EP2191804A1 - Massage device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a casing (3) forming an outer surface of a head piece (2) and made of rubbery-elastic material. A driving device (4) forms a number of attachment and supporting surfaces (5.2), where the casing lies against the surfaces. The surfaces are formed for deforming the casing with respect to a longitudinal axis (LA) of the head piece radially outward and inward by radial lifting movements of the surfaces. Reciprocating deformation is taken place in phase in an operation mode (T) and out of phase along the longitudinal axis in another operation mode.

Description

The invention relates to a massaging device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such, in body cavities insertable massagers are well known. For example, the EP 1 720 503 B1 a rod-shaped massager which has a drive device with a multiplicity of baking-like abutment surfaces which rest from the inside against a wall which at least partially forms the outer surface of the massaging device. The drive device is designed such that an oscillating deformation of the wall takes place along the longitudinal axis and / or in the circumferential direction of the massaging device.

Based on the stated prior art, the present invention seeks to provide a massaging device that is technically simple and inexpensive to produce and allows a varied massage effect. To solve this problem, a massaging device according to the patent claim 1 is formed.

The essential aspect of the massage device according to the invention is the fact that the massager has a first and second mode, wherein in the first mode of oscillating deformation of the shell relative to the longitudinal axis of the head piece radially outward and inward by means of radial strokes of the investment and Support surfaces in phase and out of phase in the second mode. In this case, the first and second operating modes are determined by the drive direction of the drive device. In particular, the mode can be selected by switching the direction of rotation of the drive means driving shaft, and indeed in a first mode, a wave-like massage movement ("Waver") and in a second mode a circumferentially pulsating massage movement ("Throbber") generated. The massage device according to the invention thus allows varied massage functions, which can be realized inexpensively by means of simple technical means.

The first and second operating modes are particularly advantageously determined by the drive direction of the drive device and / or the contact and support surfaces are formed by a plurality of support elements, preferably jaw elements.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a plurality of supporting elements arranged in a common plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head piece form a group of supporting elements and a plurality of such groups of supporting elements are provided successively along the longitudinal axis of the head piece.

Also can be provided for oscillating movement of the support elements at least one driven by a drive shaft on which a plurality of cooperating with the support elements eccentric elements are provided. Advantageously, means for driving the shaft are provided in two directions of rotation, wherein the respective direction of rotation of the shaft determines the mode of operation of the massager.

Likewise advantageously, an eccentric element for guiding on the shaft has an inner opening and / or the at least one shaft has at least one shaft section with a polygonal or polygonal cross-section, preferably a rectangular cross-section. The at least one shaft section forms at least two abutment surfaces, wherein at least along the shaft section of the shaft periodically recurring groups of several eccentric elements can be lined up.

The inner openings of the eccentric elements of a group advantageously have different cross-sectional shapes, wherein these form at least two abutment surfaces which, depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft, interact with at least one abutment surface of the shaft.

At least one eccentric element of the group is guided against rotation about the shaft longitudinal axis on the shaft section, wherein the further eccentric elements of a group are in each case different, by the interacting stop surfaces limited angular amounts are guided rotatably about the shaft longitudinal axis. The cooperating abutment surfaces can define angular ranges, wherein the angular ranges of all eccentric elements of a group can overlap at least partially.

Advantageously, in each case one eccentric element has two opposite end faces, each with a polygonal or polygonal outer cross-sectional shape, wherein the two opposite end faces run parallel to one another and are preferably rotated relative to one another.

The eccentric elements have the same outer contour, preferably an at least partially twisted outer contour. In the first operating mode, the outer contour formed by the entirety of the eccentric elements is particularly advantageously approximately prism-shaped and in the second operating mode approximately spiral-shaped, wherein in the second operating mode the two end faces of the eccentric elements are lined up approximately congruently on the shaft along the longitudinal axis.

