JP6517079B2 - Muscle electrical stimulation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a muscle electrical stimulation device.

  Conventionally, it is widely known that when a current is applied to muscle fibers, muscle contraction occurs. In the medical and sports fields in particular, it is used for the purpose of muscle enhancement. Specifically, a muscle stimulation method is used in which electricity is supplied via an electrode attached to a human body, and the muscle is tightened and relaxed based on an electrical signal. And a low frequency signal is particularly effective as an electrical signal for contracting a muscle. This is because as the frequency of the electrical signal increases, muscle contraction does not occur.

  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 skin surface of a person. On the other hand, when the electric signal has a high frequency, it is difficult to be affected by the electric resistance and the like, and it is difficult to cause pain.

  And as a muscle stimulation device which stimulates a muscle using an electric signal, Patent Document 1 includes a main body having a built-in power supply and a pair of electrodes extended from the main body, and has a pair of electrodes. What is configured to apply an electrical pulse to the human body to apply muscle stimulation by being attached to the human body is disclosed. This muscle stimulation apparatus is configured to operate the control circuit unit via the cantilever elastic pressing side by pressing the symbol part provided on the upper lid to adjust the output pulse. The device can be worn under clothes because the body and the electrode are integrated. Therefore, daily activities can be performed while the device is worn, and furthermore, the device can be operated from the top of clothes.

  Further, in the field of electronic devices, there is known a technique of notifying a user that the electronic device has accepted the operation by generating a sound when operating the electronic device. Since the above-mentioned device is configured to operate in a state of being worn under clothes, by applying a technology that generates a sound according to the operation, the usability for the user is improved.

Utility model registration 3158303 gazette

  When the muscle stimulation device of Patent Document 1 is worn for a long time, sweat, moisture and the like tend to stay between the device and the skin. It is desirable that this type of muscle stimulation apparatus has a drip-proof or better waterproof performance, since perspiration or moisture or the like may intrude into the main body, which may damage the electronic components in the main body. However, when the above-mentioned device is made waterproof, the main body is sealed, so that it is difficult to transmit the sound generated from the main body to the outside. Therefore, the conventional device has a problem that it is difficult for the user to recognize that the operation has been accepted by the device, and the usability is poor.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly muscle electrical stimulation apparatus.

One aspect of the present invention is a main body portion that generates an electrical stimulation, an extension portion extending outward from the main body portion and presenting a sheet shape, and an electrode disposed on one surface of the extension portion. What is claimed is: 1. A muscle electrical stimulation apparatus comprising: a gel pad attached to the electrode, wherein the muscle and the gel pad apply the electrical stimulation to a muscle via the electrode and the gel pad
The main unit is
A skin-facing portion that faces the human body when the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus is worn,
Built in the main body portion, and a power supply unit, a control unit for controlling the supply mode of electric power to the electrodes from the power supply unit, and a vibration member which is connected to the control unit as a power source,
Disposed on the outer surface of the body portion has an operation surface to change the power supply mode of the above control unit,
The control unit is configured to vibrate the vibrator in response to a change in the supply mode of the power to the electrode.
The vibrator is disposed at a position different from that of the gel pad in a front view as viewed from the thickness direction of the extension portion .
The above-mentioned skin-facing part is bulging out than the surroundings .

  The muscle electrical stimulation apparatus (hereinafter may be abbreviated as "EMS apparatus") includes the power supply unit, the control unit, and the vibrator, and includes the operation surface on the outer surface. It has a main body. Further, the control unit is configured to vibrate the vibrator in response to a change in the manner of supplying power to the electrode. Therefore, the EMS device can vibrate the vibrator when the user changes the power supply mode in the control unit via the operation surface. Then, the vibration can be transmitted to the user through the main body portion and the extension portion, so that the user can easily recognize that the operation has been accepted by the device.

  As described above, the EMS device allows the user to easily recognize whether or not the operation has been accepted by the device according to the presence or absence of vibration, and can improve usability as compared with the conventional EMS device. . Moreover, the said EMS apparatus can improve usability further also in the aspect worn, for example in clothes.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a back view of the muscle electrical stimulation device in Example 1. FIG. 2 is a side view of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in the first embodiment. (A) is a partial enlarged view of a cross section taken along line IVa-IVa in FIG. 1, (b) is a partially enlarged view of a cross section taken along line IVb-IVb in FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a use mode of the muscle electrical stimulation device in Example 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 shows a basic waveform stored in the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a burst wave output from a muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a change in voltage output from a muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram for explaining the main operation of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining a first interrupt process of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining a second interrupt process of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining a third interrupt process of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in the first embodiment. (A) An explanatory view showing a power supply operation pattern of the vibrator in Example 1, (b) An explanatory view showing a strength increase pattern, (c) An explanatory view showing a strength decrease pattern, (d) Description showing a limit notification pattern FIG. 6E is an explanatory view showing an error pattern. The front view of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in the modification 2. FIG. The back view of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus in the modification 2. FIG. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a muscle electrical stimulation device in Modification 3;

  In the above EMS device, the main body portion may have a skin facing portion facing the human body when the EMS device is worn, and the skin facing portion may bulge out from the surroundings. By bulging the skin facing portion above the surroundings, when the EMS device is worn, the skin facing portion can be disposed closer to the human body, and in some cases, it can be brought into contact with the human body. Therefore, the EMS device can allow the user to more easily sense the vibration. As a result, the usability of the EMS device can be further improved.

  In the above case, preferably, the power supply unit is disposed in the main body unit in the vicinity of the skin facing unit. In this case, when the EMS device is worn, the power supply unit is disposed relatively close to the human body, so the user's body temperature is easily transmitted to the power supply unit. Therefore, an excessive decrease in the temperature of the power supply unit can be easily suppressed. As a result, fluctuations in power supplied from the power supply unit can be further reduced.

  The vibration pattern in the said vibration part is not specifically limited, It can set suitably. For example, the control unit is configured to be able to switch between an on-state for generating the electrical stimulation and an off-state for stopping the electrical stimulation, and the vibration triggered by switching between the on-state and the off-state. The body may be configured to vibrate in a power operation pattern. In this case, the EMS device can allow the user to easily recognize whether the control unit has accepted an operation of switching between the on state and the off state.

