JP2002315804A - Palpation massaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a palpation massaging machine capable of giving proper massage to a person to be massaged by giving palpation in advance. SOLUTION: This machine is provided with a massaging mechanism moving along a route on the body of the person to be massaged and having a massager 9 giving mechanical stimulation to the body and a muscle hardness measuring instrument 15 arranged at this massager 9. The instrument 15 applies external force to the body of the person to be massaged to detect the hardness of the body from this external force and the displacement quantity of the body corresponding to the external force. The contents of massage are selected based on the result of muscle hardness measurement and the selected contents of massage are carried out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a palpation massage device. More specifically, palpation provided with a movable massager for giving a mechanical stimulus to the body of the user is provided on a surface of the chair (bed, footrest, etc.) in contact with the body of the user (the user). It relates to a massage device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a well-known massage device is, for example, a chair type. A massage ball (also referred to as a treatment element) and a control device are provided inside a seat surface on which a user sits and inside a backrest. The control device causes the treatment element to perform a kneading operation, a hitting operation, a rolling operation, a vertical movement, and the like. In this massage device, the user operates the optional switch on the operation device of the remote control, for example, so that the user performs a desired operation. When using such a massage device, the user generally performs a massage operation on a part of his or her body where he or she feels fatigued. In addition, a desired massage operation such as massaging or tapping is performed on the location.

Further, a combination of the above-mentioned various types of massage operations and a massage course on the body are programmed in the control device, and the massager or course is selected automatically or by the user on the operating device. Some can be done. The course is, for example, a course in which a treatment child moves along a predetermined route of the upper body of the body (upper body course), a course in which only the shoulders are massaged (shoulder course), a course in which the waist is mainly massaged (lumbar course), etc. is there.

[0004]

The massage device is a home treatment device based on Oriental medicine. Its effects and effects include relief of neck stiffness, stiff shoulders, back pain and the like. However, the user does not always have the knowledge of Oriental medicine and use the massage machine. Therefore, it is not always possible to effectively eliminate and alleviate the fatigue of the user with the course or massage selected by the user.

[0005] In the future, with the advent of a super-aging society, the frequency of using massage devices as treatment devices will further increase.
Accordingly, a massage device capable of performing more effective and appropriate massage is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and a palpation massage capable of giving a massage appropriate for a user by grasping the physical condition of the user based on Oriental medicine. It is intended to provide a device.

[0007]

A massage device according to the present invention includes a massage mechanism for applying a mechanical stimulus to the body of a user, an external force applied to the body of the user, and a body corresponding to the external force and the external force. A hardness detector for detecting the hardness of the body from the displacement amount.

[0008] According to such a massage device, the hardness of a predetermined part of the body of the person using the massage machine,
In particular, muscle hardness (muscle hardness) can be measured.
This muscle hardness is useful in performing massage based on Oriental medicine. For example, a muscle stiffness or the like of the user who cannot be clearly recognized by the user is found out, and an effective massage can be added thereto. The hardness referred to here is a value obtained based on a value obtained by differentiating the applied load by the distance by which the body surface is displaced by the load.

[0009] To put it simply into a theoretical system in Oriental medicine, when an internal organ or the like becomes abnormal due to fatigue, this abnormal signal is transmitted to a brain synapse through a neural circuit called a meridian. It is a description that it passes through the meridian from the brain synapse and appears at the acupuncture point as an abnormal reaction such as a tender point or a decrease in skin resistance. Acupuncture points are thought to be the aggregated parts of neural circuits. The appearance of the above-mentioned visceral abnormality or the like as an abnormality in the acupuncture point is called visceral-somatic reflex in Oriental medicine. Abnormalities such as visceral diseases appear at specific acupoints as tenderness or induration of the muscle through specific meridians due to visceral-somatic reflex. Therefore, the location of the primary disease can be known by measuring the hardness of the acupuncture points and the presence or absence of tenderness, and can be used as a diagnostic and therapeutic technique.

[0010] In the massage device in which the massage mechanism and the hardness detector are configured to be movable, muscle hardness can be measured for a plurality of parts of the body of the user. As a result, the part of the body where the muscle is stiff can be specified, and the stiff part can be massaged. For example, the hardness detector is moved while measuring the muscle hardness along the oriental medicine meridian of the body, and the physical condition of the user can be determined by knowing the muscle hardness at the acupoint position. This allows
Massage effect can be improved. What is physical condition?
For example, “stiffness”, “fatigue”, “abnormality of a specific internal organ”, “muscle pain”, and the like.

[0011] In addition, in this massage device in which the hardness detector is attached to the massage mechanism, it is preferable because the movement mechanism of the hardness detector and the massage mechanism is simplified.

This is a massage device in which the hardness detector is attached to a massage mechanism, and the massage mechanism has a treatment element that contacts the body of the user, and the hardness detector is pressed against the body. In a massage device having a pressing element and configured so that at least during the massaging operation of the massage mechanism, the pressing element retreats from a contact portion of the treatment element with the body, the movement of the massage mechanism At this time, the hardness detector is not in the way, which is preferable. Furthermore, by the treatment element abutting on the body of the user, even if the body of the user is displaced, the pressing element of the hardness detector is not pressed thereby, and the detection start point of the hardness detector is reduced. It is preferred because it is specified.

[0013] Alternatively, the hardness detector is attached to a massage mechanism, and the hardness detector has a pressing element pressed against the body, and the pressing element contacts the body of the user. The massage device which is also used as the treatment element of the above is preferable because the massage mechanism and the mechanism of the hardness detector are simplified.

Alternatively, in a massage device provided with a position detector for detecting a specific part of the body of the user, the position of the hardness detected by the hardness detector and the massage position of the body of the user are substantially determined. It is preferable because it can be specified.

In the massage device, the acupuncture point storage means for storing a standard distance to the position of each acupuncture point on the body in oriental medicine with the specific part as an origin, This is preferable because massage can be performed at a position of acupuncture points that are important in performing massage. The standard distance refers to an average value of distances from a specific position such as a shoulder in many human bodies to each acupoint position. Further, the average value may be a value obtained by categorizing according to male, female, age, ethnicity, height, and the like.

A massage device comprising the above-mentioned movable massage mechanism or hardness detector, comprising coordinate storage means for storing, as coordinates, a movement range of at least one of the massage mechanism and the hardness detector, In the massage device including a movement control device that specifies the at least one position and moves the at least one to an arbitrary coordinate position, the movement position of at least one of the massage mechanism and the hardness detector Is preferable, and at least one of the above can be moved to an arbitrary designated position.

This massage device is provided with a position detector for detecting a specific part of the body of the user,
In the movement control device, which is configured to set the coordinates on the body with the detected specific part as the origin, according to the coordinates set on the body, at any designated position on the body, This is preferable because at least one of the massage mechanism and the hardness detector can be moved.

[0018] The present invention provides a massage apparatus having physical condition information storage means for storing a plurality of specific position information on a body, hardness information at the specific position, and physical condition information corresponding to the hardness at the specific position. It is preferable that, for example, if the hardness of one part in the human body is obtained, the physical condition of the corresponding user can be estimated from this information. It is needless to say that the physical condition is not limited to one site, and the physical condition can be inferred from, for example, a combination of the hardness at a plurality of sites.

Alternatively, massage content storage means for storing a plurality of specific position information on the body, hardness information of the specific position, physical condition information corresponding to the hardness of the specific position, and massage content corresponding to the physical condition information. Is preferable because it is possible not only to estimate the above-mentioned physical condition of the user, but also to select massage content according to this physical condition. Thereby, it is possible to execute an effective massage.

