EP2422651A1

EP2422651A1 - Relaxation device

Info

Publication number: EP2422651A1
Application number: EP10766977A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Taichi Hamatsuka; Munekiyo Ikebe; Junji Nakamura; Fumihiro Nishio; Takayoshi Tanizawa; Kouhei Yamamoto; Shinji Tsutsui; Shohei Taniguchi
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp
Priority date: 2009-04-20
Filing date: 2010-04-13
Publication date: 2012-02-29
Anticipated expiration: 2030-04-13
Also published as: WO2010122920A1; JP2010246833A; EP2422651B1; EP2422651A4

Abstract

A relaxation device (10) includes a body supporting member (13) that supports a user's body and includes a seat (30). A rocking driver (12) controlled by a control unit (24) to rock the body supporting member in at least one direction. A cover member (40) is attached to both a case (14), which covers the rocking driver, and the body supporting member (13). The cover member closes a clearance between the case and the body supporting means, and the cover member is deformable in correspondence with rocking of the body supporting member. The cover member includes an inner cover (41) and an outer cover (42), which covers the inner cover and has higher flexibility than the inner cover.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a relaxation device that has a relaxation effect on the user.

BACKGROUND ART

In the prior art, for example, as described in patent document 1, a relaxation device includes a rocking driving means for rocking a body supporting means, which supports the body of the user, in forward and rearward directions, and a controlling means for controlling the rocking driving means to change the rocking amplitude of the body supporting means. The relaxation device has a relaxation effect on a user that is produced by changing the rocking amplitude.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-300374

