EP1555981B1 - Massaging device with stroking motion - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a massage device of the type comprising means for driving in rotation, or able to receive this movement, to then transmit it to means transforming it into a repeated back and forth movement to actuate a striking intended for contact with the skin.

It has been found that a tapping movement of the skin helps to improve blood circulation and stimulate the peripheral nervous system, which causes a feeling of relaxation and relaxation of the treated body part. Such a movement applied to the feet happens, moreover, to dissipate the feelings of tiredness felt in the feet or the legs.

Several tapping massage devices are known in the state of the art. Thus, the document FR 2,472,380 describes such a device comprising a gun-shaped housing whose handle serves as manual gripping, a tapping member being mounted at the end of the housing. The housing encloses an electric motor driving in rotation of an axis setting in motion a crank shaft whose end is coupled to the tapping device. The disadvantage of such a mechanism is its size and the noise generated during operation. In a variant, this document describes the use of several magnets facing each other and rotated relative to one another, one of the magnets being coupled to the tapping tool. Such an assembly, certainly more compact than the previous one, does not provide a sufficient massage torque, as necessary for the foot massage.

Another massage device of the same type is known from the document DE 813 751 but where the drive mechanism of the tool uses two cylindrical parts including cam ramps, one of which is fixed in rotation and free in translation and the other rotates in being integral with a rotary shaft, and being fixedly mounted in translation. The rotating part engages eccentric an oscillating lever supported by a ball in the translational part and ending with a massage pad at its end which protrudes outside the housing. The massage tool is thus driven to perform a reciprocating axial movement combined with an oscillating movement about a spherical joint. This device uses a drive device with several moving parts, which weighs down the construction and consumes a lot of power. In addition, such an apparatus is not suitable for the treatment of all areas of the body of an individual, for example a foot arch massage can not be envisaged with such a tool held by hand.

Document is known US 5,803,916 another massage apparatus, which includes the technical features of the preamble of claim 1 to be hand-held having a housing enclosing an electric motor whose output shaft rotates a massage head. The massage head has a stationary transmission housing connected to a base which is mounted at the output of the motor shaft and rotates therewith. The rotating base comprises a plurality of peripheral massage members mounted with individual springs, each element having a protuberance which comes cyclically in contact with a cam ramp fixedly mounted in the transmission housing. In operation, the massage elements rotate and perform, in turn, an axial movement back and forth, their movements being offset in time. The disadvantages of this device are on the one hand, a complex construction and large size of a device also held by hand and not suitable for the treatment of the arch and, on the other hand, an imbalance of the system due to the peripheral peripheral movement of the point elements, causing play of operation leading to early wear of its components.

In addition, the document DE 201 10 876 U discloses a foot bath apparatus having a casing having a water-containing tub and shaped to have a sealed internal space which houses an electric motor for moving movement of a plurality of foot treatment devices. These massage devices comprise a rotating roller, a plate in translation or massage pins with vertical movement. The massage effect provided by these accessories can not significantly stimulate the soles of the feet.

The aim of the present invention is to remedy at least in part the disadvantages of the aforementioned apparatuses and to provide a massage device capable of imparting effective stimulations to the areas of skin to be treated, in particular to the soles of the feet, while being reliable in operation. By effective stimulation it is understood that the characteristics of the massage imparted to the treated skin zone, in particular its amplitude, frequency or striking force characteristics, must ensure an effective stimulation of the blood circulation and the peripheral nervous system of the treated zone. , while ensuring a good comfort in use.

Another object of the invention is a massage device dynamically balanced and compact, having reduced dimensions and an optimized construction, simplified, able to be industrialized for lower costs.

A further object of the invention is a massage device adapted to be removably mounted on a massage apparatus, which can be dissociated from the drive system, to be replaced by other massage or skin treatment devices. .

Another object of the invention is a massage device removably mounted on a massage device that can receive various massage accessories mounted in turn removable on such a massage device.

These aims are achieved with a striking massaging device in the direction of a longitudinal axis of a housing enclosing a first part of which one of its axial faces comprises at least one protuberance against which is kept in contact, by a return spring, at least one axial cam ramp of a second part vis-à-vis rotated about said longitudinal axis by an electric motor, because the first piece is mounted fixed relative to the housing, that the second part is free in translation, it is coaxial with the drive shaft and drives a striking tool.

