EP3630041B1 - Stimulation device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a stimulation device with a sleeve-shaped body which is formed by an at least partially flexible wall which has a first end section with a first end forming a first end of the sleeve-shaped body and a second end section remote from the first end section with a second end of the sleeve-shaped body forming, the first end substantially opposite, at a distance from the first end and having an opening for the introduction of a body part sensitive to a stimulation in the sleeve-shaped body containing second end, and an impingement device, which is formed, the first end portion of the Wall of the sleeve-shaped body with a time-variable, in particular oscillating first force that changes the distance between the first end of the sleeve-shaped body and the second end of the sleeve-shaped body, alternating as a tensile force to the relative iven to act on the extension of the distance between the first end and the second end of the sleeve-shaped body and as a compressive force for the relative shortening of the distance between the first end and the second end of the sleeve-shaped body.

Such a stimulation device is from U.S. 5,876,324 A known and is used in particular to stimulate a penis, which for this purpose is to be introduced into the sleeve-shaped body through the opening. The sleeve-shaped body is preferably an insert made of soft, elastic material, which is brought into touching engagement or frictional engagement with the body part that is sensitive to stimulation.

It is the object of the present invention to propose a stimulation device of the type mentioned at the beginning with a better stimulation-triggering effect.

This object is achieved with a stimulation device with a sleeve-shaped body which is formed by an at least partially flexible wall which has a first end section with a first end forming a first end of the sleeve-shaped body and a second end section remote from the first end section with a second end section End of the sleeve-shaped body forming, the first end substantially opposite, arranged at a distance from the first end and having an opening for the introduction of a body part sensitive to a stimulation into the sleeve-shaped body containing the second end, characterized by an impingement device which is formed by the alternate the first end portion of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body with a time-varying, in particular oscillating, first force that changes the distance between the first end of the sleeve-shaped body and the second end of the sleeve-shaped body d to act as a tensile force for the relative extension of the distance between the first end and the second end of the sleeve-shaped body and as a compressive force for the relative shortening of the distance between the first end and the second end of the sleeve-shaped body, characterized in that outside the sleeve-shaped body a Chamber is provided, the wall of which has a first portion which is at least partially formed by the first end portion of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body, and the loading device is designed for applying the first end portion of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body with the first force as a tensile force in the Chamber a negative pressure to extend the distance between the first end and the second end of the sleeve-shaped body and to generate an overpressure as a compressive force in the chamber for loading the first end portion of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body with the first force.

With the aid of the application device provided according to the invention, a stimulation effect that is not only better but also of a different type can be achieved compared to the prior art. This is achieved according to the invention in that the sleeve-shaped body is alternately stretched and shortened in the direction of its length with the first end section of its wall, which is the inner end section, and thus with its inner first end. The resulting alternating change in length of the inner first end section of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body creates a special stimulating effect on the section of the body part that is sensitive to stimulation and which is in engagement with the first end section of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body and is inserted through the opening into the sleeve-shaped body either due to a relative movement of the first end portion of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body with respect to the adjacent portion of the body part on this a stimulating frictional effect is generated or the first end portion of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body during its alternating movement in both directions the adjacent portion of the body part or at least whose skin takes with it, which also leads to a special stimulation effect. The loading device acts pneumatically, so to speak, and can thus be implemented in a particularly simple and at the same time effective manner.

Preferred embodiments and developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

In particular for the stimulation of elongated body parts such as a penis, it is expedient that the sleeve-shaped body has an elongated shape between its first end and its second end and that the application device is designed to orient the first force approximately in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped body.

The wall of the chamber preferably has an at least partially flexible second section and the loading device has a drive device which is designed to move the second section of the wall of the chamber reciprocally between a first position and a second position in order to then alternate between a negative pressure and an overpressure to create.

In a further development, the second section of the wall of the chamber lies opposite its first section and is arranged at a distance from its first section.

Furthermore, the drive device can be designed to move the second section of the wall of the chamber approximately in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped body. In this way, the overpressure and underpressure causing the change in length of the sleeve-shaped body can be generated in a simple and particularly effective manner. The second section of the wall of the chamber expediently has a membrane, the reciprocal movement of which by the drive device of the application device alternately generates an overpressure and a negative pressure.

The device is preferably provided with a housing which has a wall and accommodates the sleeve-shaped body and the loading device, the second end section of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body being fastened to the wall of the housing.

The chamber preferably has a closable opening leading into the environment. This opening can expediently be partially or completely closed by a finger of the user, if necessary, in order to manually control the pressure in the chamber in this way. If the opening is completely closed, the pressure conditions in the first chamber remain unchanged. If, on the other hand, the opening is partially closed or opened, this results in a slight pressure equalization with the surroundings, with the result that the pressure is correspondingly lower in the first chamber. The opening can contain a check valve which closes when there is negative pressure in the chamber and opens when there is overpressure in the chamber; manual control with the aid of a finger of the user is thus only possible in the case of overpressure, while in the case of underpressure an undesired pressure equalization with the surroundings is avoided.

