JP2013208332A - Sitting type massager - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sitting type massager which has a simple configuration and enables both finger pressure-based massage and rubbing-based massage.SOLUTION: A sitting type massager 1 incorporates the following in a back rest portion 12: a frame member 14, a first air bag 3 held in the frame member 14, and a second air bag 4 superimposed on the first air bag 3 and arranged more closely to a user 2 side than the first air bag 3. The first air bag 3 imparts a stimulus to the body of the user 2 by repeating inflation and deflation, and the second air bag 4 imparts a local stimulus to the body of the user 2, compared to the stimulus by the first air bag 3, by repeating inflation and deflation. An air supply and discharge device 5 repeats air supply and discharge to the first air bag 3 so that the air bag 3 can impart a stimulus to the body of the user 2, and repeats air supply and discharge to the second air bag 4 so that the second air bag 4 can impart a stimulus to the body of the user 2 differently from the first air bag 3.

Description

  The present invention relates to a seating type massage device that massages a body of a user in a sitting posture using an airbag.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle seat (chair) in which a vehicle seat is provided with an airbag and has a massage function has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1, an air bag is built in each of a seat part (seat cushion) and a backrest part (seat back), and air supply / exhaust is repeatedly performed by the air supply / exhaust device. Thus, the vehicle seat can repeatedly inflate and contract the airbag, massage the user's thigh with the airbag in the seat, and massage the user's waist with the airbag in the backrest. it can.

  However, the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1 only gives local stimulation to a specific part (thigh or waist) of the user's body by the airbag in the seat or the airbag in the backrest. Therefore, it is not possible to give a stimulus to a wider area.

  In addition to a massage airbag (first airbag), a vehicle seat provided with a lumbar support airbag (second airbag) has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In the seat for the lumbar, the airbag for the lumbar support supports the massage airbag and is arranged in the vertical direction at a position corresponding to the lumbar portion of the user, so the internal air amount can be adjusted individually. To change the sheet shape of the part corresponding to the lumbar part. In other words, this vehicle seat can support the lumbar portion in accordance with the posture of the user (sitting person) with one airbag and can massage the user with the other airbag. In Patent Document 2, a massaging airbag repeatedly inflates and contracts to generate a pressing force (finger pressure) having the same effect as a finger pressure by a human finger by making point contact with a user.

JP 2000-279467 A JP 2005-87604 A

  By the way, there are two types of massage by the sitting type massage device: a so-called “acupressure system” that locally gives a stimulus by a pressing force (finger pressure) as described above, and a human palm over a relatively wide range of the body. There is a so-called “sanding system” such as a light rubbing method that gives such a stimulus. Shiatsu massage has the effect of relaxing the body with a relatively strong stimulus and eliminating stiffness, while the massage massage has a relatively weak stimulus to relax the mind and body and heal fatigue. There is an effect. Therefore, in the sitting type massage device, it is desired to achieve both acupressure massage and a massage massage, but both configurations of Patent Documents 1 and 2 only perform acupressure massage, It does not have a function to perform a massage system.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described reasons, and an object thereof is to provide a seating type massage apparatus that can achieve both acupressure massage and a massage massage with a relatively simple configuration.

  The seating type massage device of the present invention is a seating type massage device that has a seat part and a backrest part, and is used in a posture in which the user is seated, the frame member supporting the user's body, and the frame member And a first airbag for stimulating the user's body by repeating inflation and contraction, and the user's body over the first airbag over the first airbag. A second airbag which is disposed at a position close to the body and which gives local stimulation to the user's body by repeating inflation and contraction as compared to the first airbag; and the first air A skin member covering the bag and the second airbag, and an air supply / exhaust device individually connected to each of the first airbag and the second airbag, Previous Air supply / exhaust to the first airbag is repeatedly performed so as to stimulate the user's body from the first airbag, and the use is performed from the second airbag separately from the first airbag. It is characterized in that air supply / exhaust to the second airbag is repeatedly performed so as to stimulate the person's body.

  In the seating type massage apparatus, the first airbag and the second airbag are built in the backrest portion, and the first airbag is the backrest portion as compared with the second airbag. It is desirable that the dimension in the width direction is increased and a plurality of them are arranged side by side along the height direction of the backrest portion.

