JP2008022947A - Change valve and air massage machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air massage machine in a simple structure and preventing a spool from stopping at a middle position. <P>SOLUTION: The air massage machine is provided with a change valve 10 for switching and supplying air from an air supply source 9 to either one of the side of a first air cell 18 and the side of a second air cell 19. The change valve 10 comprises: a spool provided inside a main body part 20 and freely movable to a first position for supplying the air to the side of the first air cell 18 and a second position for supplying the air to the side of the second air cell 19; a drive mechanism part for switching the spool 21 to the first position and the second position with the differential pressure of the side of the first air cell 18 and the side of the second air cell 19 as a drive source; and an energizing means for energizing the spool 21 at a position between the first position and the second position and moving it to the first position or the second position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a switching valve and an air massage machine including the same.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an air supply source, a plurality of air cells (air actuators) that perform a massage operation by supplying and exhausting air (air), and a direction switching valve (hereinafter referred to as a switching valve) provided between the air supply source and the air cell. An air massage machine equipped with is known. The switching valve can control the flow of air to the air cell, and by this control, the air cell can be expanded and contracted using the air from the air supply source, and massage operations such as finger pressure, squeezing, and hitting can be performed. As a conventional switching valve, there is a valve that controls the flow of air by moving the spool by electric control. For example, there is a valve that controls the applied voltage to the solenoid and repeats excitation and demagnetization, thereby switching the position of the spool. is there.
A device described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a device capable of switching the position of the spool with a simpler structure. In this case, the spool is switched between the first position and the second position by the differential pressure between the pair of air actuators, and the pair of air actuators operate alternately by this switching. Further, this switching valve has a mechanism for holding the spool in the first position or the second position by an electromagnet.

JP 11-313863 A

The thing of patent document 1 can change the position of a spool to a 1st position and a 2nd position alternately, without using a solenoid, and is a thing of simple structure, but a spool is in the 1st position. It is conceivable that the vehicle stops at an intermediate position (center position) between the second position and the second position. For example, it is conceivable that when the spool is at the center position, the magnetic force of the left and right electromagnets for holding the position does not reach, and the spool stops at the center position. In this case, the switching operation in the switching valve may not be performed reliably.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a switching valve that can have a simple structure and can prevent a spool from stopping at an intermediate position, and an air massage machine including the switching valve.

  In order to achieve the above object, an air massage machine according to the present invention includes an air supply source, a first air actuator and a second air actuator, at least one of which is an operation unit for massage, the first air actuator, and the first air actuator. A switching valve that switches and supplies air from the air supply source to any one of the two air actuators, and the switching valve is provided in the main body and is supplied to the first air actuator. A spool that is movable between a first position for performing air supply and a second position for supplying air to the second air actuator, and utilizing a differential pressure between the first air actuator side and the second air actuator side. A drive mechanism for switching the spool between the first position and the second position; and the spool at a position between the first position and the second position. And urging those having a biasing means for moving the said first position or said second position.

  According to this air massage machine, in the drive mechanism unit, the differential pressure between the first air actuator side and the second air actuator side can be used as a power source for switching the spool between the first position and the second position. . Therefore, another power source by electric control can be omitted to move the spool. Further, since the urging means moves the spool located at the position between the first position and the second position to the first position or the second position, the spool is moved to a position between the first position and the second position. It can be prevented from stopping.

  In the air massage machine, the urging means is attached to the first magnet attached to the spool, and to the spool that is attached to the main body and located between the first position and the second position. And a second magnet that generates a repulsive force with the first magnet. Thereby, the spool in the position between the first position and the second position can be moved to the first position or the second position by the repulsive force generated between the first magnet and the second magnet.

  In this case, the switching valve includes position holding means for maintaining the spool at the first position or the second position, and the position holding means is a magnetic force generated by the first magnet and the second magnet. It is preferable that the drive mechanism portion is capable of moving the spool against the magnetic force. According to this, the position holding means can maintain the spool at the first position and reliably supply the air to the first air actuator, and can maintain the spool at the second position and It is possible to reliably supply air to Furthermore, a position holding means can be comprised using the 1st magnet and 2nd magnet which were provided as a biasing means.

  Further, in the air massage machine, the urging means is provided between the first position and the second position provided on the spool, and an elastic member attached to the main body portion for applying an elastic force to the spool. A cam portion having an elastic force of the elastic member as an urging force in the moving direction of the spool with respect to the spool in the position can be provided. According to this, the spool in the position between the first position and the second position can be moved to the first position or the second position by the elastic force of the elastic member.

