DE102005015305A1 - Massage unit for massage mattress has massage bodies that are eccentrically arranged along longitudinal axes of shafts - Google Patents

Abstract

Shafts (2) are propelled by at least one drive motor (3). Massage bodies (12) are eccentrically arranged along the longitudinal axis of each shaft. The shafts are arranged such that their longitudinal axes are parallel to each other. An independent claim is also included for a massage mattress.

Description

The The invention relates to a massage unit, in particular for integration in sitting or lying arrangements, preferably for integration into Mattresses, with at least one drive motor. Furthermore the invention a mattress with such a massage unit.

From the DE 44 14 196 A1 is a massage chair known. The massage chair comprises a massaging carriage which can be moved along a guide device. The massage sled is equipped with a massage roller.

From the DE 80 28 091 a massage device is known, which consists of a arranged below a mattress, periodically in the vertical direction upwards and downwards movable lifting plate with a drive motor. The massage effect is extremely questionable, since only a large area of the mattress is moved up and down.

Of the Invention is the object of a massage unit and a to propose equipped with such a massage unit equipped mattress, with an improved massage effect can be achieved.

These The object is achieved by the features of claim 1 and by the features of claim 16 solved.

The Massage unit according to the invention consists of several rotatably mounted Shafts which are drivable by means of a drive motor. At every Shaft are a plurality of spaced apart and eccentric to the wavelength axis arranged massage body intended. The symmetry axes of the Mas sage bodies are parallel and with Distance to the longitudinal central axis the waves arranged. By rotation of the waves, the massage bodies perform in With respect to the wavelength center axis an eccentric rotation. The performed by the massage bodies stroke movement corresponds to twice the distance between the symmetry axis of a massage body and the associated Wave longitudinal central axis. It can be provided that several waves, preferably all Shafts are driven by a single drive motor. It However, it can also be provided for individual waves or groups Shafts each having a separate drive motor is provided.

In Embodiment of the invention is provided with advantage that the Wave longitudinal central axis the waves are arranged parallel to each other. This arrangement allows a particularly simple and effective drive technology. By the parallel arrangement of the longitudinal axis of the central axis makes it possible to use the shaft ends for example by means of a toothed belt drive with the drive motor connect to. Each shaft can be individually with a toothed belt with the Drive motor can be connected or the shafts are interconnected via timing belts coupled together. For this it is advisable, in each case adjacent Coupling waves by means of a toothed belt with each other. Depending on Choice of drive motor, it may be beneficial to the drive motor, preferably an electric motor to equip by means of a transmission, so a larger speed range to be able to cover.

It is beneficial if the waves are in the longitudinal direction of the massage unit are aligned. In this case, the distance between the am farthest spaced waves less than the length of the Waves. By this measure The drive of the waves can be done on the narrow side, i. at the Head or foot part of Massage unit. As a result, a simpler panel of the drive unit possible. Furthermore, you can any drive belt shorter be designed. Another advantage of the embodiment of the invention is that the number of waves can be reduced, for a large-scale massage effect to achieve.

According to one advantageous development of the invention is provided that the Shafts are made of spring steel. This is the case with the arrangement the waves in the longitudinal direction possible, For example, the head area or the foot area of the bed after to tilt upwards, as the shafts are made of spring steel of forced circulation bend can follow.

The Massage effect can be improved by at least one Wave, preferably all Waves are stored in at least three places. In addition to Storage of the waves at the shaft ends is at least one, preferably several spaced, provided intermediate storage. Take over these interim storage a support function across from a below the massage unit located pad and prevent such a deflection of the waves in the central region. hereby ensures that the massage body upwards, ie in Direction of lying area, develop a massage effect.

It is advantageous if the intermediate bearings are integrated into support rods, wherein these support rods are aligned transversely to the shafts. Advantageously, the support rods connect all shafts in the crossbar together. The intermediate storage can be provided for example as recesses in the support rods, wherein the waves are clipped, for example, in these recesses. In the simplest case, the intermediate storage are designed as plain bearings.

With Advantage is provided that a control unit, in particular with a plurality of sequence programs, for controlling the at least one drive motor is provided. Depending on the control of the drive motor and arrangement the massage body at the waves, the massage unit can be used for easy massage, to improved blood circulation and / or nerve stimulation adjustable speed can be used continuously driven. However, it is also conceivable that the massage unit as alternating pressure system, especially for Pressure ulcer is used. For example, for this purpose each time after a predetermined period of time only one turn the waves around an angle e.g. be done by 180 °. Thus, different support massage body the body of the patient alternating in time at different parts of the body so that a bedsores is counteracted.

