JP2000079148A - Air massage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a massage device which improves safety for always keeping a regular massage pressure even when a shape, a size, a thickness or the like are changed, of which massage member disposed at a section for pressing massages holding an affected part, and which can humanly massage the affected part by supplying a desired pressing force by a user. SOLUTION: A pair of swivel rings 2 having massage balls 3 respectively arranged at one end of the swivel rings 2 are axially attached to a massage device main body 1 having a hold section 1b. Both ends of expandable bellows are axially attached to another ends of the swivel rings 2. When the expandable bellows are expanded and inflated by supplying/discharging a compressed air supplied from a compressed air supply source 6, massage can be practiced by opposing massage balls 3 in the air massage device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air massager having a self-control function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided a massager for massaging a human body by massaging a human body by a massaging member provided on a massager main body via a link or the like. In these massagers, the rotation of the built-in motor is reduced by a gear provided inside the body of the massager, the rotational force is transmitted to a link, etc., and a kneading operation is performed by a kneading tool provided near the link tip. Is known (see JP-A-10-66717).

Further, a cylinder mechanism for converting the reciprocating motion of a piston into a massage motion by using a cylinder mechanism or the like with air sent from a pump (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 55-1640).
There is also known an air massager provided with a bellows mechanism that sends air into the bellows and expands and contracts the bellows in one direction (see JP-A-10-146373).

In a mechanical massage device, the link provided with the massaging device is operated by mechanical means such as a gear mechanism, so that the stroke width of the link and the cycle of the stroke time during operation are always constant. Was.

[0005] In practice, the shape, size and thickness of the affected part differ depending on the physique and gender of the user, so that when the affected part is pressed with a kneading tool, the massage pressure desired by the user is reached. After that, the pressing force on the affected part may continue to work. In other words, even if a force against the rocking motion of the link is exerted on the link by the kneading tool at the tip of the link pressing the affected part, the link tries to further swing, so the pressing force becomes stronger and the affected part is compressed. It was too dangerous to do it.

Therefore, when a mechanical massage device is used, it may be painful to pinch the muscle depending on the affected part to be pressed, so that care must be taken when using it. Further, when the stroke width of the link reaches the limit at each pressed portion and the swinging motion of the link is not performed, a load is applied to the built-in motor, causing a failure.

[0007] Further, the mechanical massager has a large weight due to having a large number of mechanical parts such as a built-in motor, gears, and cams inside the main body. It was difficult to use when used.

Further, when the massage device main body is operated, a loud noise is generated by these mechanical parts,
In particular, when the massager body is operated by placing it on the shoulder, the operation sound becomes quite loud at the ears and is very unpleasant.

[0009] The cylinder mechanism, which is an air-type massager, performs a massaging movement by sending air into the cylinder and pressing the piston. A satisfactory massage effect could not be obtained due to the lack of a natural massage action.

In the pneumatic massager of the bellows mechanism, one end of both ends of the bellows is fixed, and a side provided with a massaging tool at the other end is used as a free end to supply compressed air into the bellows. There was a massager for feeding and pressing the affected part between a massager provided on the free end side of the bellows and a massager separately provided.

However, a conventional bellows mechanism of this kind is
Since the massaging tool at the tip of the bellows presses linearly against the human body for massaging, it has been difficult to exhibit an artificial massage effect such as pinching and massaging the affected part.
For this reason, in the conventional air massager, a sufficient hand massage feeling was not obtained, and it was not satisfactory as a massager.

By the way, in air-type massagers, various types of compressors are used as a supply source when supplying air to a cylinder mechanism and a bellows mechanism. However, the compressor used in conventional air massagers has the characteristic that the lock pressure is significantly higher than the rated pressure, so if the compressor is continuously operated at the lock pressure, the pump drive motor will be overloaded and the motor will be overloaded. Problems such as damage and breakage of the diaphragm were caused, and there was a case where a breakdown or a burnout accident was caused.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been developed in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide:
In an air massager that sends air into a bellows-like airbag and expands and contracts the airbag to press the affected part of the human body with a massaging tool, the shape and size of the massage part that differs depending on the user's physique, gender, and the affected part Even if the thickness changes, the massage pressure is always kept constant to enhance safety, and a kneading tool provided at the part to be pressed is provided so that the affected part can be sandwiched and kneaded, and the pressing force desired by the user The object of the present invention is to provide a massager capable of more artificially massaging an affected part by supplying a massager.