  Further, the control unit is configured to be able to change the strength of the electrical stimulation into a plurality of levels, and is configured to vibrate the vibrator in a strength change pattern in response to a change in the strength of the electrical stimulation. It may be In this case, the EMS device can make the user easily recognize whether the control unit has received an operation to change the intensity of the electrical stimulation.

  The strength change pattern described above may be the same vibration pattern as the power supply operation pattern, but it is more preferable to have a vibration pattern different from the power supply operation pattern. By generating different vibration patterns corresponding to the operation performed by the user, the user can more easily recognize the type of the operation accepted by the control unit. Therefore, the usability of the EMS device can be further improved. Also, in this case, the EMS device can easily make the user recognize the type of the operation accepted by the control unit without visual or auditory sense, and therefore, the embodiment in which the EMS device is worn under clothes and used Can also be suitably used.

  Also, the intensity change pattern can be further subdivided to generate different vibration patterns for each operation. For example, the intensity change pattern includes an intensity increase pattern generated upon increasing the intensity of the electrical stimulation and an intensity decrease pattern generated upon decreasing the intensity of the electrical stimulation. It may be In addition, the above-mentioned strength change pattern is a limit notification pattern generated upon an attempt to intensify the intensity of the electrical stimulation above the upper limit or an attempt to weaken the intensity of the electrical stimulation above the lower limit. May be included. In this case, as described above, the usability of the EMS device can be further improved.

Example 1
An embodiment of the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the EMS device 1 of this example includes a main body 10 that generates an electrical stimulation, an extension 120 that extends outward from the main body 10, and exhibits a sheet shape. It has electrodes 311-313 and 321-323 arranged on one side of the part 120, and is configured to be able to give an electrical stimulation to muscles through the electrodes 311-313 and 321-323. .

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the main body unit 10 includes a power supply unit 20 as an electric power source, and a control unit 40 that controls the supply of power from the power supply unit 20 to the electrodes 311 to 313 and electrodes 321 to 323; A vibrator 43 connected to the control unit 40 is incorporated. Further, the main body portion 10 has an operation surface 54 on the outer surface, which changes the power supply mode in the control unit 40.

  The control unit 40 is configured to vibrate the vibrator 43 in response to a change in the manner of supply of power to the electrodes. Further, the shell forming body 12 covers at least a part of the case 11.

  The EMS apparatus 1 of this example is configured to be attached to the abdomen 3 of the human body 2 and used, as shown in FIG. In the following description of the configuration of the EMS device 1, for convenience, as shown in FIG. 5, the direction is displayed on the basis of a state in which the EMS device 1 is worn. 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 legs is referred to as the lower side Y2. The direction from the central axis 2a of the human body 2 passing the navel 3a parallel to the height direction Y to the right hand 5a of the human body 2 facing the front of the human body 2 is the right direction X1. The direction to the left hand 5b side is left direction X2. The right direction X1 and the left direction X2 are collectively referred to as the left and right direction X. In addition, these displays are for convenience, and the direction at the time of actually wearing the EMS apparatus 1 is not limited to the aspect shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the EMS device 1 of this example will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 1, a main body 10 is provided at the center of the EMS device 1. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the main body 10 has a substantially disk shape. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the main body unit 10 is attached to the case 11 housing the power supply unit 20 and the control unit 40 and the case 11 to form the outer shell of the EMS device 1 And a shell former 12. Case 11 is made of ABS. The shell former 12 is made of silicon.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the main body portion 10 of the present example has a skin facing portion 101 that faces the human body side when the EMS device 1 is worn. The skin facing portion 101 bulges outward more than the vicinity of the extension portion 120 in the main body portion 10, and is arranged to be closer to the skin than the extension portion 120 when the EMS device 1 is worn. Specifically, the skin facing portion 101 of this example is configured of a second case 112 and a lid 15 described later.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a battery 21 constituting the power supply unit 20 is disposed in the vicinity of the skin facing unit 101 in the main unit 10. Specifically, the battery 21 is held by the battery holding portion 14 provided at the center of the second case 112, and is disposed to face the lid 15 that closes the opening surface of the battery holding portion 14.

  The case 11 includes a concave first case 111 and a second case 112 attached to the first case 111 and forming a storage portion 13 for storing the control unit 40 between the first case 111 and the first case 111. Along the outer edge of the second case 112, a raised rib 112a is fitted inside the outer edge portion 111a of the first case 111, and the second case 112 is joined to the first case 111.

  In the first case 111, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4B, a first cantilever 51a and a second cantilever 51b that form a part of the operation unit 50 described later are formed. 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 to the lower side Y2 in the height direction Y.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 (b), the shell forming body 12 is attached to the side opposite to the second case 112 in the first case 111. And as shown in FIG. 1, the shell forming body 12 covers both cantilevers 51a and 51b. In the outer shell forming body 12, a symbol "+" is formed protruding right above the first cantilever 51a, and a symbol "-" is formed protruding right above the second cantilever 51b. The operation surface 54 which forms a part of is formed. Due to the arrangement of the cantilevers, "+" is the upper side Y1 in the height direction Y, and "-" is the lower side Y2 in the height direction Y, which makes the user ergonomically easy to operate.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), in the storage portion 13 formed between the first case 111 and the second case 112, control for forming the control unit 40 (see FIG. 6) is performed. A substrate 41 is housed. The control board 41 is a printed circuit board, and the control board 41 is provided with a wiring pattern (not shown), an electronic component 42, etc., and a control circuit is formed. Further, a vibrating body 43 is electrically connected to the control board 41. As the vibrating body 43, for example, small electronic components such as a linear vibration actuator, an eccentric motor, a brushless vibration motor, and a piezoelectric element can be suitably used.

  The drive voltages of the electronic component 42 and the vibrating body 43 are both 3.0 V. Although not shown, a booster circuit is mounted on the control substrate 41. The booster circuit can boost the output voltage of the battery 21 constituting the power supply unit 20. In this example, the 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. 4B, 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 portion 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 51 a and the second cantilever 51 b formed in the first case 111. Thereby, when the first cantilever 51a is pressed from the outside through the operation surface 54 of the shell forming body 12 covering the first case 111, the first cantilever 51a in the cantilevered state is bent, so that the switch mechanism 52 The switch unit 53 is pressed. Then, 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. The second cantilever 51b is also configured to be pressed and released in the same manner.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second case 112 is formed with a battery holding portion 14 for holding the battery 21 constituting the power supply portion 20. Thus, the power supply unit 20 is incorporated 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 change to the said battery 21, and a nominal voltage can employ | adopt the battery of 3.0-5.0V.

