JP2002065787A - Air bag and air massage machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air bag which is the one to be used for an air massage machine with high durability and massage effect. SOLUTION: The air bag is an eye mask shape air bag 20 and a front side sheet 21 to be brought into contact with the back of a user is provided with a flat center part 20c and convex bent parts 27 to be expanded, which are arranged in left and right to hold the center part 20c. When air is sucked/ exhausted to expand/contract the air bag 20, the parts 27 to be expanded pressurize parts with a high massage effect in the back or the waist by avoiding the backbone.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air bag used for an air massage device capable of massaging the back, waist and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a person sits on a chair or a seat for a long time, stiffness may occur due to muscle tension, or a phenomenon may occur in which a burden is applied to a spine or the like and pain is felt. For this reason, there are methods such as laying a seat provided with irregularities on the backrest where a massage effect can be expected, and providing an air massage device equipped with an air bag.
In the air massage device, air is supplied to and exhausted from a built-in air bag, whereby the inside of the air bag is pressurized and depressurized, and the air bag repeats inflation and contraction. The air bag expands and contracts between the seat back and the user's back, thereby compressing the user's waist or back, thereby giving an appropriate stimulus to the back or waist, thereby obtaining a massage effect. The air massage device using the air bag is not limited to a device arranged on a seat of a car or a backrest of a chair, but may be a device provided on a seat of a chair, a mattress or a bed, or a built-in device.

[0003]

In these air massage devices, it is desirable to sufficiently stimulate the acupoints or the vicinity thereof in order to provide higher quality massage. However, conventionally, the air bag mounted on the air massage device is composed of a bag made of rubber or other resin, and it only expands and contracts, so it can press a wide area of the human body, but it stimulates acupoints. Not suitable for For example, in order to stimulate the acupoint, it is desired to pressurize the acupoint part more strongly, so it is possible to attach a protruding stimulating device capable of stimulating the acupoint on the surface of the airbag. However, even when the airbag shrinks, the protruding stimulator remains in a state protruding from the surface of the sheet or mat, which impairs sitting comfort and sleeping comfort. Therefore, if you try to massage the back with an airbag without impairing the comfort of sitting or sleeping, you will not be able to make projections that stimulate the acupoints, so press the acupoints on both sides of the spine and around the scapula precisely to stimulate It is difficult to do so, and it is difficult to obtain a massage effect that stimulates acupoints.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an airbag for massage which expands and contracts by repeatedly supplying and exhausting air, which has a high massage effect and which does not impair sitting or sleeping comfort. The purpose is.

[0005]

Therefore, in the present invention,
Instead of expanding and contracting the entire airbag uniformly, by expanding and contracting the part that hits the acupoint, the airbag itself can pressurize the acupoint or its vicinity without providing a stimulating device etc. I have. That is, the airbag of the present invention is an airbag in which one side is in contact with the back or a part of the waist, and has, on one side thereof, a plurality of portions that swell when a fluid is injected into the airbag. It is characterized in that the bulging part is arranged with a central part facing the spine interposed therebetween. In the airbag of the present invention, the entire bag does not swell, but the swelling portion is arranged so as to avoid the human spine. For this reason, the point which exists near the scapula, the vicinity of the waist, etc. can be pressed accurately by the part which expanded by injecting air etc., and the massage effect can be improved more. On the other hand, since the airbag itself is inflated and pushes on the acupoint or its vicinity, the airbag becomes almost flat in the contracted state, and the stimulator does not protrude. Therefore,
The air massage function can be incorporated into a chair, seat, mattress, bed or the like without sacrificing sitting or sleeping comfort, and can be attached later.

Further, since a part of the airbag is inflated, it becomes possible to press a relatively wide part around the acupoint, such as the vicinity of the scapula, so that the stimulation with less pain compared to a protruding stimulator or the like. Can be given. Therefore, by combining the airbag of the present invention with a supply / exhaust mechanism for supplying / exhausting fluid to / from the airbag, air can be easily used by anyone, regardless of age, male or female, and does not impair sitting comfort or sleeping comfort. A massage device can be provided.