  In the seating type massage device, the air supply / exhaust device includes the plurality of first airbags such that the plurality of first airbags are inflated and contracted sequentially along a height direction of the backrest portion. It is more desirable to supply and exhaust the airbag in a predetermined order.

  In this seating type massage device, it is more desirable that the first airbag has a slower speed of at least one of air supply and exhaust by the air supply / exhaust device than the second airbag.

  In the seating type massage device, the first airbag and the second airbag have different opening areas of at least one of the air supply and exhaust vents formed in the first airbag and the second airbag, respectively. More preferably, the area of the first airbag is smaller than that of the second airbag.

  In this seating type massage device, the first airbag and the second airbag have different opening areas of at least one flow path opening for air supply and exhaust in the air supply / exhaust device, and the opening area More preferably, the first airbag is smaller than the second airbag.

  In this seating type massage device, the first airbag and the second airbag have different cross-sectional areas of the air piping connecting between the air supply / exhaust devices, and the cross-sectional area is the first air bag. More preferably, the bag is smaller than the second airbag.

  In the seating type massage device, the air supply / exhaust device includes an air pump and a switching valve for sequentially switching a connection destination of the air pump between a plurality of ports, and each of the plurality of the first airbags. Is more preferably connected to each port of the switching valve.

  In this seating type massage device, it is more desirable that a cushioning material is provided between the first airbag and the second airbag.

  In this seating type massage device, it is more desirable that the cushioning material has a two-layer structure in which a layer on the second airbag side is formed of a harder material than on the first airbag side.

  In this seating type massage device, it is more preferable that the seating type massage device is installed in a vehicle compartment of a vehicle and used as a vehicle seat.

  The present invention has an advantage that both a shiatsu massage and a massage massage can be achieved with a relatively simple configuration.

The structure of the seating type massage apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 is shown, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is sectional drawing of a backrest part. It is a disassembled perspective view of the backrest part of the sitting type massage apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the air supply pattern of the seating type massage apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the principal part of the seating type massage apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the principal part of the seating type massage apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the principal part of the seating type massage apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the principal part of the seating type massage apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The structure of the seating type massage apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 is shown, (a) is sectional drawing of a backrest part, (b) is a principal part enlarged view of (a).

  In the following embodiments, the configuration and function of a seated massage device will be described by taking as an example a seated massage device installed in a passenger compartment of a vehicle such as a passenger car and used as a vehicle seat (especially a passenger seat). However, this seating type massage device is not limited to the passenger seat, and may be used for a driver seat or a rear seat, and can also be used for all seats in the passenger compartment. The driver seat may be configured such that the massage function can be used only when the shift range is in the parking (P) range, and the massage function cannot be used during traveling.

(Embodiment 1)
The seating type massage device (hereinafter simply referred to as “massage device”) 1 of this embodiment has a seat part (seat cushion) 11 and a backrest part (seat back) 12 as shown in FIG. Used in the posture where the person 2 is seated. When the user 2 is sitting on the massage device 1 (sitting posture), the seat 11 supports the vicinity of the buttocks of the user 2, and the backrest 12 supports the vicinity of the back of the user 2.

  Here, the backrest part 12 is connected to the seat part 11 by a reclining mechanism (not shown) so that the angle with respect to the seat part 11 can be adjusted (reclining operation is possible). Further, in the example of FIG. 1, the massage device 1 has a headrest 13 for supporting the head of the user 2 from the rear above the backrest portion 12.

  In the present embodiment, the massage device 1 includes a first airbag 3 inside the backrest portion 12 and a second airbag 4 that is stacked on the first airbag 3. Further, the massage device 1 includes an air supply / exhaust device 5 installed outside the backrest 12, and the air supply / exhaust device 5 is connected to each of the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4 via an air pipe 6. It is connected.