Fig. 1

beispielhaft eine Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Massagegerätes mit abschnittsweisen Längsschnitt gemäß einer ersten Betriebsart;

Fig. 2

beispielhaft eine Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Massagegerätes mit abschnittsweisen Längsschnitt gemäß einer zweiten Betriebsart;

Fig. 3 a,b

Schnitte entlang der Linien A-A bzw. B-B durch das erfindungsgemäße Massagegerät gemäß Figur 1;

Fig. 4 a,b

Schnitte entlang der Linien A-A bzw. B-B durch das erfindungsgemäße Massagegerät gemäß Figur 2;

Fig. 5

beispielhaft perspektivische Ansichten von unterschiedlichen Exzenterelementen;

Fig. 6

beispielhaft eine Seitenansicht einer Welle mit aufgereihten Exzenterelementen bei einer ersten Drehrichtung;

Fig. 7

beispielhaft eine Seitenansicht einer Welle mit aufgereihten Exzenterelementen bei einer zweiten Drehrichtung;

Fig. 8a,b

beispielhaft zwei Seitenansichten einer Welle in einer ersten Stellung und einer um 90° um die Längsachse gedrehten Stellung;

Fig.9a-c

beispielhaft eine Seitenansicht einer alternative Ausführungsform der Exzenterelemente und der zugehörigen Welle und

Fig.10a-c

beispielhaft eine Seitenansicht einer weitere alternative Ausführungsform der Exzenterelemente und der zugehörigen Welle

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description. The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to figures of several embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

Example, a side view of the massage device according to the invention with sections longitudinal section according to a first mode;

Fig. 2

Example, a side view of the massage device according to the invention with sections longitudinal section according to a second mode;

Fig. 3 a, b

Section along the lines AA and BB by the massage device according to the invention according to FIG. 1 ;

Fig. 4 a, b

Section along the lines AA and BB by the massage device according to the invention according to FIG. 2 ;

Fig. 5

exemplary perspective views of different eccentric elements;

Fig. 6

exemplified a side view of a shaft with lined eccentric elements in a first direction of rotation;

Fig. 7

exemplified a side view of a shaft with lined eccentric elements in a second direction of rotation;

Fig. 8a, b

exemplified two side views of a shaft in a first position and a rotated by 90 ° about the longitudinal axis position;

9a-c

For example, a side view of an alternative embodiment of the eccentric elements and the associated shaft and

Figure 10a-c

by way of example a side view of a further alternative embodiment of the eccentric elements and the associated shaft

That in the FIGS. 1 and 2 each shown in a side view massager according to the invention in the form of a rod consists essentially of a cylindrical head piece 2, an outer surface of the head piece 2 forming shell 3 made of a rubber-elastic material and a drive means 4 for generating an oscillating movement of the head piece 2, in particular the shell. 3 The drive device 3 is in this case formed, inter alia, by a plurality of support elements 5 preferably jaw elements, against the outer bearing and support surfaces 5.2, the shell 3 is applied.

The massaging device 1 according to the invention also has a preferably plate-shaped support element 8, to which a plurality of guide and support elements 9 extending along the longitudinal axis LA of the massaging device 1 and projecting beyond at least one side of the support element 8 follow. In the present embodiment, the guide and support elements 9 are rod-shaped and provided for receiving the preferably jaw-shaped support elements 5. The abutment and support surfaces 5.2 of the support elements 5 are in this case for an oscillating deformation of the shell 3 with respect to the longitudinal axis LA of the head piece. 2 provided radially outward and inward by means of radial strokes of the bearing and support surfaces 5.2.