[0007] One promising shape of the airbag of the present invention is an eye mask shape or a gourd shape. With this shape, it is easy to arrange the bulging portion on both the left and right sides of the central portion facing the spine, and a large area can be secured as the bulging portion. The large bulging portions of the left and right sides of the eye mask shape can be easily hit to avoid the human spine. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to accurately stimulate the acupoints below the scapula on both sides,
The massage effect can be increased more.

One promising manufacturing method of the air bag of the present invention is a method in which resin is formed into a sheet shape by blow molding or the like which is inexpensive and easy to process, and is fitted into a bag shape. That is, the airbag of the present invention forms the first sheet forming one side and the second sheet forming the other side by blow molding or the like, and forms the first and second sheets. It is desirable to form the edges together.

In such an airbag in which the first sheet and the second sheet are combined, the central portion of the first sheet is formed substantially flat, and the bulging portions on both sides are convex toward the back. Curved, while the other second
Is desirably formed substantially flat. The area convexly formed on the back side has a large area to be pressurized by a fluid such as air injected into the bag, and thus becomes a part that expands with an increase in the pressure of the air. When the sheet expands, the sheet becomes thin and flexible, and the area to be pressed increases, so that the sheet is easily expanded. As a result, the portion of the first sheet that is convex on the back side swells intensively, and the central portion of the first sheet and the second sheet hardly swell.

When the first sheet and the second sheet are joined together at the edge to form an airbag, when air is injected and pressurized to expand the bag, the degree of deformation around the joint at the end is reduced. It is large, and stress may concentrate on that part. Therefore, blow-molded airbags
If it is mounted on a massage device and the expansion and contraction are repeated, a load is applied to the joint and the joint is torn from this portion. However, in the airbag of the present invention, the first
The portion protruding toward the back side of the sheet is more likely to swell than the other portions, so that when air is supplied and exhausted, it is concentrated and displaced, and other portions are not so displaced. For this reason, the stress at the time of pressurization can be prevented from being concentrated on a specific portion such as a joint, and the durability can be improved. Further, since the portion is intensively displaced, the massage effect can be enhanced by appropriately pressing the acupoint.

The bulging portion of the first sheet may be formed in a wavy shape such as a concentric shape. Alternatively, the bulging portion may be made flexible by changing the material (material) of the bulging portion of the first sheet to a flexible material. According to these methods, it is possible to form a portion which is more swellable than the others, so that when the air is supplied and exhausted, the displacement is concentrated and the other portions are not so much displaced. Can be obtained. Also,
When the material is flexible, the internal stress is not so large depending on the displacement due to structural or physical properties, and the durability is rarely impaired by the repeated stress.

Further, when the air bag is blow-molded, the bag-shaped end must be fusion-molded while the resin is being hardened. Therefore, at the time of this fusion molding, the fusion with the resin forming the edge of the counterpart sheet tends to be insufficient, and it is difficult to obtain the fusion strength. Therefore, in the present invention, the first and second sheets are formed into a shape having a wedge-shaped recess at one of the edges, and when performing fusion molding while curing using a mold, a projection is provided on one of the molds. The pressing force when pressing the mold is concentrated. Therefore, when the edges are merged, the pressing force concentrates on a narrow portion along the edges, so that it becomes possible to promote the melting of the resin and improve the fusion strength. For this reason, the durability of the parts fused together can be improved.

By providing a wedge-shaped recess at the edge, the durability is improved, but at the same time, the portion is hardened, and when the massage is not performed, that is, when the swelling portion is not swelling, the edge portion of the waist or spine is not swelled. There is a concern that it may cause discomfort in the vicinity. In particular, the portion of the spine or hip bone is likely to be hit by these bones and the hardened edge of the airbag. Therefore, at least at the position facing the spine of the second sheet, a plurality of protrusions are provided on the back side, and when the airbag is not inflated, the plurality of protrusions also hit the back, so that only the edge of the airbag is provided. Should not hit your back. Since the weight on the back can be prevented from concentrating on the edge of the airbag, it is possible to prevent pain and discomfort, when the airbag is contracted or when the air massage device is not used Discomfort can be prevented.

