JP2001252316A - Air massage equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a massage equipment, which can be easily mounted on a seat. SOLUTION: Concerning an air massage equipment 10, which can be mounted on a backrest 2 of a seat 1, all mechanisms such as air pump 25 are housed in the main body 11 thereof in addition to an airbag 20. This massage equipment 10 can be handled in one body and is convenient and further, by housing the air pump 25 or the like in the main body 11, the effect of soundproofing or vibration proofing can be provided as well.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air massage device which can be attached to a backrest of a vehicle seat, a backrest of a chair and the like to massage the back.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When sitting in a chair or a seat for a long period of time, phenomena such as stiffness of muscles or strain on a spine or the like may occur. For this reason, there is a backrest provided with a sheet provided with irregularities that can be expected to have a massage effect.

[0003]

However, there is little massage effect if the unevenness is provided, and there is a demand for a massager that can actively massage the back and waist to dissolve the massage.

[0004] Chair-type massage devices are already commercially available, but are intended for full-scale relaxation, and are not suitable for driving or office work. In addition, these massage devices follow the mode of performing various massages such as tapping, fir, etc., and often massage the entire area from the waist to the neck, are large, heavy and expensive, and are not massage devices that can be used anytime and anywhere . Therefore, it is impossible to carry it directly to a driver's seat, a workplace such as an office or a factory.

Therefore, in the present invention, the seat can be mounted on a seat or a seat back which is installed in various places, such as a car seat, an office chair, or a chair at a factory work site. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air massage device capable of easily obtaining an effect. It is another object of the present invention to provide an air massage device that can easily massage a part desired by a user while having a simple mechanism. It is another object of the present invention to provide an air massage device capable of safely obtaining a massage effect even when used in a vehicle seat, and a control method thereof.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention provides an air massage device which can be integrally attached to a backrest. A vibrator may be placed on the back to positively relax the stiffness, but the air massage method that expands and contracts the air bag can change the user's posture relatively greatly while sitting. It is possible and has the effect of relaxing and stretching the back. Therefore, it is suitable for relaxing long-term muscle tension. Further, in the air massage system, a method is also conceivable in which only the airbag is arranged on the backrest and a mechanism for supplying compressed air to the backrest is connected by a hose, and the portion arranged on the backrest can be easily reduced. However, in this method, all the mechanisms that serve as air sources, such as a separate compressor or air pump, are necessary to operate the massage device, so that they require space for installing them, and the appearance of the hose is poor because the hose pops out. It is not easy to use, for example, clothes are caught in the hose. Therefore, in the present invention, the main components constituting the air massage device are integrated so that they can be mounted on the backrest.

That is, the air massage device of the present invention comprises a main body having a function as a support structure which can be installed on a backrest, an airbag held by the main body, and air supply and exhaust to the airbag. The air supply and exhaust mechanism includes an air source device that generates compressed air, a motor that drives the air source device, and a hose that supplies air from the air source device to the air bag. A pipe member and a valve member for controlling at least exhaust are provided, and the air source device, the motor, the pipe member, and the valve member are also held by the main body. In this way, by integrating the main components of the air massage device into the main body, there is no need to dispose of a plurality of components, and simply attach the air massage device of the present invention to the backrest to air the back. An aggressive massage effect of pressing with a bag can be easily obtained. Therefore, when used, there is no hassle of connecting the air source device and the air bag with a hose, and the hose crawls around the seat or chair to make it look bad,
It does not hinder the user's behavior with clothes or the like in between. For this reason, the air massage device of the present invention
It is a massage device that is ideal for mounting in narrow spaces or seats and chairs that frequently sit and stand, that is, seats in cars, offices, theaters, movie theaters, etc. You can enjoy driving, working and watching theater in a relaxed state.

In order to integrate an air source device such as a compressor or an air pump and a motor for driving the air source device in addition to the air bag, it is desirable to arrange the air source device and the motor at the bottom of the main body. When the main body is mounted on the back of a chair or a seat, the lowermost portion is located near the boundary between the back (back) and the seat, where the gap is formed between the user's buttocks and the back. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the equipment constituting the air supply / exhaust mechanism, such as the air source device and the motor, without substantially affecting the comfort of the seat or the chair. Further, since the massage device of the present invention obtains a massage effect by supplying and exhausting air to and from the air bag, the use state of the backrest is not affected when the air bag is not used. By arranging the air source device and the motor at the bottom, these effects hardly appear. Therefore, the massage device can be mounted without substantially impairing the original sitting comfort of the seat or the chair. In other methods, such as a vibrator, the pressing part of the pot is hard and protruding, so that the sitting comfort of the chair or seat is impaired, and it is an obstacle for users who do not need massage or who do not like massage. However, the air massage device of the present invention does not have such a thing.

