JP2004016516A

JP2004016516A - Massaging chair

Info

Publication number: JP2004016516A
Application number: JP2002176446A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hiroki Yoda; 依田　裕希
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Works Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-06-17
Filing date: 2002-06-17
Publication date: 2004-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 2022-06-17
Also published as: JP4154934B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a massaging chair capable of massaging various parts of a subject's body without requiring much space to install. <P>SOLUTION: A backrest part 1 having a massaging mechanism 4 built in is provided in such a manner as to be reclinable relatively to a seat part 2. A drive mechanism 3 for raising the backrest part 1 relatively to the seat part 2 during initial action by which the backrest part 1 raised is folded down and for folding the raised backrest part 1 down after the initial action is provided between the seat part 2 and the backrest part 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、マッサージ椅子に関する発明である。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来から、マッサージ椅子に限らず、背もたれ部１がリクライニング可能にされた椅子は、図７に示すように、座部２の後部に隣接して背もたれ部を回動自在に設けて構成されたものが一般的なものである。そして、このような椅子では、椅子に座った者に快適な座り心地を感じさせるため、座部２にクッション性を備えさせるよう座部２内に緩衝材を充填することが行われている。つまり、座部２は上下に肉厚を有するように形成されているのである。したがって、この座部２の後方で回動してリクライニングをする背もたれ部１にあって、座面に対して略垂直に立てた状態の背もたれ部１の上端と座部２の座面２ａとの長さＬ_１と、座面に対して略水平にねかせた状態の背もたれ部１の上端と座部２の座面２ａとの長さＬ_２とを比較すると、前者が座部２の厚み分後者に比べて短くなるのである。
【０００３】
ここで、マッサージ椅子にあっては、その背もたれ部１に椅子に座った被施療者に施療を施す施療機構が設けてあるが、上述した椅子の構造をマッサージ椅子にそのまま転用すると、背もたれ部１を座面２ａに対して略垂直に立てた状態では、背もたれ部１を座面２ａに対して略水平にねかせた状態と比べ、施療範囲は小さくならざるを得ないのであり、しかして、被施療者の多様な身体の部位に施療を施すには、背もたれ部２を略水平に近づけるよう倒して使用せねばならず、そのためマッサージ椅子を置くスペースを広くとらねばならないという問題があった。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
本発明は上記の点に鑑みてなされたものであり、椅子の設置スペースを広くとらないでも、被施療者の身体の多様な部位に施療を行えるようにしたマッサージ椅子を提供することを課題とするものである。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するために本発明の請求項１に係るマッサージ椅子は、施療機構４が内蔵された背もたれ部１を座部２に対してリクライニング可能にして設け、この座部２と背もたれ部１との間に、起立状態の背もたれ部１を倒す初動作時には背もたれ部１を座部２に対して上昇させると共に、初動作後には上昇した背もたれ部１を倒すようにする駆動機構３を設けたことを特徴とする。これによると、背もたれ部１を少し倒すだけで、背もたれ部１を座部２に対して上昇させることができ、つまり施療機構４の施療範囲を即座に確保することができて、被施療者は身体の多様な部位に施療を受けることができるのであり、したがって、椅子の設置スペースを広くとらないでも、被施療者は身体の多様な部位に施療機構４によって充分な施療を受けるようにできるのである。
【０００６】
また、座部２の前部及び後部に設置面に載置する前脚部８及び後脚部９を設け、後脚部９を背もたれ部１より後方に位置させ、前脚部８と背もたれ部１の下端との間に第１リンク１０を架設すると共にこの第１リンク１０を前脚部８と背もたれ部１の下端とにそれぞれ回転自在に連結し、この第１リンク１０と前脚部８との間に伸縮自在に駆動する伸縮駆動手段１２を架設すると共にこの伸縮駆動手段１２を前脚部８と背もたれ部１の下端とにそれぞれ回転自在に連結し、後脚部９と背もたれ部１の下端より上方位置との間に第２リンク１１を架設すると共にこの第２リンク１１を後脚部９と背もたれ部１の下端より上方位置とにそれぞれ回転自在に連結したことも好ましい。
【０００７】