As described above, according to the airbag of the present invention, since the swelling portion swells intensively, even when the airbag is inflated and contracted, the movement of the seam portion is small. The portion has less movement due to expansion and contraction. Therefore, it is suitable for providing a supply / exhaust port for connecting a supply / exhaust hose or the like, and the movement of the hose is small and the durability can be increased. At the same time, the flexibility to be taken into consideration in the arrangement of the hose can be reduced, so that the degree of freedom in arrangement increases. Further, as described above, the portion where the edges of the first sheet and the second sheet meet is thick and has high strength. Therefore, this point is also suitable for providing a supply / exhaust port for connecting a hose or the like, and the durability can be improved.

As described above, the airbag of the present invention has a high durability, a high massage effect, and can be incorporated into a chair or a mat without deteriorating the comfort of sitting or sleeping. Therefore, by providing the airbag of the present invention and the air supply / exhaust mechanism for supplying / exhausting air to / from the airbag, an air massage device having high durability and a high massage effect can be provided.

[0016]

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 using an airbag 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air massage device 10 of the present embodiment is realized as being incorporated in a seat (seat) of an automobile or other seats. In the air massage device 10, an air bag 20 that expands and contracts by compressed air is housed inside the backrest 2, and the height is adjusted by an adjustment belt or an adjustment cord 19 that appears on the surface 12 of the backrest 2. I can do it. In the air massage device 10, the airbag 20 is sandwiched between the front cover (front surface) 12 on the side of the backrest 2 that is in contact with the user's back and the mat 13 that maintains the strength of the backrest 2. 2
Is housed inside.

The backrest 2 further includes an airbag 2
An air pump 45 and a solenoid valve 47 for supplying and exhausting air to and from the air bag 20 and a hose 48 connecting these to the air bag 20 are housed therein. Further, the operation panel 33
Is connected to the seat 1 (air massage device 10) by the cable 34 so that the user can operate it at hand, and the DC plug 55 is connected to the operation panel via the power cable 56 so that the battery mounted on the car can be used as a power source. 33.

Therefore, when the user operates the operation panel 33, air is supplied from the air pump 45 to the airbag 20 and expands, and the airbag 20 expands through the surface 12 when the user operates the operation panel 33. The part facing the user's body (the part on the front side) presses and massages the user's body. Next, when the solenoid valve 47 is opened, the air inside the air bag 20 is discharged through the solenoid valve 47, and the airbag 20 contracts. Therefore, the airbag 20 is inflated by the supplied air, and contracts by discharging the air to reduce its thickness (volume). The airbag 20 massages the body of the user by repeating such expansion and contraction. In the air massage device 10 of the present embodiment, the airbag 20 built in the backrest 2 is arranged at the height of the user's waist or back. And the mat 13 stored in the backrest 2 is
It is a resin-made support member having a soft touch and a sufficient strength, and is made of, for example, hard urethane foam.

As described above, when the airbag 20 is inflated and deflated, the surface 12 of the backrest 2 is inflated in a direction of compressing the user's waist or back, giving a moderate stimulus to them and performing a motion of stretching the back muscles. It is possible to force it. Therefore, the back or waist can be effectively massaged by the air bag 20 repeating the expansion and contraction periodically. For this reason, the massage device 10 is capable of relaxing stiffness and promoting blood circulation and relaxing, and is extremely effective in a situation where the same posture is maintained for a long time during driving or work.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the airbag 20 of the present embodiment as viewed from the surface, that is, from the direction in which it hits the back. FIG. 3 shows the airbag 20 viewed from above. The airbag 20 of this example is a blow molded product of a polyethylene resin, and has a center (central portion) 2.
0c is thin, and both sides 20a are circular curved portions 27 that are convex on the back. The vertical size of the curved portion 27 is larger than the central portion 20c, and the curved portions 27 on both sides and the central portion 2c.
0c results in a substantially eye mask shape. The outer periphery of the curved portion 27 of the airbag 20 has a diameter of about 13 cm, and has an eye mask-like longitudinal direction L,
That is, the length in the horizontal or horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the spine when applied to the back is about 30 cm, and the curved portion 2
The interval P between the centers of 7 is about 16 cm across the central portion 20c.

