a), and the frequency of the burst wave can be easily changed. Become. Thereby, it becomes the EMS apparatus 1 suitable for stimulating a muscle efficiently.

  In this example, the pulse widths of the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 and the output stop times N1 to N5 in the burst wave are constant. This makes it easy to change the electrical stimulation applied to the muscle based on the frequency of the burst wave. Therefore, it becomes easy to adjust the electrical stimulation by the frequency of the burst wave, and it becomes easy to output electrical stimulation suitable for stimulating muscles effectively.

  Moreover, in this example, the main body unit 10, the plurality of electrode units 30 that output electrical stimulation, the power source unit 20 that supplies power to the electrode unit 30, and the control unit 40 that controls power feeding in the power source unit 20, The operation unit 50 is configured to be able to change the control mode of the control unit 40, and the power supply unit 20 is built in the main body unit 10. Thereby, since it is not necessary to prepare the electric power supplied to the electrode part 30 outside, it can be used easily outdoors or where it is difficult to secure a power source. Further, since a cord or the like for connecting to a power source is not necessary, usability is improved and portability is excellent.

  Further, in this example, the electrode unit 30 includes a plurality of electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323, electrodes 311 to 313, 321 to 323, and a power source unit on a sheet-like base material 33 extending from the main body unit 10. And lead portions 311a to 313a and 321a to 323a that are electrically connected to 20 through the control unit 40. Thereby, the electrode part 30 will be formed in the sheet-like base material 33 extended from the main-body part 10, and the main-body part 10 and the electrode part 30 can be integrated. Therefore, a cord or the like for connecting the main body portion 10 and the electrode portion 30 is not necessary, and the usability is improved and the portability is excellent.

  In this example, the power supply unit 20 includes a replaceable battery 21. As a result, the power can be replenished simply by replacing the battery 21, so that it can be used for a longer time than the battery capacity. Thereby, since it is not necessary to incorporate an excessively large capacity power supply, the apparatus can be miniaturized.

  In this example, the battery 21 is a coin battery. Thereby, since the battery 21 becomes small, it contributes to size reduction of the EMS apparatus 1. FIG. And since weight reduction can be achieved with the miniaturization of the EMS apparatus 1, the electrode part 30 becomes difficult to peel and drop | omit from a user's body, usability improves, and portability also improves. Furthermore, since the battery 21 is also thin, it contributes to the thinning of the EMS device 1. And since the EMS apparatus 1 becomes thin, the user can wear clothes from the top with the EMS apparatus 1 attached. Therefore, the EMS device 1 can be used in various other situations during commuting, attending school, working such as housework or work. Further, since the coin battery has a stable discharge characteristic at a high operating voltage as compared with other dry batteries or the like, the EMS device 1 can be stably operated for a relatively long time.

  The power supply unit 20 may be a small battery such as a button battery instead of the coin battery. Further, a rechargeable secondary battery may be incorporated instead of a primary battery such as a coin battery. As a charging means for such a battery, a power supply terminal that can be connected to an external power source may be provided, or a non-contact power supply unit that uses electromagnetic induction may be provided. In this case, since the battery can be used repeatedly, consumables can be reduced compared to the case of using a non-rechargeable battery.

  In addition, a battery having a nominal voltage of 3.0 to 5.0 V can be used as the battery 21, and a 3.0 V battery 21 is used in this example. Since the drive voltages of the electronic component 42 and the speaker 430 provided in the EMS device 1 are the same, it is not necessary to separately provide a step-down circuit and a step-up circuit for driving these electronic components 42 and 430. Thereby, it can contribute to size reduction.

  In this example, the electrode unit 30 includes three or more electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323. As described above, since the power consumption is reduced by including the output stop times N1 to N5 in the pulse group output period P, in the present configuration including three or more electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323. Also, sufficient electrical stimulation can be applied. Thereby, since electrical stimulation can be given to a wide range of muscles, the muscles can be stimulated efficiently.

  As described above, according to this example, it is possible to provide the EMS device 1 that can improve the sensation when used and can stimulate muscles efficiently.