Further, by arranging the air source device and the motor horizontally at the lowermost portion, it is possible to arrange the air source device and the motor so as to almost fit in the gap between the buttocks and the backrest. Further, the valve member can be arranged horizontally on the extension of the air source device and the motor, and only a flexible member such as an air bag can be arranged in a portion corresponding to the backrest. Therefore, a comfortable massage device can be provided.

[0010] In addition, in order not to expose the air source device and the motor directly, and to secure flexibility when hitting the buttocks and the waist, it is desirable to cover the cover with a soft material such as urethane. By providing the cover, it is also possible to obtain a soundproofing effect. In particular, in the case of an air massage device, it is possible to concentrate noise or heat-generating equipment by connecting to an air bag with a pipe member such as a hose, and it is easy to provide a soundproof and quiet massage device. is there. Therefore, not only in vehicles, but also in quiet places such as offices and theaters,
The massage effect can be obtained with a sound that does not disturb the user or the surroundings.

Further, when the main body is provided with a first cover member for covering at least one of the front surface and the rear surface of the airbag, this includes a case where the main body is formed of a cover member. The second connected to the member
By covering the air source device and the motor with the cover member described above, it is possible to provide an air massage device that has a more sense of unity and does not expose a tube member such as a hose, and is also excellent in design. Then, by covering a hard device such as an air source device or a motor with a member such as soft urethane, it is possible to provide an air massage device that is soft as a whole and comfortable to use as described above. Further, as described above, it also has a soundproofing effect.

When the air source device and the motor are covered with a cover, there is a possibility that the heat radiation will be delayed and the temperature will increase depending on the operation rate. For this reason, it is desirable to form a path through which air flows along the outer surface of the air source device or the motor in the cover that covers the air source device and the motor.
By operating the air source device, air supply or exhaust flows through this path, so that the heat radiation efficiency can be increased.
It is also possible to increase the massage effect by sending air heated by the motor or the surroundings of the air source device to the airbag and pressing it while warming the back. Furthermore, it is also possible to arrange a heating wire on the air bag or in the vicinity of the air bag so that massage can be performed while the back is actively heated, which is highly effective in winter and the like.

It is desirable to provide a belt which is movably supported at two upper and lower positions on the main body, and to attach an air bag to the belt. When the main body is provided with a cover member that covers the front surface of the airbag, it is desirable to provide a belt member that penetrates the cover member at two locations above and below, thereby holding the airbag. With such a structure, the user can adjust the position (height) of the airbag with the belt member. The physical condition of a user sitting on a seat or a chair varies, but with the air massage device of the present invention, the position of the airbag can be adjusted to a position desired by the user for massage. In particular, even in the air massage device in which the front surface of the airbag is covered with the cover, the position of the airbag inside the cover can be adjusted by moving the belt member exposed on the surface or the front surface.

The number of belt members may be one, but it is preferable to prepare about two belt members and support both ends of the airbag. This stabilizes the position of the everback, and also provides flexibility such as arranging the airbag at a slight angle. It is also possible to arrange a plurality of air bags one above the other, and in such an air massage device, the air bags may be attached to a common belt member, or the belt members are separately supported to support each air bag. It is also possible to provide. If a common belt member is used, the structure is simplified, and only one belt member appears on the surface.
All you need is a pair. If a belt member is provided for each air bag or for each air bag assembled for each group, each position can be adjusted individually, so it is possible to press a more appropriate body part and receive an effective massage . However, since the number of belts appearing on the surface increases, usability tends to be troublesome.

The main body may be simply placed on the backrest. However, in order to avoid getting in the way when getting on and off, and sitting and standing repeatedly, and to enhance the fit with the backrest, it is necessary to be able to attach to the backrest. It is valid. When the fixing belt is attached to the backrest, it is desirable that the fixing belt attaching portion can attach the fixing belt in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. For example, it can be dealt with by providing a belt through hole through which the fixing belt can be vertically and horizontally penetrated in the attachment portion. This is because depending on the shape of the chair or the seat, it is desirable to attach the fixing belt in one direction. For example, a bucket type is sometimes adopted for a chair of a vehicle. In this type of seat, when a fixing belt is attached to a side, that is, in a horizontal direction, the main body floats from a backrest, and a fit and a massage effect are obtained. May decrease. Conversely, depending on the vehicle seat, the backrest and the seat portion may be continuous, and there may be no gap between the seat and the fixed belt. In such a sheet, it is required that the fixing belt be rotated and attached in the horizontal direction.