Therefore, the airbag 20 of this embodiment is
When the central portion 20c is arranged so as to face the spine, the two curved portions 27 are arranged on both sides of the spine, and are designed to hit near acupoints having a large massage effect, such as below the scapula or above the hip bone. I have.

The airbag 20 is a first sheet 21 forming a front side which is to be in contact with the user's back or waist (indirectly in contact via the back surface 12).
And a second sheet 22 forming the other side, that is, the back side facing the mat 13 forming the support of the backrest 2. These sheets 21 and 22 are formed in a bag shape by joining their edges 25, and the ends of the sheets 21 and 22 are joined along the edge 25 to form a flange-shaped portion (joint) 26. Is formed. Then, the joined portion of the both ends of the curved portion 27 further spreads outward by about 2 to 3 cm, and the belt mounting portion 20 provided with the hole 19 b for passing the above-described height adjustment cord 19.
b is formed. On the other hand, a supply / exhaust port 30 to which a hose 48 connected to a pump 45 serving as a supply / exhaust mechanism and a solenoid valve 47 is attached is provided on a side above the combined portion 26 of the central portion 20c.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the airbag 20 of the present embodiment, the second sheet 22 on the back side has a substantially flat shape as a whole. On the other hand, the first sheet 21 on the front side
As described above, the central portion 20c is flat, and both sides thereof have curved portions (curved portions) 27 that are convex toward the back side.
Are formed. As shown in FIG. 4, when air is injected into the inside of the bag 20, the curved portion 27 of the first sheet 21 has a larger area in contact with air than the flat second sheet 22. Therefore, a greater force acts on the first sheet 21 to spread the curved portion 27 in the convex direction. Then, once the curved portion 27 starts to spread in the convex direction, the area of the curved portion 27 increases, a greater force acts, and the first sheet 2 that constitutes the curved portion 27.
1 becomes thinner and therefore more flexible and easier to spread.
Therefore, when compressed air is injected into the airbag 20, the curved portion 27 expands in the convex direction. On the other hand, the central portions 20c of the second sheet 22 and the first sheet 21 are not so deformed. In particular, a rib 35 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the airbag 20 is formed in the central portion 20c of the first sheet 21 of the present example, so that the strength is increased so that the airbag 20 is unlikely to expand even if compressed air flows therein. It is. For this reason, in the airbag 20 of the present example, the curved portions arranged on both sides of the central portion 20c of the first sheet 21 become the swelling portion 27, and expand and contract by the air supplied and exhausted to the airbag 20. Part.

As described above, in the airbag 20 of the present embodiment, the bulging portion 27 is formed into a curved shape,
It is configured to be easily expanded by compressed air. Therefore, the first sheet 21 does not necessarily have the material 27 or the thickness thereof changed to introduce the bulging portion 27, so that partial material management and wall thickness management are unnecessary,
The shape is easy to make by blow molding while controlling the thickness required for pressure resistance.

Therefore, the center 20 of the airbag 20
When the airbag 20 is arranged so that the center portion 20c faces the spine, the swelling portion 27 expands intensively. Thus, the acupoints near the lower part of the scapula on both sides of the spine or the acupoints on both sides of the waist can be accurately stimulated, and a high massage effect can be obtained. And in the air massage device 10 of this example, the string 1 for height adjustment is used.
9, the height of the airbag 20 can be adjusted, so that the user can press the acupoint at the desired site or the area 27 bulging in the vicinity thereof to perform a massage with a high acupoint pressing effect.