It is particularly useful if at least one shaft, preferably all shafts, as crankshafts with several cranks each with a Kröpfungszapfen are formed, wherein the massage body rotatably attached to the Kröpfungszapfen are stored. The cranks are parallel and parallel Distance to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The of the massage bodies completed stroke movement corresponds to twice the distance between the crankshaft pins and the longitudinal central axis the crankshaft.

A especially good massage effect is achieved by at least two, preferably adjacent, cranks of a wave offset angle are arranged to each other. Thus, also at the Kröpfungszapfen rotatably mounted massage body mutually angular offset arranged. It is particularly advantageous if all adjacent massage body respectively are offset by the same circumferential angle to each other. As a result, upon rotation of a crankshaft, a kind of corkscrew movement achieved. Such an arrangement of the massage body is particularly suitable for the Use of the massage unit as an alternating pressure system. By one only small change the angle of rotation after a time interval has elapsed, a different pressure distribution be reached on the decubitus patients.

When massage body Both round-section and mass-produced rollers are suitable polygonal cross section. It is of particular advantage if as a massage body a crowned roll is used.

to Simplification of massage and reduction of manufacturing costs is provided that a massage body of several, in particular two identical partial bodies is composable. Therefor Two identically designed half-shells are particularly suitable, provided with at least one plug and / or locking device are and with the inclusion of a Kröpfungszapfens plugged into each other or latched together.

According to one another embodiment The invention provides that at least one massage body, preferably all Massage body, non-rotatable and eccentrically fixed to the shafts or formed integrally with the shafts are. The waves are preferably straight. Also in this embodiment The symmetry axes of the massage body are parallel to the longitudinal center axis the wave. So that the friction between a on the massage unit auflegbaren Oberla ge and the massage bodies is reduced, is with Advantage provided that the massage body and an inner body one on the inner body having rotatably mounted outer body. The outer body rolls then turn off the shaft at the top. According to one potential Embodiment of the massage body consists of the massage body from an inner plastic body and one on the plastic body mounted ball bearing with an outer and an inner ring. The non-rotatable with the plastic body connected inner ring forms together with the plastic body the inner body of the massage body, the outer body of the massage body through the outer, rotatable outer ring of the ball bearing is formed.

Also in the non-rotatably connected to the, in particular straight, shaft massage bodies It is advantageous if the massage body offset from each other at an angle are arranged to a corkscrew movement upon rotation of the shaft to perform.

The Massage mattress according to the invention consists at least one base and at least one top layer, wherein the massage unit is arranged between the top layer and the base. The top layer is at least partially on the surface on. Both top layer and underlay of the mattress can look out usual Materials, in particular of foam, are produced. ever according to use case Upper layer and base have a different elasticity.

In an embodiment of the invention is advantageously provided that the massage unit such inner half of the massage mattress is arranged, that the wavelength longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal sides of the mattress. Here, the waves of the massage unit should be made of spring steel, as can be bent with areas of the mattress up or down.

Around the spring effect of the entire system massage mattress to the respective needs adapt the user is provided with advantage that between the pad and at least one support rod of the massage unit at least a copy tile is provided. By choosing the size and position of the or Support plates as well as the choice of material for The pad can be influenced by the spring force of the massage body. ever higher that The user's weight of the massage mattress is the larger it should be the area the overlay tile between support rod and mattress base chosen become. Furthermore, in this way the potency of the massage body on the top layer and thus on the user lying on the top layer be varied.

In Embodiment of the invention is provided that below the massage body a Recess is provided in the pad. This way will the pad spared. Furthermore, the force occurs the massage body only in the top layer. Ideally, the recesses are sized that the massage body do not touch the surface.

Based the embodiments shown in the drawing, the invention closer in the following explained.

It demonstrate:

1 a perspective view of a massage unit according to the invention,

2 a detail of a crankshaft of a massage unit,

3 a perspective view of another embodiment of a massage unit and

4 the embodiment according to 3 with upwardly angled head area.

In 1 is a massage unit 1 with four longitudinally of the massage unit 1 and mutually parallel crankshafts 2 shown.

At the foot of the massage unit 1 is a transverse box 3 provided in which an unillustrated electric motor is arranged, the crankshafts 2 drives via a toothed belt drive, also not shown. Furthermore, in the box 3 a control unit for controlling the electric motor is provided.

The crankshafts 2 are with their one end portion in a parallel and spaced from the box 3 extending crossbar 4 and with its other end portion in a sidewall of the box 3 rotatably mounted.