これによると、背もたれ部１を倒すには、伸縮駆動手段１２の伸縮による、第１リンク１０の前脚部８を回転中心とした回動と、第２リンク１１の後脚部９を回転中心とした回動とで行われるのであるが、背もたれ部１を倒す初動作時には、第１リンク１０及び第２リンク１１が逆方向ながら同じく上方に回動し、背もたれ部１を後方に略倒さないままに上昇させることができ、背もたれ部１を倒す初動作後には、第１リンク１０が前方に回動すると共に第２リンク１１が後方に回動し、背もたれ部１を座部２に対して大きく後方に倒すようにできる。このように、起立状態の背もたれ部１を倒す初動作時には背もたれ部１を座部２に対して上昇させると共に、初動作後には上昇した背もたれ部１を倒すようにすることを、一のリンク機構でできることから、背もたれ部１の位置制御を容易に行わせることができる。
【０００８】
また、伸縮駆動手段１２に、伸縮駆動手段１２の伸縮量を制御する制御部１５を接続したことも好ましい。これによると、あらかじめ制御部１５に適度な伸縮駆動手段１２の伸縮量を設定しておくことで、誰でも簡単に背もたれ部１を最も適した傾斜角度に傾倒させることができる。
【０００９】
また、背もたれ部１の左右の両側面に１対の第２リンク１１を夫々枢支し、この１対の第２リンク１１同士を横架連結材１３で連結したことも好ましい。これによると、１対の第２リンク１１は横架連結材１３によってねじれに対する剛性を向上させることができるのであり、１対の第２リンク１１に背もたれ部１にかかる被施療者の体重等の荷重が平等にかからず、この荷重が１対の第２リンク１１にねじれを生じさせるように働いたとしても、駆動機構３の上記ねじれ荷重による破損を防止し、耐久性を向上させることができる。
【００１０】
また、１対の第２リンク１１と横架連結材１３とを、１本の棒状材１４をコ字型に折り曲げて形成したことも好ましい。これによると、上記１対の第２リンク１１と横架連結材１３とを別個に製造しないで済み、部品点数を減らし、コストを低減化を図ることができる。
【００１１】
また、第１リンク１０及び伸縮駆動手段１２を、座部２と背もたれ部１とで構成される椅子本体の幅方向の中央線Ｃに沿って配置したことも好ましい。これによると、伸縮駆動手段１２が伸縮動作をしたときに椅子本体にかかる荷重のバランスを左右対称にでき、椅子本体のねじれを防止し、耐久性を向上させることができる。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明を添付図面に示す実施形態に基づいて説明する。
【００１３】
図１乃至図６に本発明の実施の形態の例を示す。本例のマッサージ椅子は、略水平な座面２ａを有した座部２の後部に、施療機構４を内蔵した背もたれ部１をリクライニング可能に配置して椅子本体が形成され、また、上記座部２の前部に椅子に座った被施療者の足を載せる足載せ台５を配置して主体が構成されたものである。ここで、背もたれ部１の座部２に対するリクライニングは、起立状態の背もたれ部１を倒す初動作時には背もたれ部１を座部２に対して上昇させると共に、初動作後には上昇した背もたれ部１を倒すようにする駆動機構３を介して行われている。以下、詳述する。
【００１４】
座部２は、その上面に被施療者の臀部を載せる部位であって、被施療者に快適な座り心地を感じさせるために、上下肉厚を有して内部にクッション材を充填させると共にその幅方向の両側にはそれぞれ肘掛け台６が設けられている。この座部２は、その内部に座部２の強度部材となる骨組躯体７が埋設されていて、この骨組躯体７の前端には座部２を設置面に載置させる前脚部８が延設され、この骨組躯体７の後端には座部２を設置面に載置させる後脚部９が延設されている。なお、前脚部８及び後脚部９には、椅子本体のねじれ剛性を向上させるため、椅子本体の幅方向に亘る横架材８ａ，９ａが設けられている。
【００１５】
背もたれ部１は、その前面に被施療者の背中をもたれかけさせる部位であって、被施療者の身体を施療する施療機構４が内蔵されている。この施療機構４は、背もたれ部１内を上下に移動可能にした施療機構本体４ａと、この施療機構本体４ａから前方に突出して被施療者の身体に押し当てて施療を施す施療子４ｂとを有して構成されている。ここで、この施療機構４は、被施療者の身体の多様な部位を施療させるため、施療機構本体４ａが背もたれ部１の上下に亘って移動可能にされて施療範囲を広く形成させている。なお、この背もたれ部１は、座部２の後部に隣接して配置され、後述する駆動機構３を介して座部２に対してリクライニング可能にされている。
【００１６】
駆動機構３は、前脚部８の下端近傍と背もたれ部１の下端との間に架設した第１リンク１０と、この第１リンク１０と前脚部８の上端近傍との間に架設した伸縮駆動手段１２と、後脚部９の背もたれ部１より後方位置と背もたれ部１の下端より上方位置との間に架設した第２リンク１１とで構成されている。
【００１７】
第１リンク１０は、その長手方向の両端が前脚部８の下端近傍と背もたれ部１の下端とにそれぞれ回転自在に連結されている。また、伸縮駆動手段１２は長さ寸法を伸縮させるよう駆動するものであって、本例ではエアシリンダで構成され、その長手方向の両端が前脚部８の上端近傍と背もたれ部１の下端とにそれぞれ回転自在に連結されている。しかして、第１リンク１０と伸縮駆動手段１２とは、側面から見て第１リンク１０と伸縮駆動手段１２と前脚部８とで三角形が形成される位置関係を有しており、伸縮駆動手段１２の伸縮駆動によって、第１リンク１０は前脚部８の下端近傍を回転中心として回動し得るようにされている。また、第２リンク１１は、その長手方向の両端が後脚部９の背もたれ部１より後方位置と背もたれ部１の下端より上方位置とにそれぞれ回転自在に連結されている。つまり、第２リンク１１は後脚部９の背もたれ部１より後方位置を回転中心として回動し得るようにされている。
【００１８】
このように構成された駆動機構３は、伸縮駆動手段１２の伸縮駆動によって、以下に示すように背もたれ部１を倒すよう作動する。図１に示すように、背もたれ部１が座部２に対して略垂直に立ち上がった状態を初期状態とすると、このときには、伸縮駆動手段１２は最大に延伸した状態になっており、第１リンク１０及び第２リンク１１は略水平状態になっている。そして、この初期状態から背もたれ部１を倒すように伸縮駆動手段１２を収縮させる初動作時には、図２に示すように、第１リンク１０及び第２リンク１１はその回動方向は逆方向ながら同じく上方に回動するのであって（矢印Ａ）、背もたれ部１は後方に略倒れないままに上昇するようになる。つまり、背もたれ部１を倒す初動時には、背もたれ部１の傾斜角θの変化よりも、座部２の座面２ａと背もたれ部１の上端までの長さＬの伸張変化が重点的に行われるようになっている。そして、背もたれ部１を倒す動作の初動作後に徐々に伸縮駆動手段１２を収縮させていくと、図３，４に示すように、第１リンク１０は前方に回動し、第２リンク１１は後方に回動するのであって（矢印Ｂ）、背もたれ部１は座部２に対して上昇した状態を維持しつつ大きく後方に倒れるようになる。つまり、背もたれ部１を倒す初動後には、座部２の座面２ａと背もたれ部１の上端までの長さＬの伸張変化よりも、背もたれ部１の傾斜角θの変化が重点的に行われるようになっている。