In consideration of the massage effect, it is desirable that the airbag expand and contract as much as possible. However, when the airbag is inflated, the body of the user is pushed forward, and during driving, there is a possibility that the driving operation may be uncomfortable due to a decrease in the distance from the steering wheel. For this reason, it is desirable to adopt a control means or a control method capable of adjusting the inflation rate of the airbag to at least two stages so that the mode in which the inflation rate is small can be forcibly selected when the vehicle moves. While driving, it is possible to prevent the airbag from inflating,
You may want to receive a massage while driving. In such a case, if the inflation rate of the airbag is reduced, it is possible to squeeze the back moderately without hindering driving, eliminating stiffness, suitable for continuing relaxed and safe driving. is there. Whether or not the vehicle is running can be detected by turning on / off the handbrake, the speed of the vehicle, or power noise.

Further, in order to prevent the air bag from being inadvertently fixed in an inflated state during operation or the like, a normally open control valve, that is, a valve member which is opened to the atmosphere when the power is cut off, is required. It is desirable to use a valve member that closes only when air is supplied. Thus, even when the air bag does not contract, the air can be removed by turning off the power.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be further described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an outline of an air massage device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a state in which the air massage device is mounted on a backrest 2 of a seat 1 of an automobile. The air massage device 10 of the present embodiment is mainly composed of a substantially flat and thin main body 11 and can be attached to the backrest 2 by a fixing belt 31.
Further, the main body 11 is made of flexible urethane foam, and does not impair the comfort of the seat 1 when it is mounted on the backrest 2. Inside the main body 11, an air bag 20 that is inflated and contracted by compressed air is housed, and an adjustment belt 21 that appears on the surface 12
Thereby, the height inside the main body 11 can be adjusted. The body 11 further includes an air pump 25 for supplying and exhausting air to and from the air bag 20, a solenoid valve 27, and a hose 2 for connecting these to the air bag 20.
8 are stored.

In the air massage apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the components for massaging the air bag 20 by repeatedly inflating and deflating the air bag 20 using air are provided by the operation panel 3.
Except for 3, it is stored in the main body 11. Therefore, it is possible to move the airbag 20 just by attaching the main body 11 to the backrest 2 and perform an active massage on the affected part such as the waist or the back, and the massage effect can be obtained very easily. In addition, the air massage device 10 of this example
Then, the operation panel 33 is provided so that the user can operate it at hand.
Is not integrated with the main body 11, but is connected to the main body 11 by a cable 34. Further, a cigar socket plug 35 is connected to an operation panel 33 via a power cable 36 so that a battery mounted on the vehicle can be used as a power source. In addition, the air massage device 10 of the present embodiment is configured such that when the car starts moving, massage is performed within a safe range for driving, and a signal 37 from a parking brake (hand brake) determines whether or not the car is moving. Is to catch and judge.

FIGS. 2 to 5 show enlarged views of the air massage device 10 of the present embodiment as viewed from the front and rear direction and cut along an appropriate plane. FIG. 2 is a diagram viewed from the front surface 12 of the air massage device 10, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a plan view of an internal arrangement of the air massage device 10. Also, FIG.
FIG. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the air massage device 10. As shown in FIG. 5A, the air massage device 10 of the present example
The main body 11 is mainly configured by a front cover 14 that forms the side of the front surface 12 that is in contact with the user's back, and a rear cover 15 that forms the backrest 13. An airbag 20 and a hose for supplying and exhausting air to and from the airbag 20 are disposed inside the main body 11 so as to be sandwiched between the front cover 14 and the rear cover 15. Further, a mat 16 is arranged inside the rear cover 15 so that the feeling of the fixed belt 31 for attaching the main body 11 to the backrest 2 is not transmitted directly to the user's back.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 1 composed of the front cover 14 and the rear cover 15 is provided.
1, an air pump 25, a motor 26 for driving the pump, and a solenoid valve 27 are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction. The air pump 25, the motor 26, and the solenoid valve 27, which constitute these air supply / exhaust mechanisms, are covered with a mat 18 and further covered with a cover 17 connected to the front cover 14 and the rear cover 15. Further, a fastener (zipper (registered trademark)) 19 is provided at a boundary portion between the cover 17 and the rear cover 15. When the fastener 19 is released, the cover 17 opens, and the air pump 25 wrapped in the mat 18, The motor 26 and the solenoid valve 27 can be inspected periodically, and can be replaced if there is a failure.