  A lid 15 for preventing the battery 21 from falling off is removably attached to the battery holding portion 14 in which the battery 21 is held. The lid 15 is in the shape of a disk 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 around 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, in the second case 112, a plurality of grooves 113 extending radially from the outer periphery of the lid 15 are formed at equal intervals.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the second case 112 is formed with a collar 112b protruding to the outside of the rib 112a. A sheet-like base material 33 is sandwiched between the flange portion 112 b and the outer edge portion 111 a of the first case 111 via a waterproof double-sided seal (not shown). The substrate 33 is made of PET. As shown in FIG. 2, the base material 33 is spread over the entire surface (back surface 33 a) opposite to the surface (front 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 4, the extension portion 120 is 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 by an electrode support 121. Moreover, the base material 33 and the electrode support part 121 are joined by the adhesive tape and silicone adhesive processing agent by 3M company which are not shown in figure.

  An electrode portion 30 is disposed on the back surface 33 a of the base material 33. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the electrode unit 30 includes a first electrode group 31 and a second electrode group 32. As shown in FIG. 5, when attached to the abdomen 3, the first electrode group 31 is disposed so as to be located on the right-hand side X1 of the human body 2 with respect to the center line 10 a. Further, the second electrode group 32 is disposed so as to be located on the left side X2 of the human body 2 with respect to the center line 10a when attached to the abdomen 3. The first electrode group 31 includes the right electrodes 311 to 313, and the second electrode group 32 includes the 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 direction of each 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) is substantially along the lateral direction X. In this example, each of the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 has the same shape. The shape of each of the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 is, for example, h / w is 0.40 to 0.95, preferably 0, where the length in the longitudinal direction is w and the length in the latitudinal direction is h. And h / w is 0.55 in this example.

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

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electrode portion 30 is formed on the back surface 33 a of the base material 33. In the present embodiment, the electrode portion 30 is formed by printing a conductive ink containing silver paste on the back surface 33 a of the substrate 33. Thus, the electrode portion 30 is integrally formed with the base 33. In addition, the electrode part 30 can also be integrally formed with the base material 33 by embedding the 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 combination. 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 the first right electrode 311, the second right electrode 312, and the third right electrode 313. The second electrode group 32 is provided with a first left electrode 321, a second left electrode 322, and a third left electrode 323. Then, in the base material 33, portions where the first right side electrode 311, the second right side electrode 312 and the third right side electrode 313 are formed are referred to as a first right side base 331, a second right side base 332 and a third right side base 333 respectively. The portions where the first left electrode 321, the second left electrode 322, and the third left electrode 323 are formed will be referred to as a first left base 341, a second left base 342, and a third left base 343, respectively.

  The gel pad 35 (“Technogel (registered trademark)” manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd., model number SR-RA 240/100) 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. 5) through the gel pad 35. Further, the gel pad 35 has high adhesiveness, and the EMS device 1 is attached to the abdomen 3 via 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 covers the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 individually. Since the gel pad 35 is replaceable, the gel pad 35 can be replaced as appropriate in the case where the adhesive strength is reduced, damaged or dirt becomes noticeable with use. In addition, 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 side electrode 311, the second right side electrode 312 and the third right side electrode 313 are all parallel to the height direction Y of the human body 2 (see FIG. 5) and pass through the center of the main body 10 It extends from the main body portion 10 so as to be positioned on the right hand side X1 (first region S1) of the human body 2 than the line 10a. The first right side electrode 311, the second right side electrode 312, and the third right side 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 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. 5), the center line 10a in the left-right direction X of the main body 10 is taken as a reference. It is configured to be located in line symmetry. That is, when attached to the abdomen 3, the first right electrode 311 and the first left electrode 321 are located in line symmetry with respect to the center line 10 a, and the second right electrode 312 and the second left electrode 322 are in line symmetry The third right side electrode 313 and the third left side electrode 323 are arranged in line symmetry.

  Further, 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. 5), in the height direction Y, the first electrode group 31 and the second electrode are A pair of upper side electrode pair 301 consisting of the first right side electrode 311 and the first left side electrode 321 located on the uppermost side Y1 in each of the group 32, and the third right side electrode 313 and the third left side electrode located on the lower side Y2 And a central electrode pair 302 comprising a pair of second right side electrodes 312 and a second left side electrode 322 positioned between the upper side electrode pair 301 and the lower side electrode pair 303. , Are configured to be formed. Thereby, the upper electrode pair 301, the center 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 more than 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 more than. 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 Y <b> 1 toward the extension direction. As described above, the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 have the same size. On the other hand, the respective right side bases 331 to 333 in the base material 33 of the electrode unit 30 are larger than the respective right side electrodes 311 to 313, and the respective left side bases 341 to 343 are larger than the respective left electrodes 321 to 323. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper electrode pair 301 is disposed at the outer side in the left-right direction X than the lower electrode pair 303 and at the inner side in the left-right direction X than the center electrode pair 302. That is, when attached to the abdomen 3, the first right electrode 311 constituting the upper electrode pair 301 protrudes in the right direction X 1 more than 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 more than the third left electrode 323 constituting the lower electrode pair 303.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lower outer edge portion 331a of the first right side base portion 331 bulges in the right direction X1, and the lower outer edge portion 341a of the first left side base portion 341 bulges in the left direction X2.
The central outer edge 332a of the second right side base 332 bulges slightly in the right direction X1, and the central outer edge 342a of the second left base 342 bulges slightly in the left direction X2.
Furthermore, the upper outer edge portion 333a of the third right side base portion 333 bulges in the right direction X1, and the lower outer edge portion 333b of the third right side base portion 333 bulges in the lower direction Y2. The upper outer edge 343a of the third left side 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 each of the bases 331 to 333 and 341 to 343 in the base material 33 as described above, when the EMS device 1 is viewed from the front side, as shown in FIGS. It is disposed so as to wrap the rectus straight muscle 4 in the left and right direction. Further, by arranging the electrodes in accordance with the section 4 a of the rectus abdominis muscle 4, efficient stimulation of each muscle can be expected. Furthermore, recognition of such a shape allows the user to recall an image in which the abdomen 3 is tightened and the abdominal muscles are broken. Thereby, by using the EMS device 1, the effect of the image training for setting the abdominal muscle to be broken and tightened can be obtained. (Improvement of exercise effect by image training is generally well known.)