【００１９】
このように駆動機構３によると、背もたれ部１を少し倒すだけで、背もたれ部１を座部２に対して上昇させて、施療機構４の施療範囲を即座に確保することができ、被施療者は身体の多様な部位に施療を受け得るようになるのである。しかして、マッサージ椅子の設置スペースを広くとらないでも、被施療者は身体の多様な部位に施療機構４によって充分な施療を受けることができるのである。したがって、本例のマッサージ椅子は、背もたれ部１を倒す初動作時から施療機構４の施療範囲を即座に確保できるので、背もたれ部１の上下に亘るような広い範囲に施療範囲を設定することができ、施療範囲を大きくするといったマッサージ椅子が有する本来的な要望にも充分に応えることができるのであり、また、被施療者の身体の多様な部位に充分な施療を施すためには、ある程度背もたれ部１を倒さねばならなくて設置スペースを広くとることが必要とされた従来のマッサージ椅子に比べ、マッサージ椅子の設置位置の自由度が向上しているのである。なお、被施療者に施療を施さない不使用状態では、マッサージ椅子の全高Ｈを低くできるため、他の家具に並べてマッサージ椅子を置いたとしても、他の家具に比べてマッサージ椅子だけ大きいといった違和感を感じさせないようにでき、つまりマッサージ椅子を家具として扱えるようになるといった利点も有している。
【００２０】
また、上記駆動機構３によると、背もたれ部１を大きく倒すときも、背もたれ部１を倒す初動作で座部２に対して上昇した状態の背もたれ部１を略維持しつつ後方に倒れるようにしているから、背もたれ部１にもたれた被施療者の衣服だけがずり上がるといった不快感を被施療者に感じさせないようにできるのである。なお、背もたれ部１にもたれた被施療者の頭は、背もたれ部１を倒した状態でも、背もたれ部１に確実に支えさせることができるのは言うまでもない。
【００２１】
また、上述したように、起立状態の背もたれ部１を倒す初動作時には背もたれ部１を座部２に対して上昇させると共に、初動作後には上昇した背もたれ部１を倒すようにすることを、一のリンク機構（駆動機構３）で行わせていることは、簡易な構造で背もたれ部１の位置制御を容易且つ正確に行わせることを可能とし、マッサージ椅子の小型化を図り得るといった利点も有しているのである。
【００２２】
ここで、上記駆動機構３によると、背もたれ部１にかかる被施療者の体重等の荷重は、第１リンク１０及び第２リンク１１を介して伸縮駆動手段１２によって支持される構造になっているのであるが、背もたれ部１にもたれて施療を受けた被施療者は、施療を受けることで反射的に身体をねじらせたりすることもあり、背もたれ部１の任意位置に集中して体重がかけられたりすることもある。すると、背もたれ部１を支持する駆動機構３にねじれ荷重などがかかったりするのであるが、本例の駆動機構３では、以下の構造を採用することで、剛性、耐久性を備えるようにされている。
【００２３】
駆動機構３のうち、背もたれ部１にかかる荷重を最初に受けるのは、背もたれ部１に連結する第１及び第２リンク１０，１１であるが、まず、第２リンク１１は背もたれ部１の幅方向の両側面と後脚部９の幅方向の両端部分との間を架設するよう１対設けられている。そして、この１対の第２リンク１１は椅子本体の幅方向に亘る横架連結材１３により連結されているのである（図５）。しかして、１対の第２リンク１１は横架連結材１３によってねじれに対する剛性が向上されているのである。なお、この１対の第２リンク１１、横架連結材１３は、図６に示すように、１本の棒状材１４をコ字型に折り曲げて一体に形成することも好ましく、この場合には、１対の第２リンク１１と横架連結材１３とを別個に製造しないで済み、部品点数を減らしてコストを低減化を図ることができるのである。
【００２４】
また、第１リンク１０及び伸縮駆動手段１２は椅子本体の幅方向の中央線Ｃに沿って配置されている。詳述すると、前脚部８にはその下端近傍と上端近傍にそれぞれ椅子本体の幅方向に亘る横架材８ａが架設されているが、第１リンク１０は、前脚部８の下部横架材８ａ_１の長手方向の中央部分と、背もたれ部１の下端の幅方向の中央部分との間に架設されており、また、伸縮駆動手段１２は、前脚部８の上部横架材８ａ_２の長手方向の中央部分と、第１リンク１０の背もたれ部１への連結部位近傍との間に架設されている（図４）。伸縮駆動手段１２が伸縮動作をしたときには、伸縮駆動手段１２の伸縮によって椅子本体に荷重が掛けられるのであるが、上述したように第１リンク１０及び伸縮駆動手段１２が椅子本体の幅方向の中央線Ｃに沿って配置されたことで、この椅子本体にかかる荷重のバランスを左右対称にできるのであって、椅子本体のねじれの発生が防止されているのである。
【００２５】
このように、本例の駆動機構３は、背もたれ部１の幅方向の両側を支持する１対の第２リンク１１を横架連結材１３で連結し、背もたれ部１から駆動機構３にかかるねじれ荷重に対する駆動機構３の剛性を向上させ、また、第１リンク１０及び伸縮駆動手段１２を椅子本体の幅方向の中央線Ｃに沿って配置し、伸縮駆動手段１２の伸縮駆動による椅子本体への荷重バランスを左右対称にさせて椅子本体や駆動機構３へのねじれの発生を防止させているので、マッサージ椅子の耐久性の向上が図られているのである。
【００２６】
また、背もたれ部１の傾倒は駆動機構３の伸縮駆動手段１２の伸縮駆動によって行われるが、この伸縮駆動手段１２には、伸縮駆動手段１２の伸縮量を制御する制御部１５が接続されている。本例では、この制御部１５は施療機構本体４ａ内に装着されている。そして、この制御部１５には、あらかじめ適度な伸縮駆動手段１２の伸縮量が設定されてあり、制御部１５に接続した操作部（図示せず）を被施療者が操作することで、たとえば、座部２に対する背もたれ部１の傾斜角度をたとえば約１３０°にして被施療者がくつろぎ得るようにしたりでき、つまり誰でも簡単に背もたれ部１を最も適した傾斜角度に傾倒できるようにしてあり、マッサージ椅子の使い勝手の向上が図られているのである。
【００２７】
【発明の効果】