The front cover 14 is made of a thin and easily deformable member, for example, a thick cloth or a thin and soft urethane foam. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the air discharged from the air pump 25 enters the air bag 20 and expands and the thickness (volume) increases, the air bag 20 is deformed along with the air bag 20 and the air bag 20 is deformed. Move forward 12
To communicate. Therefore, with the air massage device 10 of this example, pressure is applied to the back or waist of the user from the rear to extend the back muscles, or to pressurize the surroundings,
Furthermore, massage can be performed by pressing around the waist. On the other hand, when the solenoid valve 27 is opened, the air inside the airbag 20 is discharged through the solenoid valve 27, so that the airbag 20 contracts and has a thickness (volume).
Decrease. By repeating such movements regularly, the back or waist can be effectively massaged.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the air massage device 10 of this embodiment is attached to the seat 1,
The built-in airbag 20 is arranged at the waist or back of the user 5. For this reason, the airbag 20
Is inflated and deflated, it is possible to force the user 5 to press against the waist or back and to force the user to stretch the back muscles, to relax the stiffness and promote blood circulation, and to achieve a relaxed state. it can. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the effect of relieving muscle fatigue and reducing the burden on the spine or lumbar spine at the same time. Equipment can be provided.

On the other hand, the rear cover 15 or the mat 16 accommodated in the rear cover 15 is a resin-made slightly hard member having a soft touch but sufficient strength as a support member. Etc. Thereby, although the main body 11 is a soft material as a whole, the main body 11 has sufficient strength to maintain the shape independently. Similarly, the cover 17 that constitutes the lowermost part of the main body 11 in which the air pump 25 and the like are stored is a soft material with a good touch, and a mat (cover) 18 that functions to hold the air pump 25 and the like is made of hard foam. A material or composition, such as urethane, which can maintain its own shape independently while being soft is selected. Therefore, the air massage device 10 of the present example has a strong support structure in which the main body 11 can be handled as one member as a whole, while adopting many flexible members such as urethane,
A soft and comfortable feeling of support is obtained when hitting the back of the user.

Although the air pump 25 and the like are also built in the main body 11, they are arranged at the lowermost portion of the main body 11, and hardly hinder the user 5 when the main body 11 is mounted on the backrest 2. . That is, as can be seen with reference to FIG. 6, the pump 25, and furthermore, the motor and the valve arranged horizontally therewith are arranged at the lowermost part of the main body 11, so that the backrest 2 and the backrest 2 are attached to the seat 1. It is located at the boundary of the seat 3. This position is a place where a gap is easily formed between the buttocks of the user 5 and the seat 1, and even if a hard and thick machine such as the pump 25 is arranged, the seating comfort of the seat 1 is not spoiled. Furthermore, in the air massage device 10 of this example, as can be seen from FIG. 5, the front surface 12 which hits the back, waist and buttocks of the user is made as flat as possible so as to protrude toward the rear surface 13 of the main body 11. A pump 25 and the like are arranged. Therefore, they can be installed by entering into the boundary between the backrest 2 and the seat 3 of the seat 1, and in this regard, the seat can be given priority to the original sitting comfort.

The air pump 25 has a motor 26
A cylindrical rolling type diaphragm pump that is integrated with the product and adopts a cylindrical surface that extends horizontally when it is placed horizontally and touches the buttocks of the user. Without giving them. Similarly, the solenoid valve 27 also employs a cylindrical shape. By arranging these in the horizontal direction, a space-saving mechanical arrangement is provided, and the solenoid valve 27 easily fits in the gap between the buttocks and the seat. Also, a soft touch can be obtained through the mat 18 covering these surroundings.

As described above, the air massage device 10 of the present embodiment can be easily attached to the backrest 2 of the vehicle seat 1, and the airbag 20, the pump 25, the valve 27, and the pipe 28 are attached to the main body 11. Main components, such as the operation panel 33, which is desirably located near the operation, are housed and integrated. Of course, the main body 11 can be mounted not only on a car seat but also on an office chair, a factory chair, or a backrest of a theater or movie theater viewing chair. With respect to the air massage apparatus 10 of this example, an air massage apparatus in which only the air bag is housed in the main body and the pump 25 and the valve 27 are supplied separately from the main body is also possible. However, by incorporating the pump 25 into the main body 11 as in this example, only the controller 33 is provided separately, but other components can be provided integrally. Therefore, the number of parts or units that must be arranged for use is reduced, the trouble of having to arrange a plurality of parts at the time of use is reduced, and an air massage device that is easy to handle anytime and anywhere can be provided. Furthermore, since the air hose does not appear outside, the life of the air hose is not shortened by accidentally damaging the air hose, and the air hose does not become a hindrance when moving with clothes or the like in between.