  Below, the structure of the backrest part 12 which accommodated the 1st airbag 3 and the 2nd airbag 4 is demonstrated in detail. In addition, since the seat part 11 is the structure similar to a general vehicle seat, detailed description about the seat part 11 is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (b), the backrest 12 has a frame member 14 that forms the shape of a vehicle seat and supports the body of the user 2, a pad member 15 that is supported by the frame member 14, and a surface. The covering skin member 16 is provided as a basic structure. That is, the backrest 12 includes the frame member 14 and the pad member 15 inside the skin member 16. Further, the backrest portion 12 includes the first airbag 3 and the second airbag that are overlapped in the thickness direction of the pad member 15 between the pad member 15 and the skin member 16 inside the skin member 16. 4 is provided. The first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4 may be disposed between the frame member 14 and the pad member 15 inside the skin member 16.

  The frame member 14 is disposed on the back side of the pad member 15 (on the side opposite to the seated user 2), forms the outer shape of the backrest portion 12, and supports the pad member 15 from the back side. Yes. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the frame member 14 includes a frame-shaped skeleton portion 141 having rigidity and a spring member 142 attached to the inside of the skeleton portion 141. In addition, illustration of the spring member 142 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.1 (b).

  The pad member 15 is a member for receiving a force acting from the body of the user 2 between the frame member 14 and the skin member 16, and has an appropriate elasticity and thickness to support the user 2 body. have. Here, the pad member 15 is formed in a shape in which the central part in the width direction (left-right direction) is slightly depressed so that the body 2 of the seated user 2 can be fit.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the pad member 15 is formed with a housing recess 151 for disposing the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4 on the front surface (the surface opposite to the frame member 14). Has been. The shape of the storage recess 151 is determined in accordance with the shape and arrangement of a first airbag 3 and a second airbag 4 described later. The first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4 are stacked such that the second airbag 4 is on the skin member 16 side, and stored in the storage recess 151. That is, the second airbag 4 is placed on the first airbag 3 at a position closer to the body of the seated user 2 than the first airbag 3. However, it is not essential that the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4 are entirely accommodated in the storage recess 151, and only the first airbag 3 is stored in the storage recess 151. There may be.

  Note that the pad member 15 may have a recess (not shown) formed on the back surface (the surface on the frame member 14 side), and the recess may secure a gap between the pad member 15 and the frame member 14. Good. In this case, some or all of the first airbag 3, the second airbag 4, the air pipe 6, and the air supply / exhaust device 5 may be disposed in the gap between the frame member 14 and the pad member 15.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the skin member 16 forms the surface of the backrest 12 on the side (front side) in contact with the body of the seated user 2 while covering the internal components of the backrest 12. To do. In addition, the basic structure of the backrest part 12 which consists of the frame member 14, the pad member 15, and the skin member 16 mentioned above is only an example, and it can change suitably not only in the said structure.

  Next, the structure of the 1st airbag 3 and the 2nd airbag 4 is demonstrated. In the present embodiment, the massage apparatus 1 includes a plurality of (here, eight) first airbags 3 and a plurality of (here, eight) second airbags 4 as shown in FIG. Yes. Hereinafter, when each of the plurality of first airbags 31 to 38 is not particularly distinguished, it is simply referred to as “first airbag 3”, and when each of the plurality of second airbags 41 to 48 is not particularly distinguished. This is simply referred to as “second airbag 4”.

  First, the first airbag 3 will be described. The first airbag 3 is disposed on the side opposite to the skin member 16 (that is, the frame member 14 side) with respect to the second airbag 4. The first airbag 3 is formed in an elongated shape in the width direction of the backrest portion 12 (the width direction of the user 2), and here is long in the width direction of the backrest portion 12 in plan view (front view). It is formed in a rectangular shape.

  The plurality of first airbags 31 to 38 are arranged side by side at a relatively narrow interval in the height direction of the backrest portion 12 (the height direction of the user 2). In the present embodiment, the distance between the third first airbag 33 from the top of the backrest portion 12 and the fourth first airbag 34 is between the other first airbags 3. It is set widely compared to. The first airbag 3 is held by the pad member 15 by being fitted into a storage recess 151 formed in a position and shape corresponding to each of the pad member 15.