In the massage device, personal information input means for inputting personal information of the user, and hardness detected from the personal information and the body of the user,
For those that have selection means for selecting the massage content, it is not based solely on muscle hardness,
Since the massage content can be selected in consideration of personal information of the user such as age, gender, height, weight, etc., more accurate and effective massage can be performed.

Alternatively, massage content display means for displaying hardness information of the specific position detected from the body of the user, physical condition information corresponding to the hardness at the specific position, and massage content corresponding to the physical condition information. In the massage device having the above, the effective massage content and the like can be displayed, so that the user can select the massage by himself. In addition, by displaying the hardness information and the physical condition information of a specific position such as an acupuncture point, the user can know his / her physical condition and its temporal change. The user can also gain knowledge about the acupuncture points.

The apparatus further includes personal hardness map storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of specific position information on the body of the user and information on the hardness detected at the specific position. In a massage device configured to be able to store a plurality of hardnesses measured at different times, the history of the muscle hardness of the user is known,
This is preferable because the progress and recovery of fatigue can be determined for each body part.

Further, a standard hardness map storage means for storing a plurality of specific position information on the body in association with standard hardness information of the specific position, and a personal information input means for inputting personal information of the user And a hardness map display means for comparing and displaying the hardness detected from the body of the user based on the personal information and standard hardness information corresponding to the personal information. Is preferred.
The personal information includes, for example, age, gender, height, weight, and the like. As the standard hardness, for example, the hardness of a healthy human body classified according to age, gender, height, weight, and the like can be set. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate the muscle hardness obtained from the body of the user based on the standard muscle hardness of each part in the human body. In other words, it is possible to diagnose which part of the body of the user has a higher muscle hardness and is more tired than a healthy body.

A palpation massage system according to the present invention includes a palpation massage device having the hardness detector described above, a client terminal provided in the palpation massage device, and a server connected to the terminal via a network. The terminal has a first transmitting / receiving means for transmitting detected hardness information to the server and receiving massage information from the server, and the server receives the detected hardness information from the terminal. And a second transmitting / receiving means for transmitting massage information to the terminal, and a massage content selecting means for selecting corresponding physical condition information and corresponding massage content based on the detected hardness information.

According to this massage system, the palpation massage device itself can be manufactured at low cost because it is not necessary to provide a massage content selection means in the palpation massage device. In addition, since the size of the server can be increased, it is possible to greatly increase high-speed calculation and accommodation data, and to send wide and detailed information on the contents of massage to the terminal. Moreover, multiple units (many units)
It is also possible to connect the palpation massage device to one (specified small number of) servers via a network. Therefore, the degree of freedom of the installation location of the palpation massage device and the server is greatly expanded, and it is possible to cope with various types of usage.

Another palpation massage system of the present invention comprises:
Palpation massage device having the hardness detector described above, and a client terminal arranged in the palpation massage device,
A first transmission / reception means, comprising: the terminal and a server connected via a network, wherein the terminal transmits physical condition information corresponding to the detected hardness information to the server and receives massage information from the server. And physical condition information selecting means for selecting corresponding physical condition information based on the detected hardness information, wherein the server,
It has a second transmitting / receiving means for receiving the physical condition information from the terminal and transmitting the massage information to the terminal, and a selecting means for selecting a corresponding massage content based on the physical condition information.

According to this massage system, it is possible to achieve almost the same operation and effect as the above-mentioned massage system. Furthermore, it is preferable to use only the server when it is desired to know only the physical condition information of the user.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a palpation massage device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the palpation massage device of the present invention. This palpation massage device (hereinafter, simply referred to as a massage device) 1 has a chair shape, and a backrest portion 2 thereof can be tilted back and forth (reclining) with respect to a seat surface portion 3 manually or electrically. I have. Massage mechanisms 4 and 5 are provided on the backrest 2 and the seat 3 respectively. The massage mechanism 4 of the backrest 2 is attached to a lift 6 that can move up and down along the backrest surface. The lift 6 is moved up and down by a motor 7 and a screw feed mechanism 8. As the elevating table 6 moves up and down, the massage mechanism 4 moves up from the waist of the user through the back, shoulders and neck to the head, and moves up or down in the opposite direction.

The massage mechanism 4 has a pair of left and right treatment elements 9 for applying a mechanical stimulus to the body of the user and a motor (not shown) for driving the treatment elements 9 for displacement. The treatment element 9 has a thick disk-shaped kneading ball 13 rotatably attached to each end of a V-shaped arm 12. One motor is a tapping motor for moving the treatment element 9 toward and away from the user at a relatively high speed,
The other motor is a kneading motor for displacing the V-shaped arm 12 to swing, for example, in a pestle shape. According to the massage mechanism 4, the kneading operation and the hitting operation are performed by independent drive systems, and both operations are combined and performed. Of course, each operation can be performed independently. This massage mechanism 4 is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-350756 filed by the present applicant. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 14 denotes a guide roller for guiding the elevating table 6 up and down.

The massage mechanism 5 of the seat 3 applies vibration to the body of the user, and is constituted by a vibration motor. The vibration motor 5 has an eccentric mass attached to the output shaft of the motor, and the motor itself vibrates by its rotation.

FIG. 2 shows details of the treatment element 9. A driving machine main body 10 accommodating the hitting motor, the kneading motor and the transmission mechanism (not shown) for driving the treatment element 9 is provided. As shown in the figure, a muscle hardness measuring device 15 is provided at each of the upper ends of the V-shaped arms 12 of the pair of treatment elements 9. One massaging ball 13a is attached to the lower end of each V-shaped arm 12, but two massaging balls 13b are attached to the upper end. In other words, it can be said that the muscle hardness measuring device 15 provided with two kneading balls 13b is attached to the upper end of the V-shaped arm 12 at intervals vertically. As described above, the treatment element 9 is moved up and down along the spine of the user by the elevating table 6. Further, since the kneading ball 13 makes an eccentric motion by the above-described kneading operation, the muscle hardness measuring device 15 does not simply change the position only in the vertical direction, but the lateral direction (in the direction perpendicular to the elevating direction) by the kneading operation. ) Can also be moved. Therefore, it is possible to measure muscle hardness over a wide range of the body of the user.

As shown in FIG. 3, the muscle hardness measuring device 15
Is a movable rod member 17 having a pressure sensor 16 at its tip,
A linear actuator (hereinafter, simply referred to as an actuator) 18 for moving the movable bar member 17 in the direction of its central axis, a distance sensor 19 for detecting a moving distance of the movable bar member 17, And a housing 20 in which the housing 19 is housed. A pointer 17 a for connecting to the distance sensor 19 is attached to the movable bar member 17. Various mechanisms can be employed for the pressure sensor 16, the actuator 18, and the distance sensor 19, respectively. The pressure sensor 16 detects a reaction force when the body of the user is pressed.

The muscle hardness measuring device 15 is disposed such that the tip of the pressure sensor 16 is located at a position slightly smaller than the virtual straight line L connecting the front ends of the two massaging balls 13b. The virtual straight line L corresponds to the surface of the body of the user. Therefore, when performing a massage, the pressure sensor 16 does not contact the body of the user. Then, when measuring the muscle hardness of the body of the user, the pressure sensor 16 is made to protrude outward from the virtual straight line as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The movable bar member 17 is
The central axis is arranged so as to be perpendicular to the virtual straight line L of the two massaging balls 13b. If the outer diameters of both rubbing balls 13b are equal, a virtual straight line L connecting the centers of both rubbing balls 13b
The direction is perpendicular to.