These support elements 5 are each formed in the illustrated embodiment, each flat or part-disc-shaped, in such a way that in each case, for example, three such support elements 5 complement each other to a disc-shaped in cross section Abstützelementsatz. The support elements 5 or the support element sets formed by these and having their surface sides perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA of the massaging device 1 are arranged in a stack-like manner along the longitudinal axis LA of the massaging device 1 to form a support element stack. The FIGS. 3a and 3b such as FIGS. 4a and 4b show on the basis of sectional views along the section lines AA and BB by way of example the resulting internal structure of the massaging device 1 according to the FIGS. 1 and 2 ,

The spaced apart, along the longitudinal axis LA of the massaging device 1 oriented guide and support elements 9 form in the illustrated embodiment, three management and support element groups, each with two guiding and supporting elements 9, 9 'from. The three guide and support element groups are each arranged offset by 120 ° about the longitudinal axis LA of the massaging device 1, in such a way that the axes of the two guide and support elements 9 a group have the same radial distance from the longitudinal axis LA and spaced from each other.

Each support element 5 has, for example, two elongated holes 5.1, 5.1 'through which two guide and support elements 9, 9' are guided in a group, the orientation of the elongated holes 5.1, 5.1 'being selected such that the support elements 5 relative to the longitudinal axis LA are formed approximately radially displaceable. The abutment and support surfaces 5.2 of the support elements 5 are formed for example in the form of a partial circular cylindrical surface. In one embodiment of the invention, the outer diameter of the support element set formed by in each case three support elements 5 can change along the longitudinal axis LA, in such a way that the outer diameter of the support element sets at the Carrier element 8 side facing away decreases. Depending on the embodiment, other continuous or periodic changes in the outer diameter can be realized.

Achsgleich with the longitudinal axis LA is in the support member 8 is a in FIG. 8a, b shaft 6 exemplified rotatably supported, wherein the shaft 6 has at least one deviating from the circular shape, rectangular in the illustrated embodiment shaft portion 6.1. The shaft 6 can be driven by a drive not shown in the figures in two drive directions or directions of rotation R1, R2. The FIGS. 8a and 8b show here by way of example a shaft 6 in two side views, wherein the shaft according to FIG. 8b by 90 ° about the wavelength axis LA compared to the shaft 6 according to FIG. 8a is turned.

At least in the region of the shaft section 6.1, a plurality of preferably plane eccentric elements 7 are lined up on the shaft 6, wherein in each case an eccentric element 7 is surrounded by at least one group of support elements 5 and interact with them. The eccentric elements 7 in this case have a preferably centered inner opening 7.1, through which the shaft 6, in particular the shaft section 6.1 is guided, so that the eccentric elements 7 connect analogously to the support elements 5 in a stack along the longitudinal axis LA together. The support elements 5 abut with their inner contact surface 5.3 on at least one of the eccentric elements 7. Due to the supporting elements 5 surrounding shell 3 made of a rubber-elastic material, the support elements 5 are radially biased against the adjacent eccentric elements 7.

The massage device 1 according to the invention has a first and second mode T, W, wherein in the first mode T an in-phase along the longitudinal axis LA oscillating deformation of the shell 3 generated by the drive means 4 radial strokes of the bearing and support surfaces 5.2 from inside to outside and vice versa is effected, ie, in the first mode T, all abutment and support surfaces 5.2 each have the same distance from the longitudinal axis LA in the context of the radial lifting movement. In the second operating mode W, on the other hand, a phase-shifted oscillating deformation of the envelope 3 takes place along the longitudinal axis LA, ie, the bearing and support surfaces 5.2 each have at least partially different distances to the longitudinal axis LA in the context of the radial stroke movement. Thus, in the first mode T ("Throbber") a circumferentially pulsating massage movement of the shell 3 of the head piece 2 and in the second mode W ("Waver") produces a wave-like along the longitudinal axis progressive massage movement of the shell 3 of the head piece 2. The first and second operating modes T, W of the massaging device 1 according to the invention are in this case determined by the drive direction R1, R2 of the drive or the direction of rotation R1, R2 of the shaft 6, and was the shaft 6 in a first direction of rotation R1 ("clockwise"). and a second rotational direction R2 ("counterclockwise") drivable.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the shaft 6 with it lined up eccentric elements 7 in each case in a side views, wherein according to FIG. 6 on the one hand the shaft 6 in the first direction of rotation R1 ("clockwise") and according to FIG. 7 to the other in the second direction of rotation R2 ("counterclockwise") is driven. The shaft 6 and / or the inner openings 7.1 of the guided on the shaft section 6.1 eccentric elements 7 are formed such that they are at least partially rotatable by predetermined angular amounts about the longitudinal axis LA. In the present exemplary embodiment, a plurality of groups of different eccentric elements 7 are shown, each group having the same arrangement of different eccentric elements 7, ie the eccentric elements 7 return periodically along the longitudinal axis LA. In this case, a group has, for example, six eccentric elements 7, whose inner openings 7.1 each comprise a different cross-sectional shape.