Further, the sound during operation of the main body is quiet, the weight is light, the size can be reduced, and the coil of the compressor does not break down or generate heat to cause a burnout accident. The purpose is to provide an air massager that does not cost.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a massager body having a grip portion, wherein a pair of oscillating links is pivotally mounted on one end of the oscillating link. In addition to the above arrangement, the opposite ends of the expandable bellows are axially attached to the other ends of the swing links, and compressed air supplied from a compressed air supply source is supplied and exhausted to the expandable and contractable bellows to expand and contract the expandable bellows. This is an air massager that massages with the massage balls. In this case, a compression working chamber is provided in the compressed air supply source, and the compression working chamber repeatedly moves on the center line between the magnetic poles of the opposed electromagnets by the magnetic action and the resilient action of the coil spring, and the tensile force on the telescopic bellows is extended. It is preferable to use a compressed air supply source provided with a piston that moves by self-control.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of an air massager according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a massage device main body which forms an outer shell by a grip portion 1b and a casing 1a, and 2 denotes a pair of swing links provided at an extended portion of the grip portion 1b. A grip part 1b for a user to grip when using the massage device body 1
Are provided in a substantially corrugated shape according to the shape of the finger when grasping with the hand. An external hose 7, which is a flow path of compressed air, is provided from the vicinity of the lower end of the grip portion 1b and communicates from the inside of the main body 1. Source 6). Reference numeral 4 denotes an operation unit for operating the air massager, and 8 denotes a power cord.

2 and 3 are partially cutaway sectional views showing the internal structure of the massage device main body 1. FIG. In the drawing, the swing link 2 is rotatably supported by connecting pins or the like at fulcrum portions 2a, 2a provided at both ends of a holding portion 9 provided extending from the grip portion 1b. In addition, a pair of swing links 2 abut against the affected part of the human body and are provided so as to sandwich the kneading balls 3 in the vicinity of the distal end which is a part to be pressed so as to be able to knead. The members are connected by a leaf spring 10a, and the telescopic bellows 10 is provided near the other ends of the swing links 2 and 2 so as to be telescopically pivoted so as to be held between the holding members 2b and 2b.

A regulating member 10b is provided so as to stand substantially vertically from the center of the extension of the holding portion 9 of the casing 1a with respect to the extension direction, and substantially bisects the length direction in which the extension and contraction bellows 10 expands and contracts. One end of the restricting member 10b is fixed to substantially the center of the holding portion 9 so as to surround the outer periphery of the expandable bellows 10 so that when the expandable bellows 10 expands and contracts, the center near the center of the expandable bellows 10 is always centered. Only the vicinity of the center of the bellows is restricted so as to be substantially on the vertical line of the position. The restricting member 10b is provided integrally with or separately from the holding portion 9, so that the opening 10c of the restricting member 10b is slightly loosely fitted to the center position of the telescopic bellows 10.

An air supply hose 7a is provided from the end of the telescopic bellows 10 on the casing 1a side, and the remaining end of the air supply hose 7a communicates with the intake port 4a of the operation unit 4 provided in the casing 1a. I have.

The operating section 4 comprises a three-way valve comprising an intake port 4a, an air supply port 4b, and an exhaust port 5d, which are flow paths for compressed air. The compressed air flowing from the intake port 4a of the three-way valve is
It flows out from the air supply port 4b or the exhaust hole 5d, or
The air flows out from both the air supply port 4b and the exhaust hole 5d at the same time.

A valve shaft 5a is provided inside the three-way valve.
By pressing the operation button 4c, the valve shaft 5a slides to the left in the drawing, and the sealing member 5 provided near the tip of the valve shaft 5a
By moving c to the left, the compressed air flowing from the intake port 4a is supplied to the air supply port 4b or the exhaust hole 5d.