When the muscle hardness measuring device 15 is not operating, the pressing force is not applied to the pressure sensor 16 when the two kneading balls 13b are in contact with the body of the user when not operating. . However, the muscle hardness measuring device 15
When the movable bar member 17 moves forward by operating the pressure sensor, the pressure sensor projects forward from the virtual straight line L and presses the body of the user substantially perpendicularly to the surface thereof. In addition, even if the surface of the body of the user is a curved surface, two massage balls 13
Since b is always in contact with this surface, the pressure sensor presses the subject's body almost vertically. Therefore, the mechanism of pressure (reaction force) measurement is constant at any part of the body, and reliable muscle hardness can be obtained.

When the movable bar member 17 is advanced to measure the muscle hardness, it comes into contact with the body of the user. When the vehicle is further advanced, the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 16 increases. This state is shown in the graph of FIG. The vertical axis represents the reaction force value Rf detected by the pressure sensor 16, and the horizontal axis represents the distance X of the pressure sensor 16 advanced toward the user. Point B in the figure is a point at which the pressure sensor 16 (movable bar member 17) starts to advance.
Point C indicates a point at which the pressure sensor 16 advances and comes into contact with the body of the user. That is, the reaction force detection position (reaction force rise start point) C is automatically detected, and it is determined that this is a body contact point. Pressure sensor 16 from point C to point D
Represents a state in which the user continues to advance and presses the body of the user. Point D represents the point at which the pressure sensor 16 has stopped advance. The muscle hardness from point C to point D is the detected reaction force value R
It is evaluated by differentiating f with the advance distance X. For example, the obtained pressure change curve is approximated by a certain mathematical expression (for example, an exponential function or the like), and the muscle hardness is evaluated based on the coefficient. Also, by comparing the history of muscle hardness information created from muscle hardness, which part of the physical condition when the compared data was measured, the degree of fatigue was compared with the measured physical condition of the data to be compared. The degree of fatigue or recovery can be evaluated by indicating the percentage. Muscle fatigue can also be evaluated from the work (the area S in the figure) of the muscle hardness measuring device 15 obtained by integrating the detected reaction force values from the point C to the point D by the distance of advance.

The advance distance of the pressure sensor 16 from the point C to the point D is preset, but if the reaction force value rises sharply before reaching this distance (before reaching the point D), the advance of the pressure sensor 16 is stopped. Stop. This is because the distance (thickness) from the surface to the bone is small depending on the body part of the user, and further measurement of muscle hardness cannot be performed at such a part. An upper limit reaction force value may be set as a reference for stopping the advancement of the pressure sensor 16,
Further, an upper limit value of the rate of increase of the reaction force with respect to the advance distance may be set.

The pressure sensor 16 shown in FIG. 3 employs an inexpensive conductive rubber type sensor. If this sensor is pressed against an object while applying a current to the conductive rubber, the conductive rubber will be distorted, resulting in a change in the electrical resistance. The pressure is converted into the pressure. In addition to the conductive rubber, for example, a strain gauge can be employed. A strain gauge is attached to a member such as the movable bar member 17 that generates a stress due to pressing, and a strain due to the pressing is detected and converted into a pressure. Further, a piezoelectric or piezo type semiconductor pressure sensor may be employed. The strain gauge type and the semiconductor type are preferable because of high accuracy.

As shown in FIG. 5, as the actuator 18, for example, a mechanism such as a screw rod type, a rack and pinion type, a linear motor type, a fluid pressure type, and a cam type can be adopted.

The threaded rod type actuator 1 shown in FIG.
81 is a screw rod (nut) 181a attached to the output shaft of the motor M.
Is connected, and a nut (screw rod) is attached to the movable rod member 17.
181b is connected, and a screw rod (nut) and a nut (screw rod) are screwed together. Then, the movable bar member 17 is made unrotatable. As a result, the movable bar member 17 advances and retreats in the direction of its central axis by the forward and reverse rotation of the motor M.

In the rack and pinion type actuator 182 shown in FIG. 5B, a rack 182a is formed on the movable bar member 17, a pinion gear 182b is fixed to the output shaft of the motor M, and this is meshed with the rack 182a. . And
The movable bar member 17 is moved forward and backward in the direction of its central axis by forward and reverse rotation of the motor M.

The linear motor type actuator 183 shown in FIG. 5C has a magnet 183a provided on the movable rod member 17 and a large number of electromagnets 1 along the path of the movable rod member 17.
83b are arranged so as to be alternately S poles and N poles.
The movable bar member 17 is moved linearly by switching between the S pole and the N pole.

A hydraulic actuator 1 shown in FIG.
84 is, for example, a hydraulic cylinder (or an air cylinder)
The movable bar member 17 is connected to the piston 184b of the 184a, and the movable bar member 17 is moved forward and backward in the central axis direction by applying hydraulic pressure or pneumatic pressure.

The cam type actuator 18 shown in FIG.
5, a rotary plate 185a is connected to the output shaft of the motor M, and one end of a connecting rod 185b is swingably attached to a portion of the rotary plate 185a separated from the rotation center. The other end of the connecting rod 185b is swingably attached to the movable bar member 17. A guide member 185c is provided on the movable bar member 17 so as to allow only straight traveling. And the motor M
Is rotated to move the movable bar member 17 in the direction of its central axis.

The above is merely an example of the actuator 18, and there is no problem in employing another known mechanism.

FIG. 6 shows the distance sensor 19.
The distance sensor (linear sensor) 191 of the electric resistance type slide mechanism (so-called sliding door) shown in FIG. 6A has a rail 191a as an electric resistance. And
The pointer 17a slides on the rail 191a as the movable bar member 17 moves. A current is supplied between one end of the rail 191a and the pointer 17a, and a change in the electrical resistance between the one end of the rail 191a and the pointer 17a is detected.
To the travel distance. Since the linear sensor 191 has a simple and compact structure, the entire muscle hardness measurement device 15 can be configured to be small.

The potentiometer type distance sensor 192 shown in FIG. 6 (b) has a rotary potentiometer 192a having a pressing roller 192b on its detection axis. The pressing roller 192b is pressed against the movable bar member 17, and the linear movement distance of the movable bar member 17 is converted into the number of rotations via the pressing roller 192b. A pinion gear may be used instead of the pressing roller, and a rack that meshes with the pinion gear may be formed on the movable bar member 17. In this drawing, an actuator composed of a motor M, a rack 182a, and a pinion gear 182b shown in FIG. 5B is employed as an actuator.

In addition, although not shown, an impedance change type distance sensor may be used. For example, a core material having high magnetic permeability is inserted into a coil, and the movable bar member 17 is connected to the core material (inductance change type sensor). This detects a change in the amount of insertion of the core material into the coil, that is, an axial displacement of the movable rod member 17 as a change in the magnetic permeability. Alternatively, the movable rod member 17 may be provided on one of a pair of electrodes spaced apart from each other and facing each other.
Is a variable capacitance type sensor (area change type sensor). This is because the area of the electrodes facing each other changes with the axial displacement of the movable bar member 17 and the conductance changes with this area change, but the movement distance of the movable bar member 17 is defined as the amount of change in conductance. It is to detect.

Further, although not shown, a plate to be detected is attached to the movable bar member, and the moving distance of the movable bar member is detected in a non-contact manner by detecting reflected light on the detected plate using a laser oscillator. It may be something. Further, the number of pulses may be detected using an encoder, and the moving distance of the movable bar member may be detected based on the number of pulses.