The wall of the chamber preferably has a third section and the wall of the sleeve-shaped body is fastened in the area of its first section or adjacent to it on the third section of the wall of the chamber. The third section of the wall of the chamber can be arranged between its first section and its second section. For an advantageous fixation of the sleeve-shaped body on the housing, an outwardly protruding collar is preferably formed on the outside of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body in the area of its first end section or adjacent to it and is attached to the third section of the wall of the chamber.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device is provided with a housing which accommodates the sleeve-shaped body and the loading device and has a first housing part and a second housing part detachably arranged on the first housing part, the first housing part receiving the sleeve-shaped body with the second end portion of its wall and is arranged in the region of the first end section of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body or adjacent to its first end section on the second housing part. Such a two-part design of the housing enables, on the one hand, easier cleaning of the interior of the housing and the sleeve-shaped body as well as simple replacement of the sleeve-shaped body and, on the other hand, easy access to the loading device, for example for the purpose of repairing or replacing or replacing a loading device battery supplying electrical voltage.

An alternative embodiment in which the wall of the sleeve-shaped body is provided between the first end section and the second end section Intermediate section with wall sections which lie opposite one another at a distance defining an opening cross section of the sleeve-shaped body, is characterized in that the loading device is further designed to have the intermediate section of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body with a distance between the opposite wall sections of the intermediate section of the The wall of the sleeve-shaped body changing, time-variable, in particular oscillating second force is alternately applied as a compressive force for the relative shortening of the distance between the opposing wall sections and as a tensile force for the relative increase in the distance between the opposing wall sections, outside the sleeve-shaped body and the first chamber a second chamber is provided, the wall of which has a first section which is at least partially from the intermediate section of the wall of the sleeve Shaped body is formed, and the application device is additionally designed for applying the intermediate section of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body with the second force as a compressive force in the second chamber an excess pressure and for applying the intermediate section of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body with the second force as Pulling force to generate a negative pressure in the second chamber. With this alternative embodiment, the stimulation effect can be intensified by the loading device not only the inner first end section of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body and thus its inner first end in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped body alternately with a tensile and a compressive force around the sleeve-shaped body to change its length and temporarily stretch it, but also alternately applied to the sleeve-shaped body at a point between its first end and its second end with a tensile and compressive force acting transversely to its longitudinal direction in order to change the sleeve-shaped body in its cross-section and at times to form a constriction in the sleeve-shaped body. For this purpose, the overpressure that arises when the sleeve-shaped body is stretched in the longitudinal direction is skillfully used for the narrowing of the sleeve-shaped body intended essentially at the same time. It should be expedient the amount of the difference between the negative pressure and a normal pressure approximately correspond to the amount of the difference between the positive pressure and the normal pressure.

A further development of this embodiment is characterized in that the loading device is designed, essentially simultaneously, the first end section of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body with the first force as a tensile force and the intermediate section of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body with the second force as a compressive force and / or substantially at the same time to apply the first end portion of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body with the first force as a compressive force and the intermediate portion of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body with the second force as a tensile force. In this development, the loading device causes a cross-sectional narrowing of the sleeve-shaped body alternately with its elongation in the longitudinal direction and an expansion and in particular a return of the sleeve-shaped body to its initial cross-section at the same time with a shortening, in particular, to its initial length.

The sleeve-shaped body preferably has an oblong shape between its first end and its second end, in particular for the stimulation of elongated body parts such as a penis, and the application device is designed to orient the second force approximately transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped body.

The ratio between the first force and the second force should expediently be dimensioned in such a way that the volume of the cavity delimited by the sleeve-shaped body remains essentially unchanged.

In a further preferred development, the wall of the first chamber has an at least partially flexible second section and the wall of the second chamber has a second section that is separated from the second section of the wall the first chamber is formed, and the loading device comprises a drive device which is designed to move the second section of the wall of the first chamber reciprocally between a first position and a second position. The second section of the wall of the first chamber should preferably lie opposite its first section and be arranged at a distance from its first section.

The drive device should preferably be designed to move the second section of the wall of the first chamber approximately in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped body. In this way, the overpressure and underpressure causing the change in length of the sleeve-shaped body can be generated in a simple and particularly effective manner. The second section of the wall of the first chamber expediently has a membrane.

In the alternative embodiment, too, the device can be provided with a housing which has a wall and accommodates the sleeve-shaped body and the loading device, the wall of the second chamber having a third section which is spaced from its first section and from a section of the Wall of the housing is formed.

For a particularly effective fixation of the sleeve-shaped body on the housing, the second end section of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body can be fastened to the wall of the housing. At the same time, the second end section of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body should form a sealing closure of the second chamber on the wall of the housing in order to prevent undesired pressure equalization with the environment.

In the alternative embodiment, too, the first chamber can preferably have a closable opening leading into the environment, which can expediently be partially or completely closed with a finger of the user for manual control of the pressure conditions in the first chamber. If the opening is completely closed, the pressure conditions in the first chamber remain unchanged. If, however, the opening is partially closed or opened, this causes a slight pressure equalization with the environment, with the result that the pressure in the first chamber is correspondingly lower. The opening can preferably contain a check valve which closes when there is negative pressure in the first chamber and opens when there is overpressure in the first chamber, so that in the event of negative pressure in the first chamber, an undesired pressure equalization with the environment is prevented and manual control of the pressure conditions in the first chamber by partially or completely closing the opening with a finger of the user is only possible in the case of overpressure in the first chamber.

In a further development of the alternative embodiment, the wall of the first chamber has a third section and the wall of the sleeve-shaped body is attached to the third section of the wall of the first chamber in the connection area between its first end section and its intermediate section.

In a further preferred development, the third section of the wall of the first chamber is arranged between its first section and its second section.

For a further advantageous fixation of the sleeve-shaped body, an outwardly protruding collar is preferably formed on the outside of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body in the connection area between its first end section and its intermediate section and is attached to the third section of the wall of the first chamber.