FIG. 5 shows by way of example in each case an end view of the six different eccentric elements 7 of a group, wherein the seventh eccentric element 7 shown is identical to the first eccentric element 7 of the group. The eccentric elements 7 of a group differ only in the cross-sectional shape of the inner opening 7.1, wherein at least one of the inner openings 7.1 of a group is identical in shape to the cross section of the shaft section 6.1. The inner openings 7.1 each have at least two, preferably four stop surfaces 7.1.1, 7.1.2, by each a radially inner to the longitudinal axis LA and the longitudinal axis of the inner opening 7.1 extending flat inner wall surface portions are formed.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the at least two stop surfaces 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 7.1.1 ', 7.1.2' of the first eccentric element 7 of a group run approximately parallel to one another. The stop surfaces 7.1.1, 7.1.2 of the other eccentric elements 7 of a group deviate from this parallelism and include a predetermined angle of, for example, 20 °, 40 °, 60 °, 80 ° or 100 ° to each other, the angle increase in the present embodiment constant is selected. Thus, the angle between the at least two stop surfaces 7.1.1, 7.1.2 increases along the longitudinal axis LA of the shaft 6 within a group, for example, stepwise, each with the same angular amount.

The eccentric elements 7 have a first and second end face 10, 11, which has a polygonal or polygonal, in the embodiment shown here triangular cross-sectional shape. Furthermore, the first and second end faces 10, 11 each form mutually parallel planar surface sections, which are preferably offset radially relative to each other about the longitudinal axis LA of the eccentric elements 7. Both the angular amounts, which have the two stop surfaces 7.1.1, 7.1.2 of the individual, successive eccentric elements 7, as well as the number of eccentric elements 7 in a group, the cross-sectional shape of the opposite end faces 10, 11 and their radial rotation to each other are such matched to each other, that after the stringing of several groups of eccentric elements 7 on the shaft 6, one of the rotational direction R1, R2 dependent outer contour is formed.

If, for example, the shaft 6 is driven in the first direction of rotation R1, the abutting end faces 10, 11 of the adjacent eccentric elements 7 are each approximately congruent to each other (see Fig. 6 ). If, however, the shaft 6 is driven in the second direction of rotation R2, the result is an approximately spiral-shaped outer contour (see FIG. 7 ). The deformation of the outer contour is thus dependent on the direction of rotation R1, R2 of the shaft 6, which on caused by the different abutment surfaces 7.1.1, 7.1.2 rotation of the individual eccentric elements 7 to each other around the shaft longitudinal axis LA results. The at least two stop surfaces 7.1.1, 7.1.2 in conjunction with the rectangular cross-section of the shaft 6 in the region of the shaft section 6.1 thus limit this rotation, in such a way that the angular amount by which an eccentric element 7 can be rotated about the shaft longitudinal axis LA , each discreetly increases.