  In this case, the switching valve includes position holding means for maintaining the spool at the first position or the second position, and the position holding means is elastically pressed against the spool by the elastic member. And a pair of recesses provided on the spool and detachable from the contact, and the movement of the spool is restricted when the contactor and the recess are engaged, It is preferable that the abutment is retracted against the elastic member to be separated from the recess and the spool is movable. According to this, the position holding means can maintain the spool at the first position and reliably supply the air to the first air actuator, and can maintain the spool at the second position and It is possible to reliably supply air to Furthermore, the position holding means can be configured using an elastic member provided as an urging means.

In the air massage machine, it is preferable that the switching valve includes a position holding unit that maintains the spool at the first position or the second position.
According to this, the position holding means can maintain the spool at the first position and reliably supply the air to the first air actuator, and can maintain the spool at the second position and It is possible to reliably supply air to

  Further, in the air massage machine, the drive mechanism section includes a first pilot air chamber on one axial end side of the spool, a second pilot air chamber on the other axial end side, the second air actuator, A first flow path communicating with the first pilot air chamber; and a second flow path communicating with the first air actuator and the second pilot air chamber. The second pilot air chamber is pressurized together with pressure to push the spool toward the first pilot air chamber, and the first pilot air chamber is pressurized together with pressurization of the second air actuator to push the spool It is preferable to switch the spool between the first position and the second position by pushing toward the second pilot air chamber.

  According to this, when the first air actuator is pressurized, the second pilot air chamber is also pressurized, and the spool can be pushed and moved to the first pilot air chamber side. As a result, the position of the spool is switched in the switching valve, and air is supplied to the second air actuator. When the second air actuator is pressurized, the first pilot air chamber is also pressurized, and the spool can be pushed and moved toward the second pilot air chamber. As a result, the position of the spool is switched in the switching valve, and air is supplied to the first air actuator. As described above, the spool can be switched to the first position and the second position alternately by the air pressure supplied, and the air is alternately supplied to the first air actuator side and the second air actuator side. Can do.

In this case, it is preferable that at least one of the first flow path and the second flow path is provided with a variable throttle section that throttles the flow path.
According to this, the internal pressure on the pilot air chamber side can be increased with a delay from the internal pressure on the air actuator side by restricting the flow path, and the degree of the delay can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of restriction. The timing of switching the spool position (timing) can be changed by delaying the pressure rise in the pilot air chamber and adjusting the degree thereof. That is, the operation cycle of the air actuator can be changed, or the operating force (internal pressure) of the air actuator can be changed.

The switching valve of the present invention includes a main body having a first discharge port, a second discharge port, and a supply port, and is provided in the main body, and air from the supply port is supplied to the first discharge port. A spool that is movable between a first position for discharging more and a second position for discharging air from the supply port from the second discharge port, and a difference between the first discharge port side and the second discharge port side A driving mechanism for switching the spool between the first position and the second position using pressure, and the spool at a position between the first position and the second position to urge the spool. Biasing means for moving to one position or the second position.
According to this, in the drive mechanism unit, the differential pressure between the first discharge port side and the second discharge port side can be used as a power source for switching the spool between the first position and the second position. Therefore, another power source by electric control can be omitted to move the spool. Further, since the urging means moves the spool located at the position between the first position and the second position to the first position or the second position, the spool is moved to a position between the first position and the second position. It can be prevented from stopping.

  According to the present invention, another power source by electric control for moving the spool can be omitted, and the structure can be simplified. The biasing means can prevent the spool from stopping at a midway position between the first position and the second position, and the switching operation of the switching valve can be reliably performed.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an air massage machine according to the present invention. This air massage machine is a chair type, and as a body support body that can support the user's body, a seat part 1 on which the user (the user) sits, a footrest 2 at the front part of the seat part 1, and a seat The backrest part 3 in the rear part of the part 1 and a pair of left and right armrest parts 43 are provided. In addition, the user sitting on the seat part 1 sees the front as the front and the back as the rear. Further, the footrest 2 will be described below with the footrest 2 descending from the front end of the seat portion 1 (the state shown in FIG. 1) with the front as viewed from the front and the rear as the rear.

  As a body support, the seat 1 can support the user's buttocks and thighs. The backrest 3 can support the back and head from the waist of the user seated on the seat 1. Moreover, the backrest part 3 is provided in the seat part 1 so that rotation is possible, and it can recline between the standing state and the state which fell backward. The footrest 2 can support the sole of the leg of the user seated on the seat 1 from the knee, that is, the sole from the calf through the ankle. Moreover, the footrest 2 is provided in the seat part 1 so that rotation drive is possible, and can rotate between the state which fell from the seat part 1, and the state protruded ahead. The armrest portion 43 can support the left and right arms of the user and is attached to the seat portion 1. At least one of these body supports is provided with an air cell (air actuator) that expands and contracts by supplying and discharging air as a massage means.