Furthermore, the wall of the second chamber can have a fourth section which is formed by the third section of the wall of the first chamber.

In the alternative embodiment, too, the device can preferably be provided with a housing which accommodates the sleeve-shaped body and the loading device and has a first housing part and a second housing part detachably arranged on the first housing part, the first housing part essentially having the sleeve-shaped body with the intermediate section and receives the second end portion of its wall and is arranged in the connection area between the first end portion and the intermediate portion of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body on the second housing part. Such a two-part design of the housing enables, on the one hand, easier cleaning of the interior of the housing and the sleeve-shaped body as well as simple replacement of the sleeve-shaped body and, on the other hand, easy access to the loading device, for example for the purpose of repairing or replacing or replacing a loading device battery supplying electrical voltage. The second housing part can expediently be arranged on the housing part in the region of the third section of the wall of the first chamber.

For a further reinforcement of the stimulation effect, the inside of the wall of the sleeve-shaped body can preferably be provided at least in sections with structural elements such as, for example, knobs.

To control the stimulation effect, a control device can also preferably be provided which controls the application device and has at least one operating means in order to set at least one predetermined operating mode for the application device, the operating means expediently having at least one switch or a button.

Finally, the device can preferably be designed as a hand-held device, preferably operated with a battery for supplying energy to the application device.

Fig. 1

in perspektivischer Ansicht eine erste bevorzugte Ausführung der Stimulationsvorrichtung;

Fig. 2

einen Längsschnitt durch die Vorrichtung von Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

den gleichen Längsschnitt wie Fig. 2, jedoch mit voneinander gelösten Gehäuseteilen;

Fig. 4

den gleichen Längsschnitt wie Fig. 2, jedoch mit zusätzlich gestrichelter Darstellung der Membran in einer Zwischenstellung zwischen einer nicht dargestellten ersten Endstellung und einer zweiten Endstellung, in der die Membran in durchgezogenen Linien abgebildet ist;

Fig. 5

den gleichen Längsschnitt wie Fig. 2, jedoch mit Abbildung der Membran in ihrer ersten Endstellung und zusätzlicher gestrichelter Darstellung der Membran in ihrer zweiten Endstellung;

Fig. 6

den gleichen Längsschnitt wie die Figuren 2 und 4 mit zusätzlicher Darstellung eines Fingers des Benutzers zum Verschließen einer Öffnung für eine manuelle Steuerung der Druckverhältnisse;

Fig. 7

im Längsschnitt eine zweite bevorzugte Ausführung der Stimulationsvorrichtung;

Fig. 8

in perspektivischer Ansicht eine dritte bevorzugte Ausführung der Stimulationsvorrichtung;

Fig. 9

einen Längsschnitt durch die Vorrichtung von Fig. 8;

Fig. 10

den gleichen Längsschnitt wie Fig. 9, jedoch mit voneinander gelösten Gehäuseteilen;

Fig. 11

den gleichen Längsschnitt wie Fig. 9, jedoch mit zusätzlich gestrichelter Darstellung der Membran in einer Zwischenstellung zwischen einer nicht dargestellten ersten Endstellung und einer zweiten Endstellung, in der die Membran in durchgezogenen Linien abgebildet ist;

Fig. 12

den gleichen Längsschnitt wie Fig. 9, jedoch mit Abbildung der Membran in ihrer ersten Endstellung und zusätzlicher gestrichelter Darstellung der Membran in ihrer zweiten Endstellung;

Fig. 13

den gleichen Längsschnitt wie die Figuren 9 und 11 mit zusätzlicher Darstellung eines Fingers des Benutzers zum Verschließen einer Öffnung für eine manuelle Steuerung der Druckverhältnisse.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a first preferred embodiment of the stimulation device in a perspective view;

Fig. 2

a longitudinal section through the device of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

the same longitudinal section as Fig. 2 , but with the housing parts detached from one another;

Fig. 4

the same longitudinal section as Fig. 2 , but with an additional dashed representation of the membrane in an intermediate position between a first end position (not shown) and a second end position in which the membrane is shown in solid lines;

Fig. 5

the same longitudinal section as Fig. 2 , but with an illustration of the membrane in its first end position and an additional dashed representation of the membrane in its second end position;

Fig. 6

the same longitudinal section as that Figures 2 and 4th with additional representation of a finger of the user for closing an opening for manual control of the pressure conditions;

Fig. 7

in longitudinal section a second preferred embodiment of the stimulation device;

Fig. 8

a third preferred embodiment of the stimulation device in a perspective view;

Fig. 9

a longitudinal section through the device of Fig. 8 ;

Fig. 10

the same longitudinal section as Fig. 9 , but with the housing parts detached from one another;

Fig. 11

the same longitudinal section as Fig. 9 , but with an additional dashed representation of the membrane in an intermediate position between a first end position (not shown) and a second end position in which the membrane is shown in solid lines;

Fig. 12

the same longitudinal section as Fig. 9 , but with an illustration of the membrane in its first end position and an additional dashed representation of the membrane in its second end position;

Fig. 13

the same longitudinal section as that Figures 9 and 11 with additional representation of a finger of the user for closing an opening for manual control of the pressure conditions.