Between the crossbar 4 and the box 3 are three transverse to the crankshaft support rods 5 arranged. Every support staff 5 has for each crankshaft designed as a plain bearing intermediate storage 6 on. The interim storage 6 consist of a recess on the crankshaft facing sides of the support rods, in which the crankshafts are clipped. The support rods 5 with the interim storage 6 prevent over-bending of the spring steel formed crankshafts.

With integration of the massage unit 1 in a mattress, not shown, consisting of pad and top layer, several can between the support rods 5 and the pad arranged Auflageplätten 7 be used for improved weight distribution on the substrate. By choosing the number and size of the platelets and by the choice of material of the top layer and the base, the spring behavior of the entire system can be influenced. It is conceivable that the support plates can be fastened to the support rods and designed to be displaceable along the support rods.

As in particular from 2 it can be seen, the crankshafts 2 several craning 8th on, with every bend 8th from two curved wave areas 9 and an intermediate crankpin 10 consists. The Kröpfungszapfen run at a distance and parallel to the longitudinal central axis 11 the crankshaft 2 , On every crook 10 is a trained as a spherical roller massage body 12 rotatably mounted. The symmetry axes 13 the massage body 12 run in the center of the Kröpfungszapfen 10 and thus eccentric to the longitudinal central axis 11 the crankshaft 2 , In other words, the massage bodies 12 spaced and eccentric to the longitudinal central axis 11 arranged the shaft and perform on rotation of the crankshaft 2 around its longitudinal central axis 11 an eccentric rotation.

As in 1 it can be seen that all the neighboring cranks are 8th and thus the massage body 12 arranged circumferentially offset from each other. The circumferential angle offset of two adjacent cranks 8th or massage body 12 corresponds to the in 1 illustrated embodiment example 30 ° and at the in 2 illustrated crankshaft opening 180 °. Due to the angular offset arrangement according to 1 becomes a kind of corkscrew movement with rotating crankshafts 12 causes.

The arrows 14 indicate the preferred rotational direction of rotation of the individual crankshafts. The two shafts in the drawing plane turn counterclockwise and the right two shafts turn clockwise. As a result of the massage bodies a drain movement to the outside, ie away from the lying, generated. However, depending on the application, other directions of rotation combinations are conceivable.

By means of the control unit, not shown, the massage unit 1 Among other things as alternating pressure system for decubitus patients are used. After a time interval, a rotational movement of the crankshafts occurs 2 by a predetermined or specifiable angle of rotation. As a result, a bedsores of the user by changing the pressure load is avoided.

In the 2 and 3 is another embodiment of a massage unit 1 shown. Unlike the in 1 illustrated embodiment, the waves 15 formed as straight waves and arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the massage unit. The waves 15 are rotatably mounted in their end regions. For storage are used in the longitudinal direction extending bearing plates 16 , being a bearing plate 16 two waves 15 picks up and where the bearing plates 16 are joined together in the manner of a link chain. Except for the outer waves 15 are on every wave 15 two bearing plates pushed on each side. Due to the articulated connection, the bearing plates 16 and with it the waves 15 be angled to each other, as in 4 based on the head part of the massage unit 1 is shown.

On the right side of the massage unit in the drawing plane is the drive unit, consisting of electric motor 17 , a driven wheel 18 and multiple drive wheels 19 , shown. In the embodiment shown, the output gear 18 on the motor shaft 20 rotatably mounted. The driven wheel 18 is over a toothed belt 21 with the adjacent output gear 19 connected. Two adjacent driven wheels 19 in turn are each via a toothed belt 21 coupled together so that the rotation of the driven wheel 18 a rotation of the drive wheels 19 causes. Each drive wheel 19 sits torsionally on a shaft end of the waves 15 outside the bearing plates 16 ,

On every wave 15 are four spaced massage bodies 12 arranged. A massage body 12 consists of an eccentric and rotationally fixed to a shaft 15 fixed inner body 22 and one rotatable and coaxial with the inner body 22 stored outer body 23 , In the concrete embodiment is on a plastic body 24 a ball bearing 25 Applied, the ball bearing of an inner ring 26 and an outer ring rotatably mounted by means of rolling elements relative to the inner ring 27 is formed. The inner body 22 is therefore composed of the plastic body 24 and the non-rotatably fixed inner ring 26 of the ball bearing 25 , The outer body is of the outer ring 27 concentric with the plastic body 24 arranged ball bearings 25 educated.