上記のように本発明の請求項１記載の発明にあっては、施療機構が内蔵された背もたれ部を座部に対してリクライニング可能にして設け、この座部と背もたれ部との間に、起立状態の背もたれ部を倒す初動作時には背もたれ部を座部に対して上昇させると共に、初動作後には上昇した背もたれ部を倒すようにする駆動機構を設けたので、背もたれ部を少し倒すだけで、背もたれ部を座部に対して上昇させて施療機構の施療範囲を即座に確保することができ、被施療者は身体の多様な部位に施療を受けることができるようになる。したがって、椅子の設置スペースを広くとらないでも、被施療者は身体の多様な部位に施療機構によって充分な施療を受けるようにできるのである。
【００２８】
また、請求項２記載の発明にあっては、請求項１の効果に加えて、座部の前部及び後部に設置面に載置する前脚部及び後脚部を設け、後脚部を背もたれ部より後方に位置させ、前脚部と背もたれ部の下端との間に第１リンクを架設すると共にこの第１リンクを前脚部と背もたれ部の下端とにそれぞれ回転自在に連結し、この第１リンクと前脚部との間に伸縮自在に駆動する伸縮駆動手段を架設すると共にこの伸縮駆動手段を前脚部と背もたれ部の下端とにそれぞれ回転自在に連結し、後脚部と背もたれ部の下端より上方位置との間に第２リンクを架設すると共にこの第２リンクを後脚部と背もたれ部の下端より上方位置とにそれぞれ回転自在に連結したので、背もたれ部を倒す初動作時には、第１リンク及び第２リンクが逆方向ながら同じく上方に回動し、背もたれ部を後方に略倒さないままに上昇させることができ、また、背もたれ部を倒す初動作後には、第１リンクが前方に回動すると共に第２リンクが後方に回動し、背もたれ部を座部に対して大きく後方に倒すようにできる。このように、起立状態の背もたれ部を倒す初動作時には背もたれ部を座部に対して上昇させると共に、初動作後には上昇した背もたれ部を倒すようにすることを、一のリンク機構で行わせることができることから、背もたれ部の位置制御を容易且つ正確に行わせることを可能とすると共に、マッサージ椅子の小型化を図ることができる。
【００２９】
また、請求項３記載の発明にあっては、請求項２の効果に加えて、伸縮駆動手段に、伸縮駆動手段の伸縮量を制御する制御部を接続したので、あらかじめ制御部に適度な伸縮駆動手段の伸縮量を設定しておくことで、誰でも簡単に背もたれ部を最も適した傾斜角度に傾倒させることができ、マッサージ椅子の使い勝手の向上を図ることができる。
【００３０】
また、請求項４記載の発明にあっては、請求項２の効果に加えて、背もたれ部の左右の両側面に１対の第２リンクを夫々枢支し、この１対の第２リンク同士を横架連結材で連結したので、１対の第２リンクは横架連結材によってねじれに対する剛性を向上させることができ、マッサージ椅子の耐久性を向上させることができる。
【００３１】
また、請求項５記載の発明にあっては、請求項４の効果に加えて、１対の第２リンクと横架連結材とを、１本の棒状材をコ字型に折り曲げて形成したので、１対の第２リンクと横架連結材とを別個に製造しないで済み、部品点数を減らし、コストの低減化を図ることができる。
【００３２】
また、請求項６記載の発明にあっては、請求項２の効果に加えて、第１リンク及び伸縮駆動手段を、座部と背もたれ部とで構成される椅子本体の幅方向の中央線に沿って配置したので、伸縮駆動手段が伸縮動作をしたときに椅子本体にかける荷重のバランスを左右対称にでき、椅子本体や駆動機構へのねじれの発生を防止し、マッサージ椅子の耐久性を向上させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態の例を示す（ａ）は側面図であり、（ｂ）は後面図である。
【図２】同上の背もたれ部の傾倒動作を説明する側面図である。
【図３】同上の背もたれ部の傾倒動作を説明する側面図である。
【図４】図３の上面図である。
【図５】同上の第２リンクを示す正面図である。
【図６】同上の第２リンクの他例を示す正面図である。
【図７】従来技術である一般的なリクライニング椅子を説明するものであり、（ａ）は背もたれ部を略垂直に立てた状態の側面図であり、（ｂ）は背もたれ部を略水平にねかせた状態の側面図である。
【符号の説明】
１　背もたれ部
２　座部
２ａ　座面
３　駆動機構
４　施療機構
１０　第１リンク
１１　第２リンク
１２　伸縮駆動手段[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a massage chair.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, not only a massage chair, but also a chair in which the backrest 1 is made reclineable, as shown in FIG. 7, has a backrest rotatably provided adjacent to the rear of the seat 2. Is common. In such a chair, in order to make a person sitting on the chair feel comfortable sitting comfort, the seat 2 is filled with a cushioning material so that the seat 2 has cushioning properties. That is, the seat portion 2 is formed to have a vertical thickness. Therefore, in the backrest 1 which rotates and reclines behind the seat 2, the upper end of the backrest 1 and the seat surface 2 a of the seat 2 in a state of being substantially perpendicular to the seat surface. the length L _1, a comparison of approximately the length L ₂ between the seat surface 2a of the upper and the seat 2 of the backrest 1 of the horizontally aged condition with respect to the seat surface, the thickness of the former is the seat 2 It is shorter than the latter.