Although the muscle hardness measuring device 15 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is attached to the upper end of the V-shaped arm 12, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be attached to the lower end.
However, when the muscle hardness measuring device 15 is attached to the upper end of the V-shaped arm, when the treatment element 9 moves to the user's shoulder, the treatment element 9 wraps around the upper shoulder, and the muscle hardness of the upper shoulder is easily increased. This is preferable because it can be measured.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the muscle hardness measuring device 15 may be attached to the center of the V-shaped arm 12. FIG.
(A) is a side view of the treatment element 9, and (b) of FIG. 7 is a front view. According to such a configuration, a space for mounting the muscle hardness measuring device 15 is provided, which is preferable. The distance between the tips of the V-shaped arms 12 is usually about 160 mm. In terms of ergonomics, this is based on the feeling of the thumb and the other four fingers when a human hand rubs. As described above, when there is room in the mounting space for the muscle hardness measuring device 15, as shown in FIG.
It becomes easy to position the pressure sensor 16 on the virtual straight line Q connecting 3b. As a result, the muscle hardness measurement site and the massage application site can be brought close to each other, which is preferable.
When the muscle hardness measuring device 15 is not operated, the pressure sensor 16 is preferable because the non-contact state with the body of the user can be ensured.

The shape of the kneading balls 13 is preferably such that the contact surface with the body surface is wide so that the surface pressure on the body surface of the user is low. For example, a tire for a race car.

FIG. 8 shows a massage device 21 in which a pair of treatment elements 22 arranged on the left and right are provided with one massaging ball 13c.
(FIG. 8B) is shown. Although only one treatment element 22 is shown, the other treatment element (not shown) is symmetrical with respect to the center line of the backrest 23 of the massage device, and a description thereof will be omitted. This treatment element 22 is also shown in FIGS.
A massage operation and a beating operation are possible similarly to the treatment element 9 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8A, one muscle hardness measuring device 15 is attached to each treatment element 22. In the muscle hardness measuring device 15, the pressure sensor 16 has a kneading ball 13 c.
And the pressure sensor 16 is disposed such that the tip of the pressure sensor 16 is located at a position slightly retreated from the front end of the massaging ball 13c. The pressure sensor 16 does not come into contact with the body of the user when performing massage, and is projected outward from the front end of the kneading ball 13c when measuring muscle hardness. The kneading balls 13c are rotatably attached to the tip of an arm 24, and the arm 24 is attached to a housing 25 (FIG. 8B) having a drive unit (not shown). On the other hand, the muscle hardness measurement device 15 is also attached to the housing 25, and the projection direction of the pressure sensor 16 is parallel to the arm 24 of the treatment element 22. The muscle hardness measuring device 15 and the arm 24 are also fixed to each other by the bracket 26 in order to secure the parallel state between the two. Although not shown, the pressure sensor 16, the actuator 18, and the distance sensor 19 of the muscle hardness measuring device 15 are the same as those described above.

As shown in FIG. 8B, in the present massage device 21, the treatment element 22 extends along the surface of the backrest 23.
Travel routes are provided. The moving path is a rack-type rail 27, and the housing 25 is provided with a drive pinion 28 that meshes with the rack. The drive pinions 28 are provided in a pair at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the rail 27. The direction in which the pressure sensor 16 protrudes and the longitudinal direction of the arm 24 of the treatment element 22 are directed perpendicular to the rail 27 toward the body of the user. Accordingly, when the surface of the user's body is along the backrest 23, the treatment element 22 always acts substantially perpendicularly to the body surface of the user regardless of the position, and the muscle hardness measuring device 1
5 also presses the pressure sensor 16 substantially perpendicularly to the body surface of the user.

FIG. 9 (a) shows a muscle hardness measuring device 29 having a rolling contact 29a. The muscle hardness measuring device 29 may be attached between two kneading balls 13b attached to one end of the V-shaped arm 12 as shown in FIG. 2, and the center of the V-shaped arm 12 as shown in FIG. It may be attached to a concave portion (between both kneading balls 13a and 13b), or may be attached to one kneading ball as shown in FIG. The contact 29a is a roller rotatably attached to the tip of the movable bar member 17. The muscle hardness measuring device 29 detects the relative muscle hardness from the rolling resistance Fr (FIG. 9B) received when the roller 29a is rolled while being pressed against the body surface of the user. Things.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the movable rod member 17
Is connected to the tip of the conductive rubber type pressure sensor 3 described above, for example.
0 is attached, and the pressing force on the body of the user is detected. The movable bar member 17 has a strain gauge 31.
The rolling resistance of the roller 29a during rolling is detected by the strain gauge 31. further,
The above-mentioned actuator and distance sensor (not shown) are built in the muscle hardness measuring device 29. The actuator is operated by the feedback signal from the pressure sensor 30 so that a constant pressing force is applied from the roller 29a to the body surface of the user.

FIG. 9 (b) shows the principle of this rolling-type muscle hardness measurement. When the roller 29a having a radius R is rolled while being pressed against the body surface of the user by a constant pressing force Fv, at a point P where the roller 29a receives a normal force N (= Fv) from the body of the user. , And receives the rolling resistance Fr in the direction opposite to the traveling direction F. The distance A between the point P receiving the rolling resistance Fr and the direction of action of the pressing force Fv is called a rolling resistance coefficient and characterizes the rolling resistance. These relationships are represented by the following equations.

Fr = Fv × A / R Here, the rolling resistance Fr can be known by the strain gauge 31, the pressing force Fv can be known by the pressure sensor 30, and the radius of the roller 29a is known. Therefore, the resistance coefficient A can be obtained from the above equation. Since the resistance coefficient A changes according to the hardness of the body surface of the user, the muscle hardness can be evaluated by the resistance coefficient A.

The massage mechanism 4 having the treatment elements 9 and 22 described above treats the neck, shoulders, back, waist, and the like of the user, and measures the muscle hardness thereof. The massage mechanism 32 for treating muscles and feet and measuring the muscle hardness will be described.

The massage mechanism 3 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 2 is movably mounted on a mounting table 33 on which an arm, a calf, and a thigh (hereinafter, represented by an arm) are mounted. The mounting table 33 includes two rails 34 arranged in parallel with each other and formed with a rack, and mounting sections 35 fixed to both ends of both rails 34. Recesses G having a curved cross section along the arm are formed in both mounting portions 35 so that the arm can be easily mounted. The massage mechanism 32 is engaged with the rail portion between the mounting portions 35 so as to be reciprocally movable. The massage mechanism 32 includes a pair of engagement portions 36 that engage with each rail 34, an arc-shaped bridge 37 that connects the two engagement portions 36,
Can be rotated around the bridge 37 at the center of FIG.
(B)) and a treatment element 38 attached to (b)).
The massage can be performed by the treatment element 38 reciprocatingly rotating around the bridge 37 by a predetermined rotation angle.

The engaging portion 36 includes a motor (not shown) and a pinion gear fixed to an output shaft of the motor. This pinion gear meshes with the rack of the rail 34. Therefore, the massage mechanism 32 can move along the rail 34 by driving the motor (FIG. 10A), and massage is performed along the arm or foot of the user. A rack is formed in the bridge 37, and a motor (not shown) and a pinion gear fixed to an output shaft of the motor are disposed in a main body 39 of the treatment element 38. This pinion gear meshes with the rack of the bridge 37, and the treatment element 38 can be moved along the bridge 37 by driving the motor (FIG. 10).
(C)). With such a configuration, the treatment element 38 can be aligned with the arm or foot of the user in the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the treatment element 38
Has a pair of arms 40 that are bidirectional from the main body 39 and intersect with the bridge 37 and extend toward the surface formed by the two rails 34. Mounted freely.