Reference numeral 4d denotes an adjusting nut, which is screwed with a screw portion 5b provided on the valve shaft 5a, and which is turned when the operating button 4c is pressed by rotating the adjusting nut 4d.
The distance that a slides is adjusted. Reference numeral 4e denotes a spring which is provided so as to be elastically biased in a direction in which the operation button 4c is pressed.

A connection hose 7a is connected to a pressure accumulating tank 5 for accumulating compressed air from an intake port 4a of the operation unit 4, and compressed air is sucked. An external hose 7 is connected to the accumulator tank 5, and the external hose 7 is provided to extend outside the casing 1 a, and an end thereof is connected to the compressor 6 to form a compressed air flow path.

This compressor 6 (compressed air supply source)
Is a piston 6c having at one end an electromagnet 6a provided on the main body of the compressor 6, a magnetic body 6b attracted by the electromagnet 6a, a piston 6c and a coil spring 6 for piston operation.
d, a compression working chamber 6e for compressing the sucked air, a suction valve 6
f, an air discharge port 6i provided with a discharge valve 6h, and the like. When an overload (over-pressurized) state occurs, the piston stroke decreases and the magnetic material 6
Since b is stroked on the electromagnet side, it has a feature that power consumption is reduced without burning the coil.

FIG. 10 is an external view showing another embodiment of the air massager of the present invention in which a compressor (compressed air supply source) 16 is provided in the main body of a casing 19 of the massager. In the present embodiment, an air massaging device having an integral structure in which a power supply unit 18 as a power supply of the compressor 16 is provided inside a casing 19 of the main body together with the compressor 16. When the power switch 18a is turned on, compressed air is generated from the compressor 16 and once accumulated in the accumulator tank 15, the compressed air is supplied to the operation unit 14.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the air massager of the present invention. In the figure, 21 is a massage device main body, 23
Is a massage ball, and the massage device body 21 has a base 29
a is provided so that the kneading position can be adjusted by a screw 29b and a fixing screw 29c. First, the massage device main body 21 is pivotally attached to one end of the base 29a with a screw 29b,
After rotating the kneader body 21 around the screw 29b so that the kneading balls 23 are at the desired pressing positions, the base 29a
Is fixed to the back plate 29 with fixing screws 29c.

Although the back plate 29 is erected in the figure, the back plate 29 may be installed horizontally. In this case, the user can massage the affected part with his body sideways.

Also, as shown in FIGS.
The sliding portion 32c provided with the kneading balls 33 near the tip is provided as a separate component so that the pressing position of the swing link 32 can be further adjusted, and the adjusting portion 32d provided near the tip of the oscillating link 32 is provided. It is also possible to provide it slidably.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
When the power supply (not shown) of the compressor 6 is turned on, compressed air is supplied to the main body 1 through the external hose 7.

When the operation button 4c of the operation section 4 is pressed in this state, compressed air is supplied to the main body 1 and the compressed air stored in the accumulator tank 5 provided inside the main body 1 is passed through the operation section 4. The telescopic bellows 10 is fed to the telescopic bellows 10, and the telescopic bellows starts to expand. The telescopic bellows 10 has the swinging link 2 on both sides via the holding member 2b, so that the swinging link 2 swings, and the kneading balls provided near the tip of the swinging link 2 move the affected part of the human body. Press to start the massage movement.

When the pressing is started and the stroke width of the oscillating link 2 reaches the limit due to the shape, size, and thickness of the massage portion that differs for each pressed portion, the oscillating motion is stopped. The telescopic bellows 10 is filled with the compressed air relatively quickly, and eventually the compressed bellows 10 is not supplied with the compressed air.

In the above state, the pressure of the compressed air supplied from the compressor 6 which is the supply source of the compressed air does not increase any more. The motion of the dynamic link 2 is maintained during the stroke. Therefore, the stroke width of the oscillating link 2 differs for each pressing position, and the affected part is not strongly pressed.