[0003]
Here, in the case of a massage chair, a treatment mechanism for performing treatment on a user sitting on the chair is provided in the backrest 1. In a state in which the backrest 1 is set substantially perpendicular to the seating surface 2a, the treatment range must be reduced as compared with a state in which the backrest 1 is set to be substantially horizontal to the seating surface 2a. In order to apply treatment to various body parts of the user, the user has to use the backrest 2 in such a manner that the backrest 2 is brought down to be nearly horizontal, so that the space for placing the massage chair must be wide.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a massage chair capable of performing treatment on various parts of the body of a user without increasing the installation space of the chair. Is what you do.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a massage chair according to claim 1 of the present invention is provided with a backrest 1 having a treatment mechanism 4 built therein so as to be reclineable with respect to a seat 2, and the seat 2 and the backrest 1 are provided. A drive mechanism 3 is provided to raise the backrest 1 with respect to the seat 2 at the time of the initial operation of lowering the backrest 1 in the upright state, and to lower the raised backrest 1 after the initial operation. It is characterized by the following. According to this, it is possible to raise the backrest portion 1 with respect to the seat portion 2 simply by slightly tilting the backrest portion 1, that is, it is possible to immediately secure the treatment range of the treatment mechanism 4, and the user It is possible to receive treatment in various parts of the body, and therefore, the user can receive sufficient treatment in various parts of the body by the treatment mechanism 4 without increasing the installation space of the chair. is there.
[0006]
Further, a front leg 8 and a rear leg 9 to be placed on the installation surface are provided at a front portion and a rear portion of the seat portion 2, and the rear leg portion 9 is located behind the backrest 1, and the front leg 8 and the backrest 1 A first link 10 is bridged between the lower end and the lower end of the backrest 1 and the first link 10 is rotatably connected to the front leg 8 and the lower end of the backrest 1. A telescopic drive means 12 for telescopically driving is installed, and the telescopic drive means 12 is rotatably connected to the front leg 8 and the lower end of the backrest 1, respectively, and is positioned above the rear leg 9 and the lower end of the backrest 1. It is also preferable that the second link 11 is erected between the rear leg 9 and the rear leg 9 and a position above the lower end of the backrest 1 so as to be rotatable.
[0007]
According to this, in order to tilt the backrest 1, rotation of the first link 10 about the front leg 8 as a rotation center due to expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction driving means 12 and rotation of the rear leg 9 of the second link 11 as the rotation center are performed. During the initial operation of lowering the backrest 1, the first link 10 and the second link 11 also rotate upward in the opposite direction, and the backrest 1 is not substantially tilted backward. After the initial operation of lowering the backrest 1, the first link 10 rotates forward and the second link 11 rotates rearward, so that the backrest 1 is larger than the seat 2. You can make it fall backwards. As described above, the first link mechanism is to raise the backrest portion 1 with respect to the seat portion 2 at the time of the initial operation of lowering the backrest portion 1 in the standing state, and to lower the raised backrest portion 1 after the initial operation. Therefore, the position of the backrest 1 can be easily controlled.
[0008]
It is also preferable that a controller 15 that controls the amount of expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction drive unit 12 is connected to the expansion and contraction drive unit 12. According to this, by setting an appropriate amount of expansion / contraction of the expansion / contraction drive unit 12 in the control unit 15 in advance, anyone can easily tilt the backrest unit 1 to the most suitable inclination angle.
[0009]
It is also preferable that a pair of second links 11 be pivotally supported on both left and right side surfaces of the backrest portion 1, respectively, and that the pair of second links 11 be connected to each other by the horizontal connecting member 13. According to this, the pair of second links 11 can improve the rigidity against torsion by the horizontal connecting members 13, and the pair of second links 11 can be used to control the weight of the user on the backrest 1, etc. Even if the load is not applied evenly and the load acts to cause the pair of second links 11 to twist, it is possible to prevent the drive mechanism 3 from being damaged by the torsional load and improve the durability. it can.