The muscle hardness measuring device 15 is erected on the main body 39 so as to extend between the arms 40 toward the surface formed by the rails 34. The tip of the pressure sensor 16 is located at a position slightly smaller than the virtual straight line connecting the front ends of the two massaging balls 41, and is outside the virtual straight line when the muscle hardness measuring device 15 measures the muscle hardness. It is made to protrude toward.

With this configuration, the muscle hardness of the arm or foot of the user can be measured in the same manner as in the massage mechanism 4 described above.

In the massage device described above, a muscle hardness measuring device is provided separately from the treatment element, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the treatment element may be configured to be used for muscle hardness measurement. That is,
It is also used as a treatment element and a muscle hardness measurement device. For example, FIG.
With reference to (a), the arm of the treatment element 22 is a movable bar member, and the movable bar member is driven forward and backward by an actuator shown in FIG. 5, a distance sensor is built in the housing 25, and the pressure sensor is Various ones described above can be selected. Alternatively, the rolling-type muscle hardness measuring device 29 shown in FIG. 9 may be used as a treatment element. That roller 29
It is possible to make a function as a treatment element.

As described above, when the treatment element is also used as the muscle hardness measuring device, the distal end of the muscle hardness measuring device is arranged at a position retracted from the surface of the backrest. In this case, even when the user leans on the backrest, the presser of the muscle hardness measurement device does not contact the body of the user. Then, at the time of measurement of muscle hardness and at the time of performing massage, the presser of the muscle hardness measurement device may be advanced from the surface of the backrest.

Further, in the above massage device, the muscle hardness measuring device is attached to the treatment element, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The muscle hardness measuring device and the treatment element may be separately provided so that they can move independently of each other along the body surface of the user. For example,
In FIG. 1, although not shown, the muscle hardness measuring device can be attached to an elevating platform that rises and falls independently of the elevating platform 6 of the treatment element. In the limb massage mechanism shown in FIG. 10, although not shown, a movable element separate from the massage mechanism 32 is provided, and a muscle hardness measuring device can be attached to this movable element. First, the muscle hardness of each part of the body of the user is measured while moving the muscle hardness measurement device along a predetermined path, and then the massager is moved to any part of the body of the user to perform the massage. Can be enforced.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the massage mechanism 4 is provided with a shoulder position sensor 42 for detecting the position of the shoulder of the user. This shoulder position sensor 42
Is to detect the position of the shoulder of the user by moving the massage mechanism 4 from the origin of the vertical stroke of the massage mechanism 4, for example, the upper end position of the vertical stroke.
The position of the shoulder is specified by a rotation sensor (not shown) that detects the rotation of the output shaft of the elevating motor 7. That is, it is specified by the rotation speed (cumulative rotation angle) of the lifting / lowering motor 7 from the origin to the shoulder position. Then, the distance from the origin to the shoulder position is stored in the memory 53 described later. It is preferable to select a DC motor as the elevating motor 7. Since the DC motor can obtain an arbitrary speed by changing the applied voltage, the massage mechanism 4 is controlled by controlling the speed to decrease before the stop position.
This makes it easy to control the position.

As shown in the figure, the shoulder position sensor 42
The arm 12 is attached to a pivot 44 that pivotally supports the arm 12. As shown in FIG. 12, the pivot 44 is formed in a pair of right and left, and a V-shaped arm 1 is provided between the pivots.
2 is penetrated and pivoted by a pin 45. Further, a through hole 46 penetrating both pivots 44 left and right is formed. A light emitting element 47 is provided in a through hole 46a of one pivot 44a, and a light emitting element 47 is provided in a through hole 4a of the other pivot 44b.
A light receiving element 48 for receiving a light beam from the light emitting element 47 is provided in 6b. However, depending on the swing position of the V-shaped arm 12, the light beam from the light emitting element 47 is blocked by the V-shaped arm 12, and the light receiving element cannot detect this light beam. In FIG. 11, a solid line indicates a state in which light rays are blocked by the V-shaped arm 12, and a two-dot chain line indicates a state in which the light receiving element 48 can detect light rays. With this configuration, the swing of the V-shaped arm 12 is detected, and as a result, the shoulder position of the user is detected.

As shown in FIG. 13, the treatment element 9 is moved up and down along the back while being brought into contact with the user seated on the massage device 1. At this time, that is, when the treatment element 9 is at the H position, the V-shaped arm 12 does not block the light beam of the light emitting element 47 (the state shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 11). And
As shown, when the kneading ball 13b above the treatment element 9 reaches the neck or shoulder of the user (J position), the V-shaped arm 12 swings in the direction of arrow K. Then, the V-shaped arm 12 blocks the light beam of the light emitting element 47 (the state of the solid line in FIG. 11), and the shoulder position sensor 42 detects the swing of the V-shaped arm 12 within a predetermined range,
As a result, it is detected that the treatment element 9 has reached the shoulder of the user.

As shown in FIG. 1, the V-shaped arms 12 are provided on the left and right, respectively, and a pair of shoulder position sensors 42 are provided on the left and right so as to correspond to both arms (not shown in FIG. 1). ). With such a configuration, for example, it is possible to detect more accurate swing by adopting an average value of the values detected by the two-shoulder position sensor 42 and the like.

A control device 50 shown in FIG. 14 is incorporated in the massage devices 1 and 21 (hereinafter, represented by reference numeral 1). The control device 50 includes massage mechanisms 4, 5,
32 (hereinafter, represented by reference numeral 4) and the operations of the muscle hardness measurement devices 15, 29 (hereinafter, represented by reference numeral 15) are controlled, and the user is treated based on the muscle hardness measured by the muscle hardness measurement device 15. This is for determining the physical condition of the subject and outputting useful information for the user, such as advice according to the physical condition. Further, the content of the massage is selected, and the selected content of the massage is instructed to the massage mechanism 4.

The control device 50 includes a movement control unit 5 for controlling the movement of the massage mechanism 4 and the muscle hardness measuring device 15.
1, a massage operation control unit 52, and various programs such as a massage operation program, a muscle hardness measurement program, an inquiry program, and a massage content selection program for selecting a massage content by judging the physical condition from the inquiry result and the muscle hardness measurement result. A memory 53 for storing a plurality of pieces of information,
A CPU 54 for executing a program is provided.

Further, the massage device 1 displays a personal information input device 55 for inputting information (personal information) on the user and a massage content selected based on the results of the medical inquiry and the measurement of muscle hardness. And a hardness map display device 57 for displaying muscle hardness and the like measured from the body of the user in association with the measurement site. As described above, the hardness map display device 57 can create a fatigue degree (muscle hardness) map based on the results measured at each part of the body.

The movement control unit 51 includes the massage mechanism 4
In addition, the position of the muscle hardness measuring device 15 is detected on coordinates representing the moving range, and is moved to an arbitrary position on the coordinates. The memory 53 has a built-in coordinate storage unit 53a, and stores coordinates corresponding to the movement range of the massage mechanism 4 and the muscle hardness measurement device 15. This coordinate may be a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate or a polar coordinate,
It may be three-dimensional rectangular coordinates or a combination of rectangular coordinates and polar coordinates (for example, a cylinder or a sphere). This coordinate can correspond to the body of the user. That is, for example, the specific position (shoulder) on the body specified by the above-described shoulder position sensor 42 may be set as the reference position (origin) of the coordinates. The distance of the movement of the massage mechanism 4 and the muscle hardness measuring device 15 can be specified by using a servomotor as a motor for driving the movement. The movement control also includes moving the massage mechanism 4 and the muscle hardness measurement device 15 to a specific position on the body, for example, a position of a acupuncture point. The distance and direction to the position of each acupoint based on the shoulder position of the user detected by the shoulder position sensor 42 are stored in the coordinate storage unit 53a. Acupuncture points,
On the back of the subject, 75-150 m along the spine on both sides of the spine from head to neck, shoulders and back to the lumbar region
They are present at intervals of m. Then, the distance from the shoulder position of the treatment element 9 is sequentially determined based on the number of rotations of the moving motor such as the elevating motor 7. Then, the position of the acupuncture point is determined by comparing the determined distance with the distance previously stored in the coordinate storage unit 53a, and the elevating motor 7 can be stopped every time the treatment element 9 reaches each acupoint.