When rotating the second movable part about its axis of rotation which is in the extension of the longitudinal axis of the housing, this movable part also moves in the axial direction and coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the housing, when its cam ramp is pushed by the protuberance of the axial face vis-à-vis the first piece which is fixed. This axial displacement is against a return spring, in particular a compression spring, which is compressed during movement of the movable part so that the spring stores energy. This energy is then released at the time of the passage of the cam ramp, specifically at the breaking point of its slope, called camming. This abruptly released energy is transmitted to a central striking tool which thus moves axially back and forth toward the tapped skin.

The second moving part of the invention is mounted coaxial with the drive shaft from which it receives the rotational movement, this axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the housing in the device of the invention. As a result, its striking movement follows the direction of the drive shaft. Such an arrangement ensures a good dynamic equilibrium of the system, the reactions being supported by the bearings of the drive shaft or by the bearings provided for this purpose in the device, for example those of an intermediate part ensuring coupling with the device. drive shaft. Such a device is able to withstand significant axial forces and therefore it is suitable for the treatment of the arch.

According to the invention, the second part is driven in a combined movement of rotation and translation, while the other components of the device are fixed mounted. Thus, with the massage device of the invention, it suffices to have a single moving piece mounted coaxially with the drive axis of the apparatus, which piece is simultaneously rotated and in translation and which drives a central typing tool. This gives a robust and optimized construction, with fewer parts assembled and / or moving. This reduces the inertia of the system, simplifies the structure and reduces the wear of the components, thus ensuring better reliability and longer life of the assembly.

It is found that, in an original manner, the second part, which drives the striking tool, is simultaneously rotated during its axial displacement. Thus, if the striking tool is secured to the second part, it imparts to the skin pulses in a helical direction coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the housing. Such a tool is advantageously intended for the treatment of the plantar arch and generally has a contact surface of sufficiently large dimensions to cover the surface of the heel of a person, for example its diameter may be between 40 mm and 100 mm. Thus, the user can put his foot on the treatment tool, the latter being strong enough to withstand and sufficiently large surface to achieve a fast and effective stimulation of the area to be treated.

The skin-contacting surface of the striking tool can be covered with a rubber-like flexible material to gently stimulate the treated skin area. Advantageously, the contact surface with the skin of the striking tool is provided with protuberances or pins, all the pins being caused to hit the skin at the same time. Thus, it has been found in the tests carried out that the synergy of the helical movements of all the simultaneously striking pimples effectively stimulates the blood circulation and the peripheral nervous system of a zone of surface skin equivalent to that of the striking tool, while ensuring comfort in use and avoiding pain.

Advantageously, the first part comprises at least one axial cam ramp coming into contact with at least one other axial cam ramp of the second part.

Thus, the two parts facing each have one or axial ramps, which makes compress even more the spring when the high points of each ramp are facing. Consequently, the energy released during the passage of these high points is greater, with the effect of a greater stimulation of the skin.

Preferably, the amplitude of the movement made by the striking tool is equal to or greater than 2 mm, preferably between 3 and 5 mm.

It has been established in tests carried out on several skin areas that from an amplitude of 2 mm, the effects of the stimulation are felt in an effective manner. An amplitude of 3 to 5 mm is however preferred especially for the soles of the feet which must be stimulated quite deep. This amplitude is obtained by sizing the value of the cam jumps, the number of cam ramps subsequently determining the frequency of the stimulation, in relation to the speed of rotation of the electric motor driving the moving part.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the second part comprises downwardly inclined axial cam ramps, as seen in the direction of its rotational drive, which are supported on ramps facing each other. a first fixed mounted part in the lower part of the second part.

In this embodiment, the striking tool tends to descend, following the axial movement back and forth of the moving part. The return spring keeps the fixed piece and the movable piece in contact, exerting a pushing force upwards, in the opposite direction to that of the force exerted by the user on the striking tool. Thus, for example in the case where this tool is used to massage the soles of the feet, when the user presses his foot on the striking tool, the force of the impact decreases until the limit, the spring functions as a clutch, disengaging the fixed part from the workpiece mobile. In this limited case, the striking movement is no longer transmitted to the skin, it would remain at most the rotational movement of the moving part that could be taken by the striking tool.