When the pressure of the air in the telescopic bellows 10 increases, the flow rate of the compressed air to the telescopic bellows 10 is maintained. In addition, the pressing force for pressing in response to the thickness or the like is always kept constant, and a massage effect with almost the same pressing force per unit area can be obtained.

As described above, since the compressor 6 is provided as a supply source of compressed air, when the massager is operated to press the affected part, it opposes the swinging motion of the swing link 2 across the affected part. When the force is increased, no further pressing force acts on the affected area, so that the muscle does not get hurt or hurt.

In the region where the affected part is pressed, the oscillating link 2 provided with the kneading balls 3 near the tip is connected to the massage device main body 1.
Since it is rotatably provided on the extended holding portion 9a and fixes only near the center of the telescopic bellows 10,
Each swing ring 2, 2 is capable of pivotal movement about the fulcrum 2a, 2a, and is connected by a leaf spring 10a in the vicinity of the tip of the swing link 2, 2 on the side of the kneading ball 3. Therefore, the kneading ball 3 can perform a circular motion around the fulcrum 2a and perform an operation of kneading the affected part of the human body.

Accordingly, a sufficient hand massage feeling can be obtained during use, and a more artificial massage effect can be obtained.

When the pressing of the operation button 4c is stopped, the supply of compressed air into the telescopic bellows 10 is interrupted. The rocking links 2 and 2 exert a force in the direction opposite to the direction in which the affected part is pressed by the elastic force of the leaf spring 10a provided near the end, and exert a force on the telescopic bellows 10 in a direction in which the bellows 10 contracts. Since the bellows 10 works, the bellows 10 contracts, and the compressed air inside is sent to the operation unit 4 via the connection hose 7a and is exhausted from the exhaust hole 4e of the operation unit 4. Massage is performed by sequentially repeating this operation.

Next, the operation of the operation unit 4 will be described. Compressed air sent from the compressor 6 is sent to the accumulator tank (chamber) 5 through the external hose 7,
Furthermore, the air stored in the pressure accumulating tank 5 is in a standby state in which the compressed air is instantaneously compressed, and the operation button 4 c of the operation unit 4 is operated.
The air is supplied to the telescopic bellows 10 by pressing.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the three-way valve which is the operation unit 4. During standby, the valve shaft 5a is urged rightward in the drawing by the elastic force of the spring 4e, so that the seal member 5c seals the communication hole 5e. Therefore, compressed air is not supplied from the pressure accumulation tank 5 to the intake port 4a of the operation unit 4. On the other hand, the compressed air in the telescopic bellows 10 is supplied to the air supply port 4b via the connecting hose 7a, and the air sent to the air supply port 4b passes through the exhaust hole 5d and is exhausted from the exhaust member 4f. .

As shown in FIG. 7, when the operation button 4c is pressed, the valve shaft 5a connected to the operation button 4c slides to the left at the interval A against the elastic force of the spring 4e. At this time, the seal member 5c provided on the valve shaft 5a seals the exhaust hole 5d, and the intake port 4a and the air supply port 4b are connected to the communication hole 5e.
To communicate through. Accordingly, the compressed air compressed in the pressure accumulating tank 5 is sucked in from the intake port 4a by pressing the operation button 4c, passes through the communication hole 5e, and is supplied to the air supply port 4b.
It is further fed into the telescopic bellows 10. Operation button 4
Since the compressed air is supplied into the telescopic bellows 10 while pressing c, the massage operation can be obtained for a desired time.

Next, the adjusting nut 4d is rotated to rotate the valve shaft 5a.
2 shows the operation unit 4 adjusted so that the sliding distance of the operation unit becomes short.
In the standby state, no air is supplied from the pressure accumulation tank 5 to the intake port 4a of the operation unit 4 as before the adjustment.

When the operation button 4c is pressed and the valve shaft 5a slides, the sliding distance of the valve shaft 5a becomes B as shown in the figure. At this time, the intake port 4a and the air supply port 4b communicate with each other via the communication hole 5e, and the exhaust hole 5d further communicates with the exhaust hole 5d because the sealing member 5c does not seal.