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, notches 17 cut toward the main body 10 between the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 adjacent to each other 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 at a total of six locations 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 The notches 17 are formed. Furthermore, four holes 18 are formed around the main body 10.

  Next, the configuration of the EMS apparatus 1 of the present example and the aspect of the electrical stimulation will be described using the drawings.

  The EMS apparatus 1 of this example is configured to apply an electrical stimulation to a muscle according to the following aspect. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the aspect of this example, the burst waves (B1 to B5) including the pulse group output period P and the pulse group output interruption period R1 to R5 are repeated from the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323. It is output. As shown in FIG. 7, 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 in between. In 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. 6, 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.

  The skin detection unit 402 detects whether the electrode unit 30 is in contact with the skin. In detail, 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 to detect that the skin is in contact with the first electrode group 31 and the second electrode group 32 when the detected value is smaller than the threshold value.

  The battery voltage detection unit 406 detects the voltage of the battery 21 in the power supply unit 20, and determines whether 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 3.0 V and the threshold Vm is 2.1 V.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the power supply unit 20 is provided with a battery 21. The control unit 40 further 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 100% output voltage is set to decrease by 2.0 V each time the output level decreases. The output level is 15 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 of 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. Make up the department. 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, basic waveforms as burst wave patterns having pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 are stored in advance, and the output mode storage unit 405a is a burst wave pattern. It constitutes a storage unit. The burst wave pattern storage unit 405a also includes the definition of the burst wave waveform on the program.

Next, the output mode of the electrode unit 30 will be described.
First, five burst wave patterns (basic waveforms B1 to B5) shown in FIG. 7 are stored in the output mode storage unit 405a as the duration storage unit. Each of the basic waveforms B1 to B5 includes a pulse group output period P and pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5. That is, each of the basic waveforms B1 to B5 has 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 the 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.

  And in this example, the pulse width of each square wave pulse signal S1-S5 and pulse voltage are constant, and the continuation time of output stop time N1-N5 is 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 square-wave pulse signal S1-S5 is changed alternately in order of an 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 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 widths of the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 and the durations of the output stop times N1 to N5 in the pulse group output period P are 100 μs, respectively. Therefore, the pulse period of each of the rectangular wave pulse signals 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 electric stimulation. The frequency of each of the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 in the pulse group output period P is 5,000 Hz.

  In each of the basic waveforms B1 to B5, the pulse group output interruption period R1 to R5 does not output a pulse signal. 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. 7, 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. It is 49 ms. As described above, the pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 have a very long duration as compared with the output stop time in the pulse group output period P.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, 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, in the first burst wave (2 Hz), the pulse group output period P is output at a frequency of 2 Hz.
The second burst wave (4 Hz) is composed of a pulse group output period P of 1 ms and a pulse group output interruption period R2 of 249 ms. That is, in the second burst wave (4 Hz), the pulse group output period P is output at a frequency of 4 Hz.
The third burst wave (8 Hz) is composed of 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 such that the pulse group output period P is output at a frequency of 8 Hz.
The fourth burst wave (16 Hz) is composed of 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 such that the pulse group output period P is output at a frequency of 16 Hz.
The fifth burst wave (20 Hz) is composed of a pulse group output period P of 1 ms and a pulse group output interrupt period R5 of 49 ms. That is, the fifth burst wave (20 Hz) is such that the pulse group output period P is output at a frequency of 20 Hz.

  Then, by repeatedly outputting the basic waveforms B1 to B5 in a predetermined combination and for a predetermined period, as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E, a predetermined burst wave is output. Then, 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 electric stimulation, as shown in FIG. 8A, the basic waveform B1 is obtained. In the first burst wave that repeats the above, an electrical stimulation with a frequency of 2 Hz is output. Similarly, in the second burst wave repeating the basic waveform B2, an electrical stimulation at a frequency 4 Hz is output, and in the third burst wave repeating the basic waveform B3, an electrical stimulation at a frequency 8 Hz is output, the fourth repeating a basic waveform B4 In the burst wave, an electrical stimulation at a frequency of 16 Hz is output, and in the fifth burst wave that repeats the basic waveform B5, an electrical stimulation at a frequency of 20 Hz is output.

The first to third output modes stored in the output mode storage unit 405a as the duration storage unit have predetermined frequencies by appropriately selecting the basic waveforms B1 to B5 stored in the output mode storage unit 405a. The burst wave of is combined. 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 of each status are as follows.
(1) In the first status, 100% output is performed for 20 seconds with the first burst wave (2 Hz). As shown in FIG. 9, so-called soft start is performed in which the output voltage is gradually increased from 0% to 100% for 5 seconds of the start 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 for 10 seconds with the third burst wave (8 Hz).
(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 (ie, the sum of the durations of the first status to the fourth status) is one minute. In the first output mode, the frequency of the burst wave is configured to increase stepwise from 2 Hz to 16 Hz, so 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 gradually increases from 2 Hz to 16 Hz, the exercise frequency of the muscle increases, and the muscle and body gradually warm. This prevents a sudden rise in blood pressure and a temporary lack of oxygen in the muscle. In addition, as the muscle gradually warms up, the blood flow increases and the flexibility of the muscle increases. This makes it easier to obtain the effect of muscle stimulation in the subsequent training mode. Also, by performing the warm-up mode prior to the training mode, the user can moderately get used to the stimulation, so that the bodily sensation improves.