  In the form of FIG. 1, in the backrest part 3, a pair of left and right air cells are provided as a set at positions corresponding to the shoulder part, the back part, and the waist part. That is, the left and right air cells 4a and 4b are provided as a set for the shoulder, the left and right air cells 5a and 5b are set as a set for the back, and the left and right air cells 6a and 6b are provided as a set for the lumbar portion. Further, in the footrest 2, a pair of air cells 7a, 7b for the left leg and the right leg are provided as a set. The right leg air cell 7b includes a pair of air cells 7c and 7d arranged to sandwich the right leg from both the left and right sides, and the left leg air cell 7a is similarly arranged to sandwich the left leg from the left and right sides. It consists of a pair of air cells 7e and 7f. Further, in the armrest portion 43, a pair of air cells 8a and 8b for the left arm and for the right arm are provided as a set. The armrest member 43 is provided with an arm support member 44, the left arm support member 44 is provided with an air cell 8a, and the right arm support member 44 is provided with an air cell 8b.

  FIG. 2 shows the air cells included in the air massage machine of the present invention, an air supply source 9 for operating the air cells, and a switching valve provided between the air cells and the air supply source. It is a schematic circuit diagram including. The air supply source 9 includes a pump P operated by a motor M. As for the switching valve, the switching valve 10 connected to the pair of air cells 4a, 4b for the shoulder, the switching valve 11 connected to the set of air cells 5a, 5b for the back, and the set of air cells for the waist A switching valve 12 connected to 6a and 6b is provided. Further, a switching valve 13 connected to a set of air cells 7a and 7b provided on the footrest 2 and a switching valve 14 connected to a set of air cells 8a and 8b provided on the left and right armrest portions 43 are provided. It has been. A branch portion is connected to the pump P via a variable flow rate adjusting valve 15, and each of the switching valves 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 is switched to a branch line from the branch portion (hereinafter, representatively switched). Valve 10) is connected via an open / close switching valve 16. The opening / closing switching valve 16 performs an opening / closing switching operation based on an instruction signal from the control means 17 provided in the air massage machine. By the opening / closing operation of each opening / closing switching valve 16, the air from the pump P to each air cell is operated. Can be turned on and off. Furthermore, the control means 17 can control each operation | movement of the on-off switching valve 16, and can make all of these on-off switching valves 16 into an open state or a closed state, or can make any one or more into an open state.

  FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are explanatory views showing the main part of the first embodiment of the present invention. These drawings show the circuit configuration from the air supply source 9 to the set of air cells 18 and 19, and are extracted from one set of the plurality of sets of air cells in FIG. Note that the opening / closing switching valve 16 in FIG. 2 is omitted. In the form of these drawings, as a set of air cells, the first air cell 18 for the first massage (for left) and the second air cell 19 for the second massage (for right) are provided. A pair of opposed air cells 18a and 18b sandwiching a part of the user's body (treatment part) from both sides, and the second air cell 19 is a pair of parts sandwiching the other part (treatment part) of the user's body from both sides. It consists of opposed air cells 19a, 19b. This form corresponds to, for example, the leg air cells 7a and 7b in FIG. 1. However, the form of the air cell is not limited to this. For example, although it will be described later, it is another one shown in FIGS. May be.

  The switching valve 10 can supply the first air cell 18 or the second air cell 19 by switching the flow direction of air (compressed air) from the air supply source 9. The switching valve 10 has a main body 20 and a spool 21 provided in a storage chamber 20a in the main body 20 and movable in the axial direction. The main body 20 includes a first discharge port 31 to which the first air cell 18 is connected, a second discharge port 32 to which the second air cell 19 is connected, a supply port 33 connected to the supply side of the pump P, and a pair The exhaust ports 36 and 37 are provided. Each of the first and second discharge ports 31, 32 and the supply port 33 is connected to the storage chamber 20a by the main flow paths 31a, 32a and the main flow path 33a.

  The spool 21 has three land portions (valve body portions) 21a, 21b, and 21c. When the spool 21 moves in the axial direction, each of the ports is selectively selected by each of the land portions 21a, 21b, and 21c. Can be connected. Specifically, in a state where the spool 21 moves in the axial direction in the storage chamber 20a and is in the first position (FIG. 3), the supply port 33 and the first discharge port 31 are connected, and the first discharge port 31 Air is discharged to supply air to the first air cell 18 side. On the other hand, when the spool 21 moves in the opposite axial direction in the storage chamber 20a and is in the second position (FIG. 4), the supply port 33 and the second discharge port 32 are connected, and the air is discharged from the second discharge port 32. Is discharged to supply air to the second air cell 19 side.