  The shape of the first airbag 3 is changed by supplying and exhausting air by the air supply / exhaust device 5. In other words, the first airbag 3 is made of a synthetic resin and has enough flexibility to be contracted and inflated. The first airbag 3 is inflated when air is supplied (supplying air), and is discharged when exhausting (exhaust). It expands and contracts in response to air supply and exhaust so that it contracts. Here, the 1st airbag 3 is comprised so that a thickness dimension may change by expanding and contracting in the thickness direction (same as the thickness direction of the backrest part 12), and the shape of planar view is large Will not change. The first airbag 3 presses the body of the user 2 seated on the massage device 1 by using air pressure when inflated, thereby stimulating the body of the user 2.

  The first airbag 3 has an area occupied in the plane along the front surface of the pad member 15 so that a pressing force acts on a wider area of the body of the user 2 than the second airbag 4 when inflated. It is formed in a shape that is larger than the second airbag 4. Therefore, the 1st airbag 3 can give irritation | stimulation to the wide range of the user's 2 body at the time of expansion | swelling. Hereinafter, a wide range of stimulation given to the body of the user 2 from the first airbag 3 is referred to as “wide range stimulation”. The specific shape of the first airbag 3 may be any shape that is suitable for giving a wide range of stimuli to the body of the user 2 by air supply / exhaust. It may be a substantially circular shape or an elliptical shape.

  That is, the first airbag 3 is brought into surface contact with the body of the user 2 at the time of inflation, thereby generating a pressing force (palm pressure) similar to the palm pressure by the human palm, and repeating the expansion and contraction, A wide range of stimuli can be given to the user 2.

  Next, the second airbag 4 will be described. The second airbag 4 is disposed so as to overlap the first airbag 3 from the skin member 16 side (that is, the side opposite to the frame member 14). The second airbag 4 is formed such that the size of the backrest 12 in the width direction is sufficiently smaller than that of the first airbag 3, and is substantially square in plan view (front view) here. Is formed.

  A plurality (eight in this case) of the second airbags 41 to 48 are arranged so that four sets of two airbags arranged in the width direction of the backrest portion 12 are arranged in the height direction of the backrest portion 12. Yes. In the present embodiment, the second airbags 41 and 42 in the first stage from the top of the backrest part 12 are arranged at positions corresponding to the shoulders of the user 2 in the sitting posture, and the second airbag in the second stage. The airbags 43 and 44 are arranged at positions corresponding to the shoulder blades of the user 2. Further, the second airbags 45 and 46 in the third stage are arranged at positions corresponding to the spinal cord vicinity of the user 2, and the second airbags 47 and 48 in the fourth stage are the user 2. It is arranged at a position corresponding to the lumbar vertebra. Here, the distance between the second airbag 41, 42 in the first stage from the top and the second airbag 43, 44 in the second stage is the second airbag in the second to fourth stages. It is set wider than between the bags 4. The second airbag 4 is held by the pad member 15 by being fitted into the storage recess 151 formed in a position and shape corresponding to each of the pad member 15.

  Similar to the first airbag 3, the shape of the second airbag 4 changes when air is supplied and exhausted by the air supply / exhaust device 5. In other words, the second airbag 4 is made of a synthetic resin and has enough flexibility to be contracted and expanded. The second airbag 4 is inflated when air is supplied (supplying air) and is discharged when exhausting (exhaust). It expands and contracts in response to air supply and exhaust so that it contracts. Here, the second airbag 4 is configured such that the thickness dimension changes by expanding and contracting in the thickness direction (the same as the thickness direction of the backrest 12), and the shape in plan view is large. Will not change. The second airbag 4 presses the body of the user 2 seated on the massage device 1 by using air pressure during inflation, thereby stimulating the body of the user 2.

  As described above, the second airbag 4 is in a plane along the front surface of the pad member 15 so that a pressing force acts locally on the body of the user 2 as compared with the first airbag 3 when inflated. Is formed in a shape smaller than that of the first airbag 3. Therefore, the 2nd airbag 4 can give a local irritation | stimulation to the user's 2 body at the time of expansion | swelling. Below, the local irritation | stimulation given to the user's 2 body from the 2nd airbag 4 is called "local irritation | stimulation." The specific shape of the second airbag 4 may be any shape that is suitable for giving local stimulation to the body of the user 2 by air supply / exhaust. It may be a polygonal shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like.