Next, as shown in Table 2, the second output mode is a training mode configured to sequentially perform the following first status to fourth status. The conditions of each status are as follows.
(1) In the first status, after outputting 100% for 3 seconds with the fifth burst wave (20 Hz), no output is maintained for 2 seconds. Repeat this for 5 minutes.
(2) In the second status, 100% output is performed for 3 seconds in the fifth burst wave (20 Hz), and then 100% output is performed for 2 seconds in the second burst wave (4 Hz). Repeat this for 5 minutes.
(3) In the third status, 100% output is performed for 4 seconds in the fifth burst wave (20 Hz), and then 100% output is performed for 2 seconds in the second burst wave (4 Hz). Repeat this for 5 minutes.
(4) In the fourth status, 100% output is performed for 5 seconds in the fifth burst wave (20 Hz), and then 100% output is performed for 2 seconds in the second burst wave (4 Hz). Repeat this for 5 minutes.
As shown in FIG. 9, in the second output mode, so-called soft start is performed in which the output voltage is gradually increased from 0% to 100% for each of the start five seconds in the first status to the fourth status. .
The duration of the second output mode is 20 minutes. In such a second output mode, after maintaining the fifth burst wave of frequency 20 Hz for a predetermined period, the second burst wave of no output or frequency 4 Hz is maintained for a predetermined period, which is excellent for stimulating the muscle 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 sequentially perform the following first status to fourth status. The conditions of each status are as follows.
(1) In the first status, output is performed for 10 seconds with the fourth burst wave (16 Hz).
(2) In the second status, the output is performed for 10 seconds with the third burst wave (8 Hz).
(3) In the third status, the output is performed for 20 seconds with the second burst wave (4 Hz).
(4) In the fourth status, the first burst wave (2 Hz) is used to output for 20 seconds.
In the third output mode, as shown in FIG. 9, the output in each status is set to 100% at the start of the first status and gradually decreased to 50% at the end of the fourth status.
The duration of the third output mode is one minute. In the third output mode, the frequency of the burst wave is configured to be lowered stepwise from 16 Hz to 2 Hz, so the third output mode is called a cool down mode.

  In the third output mode as such a cool down mode, the frequency of the burst wave gradually decreases from 16 Hz to 2 Hz and the exercise frequency of the muscle decreases, so that the warm muscle and body gradually become It will be cooled. Then, the fatigue material generated in the muscle in the preceding training mode is actively discharged from the muscle, and excess fatigue material is prevented from remaining 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. 9, a pause period of 2 seconds is provided at a total of four places between the first output mode and the second output mode and between each status in the second output mode. It is done. Therefore, the total time of all the strokes including the rest 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. 10 will be described. In the main operation flow S100, first, "+" on the operation surface 54 is pressed for 2 seconds (S101). Thereby, the power supply of the EMS device 1 is turned on, and the EMS device 1 is activated.

  At this time, the control unit 40 vibrates the vibrating body 43 with the power supply operation pattern V1 in response to the switching of the EMS device 1 from the off state to the on state (S102, "start notification"). As the power supply operation pattern V1, for example, as shown in FIG. 14A, it is possible to adopt a mode in which the vibrating body 43 is vibrated for 2 seconds. Thereafter, the EMS device 1 is in the output standby state, the output level is set to 0, and the input of the operation unit 50 is invalidated (S103).

  Next, the skin detection unit 402 detects whether the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30 (S104). When it is detected by the skin detection unit 402 that the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30 (Yes in S104), the operation unit 50 is validated (S105). Then, the 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. The output level increases by one level each time "+" on the operation surface 54 of the operation unit 50 is pressed, and the output level decreases by one level each time "-" on the operation surface 54 is pressed.

  At this time, the control unit 40 vibrates the vibrator 43 in the intensity change pattern in response to the change of the output level (S106, “level change notification”). The strength change pattern of this example is the vibration pattern of strength increase pattern V2 shown in FIG. 14 (b), strength decrease pattern V3 shown in FIG. 14 (c) and limit notification pattern V4 shown in FIG. 14 (d). It contains.

  The strength increase pattern V2 is a vibration pattern that occurs when the output level is increased by pressing “+” on the operation surface 54. For example, as shown in FIG. 14B, as the strength increasing pattern V2, a mode in which the vibrating body 43 is vibrated for 1 second can be adopted.

  The strength reduction pattern V3 is a vibration pattern that occurs when the output level becomes smaller by pressing "-". For example, as shown in FIG. 14C, as the strength reduction pattern V3, adopting a mode of repeating the basic waveform V30 of vibrating the vibrating body 43 for 0.5 seconds and stopping for 0.5 seconds twice. it can.

  The limit notification pattern V4 is a vibration pattern that occurs when "+" is pressed in a state where the output level is maximum or when "-" is pressed in a state where the output level is minimum. As the limit notification pattern V4, for example, as shown in FIG. 14D, after the vibrating body 43 is vibrated for 0.25 seconds, a mode in which the basic waveform V40 which is stopped for 0.25 seconds is repeated three times may be adopted. it can.

  The output level is input by the operation unit 50 (S106), and when the output level is set, the control unit 40 sends an output start signal to the timer 404, and the timer 404 starts measurement (S107). Also, the operation of the output level is possible any time during use (from activation of the operation unit 50 to power off).

  The output mode of the electrode unit 30 is set to the first output mode (warm-up mode) from the measurement start time (elapsed time 0) of the timer 404 to the elapsed time 1 minute (S108). When the elapsed time reaches 1 minute, the output mode switching unit 405 as the frequency setting unit switches the output mode of the electrode unit 30 to the second output mode (training mode) and maintains 20 minutes for the elapsed time of 21 minutes (S109) ). When the elapsed time reaches 21 minutes, the output mode switching unit 405 as the frequency setting unit switches the output mode in the electrode unit 30 to the third output mode (cool down mode), and maintains for 1 minute until the elapsed time 22 minutes ( S110). When the elapsed time reaches 22 minutes, the measurement in the timer 404 is ended (S111). Then, the EMS device 1 is stopped (S112). Thus, by performing S108 to S111, 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 is ended. It will be.

  On the other hand, when it is determined by the skin detection unit 402 that the skin is not in contact with the electrode unit 30 (No in S104), the control unit 40 determines an error pattern V5 (see FIG. 14E) notifying that. It is generated to vibrate the vibrating body 43 (S113, "notification of detection of skin"). As the error pattern V5, for example, as shown in FIG. 14D, after the vibrating body 43 is vibrated for 0.25 seconds, the skin is in contact with the electrode portion 30 with the basic waveform V40 which is stopped for 0.25 seconds. It is possible to adopt an aspect of repeating until it is determined that

  Further, the control unit 40 sends a count start signal to the power off counter 403, and starts measuring the elapsed time in the power off counter 403 (S114).