A device that generates an operation sound, such as a pump 25, a motor 26, and a solenoid valve 27, is housed inside the main body 11, and the main body 11 is made of a sound absorbing material such as foamed polyurethane which easily absorbs sound. it can. Therefore,
By filling the mat 18 around the pump 25 and the like as described above and forming the periphery with a thick cloth on the outside, the noise during operation (driving noise) can be suppressed low. In the air massage device 10 of this example, it is possible to reduce the noise during driving to about 45 dBA at the ear of the user, and there is no hindrance to driving, and furthermore, quietness in offices, theaters, movie theaters, etc. It can be used in places without much discomfort.

In this embodiment, the exhaust port 27a of the solenoid valve 27
A cylindrical space is formed by a mat 18 on the extension of the mat, which functions as an exhaust buffer or a silencer. A space 52 connected to the suction port 25a of the pump 25 through a path 53 around the pump is also processed into a cylindrical shape, and functions as a buffer or a silencer on the suction side.
Accordingly, the resistance of intake and exhaust is reduced, so that the noise and vibration associated with supply and exhaust are reduced, and the noise itself is also reduced. Further, it is possible to insert a cylindrical buffer that functions as a silencer in the middle of the air hose 28, and it is possible to further reduce noise by about several dB.

The mat 18 covering the periphery of the pump 25 and the like has a function of attenuating the transmission of vibrations to the outside in addition to noise. As described above, the pump 25 is installed at the boundary between the backrest 2 and the seat 3 where a gap is easily generated between the user's body and the seat. It is not transmitted to the body.

On the other hand, when the surroundings of the pump 25 and the valve 27 are covered with the mat 18 or the like, when the massage device 10 is continuously operated for a long time, heat radiation from these devices becomes a problem. there is a possibility. Therefore, in the massage device 10 of the present embodiment, the air path 53 is provided around the pump 25 so that the intake air and the exhaust of the valve 27 flow along the periphery of the pump 25. A similar path is provided around the valve 27. Therefore, the pump 25 and the valve 27
Is promoted, and the temperature rise can be prevented.

The air bag 20, which inflates and contracts repeatedly by the supply and exhaust of the pump 25 and the valve 27, can move up and down inside the main body 11. For this reason, the airbag 20 is
1 is attached to an adjustment belt 21 pierced by a top cover 14 constituting a surface (cloth made of cloth) 12 on the user side with upper and lower portions 14a and 14b. By operating from the surface, the internal air bag 20 can be moved to a desired position. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, in the air massage device 10 of the present example, the air bag 20 is attached to the back side of the front cover 14 forming a part of the main body 11 via the adjustment belt 21, and The vertical position of the airbag 20 can be changed by moving the adjustment belt 21 that appears. Users have different heights and different places where stiffness occurs depending on the sitting posture and the like. In addition, the location of the massage may vary from time to time. The air massage device 10 of the present embodiment includes an adjustment belt 21 that appears on the surface 12.
, The height of the airbag 20 can be easily adjusted by simply operating the airbag 20, and the user can massage each user at a desired position, for example, by matching the center of the airbag with the center of the user's waist. Good massage effect can be obtained.

In the air massage device 10 of the present embodiment, the adjustment belt 21 is disposed so as to support both ends of the airbag 20, so that the airbag 20 can be easily moved up and down smoothly. I have.
Furthermore, the angle of the airbag 20 can be adjusted if the angle is small. The airbag 20 of the present example is a gourd-shaped with both ends 20a being thick and the center 20b being thin, and is suitable for pushing the spine and deforming both sides of the spine further to relieve stiffness of muscles along the spine. Shape. Therefore, the position pushed by the airbag 20 differs by slightly changing the angle,
Further, fine adjustment can be made in response to the user's request. Further, since both sides of the airbag 20 are supported by the belt 21, the belt 21 can be removed from the position where the back of the user is pressed. Therefore, the belt 21 is not pressed against the user's back during the massage. Therefore, the belt 2 on the surface 12
1 is arranged, but this does not impair sitting comfort or massage effect.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rear cover 15 constituting the back surface 13 of the air massage device 10 is provided with a belt loop 55 as an attachment portion for the fixed belt 31 at two upper and lower locations for each belt, for a total of 4 places. It is provided in the place. The belt loop 55 is provided with the belt 3 in the vertical direction (vertical direction).
1 through holes 56a and 56b, and holes 5 through which the belt 31 can pass in the left-right direction (horizontal direction).
7a and 57b are provided. Therefore, in the air massage device 10 of the present embodiment, the main body 11 can be arbitrarily selected to be either vertically or horizontally with respect to the sheet 1 by the fixing belt 31.