In the Figures 1 to 6 shows a stimulation device 2 according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. The stimulation device 2 has a housing which, in the illustrated embodiment, is divided into a first housing part 4, which is delimited by a circumferential wall 4a and a free end 4b, and into a second housing part 6, which is surrounded by a circumferential wall 6a and a free end 6b is limited, is divided. At the free end 4b of the first housing part 4 there is an opening 8 for inserting a body part that is sensitive to stimulation, such as a penis. As Fig. 1 Furthermore, control buttons 10 are arranged in the area of the circumferential wall 6a of the second housing part 6, which are preferably designed as electrical buttons and are used to switch the stimulation device on and off and to control the stimulation device with the aid of an electronic control circuit not shown in the figures.

As the Figures 2 to 6 can be seen in detail, in the illustrated embodiment, a sleeve-shaped body 12 is arranged in the interior of the first housing part 4, the interior or cavity 12a of which is delimited by a wall 14 which is divided into a first end section 14a, a second end section 14b and one between them the middle section 14c located at both end sections 14a, 14b is divided. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first end section 14a of the wall 14 has the shape of a closed dome or a closed cap and forms a first end 14aa, which at the same time also forms a first end of the sleeve-shaped body 12. The second end section 14b of the wall 14 located at a distance from this has a second end 14bb, which at the same time also forms the second end of the sleeve-shaped body 12 located on the outside and is provided with the aforementioned opening 8 for introducing a body part sensitive to stimulation into the cavity 12a of the sleeve-shaped body 12. With regard to the free end 4b of the first housing part 4 and the opening 8, the first end section 14a or the first end 14aa of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 can alternatively also be used as a distal or inner first end section 14a or as a distal or inner first end 14aa and the second end section 14b or the second end 14bb of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 can alternatively also be referred to as the proximal or partially external second end section 14b or as the proximal or external second end 14bb. As the Figures 2 to 6 can also be seen that the sleeve-shaped body 12 has an elongated shape between its two ends, which in the illustrated embodiment is essentially cylindrical, particularly in the area of the central section 14c of the wall 14. In the illustrated embodiment, an inwardly protruding projection 14d, which forms a constriction, is furthermore arranged on the inside of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 in the connection area between the first end portion 14a and the central portion 14c, this projection 14d either being designed or encircling can be provided with interruptions in the circumferential direction to form knobs. The wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 consists of at least partially flexible, preferably elastic, material which, for example, comprises silicone, which is not only a particularly soft, but also hygienic material.

As the Figures 2 to 6 Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the free end 4b of the first housing part 4 forms an inwardly angled flange-like edge which engages in the second end section 14b of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 to fix the adjacent section of the sleeve-shaped body 12.

Likewise in the connection area between its first end section 14a and its middle section 14c, the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 is provided on the outside with an outwardly protruding collar 16, like the Figures 2 to 6 also reveal. Adjacent opposite the collar 16 is on the inside of the wall 4a of the first housing part 4 an inward A protruding fastening projection 18 is formed which contains a recess 20 which communicates with the interior of the first housing part 4 via an opening 22. How in particular Fig. 2 can be seen, the provided on the outside of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 protrudes through the opening 22 into the recess 20 and in the illustrated embodiment, engages behind an inner wall section of the recess 20 with a downwardly angled end around the sleeve-shaped body 12 circumferential collar and accordingly also the fastening projection 18 with the recess 20 on the inner wall of the first housing part 4 formed circumferentially; alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to subdivide the collar 16 into discrete components that are spaced apart from one another and thus also the fastening projection 18 or at least the recess 20 accordingly.

As the Figures 2 to 6 can also be seen, adjacent at a distance from the first end section 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 outside of the sleeve-shaped body 12, a circumferential wall section 24 is provided, which is required on the inside of the wall 6a of the second housing part 6 and with a circumferential free end ends inside the second housing part 6, which is sealed off by a membrane 26, which is thus also arranged outside of the sleeve-shaped body 12 and, in the illustrated embodiment, is spaced from the first end 14aa of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12. The first end section 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12, the wall section 24 and the membrane 26 thus delimit a first chamber 28.

How in particular Fig. 2 combined with Fig. 3 As can be seen, the recess 20 receiving the angled end 16a of the collar 16 formed on the outside of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 is delimited on its side facing the second housing part 6 by a section of the wall section 24. Since the wall section 24 is provided on the second housing part 6, this arrangement has the consequence that when the second housing part 6 is separated from the first housing part 4 (cf. Fig. 3 ) the recess 20 is opened, so that the collar can be assembled or disassembled 16 with its angled end 16a can simply be inserted into the now open recess 20 or can be removed from the recess 20.

As the Figures 2 to 6 can also be seen, an electric motor 30 is arranged in the second housing part 6, on the output shaft 30a of which a radially extending lever 32 is fastened in a rotationally fixed manner. Adjacent to its free end, a connecting rod 34 is articulated on the lever 32 with a first end 34a. The connecting rod 34 is fastened to the membrane 26 at its other end 34b. The lever 32 and the connecting rod 34 thus together form an eccentric gear in order to convert the rotation of the output shaft 30a of the electric motor 30 into a reciprocal longitudinal movement of the connecting rod 34. For the power supply of the electric motor 30, a rechargeable battery or a battery 36 is provided, which is also located inside the second housing part 6 in a compartment 38 provided for this purpose, which is delimited by a partition 40.

Furthermore, with respect to the first chamber 28 outside the wall section 24 and the membrane 26 inside the second housing part 6, a second chamber 42 is formed, which is formed by the wall 6a of the second housing part 6, the wall section 24, the membrane 26 and the partition 40 is limited.