  Next, the skin detection unit 402 detects whether the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30 (S115). When it is detected by the skin detection unit 402 that the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30, the process returns to step S103 described above, and the output standby state is established (Yes in S115). On the other hand, if it is determined by the skin detection unit 402 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 exceeds 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 Do. On the other hand, when it is determined in S116 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, an interrupt process which is prioritized by interrupting between S105 and S110 in the above-described main operation flow S100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, a skin detection interrupt process S200 is performed as the first interrupt process. The skin detection interrupt process S200 is used as a function to automatically turn off the power when the electrode is detached from the human body during use. In the skin detection interrupt process S200, first, the skin detection unit 402 detects whether 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, when the skin detection unit 402 determines that the skin is not in contact with the electrode unit 30 (No in S201), the control unit 40 performs the error pattern V5 (see FIG. 14E) as in S113 described above. Is generated to vibrate the vibrator 43 (S202, "notification of detection of skin"). Then, the control unit 40 sends a count start signal to the power off counter 403, and the power off counter 403 starts measuring the elapsed time (S203).

  Next, the skin detection unit 402 detects whether the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30 (S204). When the skin detection 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 detection 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 exceeds 2 minutes (S205) . If 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 the skin is in contact with the electrode unit 30 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. 12, a battery voltage reduction process S300, which is a second interrupt process that is prioritized by interrupting between S105 and S110 in the above-described main operation flow S100, will be described. The battery voltage reduction process S300 is a function of automatically turning off the power when the battery voltage of the battery 21 decreases. Thus, the user can easily know when it is necessary to cope with battery replacement. First, the battery voltage detection unit 406 determines whether the detected battery voltage V of the battery 21 in the power supply unit 20 is lower than a predetermined threshold Vm (S301). If 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, the control unit 40 generates an error pattern V5 (see FIG. 14E) to vibrate the vibrating body 43 (S302, “battery voltage Notice of decline "). Then, the control unit 40 sends a count start signal to the power off counter 403, and the power off counter 403 starts measuring the elapsed time (S303).

  Next, it is determined whether the elapsed time in the power off counter 403 exceeds 2 minutes (S304). If 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. If 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. 13, interrupt processing S400 which is a third interrupt processing which is prioritized by interrupting between S105 and S110 in the above-described main operation flow S100 will be described. First, the control unit 40 determines whether the time during which the "-" button on the operation surface 54 of the operation unit 50 is pressed is 2 seconds or more (S401). If it is determined that the time during which the "-" button is pressed is not longer than 2 seconds (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), the control unit 40 is triggered by the switching of the EMS device 1 from the on state to the off state. The vibration body 43 is vibrated in the power supply operation pattern V1 (S402, “end notification”). As the power supply operation pattern, for example, the aspect shown in FIG. 14A can be adopted. Then, the power is turned off (S403).

  Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the EMS device 1 of this example will be described in detail.

  The EMS apparatus 1 of this example includes a power supply unit 20, a control unit 40, and a vibrator 43, and has a main unit 10 having an operation surface 54 on the outer surface. Further, the control unit 40 is configured to vibrate the vibrating body 43 in response to a change in the supply mode of the power to the electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323. Therefore, the EMS device 1 can easily make the user recognize that the operation has been accepted by the EMS device 1 by the vibration of the vibrating body 43.

  Moreover, the EMS apparatus 1 of this example is comprised so that a different vibration pattern may be produced | generated according to the operation which a user performs, as shown to FIGS. 10-14. Therefore, the type of the operation accepted by the control unit 40 can be more easily recognized by the user, and the usability of the EMS device 1 can be further improved. In addition, the EMS device 1 can easily make the user recognize the type of operation accepted by the control unit 40 regardless of sight or hearing, so it is also preferable to be worn under clothes and used It can be used.

  Moreover, the main-body part 10 has the skin facing part 101 (2nd case 112) which turns to the human body side at the time of wear of the EMS apparatus 1, and the skin facing part 101 has expanded more than circumference | surroundings. Therefore, in the state where the EMS device 1 is worn, the user can more easily perceive the vibration. As a result, the usability of the EMS device 1 can be further improved.

  Furthermore, the power supply unit 20 is disposed in the main body unit 10 in the vicinity of the skin facing unit 101. Therefore, it can suppress that the temperature of the power supply part 20 falls excessively during wear of the EMS apparatus 1 with a user's body temperature. As a result, the fluctuation of the power supplied from the power supply unit 20 can be further reduced.

  Further, in the EMS device 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of first to fifth burst waves forming electrical stimulation are output in the pulse group output period P with the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 interposed between the output stop times N1 to N5. Ru. 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 total output time of the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 is the same while the rectangular wave pulse signal S1 is the same. 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 muscle or the nerve connected to the muscle, so that the bodily 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 constituted by outputting a plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 with the output stop time N1 to N5 interposed, but this pulse group The period P in which the pulse is output is the same as compared with a burst wave having a pulse output period which is continuously output in the same period as the output period P. Therefore, even in the burst wave having the pulse group output period P sandwiching the output stop times N1 to N5, a sensation similar to a burst wave having a pulse output period in which the output stop time is not sandwiched can be obtained.

  In addition, since the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are output in multiples with the output stop times N1 to N5 in the pulse group output period P, the duration of the pulse group output period P is equal to the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1. The pulse width of ~ S5 and all the output stop times N1-N5 are combined. Therefore, during the duration of the pulse group output period P, while the duration of the pulse group output period P is the same as in the case where the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 are continuously output without being divided, the output stop time N1 to N5 is the same. Power consumption can be reduced because the actual pulse signal output time is shortened by an amount of. Therefore, it can be driven by a low capacity power source, which contributes to the miniaturization of the device.

  Further, the burst wave forming the electrical stimulation consists of a pulse group output period P and pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5, and the duration of the pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 is an output stop in the pulse group output period P The time is longer than N1 to N5. Since the burst wave is provided with such pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5, the duration of the pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 is changed to a predetermined length without changing the pulse group output period P. The frequency of the burst wave can be easily set to a desired value simply by doing. This makes it easy to control so as to output an electrical stimulation consisting of a burst wave having a frequency suitable for contracting and relaxing the muscle, and can efficiently stimulate the muscle.

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

  Furthermore, as in this example, the five rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 output in the first pulse group output period P of the first burst wave are in the order of “positive, negative, positive, negative, positive”. When being 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 “negative, positive, negative, It is possible to output in the order of positive and negative. In this case, since the second burst wave can reliably eliminate the charge bias generated in the first burst wave, the pain of the user can be further reduced. Furthermore, the second pulse group output period only needs to reverse the polarity of the plurality of rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 output in the first pulse group output period P (invert the potential). Therefore, the control load can be reduced as compared with the case of individually controlling the polarity of each rectangular wave pulse signal in each pulse group output period.