Further, since the airbag 20 of the present embodiment has an eye mask shape, both sides 20a of the center portion 20c are formed.
, The area of the bulging portion 27 can be secured large, the airbag 20 having the bulging portion 27 of a sufficient size can be formed, and the deformation amount (displacement amount) of the bulging portion 27 can be increased. it can. Therefore, it is possible to more strongly press the acupoints on both sides of the spine or a wide area in the vicinity thereof, and it is possible to obtain a comfortable massage effect. Also, the first sheet 2 constituting the airbag 20
Since the both sides of 1 are inflated as a whole, unlike a case where acupressure points or stimulators such as projections are used to press acupoints, a relatively wide range of stimuli or pressures can be applied instead of local stimuli or pressures. Therefore, you can push the part you want for massage quite extensively,
Compared to acupressure equipment, it is a gentle stimulus and does not remove the acupoint. For this reason, it is not a massage accompanied by sudden pain, it is not necessary to move the body so that the acupressure tool hits the acupoint, and it is possible to receive a massage while sitting on a chair and working.

Also, since there is no sudden stimulation to the body,
The massage device 10 can be safely moved even while driving. Further, since the stimulation is mild, it is possible to move the massage device 10 while sleeping.

Further, since the swelling portions 27 are provided on both sides of the airbag 20, the vicinity of the acupoint can be pressed intensively without using acupressure tools or stimulating tools. Therefore,
When the airbag 20 is not used, it is possible to prevent the acupressure device and the stimulating device from getting in the way and making the user feel uncomfortable. In this example, since the first sheet 21 is a curved portion, when the compressed air is not injected into the back 20, the curved portion 27 is crushed by the weight of the user hanging from the back and unnecessarily back. Never squeeze. Therefore, the massage device 10 of the present example can be installed without impairing the comfort and comfort of the chair or bed on which the airbag 20 is to be attached.
Can be attached.

FIG. 5A shows the rim 25 of the airbag 20.
5B is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion 26 where the edge 25 is fitted. The airbag 20 of this example is formed by blow molding so that the edges 25 of the two sheets 21 and 22 are bonded together by welding to form the airbag 20 with higher airtightness by the two sheets 21 and 22. I have. Therefore, it is important to ensure the strength and durability of the combined portion 26 in order to increase the durability of the airbag 20.
For this reason, the fitting portion 26 of the second sheet 22 on the back side
A wedge-shaped recess 24 is provided toward the first sheet 21. The recess 24 reflects a projection provided on a mold at the time of blow molding. By providing projections on one side of the mold that forms the portion 26 to be bonded, the pressing force during fusion molding while curing is reduced from the second sheet 22 on the back surface to the first sheet on the front side at the projections. 21. For this reason, the resin is sufficiently melted (melted) at the concave portion 24 of the joined portion 26, so that the fusion strength of the joined portion 26 can be improved, and even if the swelling portion 27 repeats expansion and contraction, the joining can be performed. It is possible to provide the highly durable airbag 20 in which the portion 26 does not peel or tear.

The recess 24 is provided along the outer periphery of the central portion 20c and the swelling portions 27 on both sides thereof so as to form an eye mask type or a gourd type contour, except for the inlet 30. . Therefore, the airbag 20 has high durability with little air leakage over the entire circumference.
Furthermore, in the airbag 20 of this example, the bulging portion 27
Are provided in a row along the outer periphery of the, and are easily deformed. For this reason, when the bulging portion 27 expands, the portion of the unevenness 28 is mainly deformed, and the deformation of the edge 25, that is, the load on the combined portion 26 is reduced. Therefore, the swelling portion 27 is easy to swell, and on the other hand, the configuration is such that air leakage hardly occurs in the portion 26 where the sheets are joined.

By providing the wedge-shaped recess 24 in the joined portion 26, the penetration at the time of molding is improved, and the strength is improved. On the other hand, the joined portion 26 is hardened. It is feared that the spine will be compressed and cause discomfort. In particular, no air is supplied,
When the bulging portion 27 is contracted, the flat portion of the central portion 20c hits the spine, so that the combined portion 26 of the flat portions is likely to hit the spine. Therefore, in the airbag 20 of the present example, the back, that is, the position near the center portion 20c of the second sheet 22 on the back side, and the vicinity thereof, and the back, that is, the first sheet 21 side is protruded. A plurality of projections 29 having a low curvature are formed. The plurality of projections 29 increase the area of contact with the back, disperse and support the weight, and eliminate the discomfort of the combined section 26 with the spine.