  The switching valve 10 further has a drive mechanism that moves the spool 21 in a self-exciting manner. Specifically, in FIGS. 3 and 4, the drive mechanism section includes a first pilot air chamber 22 on one end side in the axial direction of the spool 21 and a second pilot air chamber on the other end side in the axial direction of the spool 21. 23. Each of these pilot air chambers 22, 23 is a space formed between the axial end surface of the storage chamber 20 a and the axial end surface of the spool 21. Further, the drive mechanism unit includes a main flow path 32a connected to the second air cell 19 (second discharge port), a first flow path 24 communicating with the first pilot air chamber 22, and a first air cell 18 (first discharge). And a second flow path 25 in which the second pilot air chamber 23 is communicated with the main flow path 31a.

  According to the drive mechanism configured in this way, when the spool 21 is in the first position (FIG. 3) and the compressed air is supplied to the first air cell 18 and pressurized, the second pilot air chamber 23 is provided. Is also pressurized, and the spool 21 can be pushed to the first pilot air chamber 22 side and moved instantaneously. This is because the second air cell 19 is connected to the exhaust port 37 through the adjacent land portions 21b and 21c, and the first pilot air chamber 22 is connected to the exhaust port 36, and the second air cell 19 and the first pilot air chamber 22 are connected. Since the internal pressure is reduced (released to the atmosphere), the spool 21 is caused to be in the first pilot air chamber by the pressure difference between the pressurized second pilot air chamber 23 and the decompressed first pilot air chamber 22. Move to 22 side. As a result, the position of the spool 21 is switched to the second position in the switching valve 10 (FIG. 4), compressed air is supplied from the supply port 33 to the second discharge port 32, and air is supplied to the second air cell 19. .

  In FIG. 4, when the second air cell 19 is pressurized, the first pilot air chamber 22 is also pressurized, and similarly, the spool 21 can be pushed toward the second pilot air chamber 23 and moved instantaneously. As a result, the position of the spool 21 is switched to the first position in the switching valve 10 (FIG. 3), and air is supplied to the first air cell 18 again. In this way, the spool 21 is alternately moved in the axial direction using the pressure difference between the second pilot air chamber 23 communicating with the first air cell and the first pilot air chamber 22 communicating with the second air cell as a power source. be able to. That is, the spool 21 can be automatically switched between the first position and the second position by the pressure of the compressed air supplied from the air supply source 9, and the first air cell 18 and the second air cell 19 can be switched. The first air cell 18 and the second air cell 19 can be alternately expanded (expanded).

Further, the switching valve 10 urges the spool 21 (the state of FIG. 5) at a midway position between the first position and the second position to move to the first position or the second position. And it has a position holding means for maintaining the spool 21 in the first position or the second position.
The urging means includes a first magnet 26 attached to the spool 21 and a second magnet 27 attached to the main body 20. The first magnet 26 is attached to a shaft portion 21d formed so as to protrude in the axial direction from the axial end surface of the spool 21, and as shown in FIG. 5, the spool 21 has a first position and a second position. The second magnet 27 is attached to the main body portion 20 at a position where the first magnet 26 of the spool 21 approaches in a state in the middle position. In the state of FIG. 5, the one surface side portion 26 a of the first magnet 26 on the spool 21 side and the one surface side portion 27 a of the second magnet 27 on the spool 21 side are adjacent to each other and have the same polarity (for example, both Positive electrode). Further, the other surface side portion 26b on the outer side in the axial direction of the first magnet 26 and the other surface side portion 27b on the outer side in the axial direction of the second magnet 27 are adjacent to each other and have the same polarity (for example, both are negative electrodes). ). Accordingly, in this state, a repulsive force is generated between the second magnet 27 fixed to the main body 20 and the first magnet 26 of the spool 21 at the midway position, and the midway between the first position and the second position. The spool 21 in the position is in an unstable position, and the spool 21 can be forcibly moved to the first position or the second position by the repulsive force. As a result, it is possible to prevent the spool 21 from being stopped in the middle position and the air supply from the air supply source 9 to the air cells 18 and 19 cannot be performed.