This is because, depending on the shape of the seat 1, the belt 31 for fixing the main body 11 may be applied either vertically or horizontally. For example, when the seat has a bucket shape, the fixing belt 31 is attached. When the body is turned sideways, the main body 11 does not adhere to the surface of the backrest 2, and a space is formed between them. Therefore, when the airbag is inflated, the airbag is inflated not in the direction of the user's body but in the space (gap), and there is a possibility that the user's body cannot be pressed. On the other hand, if the fixed belt 31 is applied vertically, the air massage device 10 of this example can be mounted inside the bucket shape,
Air massage can be performed effectively without compromising the sitting comfort.

On the other hand, there is also a seat in which the backrest 2 and the surface of the seating surface 3 are connected (integrally or continuously) to one another. In such a case, the fixing belt 31 is vertically extended with respect to the main body 11. Can not. Therefore, it is desirable that the fixing belt 31 be set sideways. Of course, it is possible to obtain a sufficient massage effect by simply placing the seat on the seat without using the fixed belt 31, but the position may change when getting on or off, or the position may move during massage or driving. Therefore, it is desirable to use the fixed belt 31 to integrate the sheet 1. A buckle 32 is attached to each end of the fixed belt 31 of this embodiment, and is connected by the buckle 32 behind the seat back 2. Therefore, the user can easily attach the air massage device 10 of this example to any sheet.

FIG. 7 shows an outline of the control panel 33. The control panel 33 is connected to the air pump 25 and the solenoid valve 27 housed in the main body 11 by a connecting cable 34, and controls the movement of the air bag 20 through these controls. Also, it is connected to a power socket by a power cord 36,
It also has a power supply function. In this example, the in-vehicle massage device 10 is described, but if it is for office or home use, it is also possible to take power from a household outlet. Also, for theaters and movie theaters, the control panel can be installed on the elbow rest.

The control panel 33 includes a panel 61 for setting the operation time from above and a panel 6 for setting the intensity of the massage depending on the degree of inflation of the airbag 20.
2 and a panel 63 for setting a cycle for expanding and contracting the airbag 20 are arranged. On the panel 61 for setting the operation time, the operation time is set to 15
It is possible to switch between minutes and 30 minutes, and a time according to the user's preference can be set. In addition, in the massage device 10 of this example, the massage device 10 is turned off once after driving by the timer by the panel 61 for a predetermined time so that the massage cannot be performed excessively continuously. The same applies to the subsequent panels, but the contents set by the switches on each panel are displayed by indicators using LEDs, so that the user can check at any time.

The panel 62 for setting the intensity of the massage is provided with a switch 66 capable of selecting high, medium and low. The panel 63 on which the speed can be set is provided with a switch 67 for selecting the speed or the speed. With these settings, six modes can be set in the air massage device 10 of this example. Figure 8
Are shown together.

FIG. 8A shows a mode in which a low speed and a fast speed are selected. The air bag 20 is pressurized and expanded by the air pump 25 until the internal pressure reaches a maximum of 10 kPa, and the state is maintained for 5 seconds. Is done. Then, the solenoid valve 27
Is opened, and the airbag 20 contracts. Then, after the electromagnetic valve 27 is opened for 5 seconds, the electromagnetic valve 27 is closed again and pressurization is performed. Therefore, the airbag 20
When the time until is pressurized is adjusted, pressurization for 15 seconds, 5
The expansion and contraction are repeated in steps such as holding seconds (expansion) and exhausting (contraction) for 5 seconds.

FIG. 8B shows a mode in which the weak and the slow are selected. The internal pressure of the airbag 20 is the same as above, but the inflated state is maintained for 30 seconds. The solenoid valve 27 is closed after being opened for 30 seconds. Therefore, taking into account the time (15 seconds) during which the air bag is pressurized, massage is performed in steps such as 15 seconds pressurization, 30 seconds hold (inflation), and 30 seconds exhaust (shrinkage).

FIG. 8C shows a mode in which the medium speed and the speed are selected. The mode is the same as the mode in FIG. 8A except that the internal pressure of the airbag 20 is 2.5 kPa, which is slightly lower than 25 kPa. is there. Therefore, the airbag 20 inflates more than in the weak mode and strongly presses the back. FIG. 8D shows a mode in which the medium mode and the slow mode are selected, and is the same as FIG. 8B except for the pressure.