The symmetry axes 13 the massage body 12 run parallel and at a distance, so eccentric to the longitudinal center axes 11 the waves 15 , Also in the in the 3 and 4 illustrated embodiment, the roller body 12 arranged circumferentially offset from each other. As a result, each time a corkscrew movement is forced upon rotation of the waves. However, this runs in the embodiment shown in the transverse and not in the longitudinal direction of the massage unit 1 ,

Of course, also in the in the 3 and 4 illustrated embodiment interim storage, in particular provided on support rods intermediate storage, are attached. Due to the shorter waves 15 However, this is not absolutely necessary.

With integration of the massage unit 1 In a mattress can in the mattress base, below the massage body 12 , Advantageously spaced, recesses may be provided.

1

massage unit

2

crankshafts

3

box

4

cleat

5

support rods

6

interim storage

7

Support plates

8th

cranking

9

curved area the bend

10

Kröpfungszapfen

11

Longitudinal central axis

12

massage body

13

axes of symmetry

14

arrows (Direction of rotation)

15

waves

16

bearing plates

17

drive motor (Electric motor)

18

output gear

19

drive wheels

20

motor shaft

21

toothed belt

22

inner body

23

outer body

24

Plastic body

25

ball-bearing

26

inner ring

27

outer ring

Claims (22)

Massage unit ( 1 ), in particular for integration in sitting or lying arrangements, preferably for integration in mattresses, with at least one drive motor ( 17 ), characterized in that the massage unit ( 1 ) a plurality of rotatably mounted shafts ( 2 . 15 ), which by means of the at least one drive motor ( 3 . 17 ) are driven, wherein at each shaft ( 2 . 15 ) a plurality of spaced and eccentric to the wavelength axis ( 11 ) arranged massage body ( 12 ) are provided. Massage unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the wavelength axes ( 11 ) are arranged parallel to each other. Massage unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the waves ( 15 ) in the longitudinal direction of the massage unit ( 1 ) are aligned. Massage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the waves ( 15 ) are made of spring steel. Massage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one shaft ( 15 ), preferably all waves ( 15 ) are stored in at least three places. Massage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in addition to the storage of the waves ( 15 ) at their end regions at least one, preferably a plurality of spaced, intermediate storage ( 6 ), in particular plain bearings, are provided. Massage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one, at least two, preferably all, waves ( 15 ) connecting support rods ( 5 ) are provided, which are transverse to the longitudinal wavelength axes ( 11 ), and that the intermediate storage ( 6 ) on the support rods ( 5 ) are provided. Massage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control unit, in particular with a plurality of sequence programs, for controlling the at least one drive motor ( 17 ) is provided. Massage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the shafts ( 15 ), preferably all waves ( 15 ), as a crankshaft with multiple cranks ( 8th ), each with a Kröpfungszapfen ( 10 ) are formed, wherein the massage body ( 12 ) rotatably on the Kröpfungszapfen ( 12 ) are stored. Massage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two, preferably adjacent, cranks ( 8th ) of a wave ( 15 ) are arranged offset in angle to each other. Massage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all adjacent massage bodies ( 12 ) are each offset by the same circumferential angle to each other. Massage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one massage body ( 12 ) is formed as, preferably spherically shaped, roller. Massage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one massage body ( 12 ) is composed of several, in particular two, the same part bodies. Massage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one massage body ( 12 ), preferably all massage bodies ( 12 ), non-rotatable and eccentric on the shafts ( 15 ) fixed or integral with the shafts ( 15 ) are formed, the waves ( 15 ) are preferably straight. Massage unit according to claim 14, characterized in that at least one massage body ( 12 ), preferably all massage bodies ( 12 ), from an inner body ( 22 ) and one on the inner body ( 22 ) rotatably mounted outer body ( 23 ) consist. Massage mattress with at least one massage unit ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the massage unit ( 1 ) is embedded between at least one pad and at least one top layer of the mattress. Massage mattress according to claim 16, characterized in that that the top layer rests in sections on the substrate. Massage mattress according to one of claims 16 or 17, characterized in that the base and / or the top layer of foam consist. Massage mattress according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the pad and the top layer a different elasticity exhibit. Massage mattress according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the massage unit ( 1 ) is arranged such that the wavelength axes ( 11 ) are arranged parallel to the longitudinal sides of the mattress. Massage mattress according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that between the base and at least one support rod ( 15 ) at least one copy tray ( 7 ) is provided. Massage mattress according to one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that below at least one, preferably below all, massage body ( 12 ) is provided a recess in the pad.