  The position holding means uses magnetic force generated by the first magnet 26 fixed to the spool 21 and the second magnet 27 fixed to the main body 20. That is, in FIG. 3, when the spool 21 is in the first position, the one surface side portion 26 a of the first magnet 26 and the other surface side portion 27 b of the second magnet 27 have different polarities, and one surface of the first magnet 26. The side portion 26a and the other surface side portion 27b of the second magnet 27 are held at positions close to each other by attractive force. As a result, the spool 21 is held at the predetermined first position. In FIG. 4, when the spool 21 is in the second position, the other surface side portion 26 b of the first magnet 26 and the one surface side portion 27 a of the second magnet 27 have different polarities. The surface side portion 26b and the one surface side portion 27a of the second magnet 27 are held in positions close to each other by attractive force. As a result, the spool 21 is held in the predetermined second position.

  In this way, the position holding means can be configured using the first magnet 26 and the second magnet 27 provided as the urging means, and the configuration can be simplified. Note that the drive mechanism unit that has the first and second pilot air chambers 22 and 23 and reciprocates the spool 21 by the differential pressure between them has an attractive force (magnetic force) between the first magnet 26 and the second magnet 27. The spool 21 is moved against this. That is, the thrust generated by the differential pressure is set to be larger than the magnetic force generated by the magnets 26 and 27.

  6, 7, and 8 are explanatory views showing the main part of the second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the form of the biasing means and the position holding means. In the first embodiment, the shaft portion 21d protruding from the spool 21 in FIG. 3 penetrates the wall of the axial end portion of the storage chamber 20a, and the magnets 26 and 27 are provided outside the storage chamber 20a. ing. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the shaft portion 21d protruding from the spool 21 and the magnets 28 and 29 are provided inside the storage chamber 20a. Moreover, in this 2nd Embodiment, although the 1st flow path 24 and the 2nd flow path 25 are provided in the exterior of the main-body part 20, it forms in the main-body part 20 like 1st Embodiment. May be. Further, the difference from the first embodiment is that variable flow rate adjusting valves 38 and 39 are provided as variable throttle valves (variable throttle portions) in the first flow path 24 and the second flow path 25, respectively. A point where an air chamber 30 is provided in the first flow path 24, and an accumulator 34 for reducing pressure fluctuation is provided on the air supply source 9 side. It is the same as the form. Note that when the first pilot air chamber 22 and the second pilot air chamber 23 have a difference in volume, the switching timing of the position of the spool 21 becomes unbalanced. In order to eliminate this, it is preferable to provide the air chamber 30.

  FIG. 6 is the same as FIG. 3 of the first embodiment, and the spool 21 is in the first position and supplies air to the first air cell 18. FIG. 7 is the same as FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, and the spool 21 is in the second position, and air is supplied to the second air cell 19. FIG. 8 is the same as FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, and forcibly moves the spool 21 in the middle position between the first position and the second position to the first position or the second position. The function of the biasing means is described.

  In the biasing means of the second embodiment, the first magnet 28 is attached to a shaft portion 21d formed to protrude in the axial direction from the end face of the spool 21, and as shown in FIG. Is in the middle position between the first position and the second position, the one surface side portion 28a on the spool side of the first magnet 28 and the one surface side portion 29a on the outer side in the axial direction of the second magnet 29 approach each other. The second magnet 29 is attached to the main body 20 so as to be in the state. Further, the one surface side portion 28a of the first magnet 28 and the one surface side portion 29a of the second magnet 29 have the same polarity (for example, both are positive electrodes). Accordingly, in this state, a repulsive force is generated between the second magnet 29 fixed to the main body 20 and the first magnet 28 of the spool 21 at the midway position, and the spool 21 at the midway position becomes an unstable position. The spool 21 can be forcibly moved to the first position or the second position by the repulsive force. As a result, it is possible to prevent the spool 21 from being stopped in the middle position and the air supply from the air supply source 9 to the air cells 18 and 19 cannot be performed.

  The position holding means uses magnetic force generated by the first magnet 28 fixed to the spool 21 and the second magnet 29 fixed to the main body 20. That is, in FIG. 6, in the state where the spool 21 is in the first position, the one surface side portion 28 a of the first magnet 28 and the one surface side portion 29 a of the second magnet 29 have the same polarity. The one surface side portion 28a and the one surface side portion 29a of the second magnet 29 are separated by repulsive force. And the front-end | tip part 21e of the axial part 21d of the spool 21 which this force acts contacts the shock absorbing material 20b provided in the axial direction end surface of the storage chamber 20a, and the spool 21 is hold | maintained in this position. As a result, the spool 21 is held at the predetermined first position. In FIG. 7, in the state where the spool 21 is in the second position, the one surface side portion 28 a of the first magnet 28 and the other surface side portion 29 b of the second magnet 29 have different polarities. Since the other surface side portion 28b of the first magnet 28 and the one surface portion side 29a of the second magnet 29 have different polarities, the positions are close to each other due to the attractive force. The two magnets 29 are held at positions closer to each other by attractive force. As a result, the spool 21 is held in the predetermined second position.