The massage operation control unit 52 executes the selected massage operation by controlling the operation of each motor such as the tapping motor 11a, the massaging motor 11b, the vibration motor 5, and the elevating motor 7 of the massage mechanism. It is.

Although it is possible to comprehensively measure muscle hardness and perform massage within the movement range of the massage mechanism 4 and the muscle hardness measuring device 15 in the body, the above configuration allows only a specific site such as acupuncture points. Measurement of muscle hardness and massage can be performed. The memory 53 includes a personal hardness map storage unit 53b, and the muscle hardness measured at each part is stored in the memory 53b so as to correspond to the coordinates stored in the coordinate storage unit 53a. Since the muscle hardness is stored in correspondence with personal information described later, the muscle hardness of a plurality of users can be stored in one massage apparatus 1. Furthermore, when the muscle hardness of the same user is measured a plurality of times at different times, the measured muscle hardness can be stored in a time-series manner. By doing so, it is possible to determine the physical condition of the user using the change rate and the change amount of the muscle hardness as examination materials, and to provide optimal advice and massage. Further, by comparing the muscle hardness before and after the massage is performed, it is possible to know the degree of recovery from fatigue of the user and to know the effect of the massage.

The coordinate storage unit 53a, the individual hardness map storage unit 53b, or a standard hardness map storage unit 53c described later stores acupuncture point information, that is, the position of the acupuncture point, the name of the acupuncture point, the name of the organ related to the acupuncture point, and the name of the organ. Related disease names, etc.
It may be stored in association with the coordinates or the hardness map stored therein.

The personal information input device 55 is for inputting personal information such as ethnicity, age, gender, height, and weight by voice through the microphone 58 (FIG. 1). Recognize voice. Of course, instead of or together with the voice input, a configuration may be adopted in which input is made on the display screen 60 (FIG. 1) by a key of the operating device 59 (FIG. 1). Both the operation device 59 and the microphone 58 are input means.
The memory 53 has a built-in personal information storage unit 53d, and the personal information is stored here. For example, the position of the acupuncture point is slightly different depending on the ethnicity, physique, gender, etc., so that it is possible to specify the acupoint position according to the personal information. Further, as described later, the personal information is useful in evaluating the measured muscle hardness of the user.

The memory 53 has a built-in standard hardness map storage unit 53c. The standard hardness map storage unit 53c stores healthy muscle hardness of the human body corresponding to the coordinates stored in the coordinate storage unit 53a. That is, the muscle hardness of this healthy body is adopted as the standard hardness. The muscle hardness of a healthy human body is stored based on values obtained based on clinical data, for example, classified by ethnicity, age, gender, height, weight, and the like. Therefore, appropriate evaluation can be performed by comparing and examining the hardness of the body of the user at the same position on the coordinates with the hardness of the healthy human body corresponding to the personal information of the user.

An example of the evaluation of the muscle hardness of the user based on the individual hardness map and the standard hardness map will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14A shows a distribution of muscle hardness measured on the body of a user on coordinates (referred to as distribution A).
It is. FIG. 14B shows the distribution of muscle hardness of a healthy body corresponding to personal information of a user on the same coordinates as the coordinates of the measured muscle hardness (referred to as distribution B). FIG. 14 (c)
Is the distribution B from the muscle hardness of the distribution A at the same position on the coordinates.
Are distributed at corresponding coordinate positions (referred to as distribution C). It is determined that a muscle stiffness has occurred in a portion indicated by a + value in the distribution C. Also, if the acupuncture point position is indicated on the coordinates, the muscle stiffness at the acupuncture point position is useful for estimating the corresponding built-in abnormality as described later. Note that, instead of subtracting the muscle hardness of the distribution B from the muscle hardness of the distribution A, a value obtained by dividing the muscle hardness of the distribution A by the muscle hardness of the distribution B may be used as the distribution C.

The hardness map display device 57 includes:
The coordinates, distribution A, distribution B, distribution C, and the like described above are displayed. In this case, the distribution A, the distribution B, and the distribution C may be displayed on different screens, respectively, or may be displayed by wrapping the three. The above-described hardness map may be displayed by wrapping a two-dimensional or three-dimensional external shape and a skeleton of the human body. The distribution A may be configured to be displayed in a time-series manner by changing the screen by operating the operation device 59 when the measurement is performed a plurality of times at different times. Further, the coordinates may be displayed not only in two dimensions but also in three dimensions. This is because, for example, it is easier to understand a three-dimensional display along the surface of the human body, such as the arms, legs, and shoulders of the back. Further, a special display may be added to a position corresponding to the acupoint on the coordinates. Further, when the measurement is performed a plurality of times at different times, the distribution A may be configured to display a temporal change in muscle hardness by, for example, displaying a graph. Each of the above display items may be selected and displayed. Further, personal information may be displayed together.

The personal information storage section 53d may also store the results of the medical examination as personal information. In this inquiry, for example, a question may be made by a synthesized voice through a speaker 61 (FIG. 1) built into the massage device 1, or a question may be displayed on a display screen 60 on the operation device 59. Good. Both the speaker 61 and the display screen 60 are output means. In response to this question, the user may select yes or no on the operation device 59 and press a button to answer the question, or may answer the question by voice through the microphone 58. . The contents of this inquiry include the presence or absence of appetite, the presence or absence of bodily sickness, the presence or absence of sleep deprivation, and the presence or absence of sudden changes in weight. The programs for performing these interviews may be stored in the memory 53. By evaluating the result of the inquiry and the measurement result of the muscle hardness together, it is possible to provide more appropriate advice and massage.

The memory 53 has a physical condition information storage unit 53e.
Is built-in. The physical condition information storage unit 53e contains the content (physical condition information) of the degree of muscle fatigue, the degree of stress, built-in abnormality, body fatigue, and the like, which are derived based on muscle hardness and the like.
Is stored. Based on the muscle hardness and the like, for example, not only the measured muscle hardness value, the temporal change rate of the measured muscle hardness, comparison with the muscle hardness of a healthy body, presence or absence of input appetite, physical It is to infer based on the theory of Oriental medicine from personal information such as presence or absence of sluggishness, lack of sleep, presence or absence of sudden change in weight, etc., and a combination thereof. This inference is executed by the CPU 54 using an arithmetic program stored in the memory 53. At present, a so-called expert system may be suitable as a method for deriving the corresponding physical condition from these examination materials.

The memory 53 has a built-in massage content storage section 53f. This massage content storage unit 5
3f stores massage contents corresponding to each of the above-mentioned physical condition information. That is, the optimal massage content is stored in association with a certain physical condition derived from the measured muscle hardness and the like. As the type of this massage content,
Rolling, kneading, tapping, shiatsu, super slow kneading, etc. As a specific example, for example, in the case where the guided physical condition is stiff shoulder, rubbing and tapping massage on the shoulder of the user are associated. In addition, if the physical condition led to stiff shoulders, and if abnormalities were found in the lungs (one of the acupuncture points) from this result, it was determined that there was a possibility of respiratory disease, and the lungs and the shoulders to the back Massage is associated. This inference is executed by the CPU 54 according to an arithmetic program stored in the memory 53, and causes the massage mechanism 4 to perform the selected massage.