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In the relaxation device described above, a case, which covers the rocking driving means, and the body supporting means are spaced apart by a clearance so that the body supporting means and the case do not interfere with each other. A cover formed by, for example, a cloth or the like covers the clearance so that components of the rocking driving means are not exposed from the clearance.
In a structure such as that described above, to improve the outer appearance of the device, the cover is evenly stretched, for example, at a stop position of the body supporting means. In this state, the use of a flexible cover allows the cover to be deformed in accordance with the rocking of the body supporting means. However, since the cover is flexible, when, for example, foreign matter is pushed against the cover, it is difficult to prevent foreign matter from entering the clearance. When foreign matter is pushed against the cover and into the rocking driving means through the clearance, the foreign matter may inflict damages on the rocking driving means.
Accordingly, in the relaxation device of the prior art, it is difficult to prevent the entrance of foreign matter while improving the outer appearance with the cover. There is a longing for the development of a relaxation device that provides improvements in this regard.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cover that improves the outer appearance while preventing the entrance of foreign matter in a preferable manner.
One embodiment of the present invention is a relaxation device. The relaxation device includes a body supporting means for supporting a user's body and including a seat, a rocking driving means for rocking the body supporting means in at least one direction, a controlling means for controlling the rocking driving means, a case that covers the rocking driving means, and a cover member attached to both the case and the body supporting means. The cover member closes a clearance between the case and the body supporting means, and the cover member is deformable in correspondence with the rocking of the body supporting means. The cover member includes an inner cover and an outer cover, which covers the inner cover and has higher flexibility than the inner cover.
In this structure, the use of a plurality of covers for the cover member prevents foreign matter or the like from entering the rocking driving means when the cover member is pushed. In particular, the inner cover is less flexible than the outer cover. Thus, the inner cover hinders the pushing force applied to the outer cover. This prevents foreign matter or the like from entering the rocking driving means in a preferable manner. Further, the outer cover is more flexible than the inner cover. Thus, by stretching the outer cover without forming wrinkles, the outer appearance of the entire device can be improved.
Preferably, in the above relaxation device, the outer cover includes a side surface stretched in a direction that is substantially the same as the rocking direction of the body supporting means.
This structure maintains a wrinkle-free state in which tension is not applied to the outer cover even during rocking. Thus, the outer appearance of the relaxation device is improved.
Preferably, in the above relaxation device, the body supporting means further includes a backrest, the backrest includes a backrest body, which is coupled in a tiltable manner to the seat, and a covering, which covers the backrest body. Further, the covering is formed integrally with the cover member.
In this structure, there is no need for a separate structure that attaches the cover member to the covering. This reduces the number of components, prevents the exposure of unnecessary components, and improves the outer appearance. Further, the cover member conceals a structure that couples the backrest in a tiltable manner to the seat. Thus, there is no need for a separate concealing member. This reduces the number of components and further improves the outer appearance of the device.
Preferably, in the above relaxation device, the cover member includes a portion that is continuous with the covering of the backrest, and the portion is arranged in a loose state.
In this structure, the loosening of the cover member at the rear portion, which does not easily come into the user's field of view, maintains the appeal of the outer appearance. Further, the tilting of the backrest does not apply a large amount of tension to the cover member. This allows the backrest to be tilted.
Preferably, in the above relaxation device, the cover member includes a plurality of segments that are connectable by a zipper.
In this structure, the cover member can be easily attached to the body supporting means and the case.
Preferably, in the above relaxation device, the cover member includes a first segment and a second segment that are connectable by a zipper, the first segment is attached to a covering of the seat, and the second segment is attached to the covering of the backrest.
In this structure, the cover member can easily be attached to the seat and the backrest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a rocking driver for a relaxation device in one embodiment;
Fig. 2(a) is a schematic diagram of the relaxation device; and
Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of a cover.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
Figs. 1 and 2(a) show a schematic diagram of a relaxation device of the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, a relaxation device 10 includes a pedestal 11 with a bottom portion 11a placed on a floor surface (not shown), a rocking driver 12 serving as a rocking driving means arranged on the pedestal 11, and a body supporting member 13 serving as a body supporting means rocked by the rocking driver 12.
The rocking driver 12 is mostly covered by a case 14. The rocking driver 12 includes a motor 20, a reduction gear 21, a crank mechanism 22, and link members 23 (e.g., two).
The motor 20 and a control unit 24, which serves as a controlling means for controlling and driving the motor 20, are arranged on an upper surface of the bottom portion 11a of the pedestal 11. The reduction gear 21 is also arranged on the upper surface of the bottom portion 11a of the pedestal 11. The reduction gear 21 is drive-coupled to the motor 20 to decelerate the rotation speed of the motor 20. The motor 20 includes a position sensor (not shown) such as an encoder. The position sensor detects rotation speed and rotation position.
The crank mechanism 22, which includes a crank member 22a and a rod member 22b, converts the rotational drive of the reduction gear 21 to an arc motion having an extremely large radius. The crank member 22a includes a basal end, which is coupled to an output shaft of the reduction gear 21 so as to be rotatable integrally with the output shaft, and a distal end, which is coupled in a rotatable manner to a basal end of the rod member 22b. The rod member 22b includes a distal end connected to the lower part of a tetragonal frame-shaped base 25 to which the body supporting member 13 is fixed.
The pedestal 11 includes a support frame 11b projecting upward from the bottom portion 11a. Each of the two link members 23 includes a basal end, which is coupled in a rotatable manner to the upper part of the support frame 11b, and a distal end, which is coupled in a rotatable manner to the lower part of the base 25. The two link members 23 are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The link members 23 are pivoted about their basal ends to rock the body supporting member 13, which is fixed to the base 25, in the forward and rearward directions like a rocking chair with the driving force from the crank mechanism 22.
The body supporting member 13 includes a seat 30, which is fixed to the upper part of the base 25 and movable integrally with the base 25, a backrest 31, which is arranged at the rear part of the seat 30, and an ottoman 32, which is arranged at the front part of the seat 30 and tiltable relative to the seat 30.
The seat 30 of the body supporting member 13 and the case 14 are spaced apart by a clearance so that the seat 30 and the case 14 do not interfere with each other during a rocking operation. A cover member 40 is arranged extending from an upper end of the case 14 to the body supporting member 13 so that the motor 20 of the rocking driver 12, the reduction gear 21, the crank mechanism 22, and the link members 23 are not directly exposed through the clearance. The cover 40 is formed from a stretch fabric.
As shown in Fig. 2(b), the cover member 40 includes an inner cover 41, which has relatively low flexibility, and an outer cover 42, which has relatively high flexibility. The inner cover 41 and outer cover 42 in an overlapping state are fixed to the case 14, the seat 30, and the backrest 31. The cover 40, namely, the inner and outer covers 41 and 42 have tetragonal closed shapes and extend around the upper end of the case 14, as shown in Fig. 2(b).
The inner cover 41 is separable into a front segment 43a and a rear segment 43b at predetermined positions in its left and right surfaces 41a. In the same manner, the outer cover 42 is also separable into a front segment 44a and a rear segment 44b at predetermined positions in its left and right surfaces 42a. The front segments 43a and 44a of the inner and outer covers 41 and 42 are connected to the rear segments 43b and 44b by zippers 45, which are attachable to the outer covers 41 and 42 in the vertical direction. Separate zippers 45 may be used for the inner cover 41 and the outer cover 42.
The front segments 43a and 44a of the inner and outer covers 41 and 42 include upper ends that are connected to a lower surface of the seat 30. The rear segments 43b and 44b include upper ends connected to a lower surface of the backrest 31. The backrest 31 includes a backrest body 31a, which is formed from, for example, resin, and a covering 31b, which covers the backrest body 31a. The rear segments 43b and 44b of the inner and outer covers 41 and 42 are, for example, sewn integrally with the covering 31b of the backrest 31. In the present embodiment, in the same manner as the backrest 31, the seat 30 includes a seat body 30a and a covering 30b, which covers the seat body 30a. Further, the ottoman 32 includes an ottoman body 32b and a covering 32b, which coves the ottoman body 32b.
The inner and outer covers 41 and 42 include rear portions 46, which are continuous with the backrest 31 at the rear part of the rear segments 43b and 44b. The rear portions 46 have a predetermined looseness and are arranged in a loose state to allow tilting of the backrest 31.
The left and right surfaces 42a of the outer cover 42 are stretched so that tension is applied in the same direction as the rocking direction, that is, the forward and rearward directions. The inner cover 41 is stretched so that wrinkles do not form when the rocking of the seat 30 of the body supporting member 13 stops at a stop position (e.g., lowermost rocking position).
In the relaxation device 10, the control unit 24 controls the motor 20 of the rocking driver 12 and performs relaxation rocking by slowly rocking the body supporting member 13 in the forward and rearward directions within a predetermined rocking range. Further, the control unit 24 changes the rocking frequency and amplitude in predetermined time intervals and changes the angles of the backrest 31 and the ottoman 32 to control rocking so that the user is in a relaxing position.
In the relaxation device 10 of the present embodiment, the clearance between the seat 30 and the case 14 is concealed by the inner and outer covers 41 and 42, which are formed from stretch fabrics. In this manner, the use of two covers, namely, the inner and outer covers 41 and 42 effectively prevents foreign matter or the like from entering the rocking driver 12. In particular, the inner cover 41 has less flexibility than the outer cover 42. Thus, even if a pushing force is applied to the outer cover 42, the inner cover 41 cannot be pushed. This effectively prevents foreign matter or the like from entering the rocking driver 12. Further, the body of the user and the like is effectively prevented from entering the rocking driver 12. This further ensures safety. Since the outer cover 42 is more flexible than the inner cover 41, the outer appearance of the relaxation device 10 can be improved by stretching the outer cover 42 so that wrinkles do not form.
In particular, the side surfaces 42a of the outer cover 42 are stretched without forming wrinkles in the same direction as the rocking direction (forward and rearward directions) of the body supporting member 13, This applies tension to the outer cover 42 even during rocking and maintains a wrinkle-free state. Further, the outer appearance of the relaxation device 10 is improved.
Moreover, the covering 31b covering the backrest body 31a, which is connected to the seat 30 in a tiltable manner, is formed integrally with the cover member 40. This eliminates the need for a separate structure that attaches the cover member 40 to the covering 31b. Thus, the number of components can be reduced, the exposure of unnecessary components can be prevented, and the outer appearance can be improved. Further, the structure for coupling the backrest 31 in a tiltable manner to the seat 30 is concealed by the cover member 40. This eliminates the need for a separate concealing member. Thus, the number of components can be reduced, and the outer appearance of the relaxation device 10 can be improved.
In the cover member 40, the rear portion 46, which is continuous with the backrest 31, is formed to be loose. In this manner, the loosening of the cover member 40 at the rear portion 46, which does not easily come into the user's field of view, maintains the appeal of the outer appearance. Further, the tilting of the backrest 31 does not apply a large amount of tension to the cover member 40. This allows the backrest 31 to be tilted.
One example of a process for coupling the seat 30 and backrest 31 in the relaxation device 10 of the present embodiment will now be described. First, the seat 30 is coupled to the base 25 in a state in which the backrest 31 is not arranged on the seat 30. Then, only the front segments 43a and 44a of the inner and outer covers 41 and 42 are attached to the seat 30 and the case 14. Next, the backrest 31, including the covering 31b, is coupled in a tiltable manner to the seat 30. Here, the covering 31b is sewn together beforehand to the upper portions of the rear segments 43b and 44b in the inner and outer covers 41 and 42 and arranged integrally with the cover member 40. Afterward, the rear segments 43b and 44b and the front segments 43a and 44a are connected by the zippers 45.
In the coupling process described above, the cover member 40 is separable by the zippers 45. Thus, the cover 40 is easy to handle. More specifically, the cover member 40 can easily be attached to the body supporting member 13 and the case 14.
The relaxation device of the above embodiment has the advantages described below.