FIG. 6 shows the air bag 20 viewed from the back side, and FIG.
3C shows a cross-sectional view. In this example, a plurality of dome-shaped projections 29 having a diameter of about 15 mm
0c and the area around the circular shape of the bulging portion 27 and close to the central portion 20c which is likely to strongly hit the back.
As shown in FIG. 7, each projection 29 has a bowl shape and a height h.
Is about 5 mm, which is almost the same as the thickness of the joint 26 between the sheets 21 and 22. Then, the projection 29 has a height that does not protrude from the sheet 21, and
The seam 26 does not locally hit the back. Therefore, also in this respect, the airbag 20 of the present example is used.
Has no discomfort even when not inflated (not pressurized),
Chairs and beds can be used comfortably.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a different air bag of the present invention. In addition, FIG.
Is shown in a sectional view. Airbag 20 of this example
Has almost the same configuration as the airbag shown in FIG.
Common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The airbag 20 of this example is also a blow molded product of a polyethylene resin,
The belt mounting portion 20b is formed in a substantially eye mask shape and has slit-shaped through holes 19a at both ends. Therefore, the air bag 20 can also be employed in the air massage device 10 shown in FIG.

The air bag 20 of the present embodiment also has a
7 are disposed symmetrically on both sides of the flat central portion 20c. When the central portion 20c is attached to the air massage device 10 so that the central portion 20c faces the spine, the bulging portion 27 causes the both sides of the spine or It is possible to press the parts with high massage effect on both sides of the waist.

The bulging portion 27 of the airbag 20 of this embodiment
As shown in the cross section in FIG. 9, the concavity and convexity 28 is processed into a wavy or bellows shape in which concentric concave and convex 28 are continuously repeated, so that the concave and convex 28 are easily deformed and easily swell. In addition, since it is formed in a wavy shape 28, the surface area increases, and the thickness decreases when blow-molded, resulting in a structure that is flexible and easily deformed. Accordingly, since the structure and material can be made flexible only by forming the mold for forming the bulging portion 27 into a corrugated shape, it is not necessary to partially control the thickness, and the blow while controlling the thickness required for the pressure resistance is performed. Easy to make by molding. Then, by arranging the flexible and swellable portions 27 on both sides, it is possible to push both sides of the spine.

Further, since the swelling portion 27 of this embodiment is a flexible portion as a whole, even if it is deformed, the generation of internal stress is small and the durability against repeated stress is high. Since the swelling portion 27 is concentrated and expands and contracts, the joint 26
The deformation of the other parts including is reduced. For this reason, stress can be prevented from being concentrated on the joint 26, and the durability can be improved.

In these airbags 20, the first sheet 21 on the front side facing the back or the waist is easily deformed, and the second sheet on the opposite side is hardly deformed. FIGS. 10 and 11 show a state of deformation of the airbag 90 in which sheets having the same configuration are bonded, and a state of deformation of the airbag 20 in which the side of the first sheet 21 is deformed as in this example. It is. FIGS. 10A and 10B show an air bag 90 in which the front side and the back side are formed of flat sheets, and the front side and the back side are formed of the same flat sheets 91 and 92, and their edges (joint) 96 Are joined. Therefore, FIG.
When air is supplied and expanded from the contracted state shown in FIG. 11, the front sheet 91 and the back sheet 92 expand in the same manner as shown in FIG. 11B. For this reason,
With the seam 96 at the center, the sheet 91 greatly spreads and swells on both the front sheet 91 and the rear sheet 92. Thereby, the front surface 12 of the backrest 2 is pressed against the mat 13 on the back side. Therefore, even with the air bag having such a configuration, the body can be pressurized and a massage effect can be obtained. However, it is difficult to apply pressure locally.