[0010]
Further, it is also preferable that the pair of second links 11 and the horizontal connecting members 13 are formed by bending a single bar-shaped member 14 into a U-shape. According to this, it is not necessary to separately manufacture the pair of second links 11 and the lateral connection members 13, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.
[0011]
It is also preferable that the first link 10 and the telescopic drive unit 12 are arranged along the center line C in the width direction of the chair body composed of the seat 2 and the backrest 1. According to this, the balance of the load applied to the chair body when the expansion / contraction drive unit 12 performs the expansion / contraction operation can be made symmetrical, and the chair body can be prevented from being twisted, and the durability can be improved.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0013]
1 to 6 show an example of an embodiment of the present invention. In the massage chair of the present embodiment, a chair body is formed by arranging a backrest portion 1 having a treatment mechanism 4 therein so as to be reclineable at a rear portion of a seat portion 2 having a substantially horizontal seating surface 2a. The main body is configured by arranging a footrest 5 on which the feet of a user sitting on a chair are placed at the front of the body 2. Here, the reclining of the backrest portion 1 with respect to the seat portion 2 is performed by raising the backrest portion 1 with respect to the seat portion 2 at the time of the initial operation of lowering the backrest portion 1 in the upright state, and lowering the raised backrest portion 1 after the initial operation. The driving is performed through a driving mechanism 3. The details will be described below.
[0014]
The seat portion 2 is a portion on which the buttocks of the user are placed on the upper surface thereof. The seat portion 2 has upper and lower thicknesses and is filled with a cushion material to make the user feel comfortable sitting comfort. Armrests 6 are provided on both sides in the width direction. The seat portion 2 has a buried frame 7 serving as a strength member of the seat portion 2 buried therein, and a front leg portion 8 for mounting the seat portion 2 on an installation surface extends at a front end of the skeleton body 7. At the rear end of the frame body 7, a rear leg 9 for mounting the seat 2 on the installation surface is extended. The front legs 8 and the rear legs 9 are provided with horizontal members 8a and 9a extending in the width direction of the chair body in order to improve the torsional rigidity of the chair body.
[0015]
The backrest portion 1 is a portion for leaning the back of the user on the front surface thereof, and includes a treatment mechanism 4 for treating the body of the user. The treatment mechanism 4 includes a treatment mechanism main body 4a that can move up and down in the backrest portion 1, and a treatment element 4b that projects forward from the treatment mechanism main body 4a and presses against the body of the user to perform treatment. It is configured to have. Here, in order to treat various parts of the body of the user, the treatment mechanism 4 is configured such that the treatment mechanism main body 4a can be moved up and down the backrest 1 so as to form a large treatment range. The backrest 1 is disposed adjacent to the rear of the seat 2 and is reclineable with respect to the seat 2 via a drive mechanism 3 described later.
[0016]
The drive mechanism 3 includes a first link 10 provided between the vicinity of the lower end of the front leg 8 and the lower end of the backrest 1, and a telescopic drive means provided between the first link 10 and the vicinity of the upper end of the front leg 8. 12 and a second link 11 provided between a position behind the backrest 1 of the rear leg 9 and a position above the lower end of the backrest 1.
[0017]
The first link 10 has both ends in the longitudinal direction rotatably connected to the vicinity of the lower end of the front leg 8 and the lower end of the backrest 1, respectively. The expansion / contraction driving means 12 drives to expand and contract the length dimension. In this example, the expansion / contraction driving means 12 is constituted by an air cylinder, and both ends in the longitudinal direction are provided near the upper end of the front leg 8 and the lower end of the backrest 1. Each is connected rotatably. The first link 10 and the telescopic drive unit 12 have a positional relationship such that a triangle is formed by the first link 10, the telescopic drive unit 12, and the front leg 8 when viewed from the side. The first link 10 can be rotated around the lower end of the front leg 8 by the expansion and contraction drive of the front leg 8. The second link 11 is rotatably connected at both longitudinal ends thereof to a position behind the backrest 1 of the rear leg 9 and a position above the lower end of the backrest 1. That is, the second link 11 is configured to be rotatable around a position behind the backrest 1 of the rear leg 9 as a center of rotation.
[0018]
The driving mechanism 3 configured as described above is operated by the expansion and contraction driving of the expansion and contraction driving means 12 so as to tilt the backrest 1 as described below. As shown in FIG. 1, when a state in which the backrest 1 rises substantially perpendicular to the seat 2 is an initial state, at this time, the telescopic drive unit 12 is in a state of being extended to the maximum, and the first link The 10 and the second link 11 are in a substantially horizontal state. Then, at the time of the initial operation of contracting the telescopic drive means 12 so as to incline the backrest 1 from this initial state, as shown in FIG. 2, the first link 10 and the second link 11 are rotated in the same direction but in the same direction. Since it is pivoted upward (arrow A), the backrest portion 1 rises without substantially falling backward. In other words, at the time of the initial movement in which the backrest 1 is tilted, the extension change of the length L between the seat surface 2a of the seat 2 and the upper end of the backrest 1 is mainly performed rather than the change of the inclination angle θ of the backrest 1. It has become. When the telescopic drive unit 12 is gradually contracted after the initial operation of tilting the backrest 1, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first link 10 rotates forward, and the second link 11 Since the backrest 1 rotates backward (arrow B), the backrest portion 1 largely falls backward while maintaining a state of being raised with respect to the seat portion 2. In other words, after the initial movement of tilting the backrest 1, the change in the inclination angle θ of the backrest 1 is more important than the change in extension of the length L between the seat surface 2 a of the seat 2 and the upper end of the backrest 1. It has become.