  That is, when the second airbag 4 is in point contact with the body of the user 2 at the time of inflation, the second airbag 4 generates a pressing force (finger pressure) similar to a finger pressure by a human finger, and is used by repeating inflation and contraction. The person 2 can be given local stimulation having the same effect as the finger pressure massage.

  Since the second airbags 41 and 42 in the first stage from the top of the backrest 12 correspond to the shoulders of the user 2, the height direction and the width are greater than those of the other second airbags 43 to 48. It is desirable to be configured to increase in at least one direction with respect to the direction. As a result, the uppermost second airbags 41 and 42 can accommodate different users 2 such as shoulder widths and sitting heights due to differences in physique. Moreover, since the second airbags 47 and 48 in the fourth stage from the top correspond to the waist of the user 2, the second airbags 47 and 48 are inflated more than the other second airbags 41 to 46 (the dimension in the thickness direction at the time of inflation). ) Is desirably large. As a result, the lowermost second airbags 47 and 48 can give local stimulation to the lumbar region even when the lumbar region may be separated from the skin member 16 depending on the sitting posture of the user 2.

  Further, when the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4 are compared, the second airbag is more likely to be used by the user 2 than the first airbag 3 when the air is supplied in the same manner. The stimulation given to the body becomes stronger. That is, the local stimulation given from the second airbag 4 is stronger than the wide range stimulation given from the first airbag 3. This is not only because the second airbag 4 has a narrower range of stimulation than the second airbag 3, that is, the second airbag 4 is stimulated locally. This is also caused by being overlaid on the front side of one airbag 3. That is, only the skin member 16 is interposed between the second airbag 4 and the user 2, whereas the second airbag 4 is between the user 2 and the first airbag 3. Since the skin member 16 is interposed, the pressing force is reduced by the buffering effect of the second airbag 4.

  Therefore, the second airbag 4 gives a local and stronger stimulation (local stimulation) to the body of the user 2 than the first airbag 3 by repeating expansion and contraction. In other words, the first airbag 3 gives a broader and weaker stimulus (wide range stimulus) to the body of the user 2 than the second airbag 4 by repeating expansion and contraction.

  By the way, the air supply / exhaust device 5 is individually connected to each of the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4 configured as described above via an air pipe 6. Here, the plurality of (eight) first airbags 31 to 38 can be independently inflated and deflated, and the air supply / exhaust device 5 is provided for each of the first airbags 31 to 38. Supply and exhaust air independently. Further, the plurality (eight) of the second airbags 41 to 48 can be inflated and contracted independently, and the air supply / exhaust device 5 is connected to each of the second airbags 41 to 48. Supply and exhaust air independently.

  Here, the air supply / exhaust device 5 basically does not supply / exhaust air to the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4 at the same time, and performs massage using the first airbag 3. The first mode and the second mode in which massage is performed using the second airbag 4 can be switched. That is, in the first mode, the air supply / exhaust device 5 repeatedly supplies and exhausts air to and from the first airbag 3 so as to give local stimulation to the body of the user 2 from the first airbag 3. In the second mode, the air supply / exhaust device 5 supplies air to and from the second airbag 4 so as to stimulate the body of the user 2 from the second airbag 4 separately from the first airbag 3. Repeat exhaust. The air supply / exhaust device 5 has a controller (not shown) for controlling the operation thereof, and the controller performs switching of power on / off in response to an operation input from the user 2. Switching between the first mode and the second mode is performed.

  With the above-described configuration, when the first mode is selected, the massage device 1 causes the first airbag 3 to inflate / contract according to the supply / exhaust from the supply / exhaust device 5, Press to give a stimulus (local stimulus). In addition, when the second mode is selected, the massage device 1 causes the second airbag 4 to expand and contract in response to air supply / exhaust from the air supply / exhaust device 5 and press the user's 2 body. Give stimulation (wide range stimulation).

  Here, the stimulation given to the body of the user 2 is different between the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4, and as described above, the first airbag 3 is replaced with the second airbag 4. Compared with this, a wide range and a weak stimulus (wide range stimulus) are given to the user 2 body. The massage device 1 applies such a wide range stimulus while continuously moving from the waist part to the shoulder part of the user 2 or from the shoulder part to the waist part. You can apply the same massage as lightly with your palm.