Since the membrane 26 is made of flexible material such as silicone in particular, the reciprocal longitudinal movement of the connecting rod 34 leads in the direction of the Figures 4 to 6 shown double arrow A to a corresponding movement of the membrane 26, as in the Figures 4 and 5 is shown schematically; in other words, the connecting rod 34 takes the membrane 26 with it during its reciprocal movement in the longitudinal direction. Since the diaphragm 26 is fastened with its outer end to the wall section 24, the reciprocal movement of the connecting rod 34 changes the shape of the diaphragm 26 and is the movement stroke of the diaphragm 26 in its center, where the connecting rod 34 is fastened with its adjacent end 34b, the largest and corresponds to the movement stroke of the connecting rod 34. The reciprocal longitudinal movement of the connecting rod 34 is oriented approximately in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped body 12, so that the movement of the connecting rod 34, the membrane 26 a change in its distance from the adjacent first end 14aa of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 is subjected by, in other words, is alternately moved in the direction of the first end 14aa of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 and away from it.

In Fig. 5 the membrane 26 is shown in its first end position closest to the sleeve-shaped body 12 in solid lines. Thereby leaves Fig. 5 recognize that in the (according to Fig. 5 lower) first end position the membrane 26 assumes a curved shape in the direction of the sleeve-shaped body 12. When the membrane 26 is in its first end position, the opposite first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 also assumes a defined first end position in which the distance between the first end 14aa of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 from the Membrane 26 is minimal. In Fig. 5 is also the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 in its (according to Fig. 5 lower) first end position shown in solid lines. Furthermore, in Fig. 5 the membrane 26 in its removed from the sleeve-shaped body 12 (according to Fig. 5 upper) second end position shown in dashed lines, in which the membrane 26 now assumes an upwardly curved shape opposite to the first end position. When the membrane 26 is in its second end position, the first end section 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 also takes an adapted (according to FIG Fig. 5 upper) defined second end position, which is shown in Fig. 5 is also shown in dashed lines. So lets Fig. 5 recognize that the sleeve-shaped body 12 in the second end position of the first end portion 14a of its wall 14 is stretched in relation to its first end position in its longitudinal direction and is accordingly lengthened. For the sake of clarity, it should be noted in this context that in the Figures 2 to 4 and 6th the membrane 26 is shown in its second end position, but on the other hand the first end section 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 is shown in its first end position; show the Figures 4 and 6th the membrane 26 additionally in an intermediate position, shown in dashed lines, between the two previously mentioned end positions.

The movement of the membrane 26 from its (according to Fig. 5 lower) first end position in their (according to Fig. 5 upper) second end position causes a movement of the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 from its (according to Fig. 5 lower) first end position in its (according to Fig. 5 upper) second end position, so that the movement of the membrane 26 due to the reciprocal movement of the connecting rod 34 has a direct effect on the movement of the first end section 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12. The reason for this is the first chamber 28, which is formed between the first end section 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 on the one hand and the membrane 26 on the other hand and is filled with air. The air in the first chamber is responsible for the fact that when the membrane 26 moves, the first end section 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 is correspondingly entrained. When the membrane 26 moves from its (according to Fig. 5 lower) first end position in the (according to Fig. 5 upper) second end position, the volume in the first chamber 28 is initially increased and this initially creates a negative pressure, due to which the first end section 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 is subjected to a corresponding tensile force. This tensile force then ensures that the first end section 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 moves into the position shown in FIG Fig. 5 dashed (according to Fig. 5 upper) second end position, until the negative pressure is reduced in the first chamber 28 and normal air pressure prevails again. Thus, during its movement from the first end position into the second end position via the air cushion prevailing in the first chamber 28, the first end section 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 is correspondingly carried along by the membrane 26 in the manner of a suction effect, which leads to an expansion of the sleeve-shaped body Body 12 in the direction of its longitudinal extension and thus leads to an increase in its length. When the membrane 26 moves in the opposite direction from its (according to Fig. 5 upper) second end position in its (according to Fig. 5 lower) first end position initially creates an overpressure in the first chamber 28, which exerts a compressive force on the first end 14aa of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12, which is still stretched at this point in time, which now ensures that the first end section 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 in its (according to Fig. 5 lower) in Fig. 5 first end position shown in solid lines returns.

The alternating change in length of the first end section 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 caused by the reciprocal movement of the connecting rod 34 produces a special stimulating effect on the section of a section not in engagement with the first end section 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 in the figures shown, introduced through the opening 8 in the sleeve-shaped body 12, for a stimulation-sensitive body part, either due to a relative movement of the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 with respect to the adjacent portion of said body part is generated on this a stimulating frictional effect or the first end section 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 during its alternating movement in both directions entrains the adjacent section of said body part or at least its skin, which also leads to a special stimulation effect ect leads.

A vent hole 44 is provided in the wall 6a of the second housing part 6 so that no undesired air cushion forms in the second chamber 42, which would form a kind of abutment against the movement of the diaphragm 26 and thus impair or even completely prevent the movement of the diaphragm 26 , which ensures constant pressure equalization between the second chamber 42 and the environment. This ensures an undisturbed movement of the membrane 26.