FIG. 8 (e) shows a mode in which the high speed and the high speed are selected, and is the same as the mode in FIG. 8 (a) except that the internal pressure of the airbag 20 is 40 kPa, which is four times as low. FIG. 8F shows a mode in which high and late modes are selected, and is the same as FIG. 8B except for the internal pressure of the airbag 20. Therefore, when the strong pressure is selected, air is supplied until the internal pressure of the airbag 20 reaches four times the weak pressure, and the airbag 20 expands greatly accordingly. Therefore, the back or waist of the user can be strongly pressed, and the back can be greatly deformed and comfortably stretched.

On the other hand, the air massager 10 of the present embodiment
Since the massage effect is obtained by the inflation and contraction of the airbag 20, the user's body is moved in the front-back direction by the inflation and contraction of the airbag 20. A strong massage effect can be obtained by increasing the difference in inflation and contraction of the airbag 20, but the movement of the body also increases accordingly. However, when the body of the driver, who is the user, moves greatly back and forth during driving, the distance between the body of the driver and the steering wheel or the like changes, and there is a great possibility that the driving operation is adversely affected. As a countermeasure, it is common to prohibit the use of the massage machine while driving, and the user can use the massage machine only when the vehicle stops. However, there are times when there is no time to stop after taking a stop, and there are times when it is desired to use the vehicle while driving. In such a case, simply prohibiting use cannot provide sufficient convenience to the user.

Therefore, the air massage device 10 of this embodiment
In, during driving, the user's body fluctuates little and the driving is not hindered, and only the weak and slow modes, that is, the mode in FIG. 8B can be selected. In addition, when a massage is being performed in another mode, the mode is automatically switched to the weak and slow modes when the car starts moving. Therefore, by reducing the inflation of the airbag to a certain degree or less, it is possible to drive safely while obtaining a certain amount of massage effect, and it is possible to eliminate refreshing and stiffness during driving, so aim for safer driving Can be.

The switching and selection are automatically performed in order to prevent accidental selection of strong or medium during driving and to prevent trouble in driving. In step 10, the operation of the side brake is detected, and when the vehicle is running, the operation is forcibly performed in the minimum stage of weak and slow operations. When the side brake is applied, it is regarded as a stop, and any of the eight modes described above can be selected, so that the user can receive a desired service. Such a determination as to whether the vehicle is running or stopped may be based on a change in running speed or power supply noise, in addition to the operation state of the side brake.

Further, the air massage device 10 of this embodiment
In order to provide a fail-safe, a circuit for supplying and discharging air to the air bag is released to the atmosphere when power is not supplied. That is, a normally open (normally open) electromagnetic valve that shuts off exhaust from the air bag 20 is employed. Thereby, the valve 2
When power is not supplied to the airbag 7, the inside of the airbag 20 always communicates with the atmosphere, and it is possible to prevent an accident in which the air in the airbag 20 expands due to a rise in temperature and the airbag 20 bursts. In particular, it is assumed that the air massage device 10 of this example is installed in a vehicle, but the air massage device of this example is safe even when the temperature inside the vehicle becomes high while the vehicle is stopped.

In the present embodiment, the present invention is described by taking an air massage device in which only one air bag is arranged as an example, but a plurality of air bags can be stored. In addition, it is possible to provide a skeleton type air massage device with an exposed air bag, but accessories such as hoses will also be exposed, so they can be damaged or clothes and skin can be trapped in them There is also. Therefore, it is desirable to cover at least the side of the surface in contact with the user with a suitable material.
Although urethane is described as an example of a material such as a mat, other flexible materials can of course be used. Furthermore, as stated in the specification,
This example is an air massage device mounted on a vehicle seat, but with the same configuration, the air massage device according to the present invention can be attached to chairs installed in various places such as office chairs and theater chairs. It is possible, and a massage effect can be easily obtained. In theaters and movie theaters, when a performance or screening starts, the massage function is stopped, or processing is performed such as forcibly switching to a quieter mode in which the sound is quieter as in driving. Is also possible.

Although a rotary air pump is used in this embodiment as an air source, other types of pumps or compressors can be used as the air source. However, as in this example, it is desirable that the air source device can be arranged horizontally at the bottom of the main body,
Further, it is desirable to have a cylindrical outer peripheral surface.
Therefore, it can be said that the rotary air pump of this example is suitable for meeting these demands. further,
Although the solenoid valve can be arranged near the airbag, the valve member is made of metal or other hard material, so that if it is in the position where the back is in contact, it will cause a loss of comfort. Therefore, as in this example, it is most desirable to arrange it at the bottom along with a pump or the like.