  In the air massage machine of the present invention, at least one of the first flow path 24 and the second flow path 25 is provided with a flow rate adjusting valve as a variable throttle valve that throttles the flow path. In the second embodiment, a flow rate adjustment valve 38 is provided in the first flow path 24, and a flow rate adjustment valve 39 is provided in the second flow path 25. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view for explaining the function of the flow rate adjusting valve, and the function will be explained in the case of FIG. The compressed air sent out from the air supply source 9 enters the switching valve 10 from the air supply port 33, and is supplied from the first discharge port 31 to the first air cell 18 via the adjacent land portions 21a and 21b. At the same time, the compressed air is also supplied to the second pilot air chamber 23 via the second flow path 25 having the flow rate adjusting valve 39. FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the compressed air supply time t and the internal pressure of the first air cell 18 and the internal pressure of the second pilot air chamber 23 at this time.

  Since the compressed air is supplied to the second pilot air chamber 23 after passing through the flow rate adjusting valve 39, the increase in the internal pressure of the second pilot air chamber 23 in FIG. 9 is the increase in the internal pressure of the first air cell 18. Later than. When the internal pressure of the second pilot air chamber 23 is Pm (time t1) and the spool 21 is switched to the second position due to the difference from the internal pressure (atmospheric pressure) of the first pilot air chamber 22, The internal pressure of the first air cell 18 at that time (time t1) is Pc1. Therefore, by adjusting the flow rate at the flow rate adjustment valve 39, the time until the internal pressure of the second pilot air chamber 23 reaches Pm can be changed as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. The time t1 can be delayed to the time t2), and the timing (period) for switching the position of the spool 21 can be changed. Furthermore, as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 9, the internal pressure of the first air cell 18 is changed from Pc1 to Pc2 by changing the time until the internal pressure of the second pilot air chamber 23 reaches Pm. Can do. That is, the flow rate adjustment valve 39 can change the pressing force for massage by the first air cell 18 and set it to a predetermined value.

  The flow rate adjustment of the flow rate adjustment valves 38 and 39 can be controlled by the control means 17 as shown in FIG. 2, and the first flow rate (throttle amount) in the flow rate adjustment valves 38 and 39 is the same. The switching operation between the first air cell 18 and the second air cell 19 is performed in the same cycle. Further, the control means 17 can change the flow rates in the both flow rate adjusting valves 38 and 39, and in this case, the switching operation period from the supply air to the first air cell 18 to the supply air to the second air cell 19 The cycle of the switching operation from the supply of air to the second air cell 19 to the supply of air to the first air cell 18 can be made different. The flow rate adjusting valves 38 and 39 can be applied to the first embodiment, and can also be applied to a switching valve that does not include the urging means.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the main part of the third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment in the form of the biasing means and the position holding means. In the first and second embodiments, magnets are used for the urging means and the position holding means, but in this third embodiment, the elastic member 40 is used.

  This urging means has an elastic member 40 attached to the main body portion 20 and a cam portion 41 provided on the spool 21. The elastic member 40 is a compression coil spring and is provided in a hole 46 formed in the main body portion 20, and a contact (ball) 42 that contacts the spool 21 is attached to one end portion of the elastic member 40 on the spool 21 side. Yes. A screw member 47 is provided on the other end side of the elastic member 40, and the strength of the elastic force applied to the spool 21 of the elastic member 40 can be adjusted by moving the screw member 47 back and forth. The cam portion 41 is a portion of the shaft portion 21d that protrudes from the end portion of the spool 21 with which the abutment element 42 comes into contact, and includes a mountain portion 41a and two valley portions 41b on both sides in the axial direction of the mountain portion 41a. 41c. Slopes 41d and 41e that are inclined straight with respect to the axis line are continuous from the top of the peak 41a to the valleys 41b and 41c. Therefore, when the abutment element 42 abuts against one of the inclined surfaces 41 d and 41 e with the elastic force of the elastic member 40, a force in the axial direction of the spool 21 acts on the cam portion 41.

  The contact 42 is arranged to contact the slopes 41d and 41e of the cam portion 41 or the top of the peak portion 41a in a state where the spool 21 is in the middle position between the first position and the second position. Accordingly, the elastic force of the elastic member 40 acts as an urging force for moving the spool 21 in the axial direction via the contact element 42 in a state where the spool 21 is in the middle position. The spool 21 in the middle position between the two positions can be forcibly moved to the first position or the second position. As a result, it is possible to prevent the spool 21 from being stopped in the middle position and the air supply from the air supply source 9 to the air cells 18 and 19 cannot be performed.