How in particular Fig. 6 can be seen, an opening 46 is provided with which the first chamber 28 can communicate to the outside. This opening 46 can expediently be partially or completely closed by a finger 48 of a user not shown in the figures, in order to manually control the pressure in the first chamber 28 in this way. If the opening 46 is completely closed, the pressure conditions in the first chamber 28 remain unchanged. If, on the other hand, the opening 46 is partially closed or opened, a slight pressure equalization with the surroundings is effected with the result that the pressure in the first chamber 28 is correspondingly lower. The opening 46 should contain a non-return valve, not shown in the figures, which closes when there is negative pressure in the first chamber 28 and when there is overpressure opens in the first chamber 28, so that in the event of a negative pressure in the first chamber 28 an undesired pressure equalization with the environment is avoided and manual control of the pressure conditions in the first chamber 28 by partially or completely closing the opening 46 with the finger 48 one User is only possible in the case of overpressure in the first chamber 28.

In Fig. 7 a stimulation device 2 'according to a second preferred embodiment is shown, wherein with respect to the stimulation device 2 according to the first preferred embodiment, the same components are identified with the same reference numerals, so that in this regard to avoid repetitions on the previously based on the Figures 1 to 6 description is made.

The stimulation device 2 'according to the second preferred embodiment makes use of the same functional principle as the stimulation device 2 according to the first preferred embodiment. The difference compared to the stimulation device 2 according to the first preferred embodiment is that in the stimulation device 2 'according to the first preferred embodiment, the first housing part 4 is missing and the second housing part 6 is provided as the only housing and is therefore in addition to the (according to Fig. 7 upper) free end 6b a further away from this free end 6b (according to FIG Fig. 7 has lower) free end 6c, to which the collar 16 of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 is attached. Since the second chamber 42 on the (according to Fig. 7 lower) free end 6c of the housing part 6 at an in Fig. 7 is open to the environment with the reference symbol "42a", the ventilation hole 44 provided in the stimulation device 2 according to the first preferred embodiment can furthermore be omitted. The use of the second housing part 6 of the stimulation device 2 according to the first preferred embodiment as the only housing also has the consequence that the sleeve-shaped body 12 has a significantly shorter length and is thus significantly shortened, as Fig. 7 compared to the Figures 1 to 6 can also be recognized. Thus, the second end portion 14b of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped Body 12 directly on the collar 16 and is made significantly shorter than the stimulation device 2 according to the first preferred embodiment. Accordingly, the stimulation device 2 'according to the preferred second embodiment is a structurally simplified version that is more compact in terms of its shape compared to the stimulation device 2 according to the first preferred embodiment.

In the Figures 8 to 13 a stimulation device 2 ″ according to a third preferred embodiment is shown, wherein the Figures 8 to 13 regarding their view the Figures 1 to 6 correspond and with regard to the stimulation device 2 according to the first preferred embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, so that in this regard to avoid repetitions on the previously based on the Figures 1 to 6 description of the stimulation device 2 according to the first preferred embodiment.

At first glance, the stimulation device 2 ″ according to the third preferred embodiment appears to be the same as the stimulation device 2 according to the first preferred embodiment.

In the case of the stimulation device 2 ″ according to the third preferred embodiment, too, there is an oscillating change in length of the sleeve-shaped body 12 due to the reciprocal movement of the membrane 26 oriented in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped body 12, so that in this regard, too, the previously based on the Figures 1 to 6 referenced description of the stimulation device 2 according to the first preferred embodiment. However, in contrast to the stimulation device 2 according to the first preferred embodiment, the second chamber 42 is closed to the environment and therefore the vent hole 44 is also missing, so that there are also oscillating pressure conditions due to the reciprocal movement of the membrane 26, but in the opposite or reverse Way to the oscillating pressure conditions occurring in the first chamber 28. When the membrane 26 moves from its (according to Fig. 12 lower) in Fig. 12 first shown in solid lines End position in their (according to the Figures 9 to 13 upper) in the Figures 9 to 11 and 13th in solid lines and in Fig. 12 The second end position shown in dashed lines initially creates an overpressure in the second chamber 42, with which the middle section 14c of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 is then acted upon from the outside, which shortens the distance between opposing wall sections 14cc of the middle section 14c the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 leads, as Fig. 12 can be seen in which those wall sections 14cc are shown schematically in dashed lines. The second chamber 42 is not only formed by the space between the membrane 26 and the partition wall 40, but also by a space that is formed on the one hand by the wall 4a of the first housing part 4 and on the other hand by the wall section 24 and the middle section 14c and the second end portion 14b of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 is limited. Thus, the second chamber 42 also extends along the outside of the sleeve-shaped body 12 to the second end section 14b of its wall 14, which is sealingly attached to the wall 4a of the first housing part 4 in the area of its free end 4b. The overpressure initially arising in the second chamber 42 as a result of the movement of the membrane 26 from its first end position to its second end position has the consequence that the air in the second chamber 42 moves in the direction of the Figures 11 to 13 arrows B shown is displaced and then strikes the outside of the central section 14c of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12. There the air then generates a compressive force that acts transversely from the outside onto the central section 14c of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 in the direction of the Figures 11 to 13 shown arrows C acts. This compressive force causes the aforementioned reduction in the distance between the opposing wall sections 14cc in the area of the central section 14c of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 and thus a narrowing of the cavity 12a of the sleeve-shaped body 12 in this area, as in FIG Fig. 12 is shown schematically in dashed lines. Accordingly, the movement of the membrane 26 has from its (according to Fig. 12 lower) first end position in their (according to Fig. 12 upper) second end position not only results in an expansion, but at the same time also a narrowing of the sleeve-shaped body 12.