  In this example, the base material 33 on which the electrode part 30 is formed is extended from the main body part 10, and the electrode support part 121 extended from the outer shell forming body 12 is bonded to the electrode 33. The part 30 and the main body part 10 are integrally formed. Instead of this, the base material 33 and the main body 10 are separated from each other, and the electrode support 121 and the outer shell forming body 12 are formed as separate bodies so that the main body 10 and the electrode 30 are not used. It may be configured to be separable from each other at times. In this case, the electrode unit 30 can be separated from the main body unit 10 and replaced with another type of electrode unit. Moreover, since the electrode part 30 does not have an electronic component, the electrode part 30 can be wash | cleaned easily by isolate | separating.

In this example, the second output mode (training mode) was executed based on the first status to the fourth status shown in Table 2 above. Instead, the second status a shown in Table 4 is executed between the second status and the third status in the first status to the fourth status equivalent to this example as in the first modification shown below. The 3a status shown in Table 4 may be executed between the third status and the fourth status.

In the first modification, as shown in Table 4, the 2a status and the 3a status are performed as follows.
(2a) In the 2a status, after the second burst wave (4 Hz) is output for 100 seconds for 10 seconds, the third burst wave (8 Hz) is output for 100 seconds for 10 seconds. 100% output is performed for 10 seconds with 4 burst waves (16 Hz).
(3a) In the 3a status, after the second burst wave (4 Hz) is output for 100 seconds for 10 seconds, the third burst wave (8 Hz) is output for 100 seconds for 10 seconds. 100% output is performed for 10 seconds with 4 burst waves (16 Hz).
In the first modification, since the 2a status and the 3a status are added as compared with the second output mode (see Table 2) of the present example, the first output mode (warm-up mode) shown in Table 4 is added. The total time when the second output mode (training mode) and the third output mode (cool down mode) are continuously performed is 23 minutes.

  In the 2a status, since the frequency of the burst wave is increased stepwise from 4 Hz to 16 Hz, the frequency change at the time of switching from the 2a status to the 3rd status becomes smooth. Similarly, the frequency change at the time of switching from the 3a status to the 4th status becomes smooth. And in the said modification 1, when the 2a status and the 3a status are added with respect to the case of Example 1, the pattern of the electrical stimulation in 2nd output mode (training mode) will change a lot. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the bodily sensation due to the user's familiarity with the electrical stimulation, and to stimulate the rectus abdominis muscle more effectively. In addition, by providing the 2a status and the 3a status, there is also an effect of flushing out fatigue substances in muscles that have been fatigued by the application of electrical stimulation. In the first modification in which the second output mode (training mode) is set in this way, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In the first embodiment, the six electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of electrodes may be two or more. For example, in the second modification, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the electrodes have the same configuration as the electrodes 311 and 321 of the first embodiment, but include two electrodes 311 and 321 that are slightly larger. In the second modification, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Also in this case, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained. And according to the muscular electrical stimulation apparatus 1 of the modification 2, since the number of the electrodes 311 and 321 is small compared with the case where there are six electrodes (see FIG. 2), the power consumption per electrode can be increased. Since it can do, each electrode 311 and 321 is enlarged once. Thereby, the range which can give electrical stimulation with one electrode spreads, and it becomes easy to stimulate the muscles of large parts, such as an arm part and a thigh.

In the first embodiment, when the frequency of the burst wave is changed, the frequency setting unit (output mode switching unit 405) is predetermined from the burst wave pattern stored in the burst wave pattern storage unit (output mode storage unit 405a). I try to choose one. It can replace with this and it can also be carried out like the following modification 3. As shown in FIG. 18, the modification 3 includes an operation surface 54a as a frequency selection unit that selects the frequency of the burst wave, an interruption period duration calculation unit 405b, and an interruption period duration setting unit 405c.
Then, the interruption period duration calculation unit 405b calculates the duration of the pulse group output interruption period based on the frequency selected by the frequency selection unit (operation surface 54a).
The interruption period duration setting unit 405c sets the duration of the pulse group output interruption period based on the duration calculated by the interruption period duration calculation unit 405b.
In the third modification, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  According to the third modification, since the frequency of the burst wave can be set to a desired frequency by the frequency selection unit (operation surface 54a), it is based on the user's preference (shrinkage strength / shrinkage and relaxation interval). Thus, by appropriately setting the frequency of the burst wave, the EMS device 1 can stimulate the muscles more efficiently for each user. Note that the second modification also has the same effects as those of the first embodiment except for the functions and effects related to the mode of changing the frequency of the burst wave.