  The massage massage is also called light rubbing, and as one of its features, it gives a pleasant stimulus to the user 2 and thus has a mind-body relaxation effect, sedation, and a hypnotic effect. In order to reproduce the massage massage, it is necessary to move the position for applying the stimulus from the first airbag 3 so as to draw a straight stroke from the end of the body toward the heart with a relatively slow and smooth movement. desirable. Furthermore, since it is generally considered that when the stimulation is interrupted, somatic sensation is stimulated and sympathetic nerves are likely to be enhanced, continuity of stimulation is required to reproduce the massage massage. Therefore, in order to improve the continuity of stimulation, it is desirable that the first airbag 3 is subdivided in the height direction of the backrest portion 12 as much as possible, and the interval between the individual first airbags 3 is narrow.

  In addition, the air supply / exhaust device 5 may be incorporated in the backrest part 12 or the seat part 11 by attaching to the side part of the frame member 14, for example. Thereby, the space in a vehicle interior can be utilized effectively. Since the basic structure of the air supply / exhaust device 5 and the air piping 6 is a general structure, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  Next, the air supply / exhaust operation by the air supply / exhaust device 5 will be described. The air supply / exhaust device 5 includes an air pump 51 (see FIG. 4) for supplying air, and a control valve 52 (see FIG. 4) provided between the air pump 51, the first airbag 3, and the second airbag 4. Reference). The air supply / exhaust device 5 individually controls air supply / exhaust for each of the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4 by opening and closing the valve by the control valve 52.

  Here, in the first mode, the air supply / exhaust device 5 includes a plurality of first airbags 31 to 38 so as to inflate and contract in order along the height direction of the backrest portion 12. The air supply / exhaust of one airbag 31 to 38 is performed in a predetermined order. As a result, the plurality of first airbags 31 to 38 can sequentially apply stimulation (wide range stimulation) from the waist to the shoulder of the user 2 or in the opposite direction. It can be used to reproduce a massage massage.

  FIG. 3 shows an air supply pattern of the first airbag 3 in the case where the position for applying the stimulus is moved from the waist to the shoulder. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents a time axis, and air supply periods t1 to t8 for supplying air to each of a plurality (eight) of first airbags 31 to 38 arranged in the height direction of the backrest portion 12 are shown. ing.

  In the air supply pattern of FIG. 3, first, air is supplied to the first airbag 38 positioned at the lowest stage of the backrest portion 12 for a period “t1”. Further, when the delay time T0 has elapsed from the start of the supply of air to the first airbag 38, the supply of air to the first airbag 37 located one step above the first airbag 38 is started. The first airbag 37 is supplied with air during the period “t2”. Similarly, when the delay time T0 has elapsed from the start of air supply to the first airbag 37, the supply of air to the first airbag 36 located one step above the first airbag 37 starts. Then, air is supplied to the first airbag 36 during the period “t3”. As described above, the air supply / exhaust device 5 supplies air in order from the lowermost first airbag 38 to the uppermost first airbag 31 with a time delay of T0.

  When the air supply period for each of the first airbags 31 to 38 ends, the air supply / exhaust device 5 switches the valve of the control valve 52 and exhausts air from each of the first airbags 31 to 38. The exhaust period may be limited to a certain period after the air supply period, or may be always an exhaust period other than the air supply period.

  Further, in the air supply pattern of FIG. 3, the air supply period of each first airbag 3 does not start after the first air bag 3 ends, but at least a plurality of adjacent air bags 3 start. The air supply period is set so that the air supply periods of the first airbag 3 overlap. Thereby, the massage apparatus 1 can continuously give a stimulus (wide range stimulus) to the body of the user 2 from the first airbag 3. The lengths of the air supply periods t1 to t8 for each of the first airbags 31 to 38 may be different or the same. Also, the delay time (T0) may be different for each of the first airbags 31 to 38, or may be the same.