  Further, the position holding means in this embodiment includes the contact 42 that is elastically pressed against the spool 21 by the elastic member 40, and the pair of troughs (concave portions) 41b and 41c. Each of the valley portions 41b and 41c can be engaged with and disengaged from the abutment 42, and the movement of the spool 21 can be restricted by fitting the abutment 42 into one of the valley portions 41b and 41c. Then, in a state where the spool 21 is in the first position (FIG. 10), the contact element 42 is engaged with the one valley portion 41b, and the spool 21 is held in the predetermined first position. Further, in a state where the spool 21 is in the second position (not shown), the abutment 42 engages with the other valley portion 41c, and the spool 21 is held in the predetermined second position. The abutment element 42 is retracted against the elastic force of the elastic member 40 and is separated from the valleys 41b and 41c, and the abutment element 42 exceeds the peak part 41a. The position of the spool 21 can be switched.

  According to the air massage machine of each of the above embodiments, air supply / exhaust to the first air cell and the second air cell that make a pair can be performed by alternately switching between the first air cell and the second air cell. Massage operation can be performed alternately with the air cell. The differential pressure between the second pilot air chamber 23 connected to the first air cell 18 and the first pilot air chamber 22 connected to the second air cell 19 is used as a power source for switching the spool 21 between the first position and the second position. Since it can be used, another power source by electric control for moving the spool 21 can be omitted, and the configuration of the air massage machine can be simplified. Further, the biasing means forcibly moves the spool 21 in the middle position between the first position and the second position to the first position or the second position, so that the spool 21 is moved from the first position to the second position. It can prevent stopping at the position between the positions. Thereby, it can prevent that the compressed air from the air supply source 9 side cannot be supplied with respect to a 1st air cell and a 2nd air cell. Further, the spool 21 can be maintained at the first position by the position holding means, and the air supply to the first air cell 18 can be reliably performed, and the spool 21 can be maintained at the second position to Air can be reliably supplied to the air cell 19.

  And according to this air massage machine, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in a pair of air cells (4a, 4b) (5a, 5b) (6a, 6b) (7a, 7b) (8a, 8b) on the left and right, The left and right can be operated alternately. In each of the above embodiments, a pair of air actuators on the left and right have been described as massage air cells, but in this invention, the air actuator may be an air cylinder (not shown) in addition to the air cell, Further, at least one of the pair of the first air actuator and the second air actuator on the left and right may be an operation unit for massage. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, the first air actuator 18 is the massage air cell described in the above embodiments, and the second air actuator 19 is the air container 48 that is not used for massage. . In this case, the air container 48 is used for functioning the drive mechanism, that is, for pressurizing the first pilot air chamber 22.

  Moreover, as a form of the massage air actuators 18 and 19, as shown in FIG. 11B, each of the air actuators 18 and 19 has one air cell 45 that expands and contracts by supplying and discharging air, A treatment element 46 made of resin or rubber that is attached to the tip of the air cell 45 and presses the user's body can be used. In this case, by using the switching valve 10, a pair of air cells 45, 45 are alternately expanded to advance and retract alternately, and massage that presses the user's body alternately left and right becomes possible. In this case, the air actuators 18 and 19 are preferably provided on the backrest part 3, and the operation cycle of the air actuators 18 and 19 can be increased with respect to the shoulder, back, and waist of the user so that the massage can be performed. Acupressure massage is possible later. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the air actuators 18 and 19 for massage may be planar air cells (4a, 4b) (5a, 5b) (6a, 6b).

  Moreover, according to the air cells 18 and 19 shown in FIG.3 and FIG.6, the massage of pinching (gripping) can be performed with respect to a part of a user's body. In this case, the air cells 18 and 19 are preferably provided on the footrest 2 and the armrest 43, and a pinching massage (gripping massage) can be performed by alternately sandwiching the legs and arms of the user. In the armrest 43, the left arm and the right arm are massaged alternately, so that when one arm is massaged, the other arm is in a free state in which it can be moved, and the other arm When is being massaged, one arm can be free to move. In addition, when performing this pinching massage, although not shown in figure other than the structure by two air cells 18a and 18b which oppose like FIG.3 and FIG.6, it can comprise from one air cell. That is, a part of the user's body exists between one air cell and the fixed contact member, and the air cell is inflated and contracted, so that the part of the body is not in contact with the contact member. Can be massaged with a pinch.