[0050]

As described above, the air massage device according to the present invention accommodates all mechanisms related to air supply and exhaust, such as an air pump, in addition to the air bag inside the main body that can be mounted or installed on the backrest. I am trying to do it. Therefore, the air massage device of the present invention can be handled integrally, and a massage effect can be easily obtained simply by installing the main body on the back of the seat. Further, by storing an air pump or the like in the main body, noise and vibration can be reduced, and a massage device suitable for use in a car seat, an office chair, or the like can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an air massage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the air massage device shown in FIG. 1 from the front side (the body side).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a planar arrangement inside the air massage device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the air massage device shown in FIG. 1 from the back (backrest side).

FIG. 5 is a view showing a cross section of the air massage device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 (a) shows a state in which the airbag is contracted, and FIG. 5 (b) shows a state in which the airbag is inflated; .

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which an air massage device is attached to a sheet and massaging is performed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of an operation panel of the air massage device shown in FIG.

8 is a diagram showing an example of a mode that can be supplied by the air massage device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 seat 2 backrest 3 seat 5 user 10 air massage device 11 main body (support structure) 12 main body front surface (front surface) 13 main body rear surface (rear surface) 14 front cover, 15 rear cover 16 back mat 17 pump, etc. Covering cover 18 Mat covering pumps and the like 19 Fasteners 20 Airbags (airbags) 21 Adjustment belts 25 Air pumps, 26 Motors 27 Solenoid valves 28 Hose 31 Fixed belts 33 Operation panel 34 Cables 51, 52 Buffer, 53 Channel 55 Belt passing

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3B084 EC03 FA01 HA05 JA03 4C100 AA02 AC04 AD02 AD15 AF02 BA03 BA06 BB05 BC11 CA06 CA12 DA05 DA06

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A main body that can be installed on a backrest, an air bag held by the main body, and a supply / exhaust mechanism that supplies and exhausts air to and from the air bag. An air source device for generating
A motor for driving the air source device, a pipe member for supplying air from the air source device to the air bag, and a valve member for controlling at least exhaust air; these air source device, motor, and pipe member An air massage device in which a valve member is also held by the main body. 2. The air massage device according to claim 1, wherein the air source device and the motor are arranged at a lowermost portion of the main body. 3. The air massage device according to claim 2, wherein the air source device and the motor are horizontally arranged. 4. The air massage device according to claim 3, wherein the valve member is horizontally arranged on an extension of the air source device and the motor. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The air massage device, wherein the main body includes a cover that covers the air source device and the motor. 6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes a first cover member that covers at least one of a front surface and a rear surface of the airbag, and a second cover member connected to the first cover member. An air massage device in which the air source device and the motor are covered by a. 7. The air conditioner according to claim 3, further comprising a cover for covering the air source device and the motor, wherein a path through which air flows along the outer surface of the air source device or the motor is formed in the cover. Air massage device. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower parts are provided on the main body.
An air massage device having a belt member movably supported at a location, wherein the air bag is attached to the belt member. 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes a cover member that covers a front surface of the airbag, and the airbag is supported by a belt member that penetrates the cover member at two upper and lower locations. Air massage device. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes a fixing belt mounting portion for fixing the main body to a backrest, and the mounting portion can mount the fixing belt in both a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. An air massage device characterized by the following. 11. The air massage device according to claim 10, wherein the attachment portion has a belt through hole through which the fixing belt can be vertically and horizontally penetrated. 12. The airbag system according to claim 1, further comprising control means for adjusting the inflation rate of the airbag to at least two stages, wherein the control means selects a mode having a small inflation rate when the vehicle moves. Air massage device. 13. The air massage apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control means detects that the vehicle has moved due to turning on / off of a handbrake, vehicle speed or power supply noise. 14. The air massage device according to claim 1, wherein the valve member opens to the atmosphere when power is turned off. 15. A control method of an air massage device for obtaining a massage effect by supplying and exhausting air from an air supply / exhaust mechanism to an air bag held in a main body which can be installed on a backrest of a seat of a vehicle, wherein the air massaging device comprises: A method for controlling an air massage device, wherein the inflation rate of a bag can be adjusted to at least two stages, and the method includes a step of selecting a mode having a small inflation rate when the vehicle moves. 16. The method of controlling an air massage device according to claim 15, wherein on / off of a hand brake, speed of the vehicle, or movement of the vehicle due to power supply noise is detected.