When the membrane 26 moves in the opposite direction from its (according to Fig. 12 upper) second end position in its (according to Fig. 12 lower) end position is created in the second chamber 42 initially a negative pressure, which for an opposite air flow against the orientation of the in the Figures 11 to 13 arrows B and C shown and thus away from the central section 14c of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12. As a result, the opposing wall sections 14cc of the middle section 14c of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 are subjected to a tensile force which ensures that these wall sections 14cc in their in the Figures 9 to 13 Return to the essentially straight starting position shown in solid lines and the narrowing of the cavity 12a of the sleeve-shaped body 12 is canceled. Thus in this step, in addition to shortening its length, the middle section 14c of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 is simultaneously returned to its original, essentially straight starting position, increasing the distance between its wall sections 14cc and the resulting elimination of the constriction.

Accordingly, with the stimulation device 2 ″ according to the method shown in FIGS Figures 9 to 13 illustrated third preferred embodiment of the stimulation effect by not only the first end portion 14a of the wall 14 of the sleeve-shaped body 12 and thus its first end in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped body 12 alternately with a tensile and a compressive force around the sleeve-shaped body 12 in its To change the length and to stretch it temporarily, but also the sleeve-shaped body 12 in the area of the central section 14c of its wall 14 alternately acted upon by a tensile and compressive force acting transversely to its longitudinal direction in order to change the sleeve-shaped body 12 in its cross-section and temporarily creating a constriction. After all, in the stimulation device 2 ″ according to the third preferred embodiment, the overpressure or underpressure generated by the membrane 26 outside the first chamber 28 in the second chamber 42 is skillfully used for a further stimulation effect by temporarily narrowing the sleeve-shaped body 12.

Claims (27)

1. Stimulation device having a sleeve-shaped body (12) formed by an at least partially flexible wall (14) which has a first end section (14a) with a first end (14aa) forming a first end of the sleeve-shaped body (12) and a second end section (14b) which is situated away from the first end section (14a) with a second end (14bb) forming a second end of the sleeve-shaped body (12), lying substantially opposite the first end (14aa), arranged at a distance from the first end (14aa), and containing an opening (8) for the inserting of a body part sensitive to stimulation into the sleeve-shaped body (12),

   a loading mechanism (26, 30, 32, 34) which is designed to act on the first end section (14a) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) with a time-variable, in particular oscillating first force that varies the distance between the first end of the sleeve-shaped body (12) and the second end of the sleeve-shaped body (12), alternately as a pulling force for relative lengthening of the distance between the first end and the second end of the sleeve-shaped body (12) and as a compressive force for relative shortening of the distance between the first end and the second end of the sleeve-shaped body (12), and

   outside the sleeve-shaped body (12) a first chamber (28) is provided the wall of which has a first section, formed at least partially by the first end section (14a) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12),

   characterised in that the loading mechanism (26, 30, 32, 34) is designed, in order to act on the first end section (14a) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) with the first force as a pulling force, to produce a negative pressure in the first chamber (28) for lengthening the distance between the first end and the second end of the sleeve-shaped body (12), and in order to act on the first end section (14a) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) with the first force as a compressive force, to produce an overpressure in the first chamber (28).
2. Device according to claim 1,
   in which the sleeve-shaped body (12) has an elongated shape between its first end (14aa) and its second end and the loading mechanism (26, 30, 32, 34) is designed to orient the first force approximately in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped body (12).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2,

   characterised in that

   the wall of the chamber (28) has an at least partially flexible second section (26), and

   the loading mechanism (26, 30, 32, 34) has a drive device (30, 32, 34) designed to reciprocally move the second section (26) of the wall of the chamber (28) between a first position and a second position,

   wherein in particular

   the second section (26) of the wall (14) of the chamber (28) lies opposite its first section and is arranged at a distance from its first section.
4. Device according to claims 2 and 3,
   characterised in that the drive device (30, 32, 34) is designed to move the second section (26) of the wall (14) of the chamber (28) approximately in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped body (12).
5. Device according to claim 3 or 4,
   characterised in that the second section (26) of the wall of the chamber (28) has a membrane.
6. Device according to at least one of the previous claims with a housing (4, 6) that has a wall (4a, 6a) and receives the sleeve-shaped body (12) and the loading mechanism (26, 30, 32, 34),
   characterised in that the second end section (14b) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) is attached to the wall (6b) of the housing (4, 6).
7. Device according to at least one of the previous claims,
   characterised in that the chamber (28) has a closable opening (46) leading to the outside,
   wherein preferably
   the opening (46) contains a check valve, which closes when there is negative pressure in the chamber (28) and opens when there is overpressure in the chamber (28).
8. Device according to at least one of the previous claims,
   characterised in that
   the wall of the chamber (28) has a third section (24) and the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) is attached in the region of its first end section (14a) or adjacent to it on the third section (24) of the wall of the chamber (28).
9. Device according to claims 3 and 8,
   characterised in that the third section (24) of the wall of the chamber (28) is arranged between its first section (14a) and its second section (26).
10. Device according to claim 8 or 9,
    characterised in that an outwardly protruding collar (16) is formed on the outside of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) in the region of its first end section (14a) or adjacent to it, which is attached to the third section (24) of the wall of the chamber (28).
11. Device according to at least one of the previous claims,
    with a housing (4, 6) that receives the sleeve-shaped body (12) and the loading mechanism (26, 30, 32, 34) and has a first housing part (4) and a second housing part (6) detachably arranged on the first housing part (4),
    characterised in that first housing part (4) receives the sleeve-shaped body (12) with the second end section (14b) of its wall (14) and is arranged in the region of the first end section (14a) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) or adjacent to its first end section (14a) on the second housing part (6).
12. Device according to claim 1 or 2,