In a second embodiment, the second part comprises axial cam ramps inclined upwards, as seen in the direction of its rotational drive, which are supported on ramps vis-à-vis a first part fixed rise in the upper part of the second room.

According to this second embodiment, the striking tool moves upwards following the axial movement back and forth of the moving part. The return spring exerts a downward force in the same direction as that exerted by the user on the tool. This causes the impact force of the tool to increase with the user's pressing force on the striking tool. A stronger massage, pointing upwards, can be obtained in this case.

Advantageously, the massage device of the invention comprises means for adjusting the force of said return spring.

This can be done by means of a single pressure screw which, when it is actuated, more or less compresses the spring before starting the device, allows the user to choose the intensity of the massage according to the area to be treated or its own sensitivity.

Preferably, said second piece is connected to a quick coupling coupling intermediate piece for its rotation from a motor axis.

By part with quick coupling drive comprises a part which connects the movable part to a drive motor shaft, an intermediate part which comprises, on the motor side, as well as on the drive side of the moving part, a grooved inner surface. , or key, or an assembly of shape, or any other form of quick assembly that allows to transmit the rotational movement of the motor shaft to the moving part. However, it is preferred to drive by a fluted surface, because it allows a quick coupling, to transmit the rotational movement of the motor shaft to the driven part, while giving it freedom of movement in translation. Such a solution makes it possible to use the massage device of the invention as an accessory which can easily be replaced by a massage device producing a different stimulation, from the same motor axis.

In a variant, the second part comprises a quick-coupling drive part for rotating it from a motor shaft.

This variant is a simplification of the previous one, where the intermediate piece has been removed and the moving part itself has a quick coupling portion, for example a grooved surface, to be connected directly to the motor axis.

Advantageously, the striking tool is mounted freely in rotation and / or in translation relative to said second part which is movable.

Thus, a striking tool mounted free in rotation and in translation, transmits only the axial movement back and forth of the moving part when it bears against the skin. Blocking in rotation, this striking tool also transmits the rotational movement of the moving part, in addition to its axial movement. Such a solution has the advantage that the striking tool can be made as a separate part, can be detached from the movable part or removably mounted relative to the latter.

Alternatively, the striking tool is fixedly mounted on said second part which is movable. The striking tool thus faithfully follows the movement of the moving part, which is a helical movement. Many tests on user panels have shown that these impulses in portions of helix, ensure a deep massage of the skin that is significantly more relaxing than a simple tapping perpendicular to the skin.

• la figure 1 est une vue éclatée du dispositif de massage selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention;
• la figure 2 est une vue frontale du dispositif de massage selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon l'axe A-A de la figure 2;
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessous du dispositif de la figure 2;
• la figure 5 est une vue de dessus du dispositif de la figure 2;
• la figure 6 est une vue éclatée du dispositif de massage selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention;
• la figure 7 est une vue frontale du dispositif de massage selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention;
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe selon l'axe B-B de la figure 7;
• la figure 9 est une vue de dessous du dispositif de la figure 7;
• la figure 10 est une vue de dessus du dispositif de la figure 7.

The invention will be better understood with the study of the embodiments taken in no way limiting and illustrated in the accompanying figures in which:

• Figure 1 is an exploded view of the massage device according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 2 is a front view of the massage device according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 3 is a sectional view along the axis AA of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a bottom view of the device of Figure 2;
• Figure 5 is a top view of the device of Figure 2;
• Figure 6 is an exploded view of the massage device according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 7 is a front view of the massage device according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 8 is a sectional view along the axis BB of Figure 7;
• Figure 9 is a bottom view of the device of Figure 7;
• FIG. 10 is a view from above of the device of FIG. 7.

The massage device of the invention comprises a housing enclosing the various parts in relative motion relative to each other able to transform the continuous rotational movement received from an electric motor into a striking movement of a projecting tool. outside the case.

In a variant not shown in the drawings, the housing can be made in such a way as to be able to contain all the components, including the drive motor, or even the supply batteries, and in this case it is provided with a handle of prehension to facilitate its movement on the skin. Such an apparatus can be used for the treatment of cellulite or for tapping facial treatments, or any other skin care treatment.