[0019]
As described above, according to the drive mechanism 3, the backrest 1 can be raised with respect to the seat 2 only by slightly tilting the backrest 1, so that the treatment range of the treatment mechanism 4 can be immediately secured. Can be treated in various parts of the body. Thus, even if the installation space for the massage chair is not large, the user can receive sufficient medical treatment by the medical treatment mechanism 4 at various parts of the body. Therefore, in the massage chair of this example, the treatment range of the treatment mechanism 4 can be immediately secured from the time of the initial operation of tilting the backrest 1, so that the treatment range can be set in a wide range extending up and down the backrest 1. It is possible to sufficiently meet the essential demands of massage chairs, such as increasing the treatment range, and to provide sufficient treatment to various parts of the body of the user, it is necessary to have a backrest to some extent. The degree of freedom of the installation position of the massage chair is improved as compared with the conventional massage chair which requires the part 1 to be overturned and requires a large installation space. In addition, in the non-use state where the user is not treated, the height H of the massage chair can be lowered, so that even if the massage chair is placed side by side with other furniture, the massage chair is larger than other furniture. It also has the advantage that the massage chair can be treated as furniture.
[0020]
Further, according to the drive mechanism 3, even when the backrest 1 is largely tilted, the backrest 1 is tilted backward while substantially maintaining the backrest 1 raised with respect to the seat 2 in the initial operation of tilting the backrest 1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling discomfort that only the clothes of the user leaning on the backrest unit 1 slip up. It goes without saying that the head of the user leaning on the backrest 1 can be reliably supported by the backrest 1 even in the state where the backrest 1 is tilted.
[0021]
In addition, as described above, at the time of the initial operation of lowering the backrest portion 1 in the upright state, the backrest portion 1 is raised with respect to the seat portion 2, and after the initial operation, the raised backrest portion 1 is tilted. The link mechanism (drive mechanism 3) described above has an advantage that the position of the backrest 1 can be easily and accurately controlled with a simple structure, and the size of the massage chair can be reduced. It is doing.
[0022]
Here, according to the drive mechanism 3, the load such as the weight of the user on the backrest 1 is supported by the telescopic drive unit 12 via the first link 10 and the second link 11. However, the user who has received the treatment while leaning on the backrest 1 may sometimes twist his body reflexively by receiving the treatment, and may concentrate on an arbitrary position of the backrest 1 and lose weight. It is sometimes called. Then, a torsional load or the like is applied to the drive mechanism 3 that supports the backrest 1. The drive mechanism 3 of the present example has rigidity and durability by adopting the following structure. I have.
[0023]
The first of the driving mechanisms 3 that receives the load applied to the backrest 1 is the first and second links 10 and 11 connected to the backrest 1, but first, the second link 11 is the width of the backrest 1. A pair is provided so as to extend between both side surfaces in the direction and both end portions in the width direction of the rear leg portion 9. The pair of second links 11 are connected by a horizontal connecting member 13 extending in the width direction of the chair body (FIG. 5). Thus, the pair of second links 11 is improved in rigidity against torsion by the horizontal connecting members 13. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the pair of second links 11 and the horizontal connecting members 13 are preferably formed by bending a single bar-shaped member 14 into a U-shape, and in this case, in this case. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately manufacture the pair of second links 11 and the horizontal connecting members 13, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.
[0024]
The first link 10 and the telescopic drive unit 12 are arranged along the center line C in the width direction of the chair body. More specifically, the front leg 8 is provided with a horizontal member 8a extending in the width direction of the chair body near the lower end and near the upper end thereof, but the first link 10 is connected to the lower horizontal member 8a of the front leg 8. ₁ and a central portion in the width direction of the lower end of the backrest portion 1, and extendable / contractible driving means 12 is provided in the longitudinal direction of the upper horizontal member 8 a ₂ of the front leg portion 8. Of the first link 10 and the vicinity of a portion connected to the backrest 1 of the first link 10 (FIG. 4). When the telescopic drive unit 12 performs the telescopic operation, a load is applied to the chair body by the telescopic operation of the telescopic drive unit 12, but as described above, the first link 10 and the telescopic drive unit 12 are positioned at the center of the chair main body in the width direction. By arranging along the line C, the balance of the load applied to the chair main body can be made symmetrical, and the occurrence of twisting of the chair main body is prevented.
[0025]
As described above, the drive mechanism 3 according to the present embodiment connects the pair of second links 11 that support the both sides in the width direction of the backrest 1 with the transverse connection member 13 and twists the drive mechanism 3 from the backrest 1. The rigidity of the driving mechanism 3 with respect to the load is improved, and the first link 10 and the telescopic driving means 12 are arranged along the center line C in the width direction of the chair main body. Since the load balance is made symmetrical to prevent the chair body and the drive mechanism 3 from being twisted, the durability of the massage chair is improved.