Since the air supplied from the air supply port 4b leaks from the exhaust hole 5d and decreases as compared with before the adjustment of the adjustment nut 4d, the compressed air supplied to the telescopic bellows 10 every time unit is reduced. The amount of air is also reduced, so that the swinging speed of the swinging link 2 is reduced and the pressing force is also weakened.

By adjusting the amount of compressed air supplied to the telescopic bellows 10 in this manner, the strength of the pressing force can be adjusted, so that a more artificial massage effect can be obtained in addition to the pinching and kneading function. .

In a further embodiment of the air massager of the present invention shown in FIG. 10, since the compressor 16 and the power supply 18 are provided in the casing 19, the air massager can be used as a compact and portable air massager. .

The air massage device of the present invention is not limited to a hand-held portable device, but can be installed as a stationary air massage device. When the base 29a is rotatably provided on the base 29 and the swing link 22 is provided integrally with the base 29a, the base 29a can be used while sitting down, and when the back plate 29 is provided horizontally, the base 29a can be set horizontally. is there. At the time of use, it is very easy to use because the position can be adjusted rotatably with respect to the part of the human body pressed by the kneading balls 23.

Sliding part 3 having kneading balls 33a near the tip
2c is provided separately from the swing link 32, and the sliding portion 32c
Is slidably provided on the adjusting portion 32d provided on the swing link 32, the pressing position of the kneading balls 33a can be further slidably and finely adjusted, and the positional relationship between the kneading balls 33a and 33b can be changed. A different feeling of rubbing can be obtained.

Also, the air massager of the present embodiment does not have many mechanical parts such as gears and cams as a mechanical massager, so that the sound during operation of the main body is quiet, so that it can be used comfortably. It is very easy to use because the weight of the massager body is light, and it is very convenient especially for a hand-held massager. Also, since there are few components, miniaturization is possible.

[0049]

As is evident from the above, the air massager of the present invention has a constant massage pressure even when the shape, size, thickness, etc. of the massaged part is changed, thereby ensuring safety. In addition to the above, the kneading tool provided on the link can be sandwiched and kneaded so that the desired pressing force can be adjusted, so that it is possible to artificially and comfortably massage.

Further, the air massager of the present invention is an air massager which is quiet in operation, has a light weight of the main body, is very easy to use, and can be miniaturized. Combined with a type compressor, there is almost no damage or failure, and burnout accidents are unlikely to occur. Further, by preventing waste of air, wasteful power is not consumed, and there are excellent effects such as low cost in use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of an air massager according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing the internal structure of the air massager of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing the internal structure of the air massager of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway enlarged sectional view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway enlarged sectional view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a three-way valve according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a three-way valve according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a three-way valve according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a three-way valve according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an external view showing another embodiment of the air massager of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an external view showing still another embodiment of the air massager of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway enlarged side view showing a further embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a partially cut-away enlarged side view showing a further embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a compressed air supply source used for the air massager according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Massager main body 1b Grasping part 2, 22 Swing link 3 Kneading ball 6, 16 Compressed air supply source (compressor) 10 Telescopic bellows 10a Leaf spring 6a Electromagnet 6b Magnetic body 6c Piston 6d Coil spring 6e Compression working chamber 6f Suction valve 6g Inlet port 6h Discharge valve 6i Discharge port

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A pair of swing links are pivotally mounted on a massage device main body having a gripping portion, kneading balls are provided at one end of the swing links, and both ends of a telescopic bellows are provided at the other ends of the swing links. The air massage is characterized in that the elastic bellows is massaged by opposing massaging balls by expanding and contracting the expandable and contractable bellows by supplying and exhausting compressed air supplied from a compressed air supply source to the expandable and contractible bellows. vessel. 2. A compression working chamber is provided in the compressed air supply source, and the compression working chamber repeatedly moves by a magnetic action and a resilient action of a coil spring on a center line between magnetic poles of the opposed electromagnets. The air massager according to claim 1, further comprising a piston that moves by self-controlling the extension force of the air massager.