To achieve the spiral shape, the first and second end faces 10, 11 of each eccentric element 7 are rotated in the illustrated embodiment by the same angular amount to each other, namely by the angular amount, which results as differential angle amount of at least two stop surfaces 7.1.2 two adjacent eccentric 7. This angular amount is about 20 ° in the present embodiment. As a result, continuous transitions between each two adjacent eccentric elements 7 are achieved in the case of the second direction of rotation R2, i. the second end face 11 of an eccentric element 7 is approximately congruent with the first end face 10 of the following eccentric element 7. In this case, the shaft section 6.1 of the shaft 6 bears against the second stop surfaces 7.1.2. In the first direction of rotation R1, the first abutment surface 7.1.1 abuts against the rectangular shaft section 6.1. This has the consequence that in each case all first end faces 10 and in each case all second end faces 11 of all eccentric elements 7 are congruent to each other, resulting in the present embodiment, an approximately prismatic outer contour.

The different outer contours in this case influence the type of deformation of the shell 3. A spiral outer contour leads to a phase-shifted along the longitudinal axis LA oscillating deformation of the shell 3, ie the radial relative to the longitudinal axis LA deflection of the guided by means of the guide and support elements 9 support elements. 5 has different amplitudes, resulting in a wave-like motion. An approximately prismatic outer contour with, for example, a triangular cross-sectional area leads to a In phase oscillating deformation of the shell 3 along the longitudinal axis LA, ie the radial deflection of all support elements 5 takes place in each case with the same amplitude. With reference to the entire massaging device 1, this means that the circumference of the casing 3 radially increases or decreases over the entire longitudinal axis LA, periodically depending on the drive speed or angular speed of the shaft 6.

In an alternative embodiment of the drive device 4 according to the Figures 9a-c and the Figures 10a-c have all eccentric elements 7 each have an inner opening 7.1 with the same cross-sectional shape, in which preferably the at least two stop surfaces 7.1.1, 7.1.2 are oriented perpendicular to each other. The wave 6 is - as from the FIGS. 9a and 10a seen - from several shaft sections 6.1 to 6.6 together, each having different cross-sectional shapes. The transition between the individual shaft sections 6.1 to 6.6 can in this case, for example stepwise ( FIG. 9a ) or continuously ( FIG. 10a ) be formed. Furthermore, the shaft sections 6.1 to 6.6 can form a group which continues periodically along the longitudinal axis LA.

The cross-sectional shape of the shaft sections 6.1 to 6.6 here essentially corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the inner opening 7.1 of the eccentric elements 7, wherein the shaft sections 6.1 to 6.6 likewise have at least two stop surfaces 6.1.1, 6.1.2 which engage with the stop surfaces 7.1.1, 7.1.2 the inner opening 7.1 of the eccentric elements 7 cooperate or are in engagement therewith. The at least two abutment surfaces 6.1.1, 6.1.2 of the shaft sections 6.1 to 6.6 each have a different angle to each other, so that analogous to the previous embodiment by changing the direction of rotation R1, R2 the outer contours described above in the first and second operating state T. , W surrendered.

The invention has been described above in several embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.

Thus, for example, the eccentric elements 7 have almost any polygonal or polygonal end faces 10, 11, wherein these end faces 10, 11, for example, spaced from each other, are parallel and congruent. In addition, the eccentric elements 7 can be made very thin and the angular difference of two adjacent eccentric elements 7 can be varied.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

massager

2

headpiece

3

shell

4

driving means

5

support elements

5.1

slots

5.2

exterior surfaces

5.3

internal contact surfaces

6

wave

6.1-6.6

shaft sections

6.1.1, 6.1.2

stop surfaces

7

eccentric

7.1

inner opening

7.1.1, 7.1.2

stop surfaces

7.1.1 ', 7.1.2'

stop surfaces

8th

support element

9

Guide and support elements

10

first end face

11

second end face

LA

longitudinal axis

T

first operating mode

W

second mode

R1

first direction of rotation - clockwise

R2

second direction of rotation - counterclockwise

Claims (16)