  In order to realize the air supply pattern as described above, the air supply / exhaust device 5 of the present embodiment is connected to the air pump 51 as a control valve 52 connected to the first airbags 31 to 38 as shown in FIG. A switching valve that switches the tip sequentially between a plurality of ports is used. That is, the control valve 52 has eight ports connected to the first airbag 3, connects the first airbags 31 to 38 that are different for each port, and sets the port to which the air pump 51 is connected. Switch in turn between these eight ports. Here, an electric rotary type (rotary type) switching valve whose port is switched in accordance with the rotation of the motor is used as the control valve 52. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a switching valve composed of a linearly movable electromagnetic valve is used. Also good.

  In this way, by using the switching valve for switching a plurality of ports as the control valve 52 for the first airbag 3, the air supply / exhaust device 5 is provided with an individual control valve for each of the first airbags 31 to 38. Compared to the case of using, the number of parts can be reduced and the size can be reduced. Therefore, space saving of the air supply / exhaust device 5 in the massage device 1 can be achieved.

  On the other hand, in the second mode, the air supply / exhaust device 5 repeatedly performs air supply / exhaust individually on the second airbags 41 to 48. For example, when a stimulus (local stimulation) is given to the user's 2 lumbar region, the air supply / exhaust device 5 repeatedly supplies and exhausts air to and from the second airbags 47 and 48 in the lowermost stage. Thereby, the 2nd airbag 4 can repeatedly give irritation | stimulation (local irritation | stimulation) with respect to the user's 2 body, and can reproduce a finger pressure compression massage. The air supply / exhaust device 5 may perform air supply / exhaust for one of the plurality of second airbags 41 to 48, or supply / exhaust for a plurality of the same simultaneously. May be performed.

  According to the massage device 1 of the present embodiment described above, by providing the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4, the user 2 can selectively select contradictory stimuli (wide range stimulation and local stimulation). Can be given to the body. That is, the air supply / exhaust device 5 repeatedly supplies and exhausts air to and from the first airbag 3 so as to give local stimulation to the body of the user 2, and also from the second airbag 4 to the body of the user 2. Air supply / exhaust to the second airbag 4 is repeated so as to give a stimulus. As a result, the massage device 1 uses the first airbag 3 to give the user 2 a broader and weaker stimulus (wide range stimulus) than the second airbag 4, and uses the second airbag 4. Thus, compared to the first airbag 3, a local and strong stimulation (local stimulation) is given.

  In the present embodiment, since the second airbag 4 is stacked on the front surface side of the first airbag 3, the second airbag 4 is a buffer member for the first airbag 3. And the pressing force from the first airbag 3 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to realize a relatively weak stimulus (wide range stimulus) without a sense of incongruity compared to the case where the intensity of the stimulus is simply adjusted by the air supply amount.

  Here, the massage apparatus 1 applies a wide range of stimulation from the first airbag 3 while moving along the body of the user 2, so that the body and mind can be applied with relatively weak stimulation as in the case of a massage massage. Can be used to relax and relieve fatigue. Moreover, the massage apparatus 1 can give the effect of loosening a body by a comparatively strong stimulus or eliminating stiffness by local stimulation from the second airbag 4 as in the case of acupressure massage. Therefore, the massage device 1 of the present embodiment can achieve both acupressure massage and brush massage with a relatively simple configuration. As a result, the massage device 1 can greatly improve the satisfaction level of the user 2 by causing the user 2 to select the massage function (first mode / second mode) according to the state of mind and body when used.

  By the way, as described above, it is desirable that the stimulation by the first airbag 3 is relatively weak and continuous, and conversely, the stimulation by the second airbag 4 is desirably relatively strong and local. . Therefore, it is necessary to change the air supply / exhaust amount or supply / exhaust speed between the second airbag 4 and the first airbag 3. Such adjustment of the supply / exhaust amount or supply / exhaust speed may be realized by adjusting the discharge amount of the air pump 51 of the supply / exhaust device 5, but the general air pump 51 corresponds to the adjustment of the discharge amount. Not done. It is conceivable to use two air pumps 51 having different performances for the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4, but in this case, the cost increases due to the increase in the number of the air pumps 51 and the air pump 51 Installation location becomes a problem.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, only one general air pump 51 is used, and the first airbag 3 has at least one speed of supply and exhaust compared to the second airbag 4. A slow-down configuration is adopted. The air pump 51 used here has a performance corresponding to the supply / exhaust amount and supply / exhaust speed of the second airbag 4 that gives strong stimulation (local stimulation).