On the other hand, in the airbag 20 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 11A, as described above, the sheet 21 on the front surface on which the bulging portion 27 is formed and the sheet 22 on the flat back surface are formed. Seat 2 connected by seams 26
1 is arranged so as to hit the surface 12 of the backrest 2, and the back sheet 22 is arranged so as to hit the mat 13. Therefore, when air is supplied and pressurized, FIG.
As shown in (b), a bulging portion 27 formed by a convexly curved portion or a plurality of irregularities 28 of the front sheet 21 mainly expands, and massages the human body through the surface 12 of the backrest 2. . For this reason, the back sheet 22
Hardly swells or deforms, so that the seam 26 hardly moves relative to the mat 13. For this reason, comparing the angles formed by the front sheet and the back sheet around the seam when inflated, the conventional airbag 90 shows that W1
While the angle is very large, the airbag 20 of this example is almost the same as the state before the expansion, which is about W2, as shown in FIG. 11B.

Accordingly, in the airbag 90, the displacement of the sheets 91 and 92 around the seam 96 is large, and a repeated stress is applied. That is, the joint 9
In the vicinity of 6, the thickness of the material is large. In particular, since the thickness of the material is doubled at the seam 96, the strength and rigidity are also increased,
While little displacement occurs, the surrounding sheets 91 and 92 undergo large displacement, so that stress concentrates on the boundary region of the seam 96. For this reason, the air bag 9
At 0, the vicinity of the seam 96 is easily torn during repeated expansion and contraction, and the durability is not so high. On the other hand, in the airbag 20 of this embodiment, the joint 26
Is hardly moved in the vicinity of, stress is not concentrated near the joint 26 and the repeated stress is small. Therefore, even if the expansion and contraction are repeated, the vicinity of the seam is unlikely to tear, the durability is high, and the airbag 20 with a very long life, in which the tear does not occur even after repeated expansion and contraction of about 300,000 times, is used. Can be provided.

In the airbag 90 shown in FIG. 10B, since the back sheet 92 also expands, the seam 96 moves with respect to the mat 13 of the backrest 2. On the other hand, in the airbag 20 of the present example, as shown in FIG. 11B, the sheet 22 on the rear side hardly expands, so that the joint 26 does not move from the mat 13. Therefore, the load applied to the vicinity of the supply / exhaust port 30 can be reduced without the hose 48 for supplying air to the airbag 20 moving every time the pressure is applied.

Furthermore, in the airbag 90, the air supply / exhaust port also moves back and forth with little deformation due to the expansion and contraction of the bag because the thickness of the seam 96 is large.
Therefore, the back and forth movement of the back joining portion 96 is absorbed by the hose, and the hose is likely to be damaged. On the other hand, in the airbag 20 of the present embodiment, since the air supply / exhaust port 30 or the vicinity thereof is difficult to move back and forth, it is possible to prevent the hose to be connected from being damaged by repeated stress, and to greatly extend the life of this portion. Can be.

In the above description, an airbag is described as an example in which the bulging portion 27 is formed in a convex shape on the back side or a shape in which irregularities are continuously formed in a bellows shape. Alternatively, it is also possible to introduce the bulging portion 27 into the first sheet by changing the material and increasing the flexibility. Further, in the above example, the airbag 20 having a configuration easy to blow-mold is described as an example, but an airbag in which the front and back sheets are integrally formed may be used. However, as a method of manufacturing an airbag having a certain level of strength and durability at low cost, it is considered that a method of adopting the above-described configuration and using blow molding is excellent.

In the above description, the two bulging portions 27 are arranged on the left and right. However, the number of bulging portions is not limited to two. It is also possible to arrange the bulging portion 27 vertically or horizontally on the left and right, respectively.

Further, a sheet 21 having an eye mask type surface is provided.
In the airbag having a configuration in which circular wavy portions 28 are provided independently on the left and right, a design in which the shape of the wavy irregularities is partially continuous with the center portion 20c interposed therebetween is also possible. The unevenness of the central portion 20c extends in the lateral direction and exerts the effect as a rib. Therefore, as in the case of the airbag 20, the both sides of the spine can be pressed and massaged.