  Moreover, although the example which formed the thin part 123 integrally with the outer shell formation body 12 was shown in Example 1, it can replace with this and can also be made like the following modification 4. FIG. In Modification 4, as shown in FIG. 19, the thin portion 123 b is formed separately from the outer shell forming body 12. More specifically, the outer shell forming body 12 of the modification 4 has a through hole 124 at a position corresponding to the center of the speaker 430. The thin portion 123 b is joined to the edge of the through hole 124. Moreover, in the modification 4 shown in FIG. 19, the thin part 123b is joined to the edge part by the side of the case 11 in the thickness direction of the outer shell formation body 12. FIG. Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the modified example 4, the same components as those in the example 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In Modification 4, it is preferable to use a material having gas permeability as the thin portion 123b. As such a material, for example, a porous film made of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) resin can be suitably used.

  In addition, in the above-mentioned Example and modification, the kind of sound generated from the sounding body 43 is not specifically limited, The sound of various aspects, such as a buzzer sound and an electronic sound, can be used. From the viewpoint of ease of recognition by the user, it is preferable to use a sound having a frequency of about 2000 to 5000 Hz at which human beings feel uncomfortable.

  In the above-described embodiment and modification, when the EMS device 1 is activated by pressing “+” on the operation surface 54 (FIG. 12, S101 and S102), the EMS device 1 is pressed by pressing “−”. Although an example in which sound is generated from the sound generator 43 at the time of termination (FIG. 15, S401 and S402) is shown, sound may be generated at other timing. For example, when the output level is input after the EMS device 1 is activated (S106 in FIG. 12), a sound can be generated when the operation surface 54 is pressed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 10 Main body part 11 Case 114, 114a, 114b Opening part 12 Outer shell formation body 123, 123b Thin part 120 Extension part 20 Power supply part 30 Electrode part 31 1st electrode group 32 2nd electrode group 311-313 , 321 to 323 electrode 33 base material 35 gel pad 301 upper electrode pair 302 center electrode pair 303 lower electrode pair 40 control unit 43 sounding body 430 speaker 50 operation unit 54 operation surface

Claims (7)

A muscle electrical stimulation device that has two or more electrodes and applies electrical stimulation to muscles through the electrodes,
A main body for supplying power to the electrodes;
An extension part extending outward from the body part and presenting a sheet shape;
The electrode disposed on one surface of the extension, and
The main body includes an outer shell forming body in which an operation surface for changing an operation mode of the electrical muscular stimulation device is disposed on the outer surface, a case accommodated in the outer shell forming body, a case housed in the case, It has a sounding body that is pronounced when the operation mode is changed by the operation surface,
The case has an opening at a position facing the sounding body,
The muscular electrical stimulation device according to claim 1, wherein the outer shell forming body has a thin-walled portion that is thinner than the surrounding area at a position facing the sounding body. Upper Kigaikara forming body has a through hole at a position facing to the opening, the thin portion of the above outer shell forming member formed separately are joined to the edges of the through hole The muscular electrical stimulation apparatus according to claim 1 . The muscular electrical stimulation device according to claim 2 , wherein the thin portion is disposed between the outer shell forming body and the case. The electrical muscular stimulation device according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the thin portion is made of a material having gas permeability. Upper Symbol thin portion is formed integrally with the outer shell forming member, muscle electrostimulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is disposed at the position facing to the opening. The muscular electrical stimulation device according to claim 5 , wherein the thin portion is disposed flush with an outer surface of the outer shell forming body. The muscular electrical stimulation device according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the outer shell forming body and the thin portion are formed of a silicone resin.

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