  In this example, the same pulse group output period P includes the rectangular wave pulse signals S1, S3 and S5 having different polarities and the rectangular wave pulse signals S2 and S4 in place of each other. It may be like. The polarities of all the rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 in the first pulse group output period P of the first burst wave are positive, and arrive after the first burst wave with the pulse group output interruption period R1 to R5 interposed therebetween. The polarities of all the 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, although the rectangular wave pulse signal has the same polarity, the entire burst wave repeatedly output includes rectangular wave pulse signals having different polarities. Become. Also in this case, since the second burst wave reliably cancels the charge bias generated in the first 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 periods R1 to R5 ensure a sufficient interval between the pulse group output periods P repeatedly output in the burst wave. The wave pulse signals S1 to S5 can be easily recognized as one electric stimulation. As a result, it is possible to easily output a low frequency (2 to 20 Hz in this example) burst wave from rectangular wave pulse signals S1 to S5 of a high frequency (in this example, a frequency of 5,000 Hz) to stimulate muscles. Can output electrical stimulation suitable for

  In this example, a plurality of burst wave patterns (basic waveforms B1 to B5) having different frequencies are the same because the duration of the pulse group output period P is the same and the durations of the pulse group output interruption periods R1 to R5 are different. One of the burst wave pattern storage unit (output mode storage unit 405a) stored in advance and the plurality of burst wave patterns (basic waveforms B1 to B5) stored in the burst wave pattern storage unit (output mode storage unit 405a) It has the frequency setting part (output mode switching part 405) which sets the frequency of the burst wave in electrical stimulation by selecting. Thus, when 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 it is easy to change the burst wave frequency. Become. As a result, the EMS device 1 suitable for efficiently stimulating muscles is obtained.

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

  Further, in the present example, the main body 10, a plurality of electrode units 30 for outputting electrical stimulation, a power supply unit 20 for supplying power to the electrode unit 30, and a control unit 40 for controlling power feeding in the power supply unit 20; The power supply unit 20 is built in the main body unit 10, and the operation unit 50 is configured to be able to change the control mode of the control unit 40. Since it is not necessary to prepare the electric power supplied to the electrode part 30 outside by this, it can use easily also in the outdoors where the securing of a power supply is difficult, outing, etc. In addition, since a cord or the like for connecting to a power supply is not required, usability is improved and portability is also excellent.

  Further, in this example, the electrode unit 30 is provided on the sheet-like base material 33 extended from the main body unit 10, and includes a plurality of electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323, electrodes 311 to 313, and 321 to 323 and a power supply unit. 20 are formed with lead portions 311 a to 313 a and 321 a to 323 a that electrically connect with each other via the control unit 40. As a result, the electrode portion 30 is formed on the sheet-like base material 33 extended from the main body portion 10, and the main body portion 10 and the electrode portion 30 can be integrated. Therefore, a cord or the like for connecting the main body portion 10 and the electrode portion 30 becomes unnecessary, the usability is improved, and the portability is also excellent.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the power supply unit 20 is provided with a replaceable battery 21. As a result, the power can be replenished only by replacing the battery 21. Therefore, it becomes easy to use for a long time over the battery capacity. As a result, the device can be miniaturized because it is not necessary to incorporate an excessively large power supply.

  Further, in the present example, the battery 21 is a coin battery. As a result, the battery 21 is miniaturized, which contributes to the miniaturization of the EMS device 1. And since weight reduction can be achieved with size reduction of EMS device 1, electrode part 30 becomes difficult to exfoliate and fall off a user's body, and while usability improves, 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 situations while commuting to work, attending school, working in housework, work, and the like. In addition, since the coin battery has stable discharge characteristics at a high operating voltage as compared with other dry batteries and the like, the EMS device 1 can be stably operated for a relatively long time.

  In addition, it is also possible to replace with a coin battery and to employ | adopt small batteries, such as a button battery, for the power supply part 20. FIG. Further, instead of a primary battery such as a coin battery, a rechargeable secondary battery may be incorporated. As a charging means of the battery, a terminal for feeding which can be connected to an external power supply may be provided, or a non-contact type feeding unit using electromagnetic induction may be provided. In this case, since the battery can be used repeatedly, consumables can be reduced as compared with the case of using a non-rechargeable battery.

  Moreover, the thing of 3.0-5.0V of nominal voltages can be employ | adopted as the battery 21, and the battery 21 of 3.0V is employ | adopted in this example. Since the drive voltages of the electronic component 42 and the vibrating body 43 and the like provided in the EMS device 1 are the same, it is not necessary to separately provide a step-down circuit and a boost circuit for driving these electronic components 42 and 43. This can contribute to miniaturization.

  Also, in the present 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 provided with three or more electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323. Also, sufficient electrical stimulation can be given. As a result, electrical stimulation can be applied to a wide range of muscles, and thus the muscles can be efficiently stimulated.

  In the present example, the base 33 on which the electrode portion 30 is formed is extended from the main body portion 10, and the electrode supporting portion 121 extended from the outer shell forming body 12 is adhered to make the electrode The portion 30 and the main body portion 10 are integrally formed. Instead of this, the base member 33 and the main body portion 10 are separately provided, and the electrode support portion 121 and the outer shell forming body 12 are separately provided, whereby the main body portion 10 and the electrode portion 30 are not used. It may be configured to be separable from one another at times. In this case, the electrode unit 30 can be separated from the main body unit 10 and replaced with another form 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.

  As described above, according to this example, it is possible to provide the EMS device 1 capable of efficiently stimulating muscles while improving the bodily sensation when used.

In this example, the second output mode (training mode) is executed based on the first status to the fourth status shown in Table 2 described above. Instead of this, in the first status to the fourth status equivalent to the present example as in the following modification 1, the 2a status shown in Table 4 is executed between the second status and the third status. , And the third 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 100% output for 10 seconds with the second burst wave (4 Hz), 100% output for 10 seconds with the third burst wave (8 Hz), and then the second 100% output is performed for 10 seconds with 4 burst waves (16 Hz).
(3a) In the 3a status, after 100% output for 10 seconds with the second burst wave (4 Hz), 100% output for 10 seconds with the third burst wave (8 Hz), and then the second 100% output is performed for 10 seconds with 4 burst waves (16 Hz).
In the first modification, the second a status and the third a status are added as compared to the second output mode (see Table 2) of this example, so the first output mode (warm up mode) shown in Table 4 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 configured to increase 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 to the case of Example 1, the pattern of the electrical stimulus in the 2nd output mode (training mode) will change a lot. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in bodily sensation due to the user's getting used to the electrical stimulation, and it is possible to more effectively stimulate the rectus abdominis muscle. In addition, by providing the 2a status and the 3a status, the effect of pushing out the fatigue substance in the fatigued muscle by the application of the electrical stimulation is also exerted. In the first modification in which the second output mode (training mode) is set as described above, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment are also achieved.