Further, in the above, the air bag 20 of the present embodiment is used.
Although the example of the air-massage device 10 in which the air pump 48 including the above is built in the backrest 2 is shown, the invention is not limited thereto, and the air-massage device is of a type housed in a backrest that can be attached to and detached from the backrest. Is also good. Furthermore, the gas or fluid to be injected into the bag is not limited to air as long as it is a gas or fluid that expands the airbag 20, but air is the easiest and safest to use. Also,
The airbag of the present invention can be used not only in an air massage device for a car seat or a chair, but also in an air massage device that can be used as, for example, a mat or a bed, or the like. In addition, these air massage devices are provided with the air bag according to the present invention.
It is also possible to arrange more than one.

[0046]

As described above, the airbag according to the present invention is provided with the swelling portions on both sides of the central portion, thereby avoiding the spine and accurately adding a portion having a high back and waist massage effect. Can be pressed. In the contracted state, since there is no portion that locally hits the back like acupressure or stimulating devices, the airbag of the present invention provides a high massage effect and provides a comfortable seat and chair. It is possible to provide an air massage device that can be attached without impairing comfort and sleeping.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the airbag shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the airbag shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a cross section of a bulging portion of the airbag shown in FIG. 2;

5 (a) is a diagram showing a portion where the sheets of the airbag shown in FIG. 2 are fitted together, and is a diagram showing the portion fitted with FIG. 5 (b) in a further enlarged manner.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state where the airbag shown in FIG. 2 is viewed from the back side.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a cross section of a center portion of the airbag shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing another example of the airbag according to the present invention.

9 is an enlarged view showing a cross section of an inflated portion of the airbag shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which an airbag in which sheets of the same shape are combined is pressed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the airbag of this example is pressurized.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Seat 2 Backrest 3 Seat 10 Air massage device 11 Main body (support structure) 12 Main body surface (front) 19 Adjustment belt 19a, 19b Through-hole of adjustment belt 20 Airbag 21 Front seat, 22 Back seat 24 Wedge shape 25 edge 26 mated part 27 bulging part 28 wavy part (flexible part) 29 protrusion 30 air supply / exhaust port 33 operation panel 34 cable 45 air pump 47 solenoid valve 48 hose

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 4C100 AD02 AD13 AD15 AD27 BB05 BC14 CA06 CA12 DA06 EA10 4C101 BA01 BB05 BB06 BC22 BD17 BE09

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An air bag having one side in contact with a part of a back or a waist, wherein the one side has a plurality of portions that expand when a fluid is injected into the air bag, and the inflated portions include An airbag located across the central part facing the spine. 2. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is an eye mask type. 3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first sheet forming the one side, and a second sheet forming the other side, wherein edges of the first and second sheets are formed. Combined airbags. 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the central portion of the first sheet is substantially flat, the bulging portion is curved so as to be convex toward the back side, and the second sheet is substantially flat. Is an airbag. 5. The airbag according to claim 3, wherein the central portion of the first sheet is substantially flat, the bulging portion is formed in a wavy shape, and the second sheet is substantially flat. 6. The airbag of claim 3, wherein the central portion of the first sheet is substantially flat, the bulging portion is a more flexible portion, and the second sheet is substantially flat. 7. The method of claim 3, wherein the first and second
An airbag in which one edge of the sheet is concave in a wedge shape. 8. The airbag according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of projections protruding on the back side are provided on at least a position of the second sheet facing the spine. 9. The airbag according to claim 3, wherein a supply / exhaust port is provided at a portion where the edges meet. 10. The airbag according to claim 9, wherein the air supply / exhaust port is provided at the central portion. 11. An airbag in which one side is in contact with a part of a back or a waist, and a part which expands when a fluid is injected into the airbag is sandwiched on one side of the airbag by a center part facing the spine. An air massage device having an air bag disposed therein and a supply / exhaust mechanism for supplying / exhausting fluid to / from the air bag.