  Moreover, the air massage machine of this invention is not restricted to the form to show in figure, You may be a thing of another form within the scope of this invention. In FIG. 1, the seat 1, footrest 2, and backrest 3 may be further provided with other massage means. The massage means is operated by an air cell that expands and contracts by air supply or discharge, a motor, or the like. A treatment element, a vibrator, and the like, which can be appropriately arranged. Specifically, in FIG. 1, the backrest part 3 is provided with a massage means including a treatment element (bump ball) 35 that is operated by a motor or the like. This massage means can move the backrest 3 up and down. Also, the seat part 1 may be provided with the same massage means (the air cells 18 and 19 and the switching valve 10 in FIG. 3) as those provided in the backrest part 3, and the seat part 1 performs a massage operation alternately left and right. It may be a configuration.

It is a perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the air massage machine of this invention. It is a schematic circuit diagram of the air massage machine of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which has a spool in a 1st position. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which has a spool in a 2nd position. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which has a spool in the middle position between the 1st position and the 2nd position. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which has a spool in a 1st position. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which has a spool in a 2nd position. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which has a spool in the middle position between the 1st position and the 2nd position. It is explanatory drawing explaining the function of the flow regulating valve with which an air massage machine is provided. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of an air actuator.

Explanation of symbols

9 Air supply source 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Switching valve 18 First air cell (first air actuator)
19 Second air cell (second air actuator)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Main-body part 21 Spool 22 1st pilot air chamber 23 2nd pilot air chamber 24 1st flow path 25 2nd flow path 26 1st magnet 27 2nd magnet 28 1st magnet 29 2nd magnet 31 1st discharge port 32 1st 2 Discharge port 33 Supply port 15, 38, 39 Variable throttle valve (variable throttle part)
40 Elastic member 41 Cam part 41b, 41c Valley (recessed part)
42 Abutment

Claims (9)

From the air supply source to the air supply source, at least one of the first air actuator and the second air actuator, and the first air actuator and the second air actuator, at least one of which is an operation unit for massage A switching valve for switching and supplying air,
The switching valve is
The main body,
A spool provided in the main body and movable between a first position for supplying air to the first air actuator and a second position for supplying air to the second air actuator;
A drive mechanism unit that switches the spool between the first position and the second position using a differential pressure between the first air actuator side and the second air actuator side;
Biasing means for biasing the spool at a position between the first position and the second position and moving the spool to the first position or the second position;
An air massage machine characterized by comprising:   The biasing means includes a first magnet attached to the spool, and the first magnet attached to the main body portion and attached to the spool at a position between the first position and the second position. The air massage machine of Claim 1 which has a 2nd magnet which produces repulsive force between. The switching valve includes position holding means for maintaining the spool in the first position or the second position,
The position holding means uses a magnetic force generated by the first magnet and the second magnet, and the drive mechanism unit is capable of moving the spool against the magnetic force. Air massage machine.   The biasing means is attached to the main body portion and applies an elastic member to the spool, and the spool is provided on the spool and is located between the first position and the second position. The air massage machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a cam portion that uses an elastic force of the elastic member as an urging force in a moving direction of the spool. The switching valve includes position holding means for maintaining the spool in the first position or the second position,
The position holding means includes an abutting element that is elastically pressed against the spool by the elastic member, and a pair of recesses that are provided on the spool and are detachable from the abutting element. 5. The movement of the spool is restricted when the child and the concave portion are engaged, and the contact member is retracted against the elastic member, and the spool is movable away from the concave portion. Air massage machine as described in.   5. The air massage machine according to claim 1, wherein the switching valve includes position holding means for maintaining the spool at the first position or the second position. The drive mechanism includes a first pilot air chamber on one end side in the axial direction of the spool, a second pilot air chamber on the other end side in the axial direction, the second air actuator, and the first pilot air chamber. A first flow path communicated with the second flow path communicating the first air actuator and the second pilot air chamber;
The second pilot air chamber is pressurized with the pressurization of the first air actuator to push the spool toward the first pilot air chamber, and the first pilot air chamber is added with the pressurization of the second air actuator. The air massage machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the spool is switched between the first position and the second position by being pressed and pushing the spool toward the second pilot air chamber.   The air massage machine according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the first flow path and the second flow path is provided with a variable throttle portion that throttles the flow path. A main body having a first discharge port, a second discharge port, and a supply port;
It is provided in the main body, and is movable between a first position where air from the supply port is discharged from the first discharge port and a second position where air from the supply port is discharged from the second discharge port. A spool,
A drive mechanism that switches the spool between the first position and the second position by using a differential pressure between the first discharge port side and the second discharge port side;
Biasing means for biasing the spool at a position between the first position and the second position and moving the spool to the first position or the second position;
The switching valve characterized by having.

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