A rod-shaped massaging device comprising a substantially cylindrical head (2), a shell (3) of a rubber elastic material forming the outer surface of the head (2), and drive means (4) for generating movement on the head (2) Drive device (3) forms a plurality of abutment and support surfaces (5.2) against which the sheath (3) rests and the abutment and support surfaces (5.2) for an oscillating deformation of the sheath (3) relative to the longitudinal axis (LA) of Headpiece (2) radially outward and inward by means of radial strokes of the contact and support surfaces (5.2) are formed, characterized in that the massaging device (1) has a first and second mode (T, W), wherein in the first mode (T) the oscillatory deformation is in phase and in the second mode (W) out of phase along the longitudinal axis (LA) takes place. Massage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second operating modes (T, W) of the drive direction (R1, R2) of the drive means (3) is determined and / or that the abutment and support surfaces (5.2) by a plurality of Supporting elements (5), preferably baking elements are formed. Massaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that in each case a plurality of support elements (5) arranged in a common plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the head piece (2) form a group of support elements (5) and along the longitudinal axis (LA) of the head piece (FIG. 2) a plurality of such groups of supporting elements (5) are provided consecutively. Massage device according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that for oscillating movement of the support elements (5) at least one driven by a drive shaft (6) is provided on the plurality, with the support elements (5) cooperating eccentric elements (7) are. Massage device according to claim 4, characterized in that means for driving the shaft (6) in two directions of rotation (R1, R2) are provided. Massage device according to claim 5, characterized in that the respective direction of rotation (R1, R2) of the shaft (6) determines the operating mode (T, W) of the massager (1). Massaging device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that in each case an eccentric elements (7) for guiding on the shaft (6) has an inner opening (7.1) and / or that the at least one shaft (6) at least one shaft section (6.1) having a polygonal or polygonal cross-section, preferably a rectangular cross-section. Massaging device according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one shaft section (6.1) at least two abutment surfaces (6.1.1, 6.1.2) is formed and / or that at least along the shaft portion (6.1) of the shaft (6) periodically recurring groups of several Eccentric elements (7) are lined up. Massage device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the inner openings (7.1) of the eccentric elements (7) of a group have different cross-sectional shapes. Massage device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the inner openings (7.1) of the eccentric elements (7) at least two abutment surfaces (7.1.1, 7.1.2) form, which depends on the direction of rotation (R1, R2) of the shaft ( 6) with at least one stop surface (6.1.1, 6.1.2) of the shaft (6) cooperate. Massage device according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that at least one eccentric element (7) of the group on the shaft portion (6.1) is guided against rotation about the shaft longitudinal axis (LA) and the other Eccentric elements (7) of a group around each different, by the cooperating abutment surfaces (6.1.1, 6.1.2, 7.1.1, 7.1.2) limited angular amounts are guided rotatably about the shaft longitudinal axis (LA). Massage device according to claim 11, characterized in that the cooperating abutment surfaces (6.1.1, 6.1.2, 7.1.1, 7.1.2) define angular ranges and the angular ranges of all eccentric elements (7) of a group overlap at least partially. Massaging device according to one of claims 4 to 12, characterized in that in each case an eccentric element (7) has two opposite end faces (10, 11) each having a polygonal or a polygonal outer cross-sectional shape, wherein the two opposite end faces (10, 11) parallel run to each other and are preferably rotated against each other. Massage device according to one of claims 4 to 13, characterized in that the eccentric elements (7) have the same outer contour, preferably an at least partially twisted outer contour and / or that in the first mode (T) formed by the entirety of the eccentric elements (7) outer contour is approximately prismatic. Massage device according to one of claims 4 to 15, characterized in that in the second operating mode (W), the outer contour formed by the entirety of the eccentric elements (7) is approximately spiral-shaped. Massage device according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that in the second mode (W), the two end faces (10, 11) of the eccentric elements (7) are approximately congruently lined up on the shaft (6) along the longitudinal axis (LA).

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