    in which the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) has an intermediate section (14c) provided between the first end section (14a) and the second end section (14b) with wall sections that are opposite one another at a distance defining an opening cross-section of the sleeve-shaped body (12), characterised in that the loading mechanism (26, 30, 32, 34) is further designed to act on the intermediate section (14c) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) with a time-variable, in particular oscillating second force that varies the distance between the opposing wall sections (14cc) of the intermediate section (14c) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12), alternately as a compressive force for relative shortening of the distance between the opposing wall sections (14cc) and as a pulling force for relative lengthening of the distance between the opposing wall sections (14cc),

    outside the sleeve-shaped body (12) and the first chamber (28) a second chamber (42) is provided, the wall (14) of which has a first section, formed at least partially by the intermediate section (14c) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12), and the loading mechanism (26, 30, 32, 34) is further designed, in order to act on the intermediate section (14c) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) with the second force as a compressive force, to produce an overpressure in the second chamber (42), and in order to act on the intermediate section (14c) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) with the second force as a pulling force, to produce a negative pressure in the second chamber (42).
13. Device according to claim 12,
    characterised in that the loading mechanism (26, 30, 32, 34) is designed, substantially at the same time, to act on the first end section (14a) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) with the first force as a pulling force and the intermediate section (14c) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) with the second force as a compressive force and/or substantially at the same time to act on the first end section (14a) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) with the first force as a compressive force and the intermediate section (14c) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) with the second force as a pulling force.
14. Device according to claim 12 or 13,

    in which the sleeve-shaped body (12) has an elongated shape between its first end and its second end and

    the loading mechanism (26, 30, 32, 34) is designed to orient the second force approximately transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped body (12).
15. Device according to at least one of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the ratio between the first force and the second force is determined such that the volume of the cavity (12a) delimited by the sleeve-shaped body (12) remains substantially unchanged.
16. Device according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterised in that the amount of the difference between the negative pressure and a normal pressure corresponds approximately to the amount of the difference between the overpressure and the normal pressure.
17. Device according to one of claims 12 to 16,

    characterised in that

    the wall (14) of the first chamber (28) has an at least partially flexible second section (26),

    the wall of the second chamber (42) has a second section (26) formed by the second section (26) of the wall of the first chamber (28) and

    the loading mechanism (26, 30, 32, 34) has a drive device (30, 32, 34) designed to reciprocally move the second section (26) of the wall of the first chamber (28) between a first position and a second position, wherein preferably

    the second section (26) of the wall of the first chamber (28) lies opposite its first section (14a) and is arranged away from its first section (14a).
18. Device according to claims 14 and 17,
    characterised in that the drive device (30, 32, 34) is designed to move the second section (26) of the wall (14) of the first chamber (28) approximately in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve-shaped body (12) .
19. Device according to claim 17 or 18,
    characterised in that the second section (26) of the wall of the first chamber (28) has a membrane.
20. Device according to at least one of claims 12 to 19, with a housing (4, 6) that has a wall (4a, 6a) and receives the sleeve-shaped body (12) and the loading mechanism (26, 30, 32, 34),

    characterised in that the wall of the second chamber (42) has a third section which is spaced apart from its first section (14c) and is formed by a section of the wall (4a) of the housing (4, 6),

    wherein preferably

    the second end section (14b) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) is attached to the wall (4a) of the housing (4, 6) and in particular

    forms a sealing closure of the second chamber (42) on the wall (4a, 6a) of the housing (4, 6).
21. Device according to at least one of claims 12 to 20,
    characterised in that the first chamber (28) has a closable opening (46) leading to the outside,
    which in particular contains a check valve, which closes when there is negative pressure in the first chamber (28) and opens when there is overpressure in the first chamber (28).
22. Device according to at least one of claims 12 to 21,
    characterised in that
    the wall of the first chamber (28) has a third section (24) and
    the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) is attached to the third section (24) of the wall of the first chamber (28) in the connecting area between its first end section (14a) and its intermediate section (14c).
23. Device according to claims 17 and 22,
    characterised in that the third section (24) of the wall of the first chamber (28) is arranged between its first section (14a) and its second section (26).
24. Device according to claim 22 or 23,
    characterised in that an outwardly protruding collar (16) is formed on the outside of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) in the connecting area between its first end section (14a) and its intermediate section (14c), which is attached to the third section (24) of the wall of the first chamber (28).
25. Device according to at least one of claims 22 to 24,
    characterised in that the wall of the second chamber (42) has a fourth section which is formed by the third section (24) of the wall of the first chamber (28).
26. Device according to at least one of claims 12 to 25, with a housing (4, 6) that receives the sleeve-shaped body (12) and the loading mechanism (26, 30, 32, 34) and has a first housing part (4) and a second housing part (6) detachably arranged on the first housing part (4),
    characterised in that
    the first housing part (4) receives the sleeve-shaped body (12) substantially with the intermediate section (14c) and the second end section (14b) of its wall (14) and is arranged in the connecting area between the first end section (14a) and the intermediate section (14c) of the wall (14) of the sleeve-shaped body (12) on the second housing part (6).
27. Device according to claims 22 and 26,
    characterised in that the second housing part (6) is arranged in the region of the third section (24) of the wall of the first chamber (28) on the first housing part (4).

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