Also, the massage content storage section 53f,
The personal hardness map storage unit 53b or the personal information storage unit 53d may store the past treatment history of the user. That is, the measured muscle hardness, the corresponding physical condition, the corresponding advice, the correspondingly selected and applied massage content.

This massage content storage section 53f may further store appropriate advice items corresponding to each physical condition information. These tips include, for example, "exercise lightly every day", "rest and relax before extreme exercise", "relax by listening to your favorite music", and " Please, "slow down your work a little,""have enough sleep" and so on.

The massage content display device 56 displays the above-described muscle hardness and personal information, physical condition information corresponding thereto, and appropriate advice items and massage contents corresponding to the physical condition information. Further, the massage content display device 56 may display the past physical condition information of the same user and the content of the applied massage in a time-series manner.

The operation of the massage device 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

(1) First, the user receives the massage device 1
And operating the operating device 59 to cause the massage device 1 to perform the muscle hardness measurement operation and the inquiry operation. The user operates the operation device 59 while looking at the display screen 60 and inputs personal information such as his / her age. On the other hand, the massage mechanism 4 in the backrest 2 starts descending from the upper end position, which is its origin.

(2) The shoulder position sensor 42 detects the shoulder position and stores the distance from the origin to the shoulder position.

(3) Next, an initial consultation is started.
That is, a question related to the medical inquiry is made through the display screen 60 or the speaker 61. For example, "Do you have an appetite? Yes or no" here you go. ”,“ Is your body sluggish? Please answer “yes” or “no”. here you go. ”,“ Are you sleeping? ”Answer“ Yes ”or“ No ”. here you go. "Did you exercise hard?" Yes. "
Or answer "No". here you go. ”,“ Is there any significant weight change recently? Please answer “yes” or “no”. here you go. ”(Hereinafter referred to as an initial questionnaire). In response to this question, the user inputs “yes” or “no” on the display screen 60 using the operating device 59, or answers “yes” or “no” to the microphone 58 verbally.

(4) The input answer information is stored in the personal information storage section 53d. This general question is asked because it is possible to select a stimulation point, that is, an acupuncture point, to be treated by massage and is useful for inferring physical condition.

(5) Next, the user starts operating the muscle hardness by operating the operating device 59 or automatically. The massage mechanism 4 moves from the shoulder position to a predetermined acupoint position (usually the closest acupoint from the shoulder position) and stops.
(6) (7) Then, the muscle hardness measuring device 15 is operated on the body (acupoint) of the user to measure the muscle hardness at the acupoint position. Then, the massage mechanism 4 moves to the next acupoint position and stops there, and operates the muscle hardness measuring device 15 in the same manner as described above to measure the muscle hardness at the acupoint position. This operation is performed for all of the predetermined acupoints. The order of movement of the massage mechanism 4 to each acupoint is not limited, and the massage mechanism 4 may be moved up and down as needed. However, if the movement is performed only in one direction (for example, down), the time can be reduced.

(8) When the muscle hardness measurement is completed, the correlation of the somatic visceral reflex is calculated from the result of the initial inquiry and the measured muscle hardness, and the physical condition of the user is specified.

(9) The above-described muscle hardness map and corresponding physical condition information are displayed on the display screen 60.

(10) An appropriate massage course corresponding to the specified physical condition of the user is selected.

(11) The selected massage content is displayed on the display screen 60.

(12) (13) (14) The selected massage is executed for a specified time.

(15) Then, the operation of the massage device 1 ends.

In different embodiments, the above (1) to (1)
After the operation up to 1) is completed, instead of or in addition to the selection of the massage course, the physical condition and appropriate advice items corresponding to the physical condition are selected and output as voice through the speaker 61 or on the display screen 60. This may be displayed.

In the above-described embodiment, the measurement of the muscle hardness at the acupoints has been mainly described. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to the measurement of the muscle hardness of only the acupoints. The measurement may be made at any part of the body as long as it is within the movement range of the muscle hardness measuring device.

FIG. 18 shows an example of a palpation massage system. This palpation massage system (below,
The system 71 includes one or more palpating massage devices 73 each having a user terminal 72, and a server machine 75 connected to each user terminal 72 via a network 74. User terminal 7
2, the input means 58, 59 and the output means 60,
A control device 76 connected to 61 is provided. The controller 76 includes a memory 76a storing a muscle hardness measurement program, a massage operation program, and the like, and
A CPU 77 for executing these programs is provided. The server machine 75 has an analysis determination program for analyzing the measurement result of the muscle hardness to determine the physical condition and the like. The user terminal 72 transmits the information of the muscle hardness measurement result to the server machine 75, and the physical condition information of the user corresponding to the measurement result from the server machine 75, appropriate advice corresponding to the physical condition, and physical condition. The first transmission / reception unit 78 that receives information on the content of an appropriate massage corresponding to the above is provided. Of course, the first transmitting / receiving means 78 may not be provided in the massage device 73, but may be separately provided, or an existing home server machine may be used as the first transmitting / receiving means. The information transmitted from the user terminal 72 to the server machine 75 is not limited to the muscle hardness measurement result, and may include personal information of the user and the treatment history of the user.

On the other hand, the server machine 75 receives the information such as the measured muscle hardness from the memory 79 storing the analysis judgment program, the CPU 80 executing the analysis judgment program, and the user terminal 72, and responds to the information. A second transmitting / receiving means 81 is provided for transmitting to the user terminal 72 information on the physical condition of the user to be treated, appropriate advice corresponding to the physical condition, and appropriate massage content corresponding to the physical condition. Of course, only the physical condition information of the user corresponding to the measurement result and appropriate advice corresponding to the physical condition are transmitted from the server machine 75 to the user terminal 72, and an appropriate massage corresponding to the information is transmitted at the user terminal 72. The content may be selected.

With this configuration, it is possible to improve the function of the server machine 75, and it is possible to obtain a more detailed physical condition of the user by using a large amount of data by a further high-speed operation. As a result, we provide more detailed advice,
It is possible to give a more appropriate massage. Also,
One server machine 75 and many massage devices 7
3 is connected by a network 74, so that the massage device 73 is installed in the hot spring inns and hotels, the furniture section of department stores, medical sites by Oriental medicine, general homes, sports clubs, golf courses, relaxation facilities, etc. Can be provided.

The user terminal 72 is capable of communicating information such as voice (which may include an image), and includes a personal computer, a mobile phone, an information providing device, and the like.
Although not shown, it also includes a portable information terminal device. The transmission / reception means 78 and 81 are interfaces for enabling communication via various networks, and can be said to be network controllers.

In the present embodiment, the network 74 is simply shown, but the network 74 means a network capable of communicating information according to the form of the user terminal 72. When the form of the user terminal 72 is various, a plurality of types of networks are combined.

[0108]

According to the present invention, a massage appropriate for the user can be given by grasping the physical condition of the user by employing palpation based on Oriental medicine.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a massage device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a massage mechanism in the massage device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view of a treatment element having a muscle hardness measuring device in the massage mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing an operation of the muscle hardness measuring device of FIG. 3;

5 (a) to 5 (e) are diagrams each showing an example of an actuator in the muscle hardness measuring device of FIG. 3;

6 (a) and FIG. 6 (b) correspond to FIG. 3 respectively.
It is a perspective view which shows the example of the distance sensor in the muscle hardness measuring device of FIG.