[0026]
The tilting of the backrest 1 is performed by the expansion and contraction driving of the expansion and contraction driving unit 12 of the driving mechanism 3. The expansion and contraction driving unit 12 is connected to a control unit 15 that controls the amount of expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction driving unit 12. . In this example, the control unit 15 is mounted inside the treatment mechanism main body 4a. An appropriate amount of expansion / contraction of the expansion / contraction drive unit 12 is set in the control unit 15 in advance, and when the user operates an operation unit (not shown) connected to the control unit 15, for example, The tilt angle of the backrest 1 with respect to the seat 2 can be set to, for example, about 130 ° so that the user can relax, that is, anyone can easily tilt the backrest 1 to the most suitable tilt angle, The ease of use of the massage chair is being improved.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention, the backrest portion in which the treatment mechanism is incorporated is provided so as to be reclineable with respect to the seat portion, and a standing portion is provided between the seat portion and the backrest portion. Depress the backrest in the state At the time of the first operation, the backrest is raised with respect to the seat, and after the first operation, a drive mechanism is provided so that the raised backrest is depressed, so simply tilting the backrest a little, the backrest The treatment range of the treatment mechanism can be immediately secured by raising the portion with respect to the seat portion, and the user can receive treatment in various parts of the body. Therefore, the user can receive sufficient medical treatment at various parts of the body by the medical treatment mechanism without increasing the installation space of the chair.
[0028]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first aspect, a front leg and a rear leg mounted on an installation surface are provided at a front portion and a rear portion of a seat portion, and the rear leg is supported by a backrest. A first link is provided between the front leg and the lower end of the backrest, and the first link is rotatably connected to the front leg and the lower end of the backrest, respectively. Telescopic drive means for driving telescopically between the front leg part and the front leg part, and this telescopic drive means is rotatably connected to the front leg part and the lower end of the backrest part, respectively, and is located above the lower ends of the rear leg part and the backrest part. The second link is erected between the rear link and the rear leg, and the second link is rotatably connected to a position above the lower end of the backrest, so that the first link and the first link can be moved during the initial operation of lowering the backrest. While the second link is in the opposite direction The first link pivots forward and the second link pivots rearward after the initial operation of tilting the backrest portion, without substantially tilting the backrest portion rearward. The backrest portion can be moved to a large rearward position with respect to the seat portion. In this manner, the first link mechanism is to raise the backrest portion with respect to the seat portion at the time of the initial operation of lowering the backrest portion in the upright state, and to tilt the raised backrest portion after the initial operation. Therefore, the position of the backrest can be easily and accurately controlled, and the size of the massage chair can be reduced.
[0029]
According to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the second aspect, since the control unit for controlling the amount of expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction drive unit is connected to the expansion and contraction drive unit, the control unit can control the appropriate expansion and contraction in advance. By setting the amount of expansion and contraction of the driving means, anyone can easily incline the backrest at the most suitable inclination angle, and the usability of the massage chair can be improved.
[0030]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the second aspect, a pair of second links are pivotally supported on both left and right side surfaces of the backrest, respectively, and the pair of second links are connected to each other. Are connected by the horizontal connecting member, the pair of second links can be improved in rigidity against torsion by the horizontal connecting member, and the durability of the massage chair can be improved.
[0031]
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the fourth aspect, the pair of second links and the horizontal connecting member are formed by bending a single bar-shaped member into a U-shape. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately manufacture the pair of second links and the horizontal connecting member, and it is possible to reduce the number of parts and cost.
[0032]
In addition, in the invention according to claim 6, in addition to the effect of claim 2, the first link and the telescopic drive means are arranged at the center line in the width direction of the chair body composed of the seat portion and the backrest portion. As it is located along, the balance of the load applied to the chair body when the telescopic drive means expands and contracts can be made symmetrical, preventing twisting of the chair body and drive mechanism and improving the durability of the massage chair Can be done.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a side view showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a rear view.
FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a tilting operation of the backrest according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a tilting operation of the backrest according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a top view of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a second link of the above.
FIG. 6 is a front view showing another example of the second link of the above.
FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a conventional reclining chair according to the prior art, in which FIG. 7A is a side view of a state in which a backrest is set substantially vertically, and FIG. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 backrest portion 2 seat portion 2 a seat surface 3 drive mechanism 4 treatment mechanism 10 first link 11 second link 12 telescopic drive means

Claims

A backrest with a built-in treatment mechanism is provided so that it can be reclined with respect to the seat, and the backrest is raised between the seat and the backrest during the first operation of defeating the standing backrest. A massage chair, characterized in that a driving mechanism is provided for causing the raised backrest to fall down after the first operation.

A front leg and a rear leg to be placed on the installation surface are provided at the front and rear of the seat, the rear leg is positioned behind the backrest, and a first link is provided between the front leg and the lower end of the backrest. The first link is rotatably connected to the front leg and the lower end of the backrest portion, and telescopic drive means for driving the telescopic drive between the first link and the front leg is provided. The means is rotatably connected to the front leg and the lower end of the backrest, respectively, and a second link is provided between the rear leg and a position above the lower end of the backrest, and the second link is connected to the rear leg and the backrest. The massage chair according to claim 1, wherein the massage chair is rotatably connected to a position above the lower end of the part.

The massage chair according to claim 1, wherein a controller that controls an amount of expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction driving unit is connected to the expansion and contraction driving unit.

The massage chair according to claim 2, wherein a pair of second links is pivotally supported on both left and right side surfaces of the backrest, and the pair of second links are connected to each other by a horizontal connecting member.

The massage chair according to claim 4, wherein the pair of second links and the horizontal connecting member are formed by bending one bar-shaped member into a U-shape.

The massage chair according to claim 2, wherein the first link and the telescopic drive means are arranged along a center line in the width direction of the chair body including the seat portion and the backrest portion.