In another variant, a massage device of the invention is made so as to be dissociated from the rest of the device, including the electric drive motor and power supply. In this case the housing contains only the parts that receive the rotational movement of the motor and transform it into a reciprocating movement in translation of the striking tool. A device of this type can then be removably attached to the drive shaft of a massage or body care apparatus. Such an apparatus may be of the type held by hand to be moved on the body, for example of the type described in the document DE 813 751 or fixed type, such as a massage tray placed on the floor or hung on a wall, or mounted on a massage seat, etc.

In the following description, we will present such a massage device removably produced, adapted to be mounted on the drive shaft of a fixed device that combines the massage with a footbath, as described in the document DE 201 10 876 U . An apparatus of this type generally comprises a tank containing water, supports for both feet of the user being provided at the bottom of the tank, on either side of a care unit. The care unit is arranged in the center of the tank, protruding from the bottom of the latter. This treatment unit comprises a mobile treatment or care element driven by an electric motor located in a sealed enclosure, removable element mounted on the drive shaft of the motor.

Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a first embodiment of a massage device of the invention. This device comprises a tubular housing 1 provided with two attachment lugs 2 to a support or housing portion of an apparatus not shown in the drawings. The casing 1 comprises in the upper part a central orifice 3. The inner end wall of the casing 1 comprises several ramps 5 of axial cam oriented downwards, arranged around the periphery of the orifice 3. Thus constituted, the internal front wall of the casing 1 forms a first piece 6 which is fixed.

A second piece 7 is arranged inside the casing 1, coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the casing 1. The second piece 7 has a tubular shape and comprises, in its upper part, a radial collar 8 on which several ramps are made 9 of axial cam. The cylindrical outer surface located below the flange 8 is provided with external splines 10. The cylindrical inner surface of the upper part of the second part 7 has internal splines 11.

A mushroom-type striking tool 4 has a large-area active portion 14 (at least 40 mm in diameter) extended downwardly by a shank 15. The outer surface of the shank 15 is grooved and engages the splines 11 of the second piece 7. The striking tool 4 abuts with the front portion of the second piece 7. Thus, the striking tool 4 is removably mounted and can be replaced with another having an active surface 14 of different geometry and / or flexibility.

Advantageously, the active surface 14 of the striking tool 4 has protuberances 12 for better stimulation of the skin, all the protuberances then simultaneously striking the skin by helical strikes. A large area of skin is thus stimulated at the same time, which reduces the treatment time and improves its efficiency.

The second piece 7 is driven in a rotational movement by a tubular intermediate piece 17, the second piece 7 being mounted free in translation relative to the intermediate piece 17. For this, the intermediate piece 17 has a fluted internal surface, with upper internal splines 18 engaging with the outer splines 10 of the second part 7, and lower internal splines 19 which engage with those, not shown, of a drive shaft in rotation, for example that of a unit of care of a foot bath apparatus. The intermediate piece 17, the spring 16, the second piece 7, the striking tool 4 and the casing 1 are mounted coaxially with each other and with the output shaft of the drive motor.

Such a drive by a grooved surface from a motor shaft ensures the rotation of the second part 7, mounted coaxial with the drive axis, while allowing it to move axially in translation. Axial stops may be provided to limit the stroke of the axial movement of the second part 2, respectively the amplitude of the axial movement of the striking tool.

The intermediate piece 17 comprises a friction flange 21 forming a raceway for balls 22 through which it is rotatably supported on a friction washer 20. The friction washer 20 is fixedly mounted in the lower part of the housing 1 , Bearing shape for the rotating intermediate piece 17, which is able to receive significant axial forces during operation.