(1) The cover member 40 is attached to both of the case 14, which covers the rocking driver 12, and the body supporting member 13. Further, the cover member 40 closes the clearance between the case 14 and the body supporting member 13 and is deformable in accordance with the rocking of the body supporting member 13. The cover 40 includes the inner cover 41 and the outer cover 42, which covers the inner cover 41 and is more flexible than the inner cover 41. The use of a plurality of covers (inner and outer covers 41 and 42) for the cover member 40 prevents foreign matter or the like from entering the rocking driver 12 2 when the cover member 40 is pushed. In particular, the inner cover 41 is less flexible than the outer cover. Thus, the inner cover 41 hinders the pushing force applied to the outer cover 42. This prevents foreign matter or the like from entering the rocking driver 12 in a preferable manner. The entrance of the user's body is also prevented. Further, the outer cover 42 is more flexible than the inner cover 41. Thus, by stretching the outer cover 42 without forming wrinkles, the outer appearance of the relaxation device 10 can be improved.
(2) The side surfaces 42a of the outer cover 42 are stretched in the rocking direction (forward and rearward directions) of the body supporting member 13. This maintains a wrinkle-free state in which tension is not applied to the outer cover 42 even during rocking. Thus, the outer appearance of the relaxation device 10 is improved.
(3) The body supporting member 13 includes the backrest 31, which is arranged in a tiltable manner on the seat 30. The backrest 31 includes the covering 31b, which entirely covers the backrest body 31a. The covering 31b is formed integrally with the cover member 40 (inner an outer covers 41 and 42). Accordingly, there is no need for a separate structure that attaches the cover member 40 to the covering 31b of the backrest 31. This reduces the number of components, prevents the exposure of unnecessary components, and improves the outer appearance. Further, the cover member 40 conceals a structure that couples the backrest 31 in a tiltable manner to the seat 30. Thus, there is no need for a separate concealing member. This reduces the number of components and further improves the outer appearance of the device 10.
(4) In the cover member 40, the rear portion 46, which is continuous with the backrest 31, is formed to be loose. In this manner, the loosening of the cover member 40 at the rear portion 46, which does not easily come into the user's field of view, maintains the appeal of the outer appearance. Further, the tilting of the backrest 31 does not apply a large amount of tension to the cover member 40. This allows the backrest 31 to be tilted.
(5) The cover member 40 is formed to be separable by the zippers 45. Thus, the zippers 45 can be used to easily attach the cover member 40 to the body supporting member 13 and the case 14.