  In the first embodiment, six electrodes 311 to 313 and 321 to 323 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more electrodes can be used. For example, in the second modification, as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, two electrodes 311 and 321 having the same configuration as the electrodes 311 and 321 of the first embodiment are used as electrodes. In addition, in the modification 2, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component equivalent to Example 1, and the description is abbreviate | omitted. Also in this case, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. And according to the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 1 of the modification 2, compared with the case where there are six electrodes (refer to FIG. 2), the number of the electrodes 311 and 321 is smaller, so the power consumption per electrode can be increased. Since it can do, each electrode 311, 321 is enlarged one size. Thereby, the range which can give an electrical stimulation by one electrode spreads, and it becomes easy to stimulate the muscle of large parts, such as an arm and a thigh.

In the first embodiment, when changing the frequency of the burst wave, the frequency setting unit (output mode switching unit 405) determines the burst wave pattern stored in the burst wave pattern storage unit (output mode storage unit 405a). I try to choose one. Instead of this, as shown in the following third modification, it is also possible. In the third modification, as shown in FIG. 17, an operation surface 54a as a frequency selection unit for selecting 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 continuation time calculation unit 405b calculates the continuation time of the pulse group output interruption period based on the frequency selected by the frequency selection unit (operation surface 54a).
The interruption period continuation time setting unit 405c sets the continuation time of the pulse group output interruption period based on the continuation time calculated by the interruption period continuation time calculation unit 405b.
In addition, in the modification 3, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component equivalent to Example 1, and the description is abbreviate | 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), based on the user's preference (the strength of contraction / the interval between contraction and relaxation). By setting the frequency of the burst wave appropriately, it becomes an EMS device 1 capable of stimulating muscles more efficiently for each user. In addition, also in the said modification 2, the effect similar to Example 1 is show | played except for the effect regarding the change aspect of the frequency of a burst wave.

  In the first embodiment, an example is shown in which the vibrating body 43 is vibrated to notify that the operation has been accepted or an error has occurred. However, it is also possible to vibrate the vibrating body 43 at a timing other than some notification. It is possible. For example, the vibrator 43 may be vibrated between the first status and the second status in FIG. 9 or between the second status and the third status.

  Since the electrical stimulation by the EMS device 1 directly moves the muscles, if the EMS device 1 is used for a long time, in some cases, the stimulated muscles may feel fatigue and the like. Therefore, by vibrating the vibrating body 43 at an interval time, for example, between the first status and the second status, an effect such as relieving muscle fatigue can be expected. In addition, since it is possible to give a stimulus of a type different from the electrical stimulation by vibrating the vibrating body 43, the usability of the EMS device 1 can be further improved.

  In addition, although the example which changed the vibration pattern of the vibrating body 43 for every kind of operation was shown in Example 1, it is also possible to employ | adopt structures other than this. For example, the control unit 40 does not have to include all the power supply operation pattern V1, the strength increase pattern V2, the strength decrease pattern V3 and the limit notification pattern V4, and may have a configuration without any vibration pattern. Also, for example, the strength increase pattern may be the same vibration pattern as the strength decrease pattern. Also, the vibration pattern shown in FIG. 14 is an example, and the duration, interval, repetition number, etc. of the vibration may be changed as appropriate. That is, for example, in the power supply operation pattern, the vibrating body 43 may be vibrated a plurality of times.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 muscle electrical stimulation apparatus 10 main body part 120 extension part 20 power supply part 30 electrode part 31 1st electrode group 32 2nd electrode group 311-313, 321-323 electrode 33 base material 35 gel pad 301 upper electrode pair 302 center electrode pair 303 Lower electrode pair 40 control unit 43 vibrator 50 operation unit 54 operation surface

Claims (6)

A main body for generating an electrical stimulus, an extension extending outward from the main body and having a sheet shape, an electrode disposed on one surface of the extension, and a gel pad attached to the electrode A muscle electrical stimulation device for applying the electrical stimulation to muscles through the electrodes and the gel pad,
The main unit is
A skin-facing portion that faces the human body when the muscle electrical stimulation apparatus is worn,
Built in the main body portion, and a power supply unit, a control unit for controlling the supply mode of electric power to the electrodes from the power supply unit, and the vibrating body which is connected to the control unit as a power source,
Disposed on the outer surface of the body portion has an operation surface to change the power supply mode of the above control unit,
The control unit is configured to vibrate the vibrator in response to a change in the supply mode of the power to the electrode.
The vibrator is disposed at a position different from that of the gel pad in a front view as viewed from the thickness direction of the extension portion .
The muscle electrical stimulation apparatus characterized in that the above-mentioned skin-facing portion is bulged out more than the surroundings . The muscle electrical stimulation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the power supply unit is disposed in the vicinity of the skin facing unit in the main body unit. The control unit is configured to be able to switch between an on-state for generating the electrical stimulation and an off-state for stopping the electrical stimulation, and is triggered by the switching between the on-state and the off-state. The muscle electrical stimulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to vibrate in a power supply operation pattern. The control unit is configured to be able to change the strength of the electrical stimulation to a plurality of levels, and is configured to vibrate the vibrator in a strength changing pattern triggered by a change in the strength of the electrical stimulation. The muscle electrical stimulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that: The strength change pattern includes a strength increase pattern generated upon increasing the strength of the electrical stimulation and a strength reduction pattern generated upon decreasing the strength of the electrical stimulation. The muscle electrical stimulation apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein The intensity change pattern further includes a limit notification pattern generated when an attempt is made to increase the intensity of the electrical stimulation above the upper limit or to decrease the intensity of the electrical stimulation above the lower limit. The muscle electrical stimulation device according to claim 5 , characterized in that it comprises.

Images