A compression spring 16 is mounted between the radial flange 8 of the second part 7 and the friction flange 21 of the intermediate part 17. In this assembly, the compression spring 16 exerts an upward thrust force to keep in contact with each other. the axial cam ramps 5 of the first part 6 with those corresponding to the second part 7.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the axial cam ramps 9 of the second part 7 are oriented downwards, as seen in the direction of rotation of the second part 7 by the intermediate part 17 and as represented by the arrow 1. Thus, when the second piece 7 rotates, it moves downwards, causing the striking tool 4 to move in its movement. The movement transmitted by the striking tool 4 to the zone of skin treated, in the The user's foot is an axial typing movement combined with a rotational movement. The pressing force of the user's foot on the striking tool 4, compresses the spring 16, which decreases the impact force of the tool 4. If this user support force increases to overcome the thrust of the spring, the striking tool 4 will only transmit the continuous rotational movement to the user's foot.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 6 to 10 where the same parts have kept their reference numbers. Thus, a tubular casing 1 comprises, in its lower part, a first piece 6 fixedly mounted and having ramps 5 of axial cam oriented upwards, towards the ramps 9 of axial cam of a second piece 7. A spring 16 of compression keeps the ramps 5 and 9 in contact, the spring being mounted between the upper part of the radial flange 8 of the second part 7 and the lower part of a friction washer 20 forming a rotational bearing for the second part 7 and which is also able to collect axial forces in operation. The second part 7 supports at its upper part through the orifice 3 of the housing 1, as previously described, a striking tool 4 mounted coaxially with the axis of rotation of the second part 7.

In order to simplify the construction, the second part 7 comprises an internal surface in which internal splines 25 are made which engage directly with those corresponding to a rotational drive motor shaft, the second component 7 being mounted coaxially with the axis. drive. The rotational drive is in the direction of the arrow 1 as in the previous embodiment, but the cam ramps of the second part 7 are, in this second embodiment, oriented upwards. Thus, during the rotational drive of the second part 7, the striking tool 4 tends to rise. If the user presses the spring 16 in this case, it compresses this spring even more, which increases the impact force of the striking tool 4.

The frequency of the striking movement is determined by the number of cam ramps and the speed of the motor. For example, for a rotational speed of the motor of 80 rot / min, and a number of 3 axial cam ramps, a frequency of 4 strokes per second is obtained. This frequency can be variable, it is preferably equal to or greater than 2 hits per second.

In the same way, the striking amplitude can also be variable, being determined by the depth of the cam jump of the axial cam ramps of the first piece 6 and the second piece 7.

Other variants and embodiments of the invention can be envisaged without departing from the scope of these claims.

Thus, the striking tool 4 can be freely mounted in translation and in rotation, so that only the upward reciprocating movement is transmitted to the treated skin area. This tool can also be made in one piece with the second piece 7, or fixedly mounted on the latter so as to follow its movements.

Claims (10)

1. A massage device with striking motion along a longitudinal axis of a housing (1) containing a first part (6) having one of its axial faces including at least one projection against which at least one axial camming ramp (9) of a facing second part (7) is kept in contact by a return spring (16), the second part being driven in rotation about said longitudinal axis by an electric motor because the first part (6) is mounted stationary relative to the housing (1) while the second part (7) is free to move in translation and drives a striker tool (4), the device being characterized in that the second part (7) is coaxial about the drive axis.
2. A massage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part (6) includes at least one axial camming ramp (5) coming into contact with at least one axial camming ramp (9) of the second part (7).
3. A massage device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the amplitude of the movement performed by the striker tool (4) is equal to or greater than 2 mm, preferably lying in the range 3 mm to 5 mm.
4. A massage device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the second part (7) has axial camming ramps (9) that are downwardly inclined, as seen in the direction of the rotary drive, bearing against facing ramps (5) of a first part (6) mounted stationary in the bottom portion of the second part (7).
5. A massage device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the second part (7) has axial camming ramps (9) sloping upwards, as seen in the direction of its rotary drive, that bear against facing ramps (5) of a first part (6) mounted stationary in the top portion of the second part (7).
6. A massage device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it includes means for adjusting the force of said return spring (16).
7. A massage device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said second part (7) is connected to an intermediate drive part (17) with quick coupling to be set into rotation from a drive shaft.
8. A massage device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second part (7) includes a drive part (24) for quick coupling to be set into rotation from a drive shaft.
9. A massage device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the striker tool (4) is mounted to be free to move in rotation and/or translation relative to said second part (7) which is movable.
10. A massage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the striker tool (4) is mounted stationary on said second part (7) which is movable.

Images