FIG. 7 (a) is a view of the massage device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7B is a side view showing another example of the treatment element having the muscle hardness measuring device, and FIG. 7B is a front view thereof.

8 (a) is a perspective view showing another example of the massage mechanism, and FIG. 8 (b) is a partially cutaway side view showing an example of a massage device having the massage mechanism of FIG. 8 (a). FIG.

FIG. 9 (a) is a perspective view showing another example of the muscle hardness measuring device in the massage device of the present invention.
(B) is a side view showing the operation principle of the muscle hardness measuring device of (a) of FIG.

10 (a) is a perspective view showing another example of the massage mechanism, and FIG. 10 (b) is a perspective view showing an example of a treatment element in the massage mechanism of FIG. 10 (a). 10 (c) is a front view of the treatment element of FIG. 10 (b).

11 is a side view showing an example of a treatment element of the massage device of FIG. 1 provided with a shoulder position sensor.

FIG. 12 is a schematic front sectional view of the treatment element of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the operation of the shoulder position sensor of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control device in the massage device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (c) are FIGS.
It is a figure which shows the processing example and display example of the muscle hardness data in the massage apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the massage device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the massage device of FIG. 1;

18 (a) is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the massage system of the present invention, and FIG. 18 (b) is a block diagram showing a configuration of a part A in FIG. 18 (a); FIG. 18C is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portion B in FIG. 18A.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Massage device 2 ... Backrest part 3 ... Seat part 4 ... Massage mechanism 5 ... Vibration motor (massage mechanism) 6 ... Elevating table 7 ... · Lifting motor 8 ··· Screw feed mechanism 9 ··· Treatment unit 10 ··· Drive unit 11a ··· Tapping motor 11b ··· Massaging motor 12 ··· Arms 13a, 13b and 13c ·························································································································································· Actuator 19, 191, 192 Distance sensor 20 Housing 21 Massage device 22 Treatment element 23 Backrest 24 Arm 25 ..How ... 26 Bracket 27 ... Rail 28 ... Drive pinion 29 ... Muscle hardness measurement device 29a ... Contact (roller) 30 ... Pressure sensor 31 ... Strain gauge 32 ... Massage mechanism 33 ... Placement table 34 ... Rail 35 ... Placement part 36 ... Engagement part 37 ... Bridge 38 ... Child 39 ... Body (of treatment element) 40 ... Arm 41 ... Kneading ball 42 ... Shoulder position sensor 44, 44a, 44b ... Pivot body 45 ... Pins 46, 46a, 46b: Through hole 47: Light emitting element 48: Light receiving element 50: Control device 51: Movement control unit 52: Massage operation control unit 53: Memory 53a: Coordinate storage unit 53b: Individual hard disk Map storage unit 53c: Standard hardness map storage unit 53d: Personal information storage unit 53e: Physical condition information storage unit 53f: Massage content storage unit 54: CPU 55: Input personal information Device 56: Massage content display device 57: Hardness map display device 58: Microphone 59: Operating device 60: Display screen 61: Speaker B, C, D , H, J ... Position Fr ... Rolling resistance Fv ... Pressing force G ... Concavity K ... Direction L, Q ... Virtual straight line M ...・ Motor N ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Vertical drag P ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Point of action R ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Radius (of roller) Rf ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Detected reaction force value S ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Area

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Ryoichi Tokioka 1-17-17-26 Higashinakajima, Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka-shi F-term in Family Co., Ltd. (reference) 4C100 AA10 AD17 BA03 BA04 BA05 BA07 BA09 BB04 BB05 BB06 BC04 BC20 CA05 CA06 CA07 DA05 DA06 EA09

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A massage mechanism for applying a mechanical stimulus to a user's body, a hardness detector for applying an external force to the user's body, and detecting the hardness of the body from the external force and the amount of displacement of the body corresponding to the external force Palpation massage device comprising: 2. The palpation massage device according to claim 1, wherein the massage mechanism and the hardness detector are configured to be movable. 3. The palpation massage device according to claim 2, wherein the hardness detector is attached to a massage mechanism. 4. The massage mechanism has a treatment element that comes into contact with the body of the user, and the hardness detector has a pressing element that is pressed against the body. The palpation massage device according to claim 3, wherein the pressing element is configured to retreat from a contact portion of the treatment element with the body. 5. A massage mechanism, wherein the hardness detector is attached to a massage mechanism, the hardness detector has a pressing element pressed against the body, and the pressing element contacts the body of the user. Claim 1 which is also used as a treatment child
The palpation massage device as described. 6. The palpation massage device according to claim 1, further comprising a position detector for detecting a specific part of a user's body. 7. The palpation massage device according to claim 6, further comprising acupoint position storage means for storing a standard distance to the position of each acupuncture point in Oriental medicine on the body with the specific part as an origin. 8. Coordinate storage means for storing, as coordinates, a movement range of at least one of the massage mechanism and the hardness detector, the at least one position is specified, and the at least one is set to an arbitrary coordinate. The palpation massage device according to claim 2, further comprising a movement control device for moving the palpation to a position. 9. A position detector for detecting a specific part of the body of the user, wherein the movement control device is configured to set the coordinates on the body with the detected specific part as an origin. 9. The palpation massage device according to claim 8, wherein: 10. A plurality of specific position information on a body,
2. The palpation massage apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: physical condition information storage means for storing the specific position hardness information and physical condition information corresponding to the specific position hardness. 11. A plurality of specific position information on a body,
2. The palpation massage device according to claim 1, further comprising massage content storage means for storing hardness information at the specific position, physical condition information corresponding to the hardness at the specific position, and massage content corresponding to the physical condition information. 12. A claim comprising: personal information input means for inputting personal information of a user; and selecting means for selecting massage content based on the personal information and hardness detected from the body of the user. Item 11. A palpation massage device according to Item 11. 13. A massage content display means for displaying hardness information at the specific position detected from the user's body, physical condition information corresponding to the hardness at the specific position, and massage content corresponding to the physical condition information. The palpation massage device according to claim 11, which is provided. 14. A personal hardness map storage means for storing a plurality of specific position information on a user's body and information on hardness detected at the specific position in a corresponding manner,
2. The palpation massage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said personal hardness map storage means is configured to be able to store a plurality of hardnesses measured at different times. 15. Standard hardness map storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of specific position information on the body and information on standard hardness at the specific position, and personal information input means for inputting personal information of a user. And a hardness map display means for comparing and displaying the hardness detected from the body of the user based on the personal information with standard hardness information corresponding to the personal information. Palpation massage device. 16. The palpation massage apparatus according to claim 1, a client terminal provided in the palpation massage apparatus, and a server connected to the terminal via a network. The terminal has first transmitting / receiving means for transmitting detected hardness information to the server and receiving massage information from the server, and the server receives the detected hardness information from the terminal. A palpation massage system comprising: a second transmission / reception unit that transmits massage information to a terminal; and a massage content selection unit that selects corresponding physical condition information and corresponding massage content based on the detected hardness information. 17. The palpation massage device according to claim 1, a client terminal provided in the palpation massage device, and a server connected to the terminal via a network. A first transmitting / receiving means for transmitting physical condition information corresponding to the detected hardness information to the server and receiving massage information from the server; and a corresponding physical condition based on the detected hardness information. A physical condition information selecting means for selecting information, wherein the server receives physical condition information from the terminal and transmits massage information to the terminal, and a second transmitting / receiving means, and a corresponding massage content based on the physical condition information A palpation massage system having a selection means for selecting a massage.