The above embodiment may be modified as described below.
The tension direction of the left and right surfaces 42a of the outer cover 42 is not limited to the same direction as the rocking direction (forward and rearward directions).
The covering 31b, which covers the backrest body 31a, and the cover member 40 do not have to be formed integrally with each other. The covering 31b may be discrete from the cover member 40.
The rear portion 46, which is the backrest 31 (rear side) of the cover member 40, does not have to have a predetermined looseness and be in a loose state and may instead be in a tense state in which tension is applied thereto.
Instead of the zippers 45, other members may be used to connect the segments of the cover member 40. Further, the cover member 40 may be formed by three or more segments. The separation positions of the cover member 40 may be located in the front surfaces or rear surfaces of the inner and outer covers 41 and 42. Alternatively, the cover member 40 may be inseparable.
The cover member 40 is not limited to the two covers, namely, the inner cover 41 and the outer cover 42, and may be formed by three or more covers. Preferably, the cover member 40 is formed by at least one inner cover 41 and at least one outer cover 42.
The backrest body 31a may be a component formed from a material other than resin.
In addition to or instead of rocking the body supporting member 13 in the forward and rearward directions, the body supporting member 13 may be rocked in leftward and rightward directions.
An airbag, which is inflated and deflated, can be arranged in each part (30, 31, and 32) of the body supporting member 13. In this case, a relaxation effect, such as massaging, can be effectively produced.
The control unit 24, which controls the motor 20, may perform refreshment rocking, which arouses a user M who is in a relaxed (rested state), after relaxation rocking. The control unit 24 performs refreshment rocking by, for example, increasing the rocking amplitude or frequency from the relaxation rocking.
The relaxation device 10 may include a structure that generates music or vibration in correspondence with the refreshment rocking or relaxation rocking.

Claims

A relaxation device comprising:
a body supporting means for supporting a user's body, wherein the body supporting means include a seat;

a rocking driving means for rocking the body supporting means in at least one direction;

a controlling means for controlling the rocking driving means;

a case that covers the rocking driving means; and

a cover member attached to both the case and the body supporting means, wherein the cover member closes a clearance between the case and the body supporting means, and the cover member is deformable in correspondence with the rocking of the body supporting means;

the relaxation device characterized in that the cover member includes an inner cover and an outer cover, which covers the inner cover and has higher flexibility than the inner cover.
The relaxation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer cover includes a side surface stretched in a direction that is substantially the same as the rocking direction of the body supporting means.
The relaxation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:
the body supporting means further includes a backrest;

the backrest includes a backrest body, which is coupled in a tiltable manner to the seat, and a covering, which covers the backrest body; and

the covering is formed integrally with the cover member.
The relaxation device according to claim 3, characterized in that the cover member includes a portion that is continuous with the covering of the backrest, and the portion is arranged in a loose state.
The relaxation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cover member includes a plurality of segments that are connectable by a zipper.
The relaxation device according to claim 4, characterized in that the cover member includes a first segment and a second segment that are connectable by a zipper, the first segment is attached to a covering of the seat, and the second segment is attached to the covering of the backrest.