  Specifically, the massage device 1 according to the present embodiment employs at least one of first to third configurations described below.

  As a first configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, at least one vent 301 for supplying and exhausting air is formed in each of the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4. , 401 have different opening areas. In the example of FIG. 5, one air vent 301 of the first airbag 3 is used for both air supply and exhaust, and one air vent 401 of the second airbag 4 is used for air supply and exhaust. It is also used in. The opening areas of these vent holes 301 and 401 are set to be smaller in the vent hole 301 of the first airbag 3 than in the vent hole 401 of the second airbag 4. The vent here is used for air supply / exhaust of a nozzle connected to the air pipes 6 by being attached to the air supply / exhaust holes provided in the air bags 3, 4 themselves or the holes of the air bags 3, 4 themselves. Shows the route mouth.

  As the second configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, the first air bag 3 and the second air bag 4 are used to open at least one flow path opening for air supply / exhaust in the air supply / exhaust device 5. Different areas. In the example of FIG. 6, the opening area of the ports (flow channel openings) of the electromagnetic valves 531 and 532 serving as the control valves of the air supply / exhaust device 5 is the same as that of the second air in the electromagnetic valve 531 connected to the first airbag 3. It is set smaller than the electromagnetic valve 532 connected to the bag 4. That is, the supply port 541 of the solenoid valve 531 has a smaller opening area than the supply port 542 of the solenoid valve 532, and the exhaust port 551 of the solenoid valve 531 is the exhaust port 552 of the solenoid valve 532. The opening area is reduced compared to

  Further, in this case, it is desirable to restrict the exhaust port 551 of the electromagnetic valve 531 more than the air supply port 541 and to reduce the exhaust speed of the first airbag 3 compared to the air supply. When the load (weight) of the user 2 is applied, the exhaust speed is accelerated. Therefore, if the opening area is the same at the air supply flow path opening and the exhaust flow path opening, the exhaust air is exhausted from the expansion speed of the first airbag 3 by the air supply. The contraction speed due to may be faster. Thereby, the continuity of the wide range stimulation from the 1st airbag 3 may be impaired bodily. On the other hand, if the exhaust speed of the first airbag 3 is slower than the air supply speed, the continuity of the wide range stimulation from the first airbag 3 is improved.

  As a third configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, the first air bag 3 and the second air bag 4 have different flow path cross-sectional areas of the air pipe 6 that connects between the air supply / exhaust device 5. In the example of FIG. 7, one air pipe 61 connected to the first airbag 3 is used for both supply and exhaust, and one air pipe 62 connected to the second airbag 4 is used for supply and exhaust. It is also used for both. The cross-sectional areas of the air pipes 61 and 62 are set so that the air pipe 61 on the first airbag 3 side is smaller than the air pipe 62 on the second airbag 4 side. In FIG. 7, the cross-sectional areas are made different over the entire length of the air pipe 6 by using pipes having different inner diameters. The flow path cross-sectional areas may be different.

  By adopting these first to third configurations, the inflation / compression speed of the first airbag 3 can be made slower than that of the second airbag 4, and as a result, the first airbag 3. It is possible to reproduce a massage without feeling uncomfortable. Note that only one of the first to third configurations may be employed, or a plurality may be employed in combination.

  More specifically, when the air supply speed of the first airbag 3 is slower than that of the second airbag 4, the pressing force from the first airbag 3 is slowly transmitted to the body of the user 2, and the user feels uncomfortable. Continuous stimulation (wide range stimulation) can be given. On the other hand, the pressing force from the second airbag 4 improves the responsiveness to the supply air, so that stimulation (local stimulation) can be given in a refreshing manner.

  In addition, when the exhaust speed of the first airbag 3 is slower than that of the second airbag 4, the pressing force from the first airbag 3 decreases slowly, and continuous stimulation without a sense of incongruity (wide range stimulation) ) Can be given. Particularly, when the load (weight) of the user 2 is applied, the contraction (exhaust) speed of the first airbag 3 is accelerated. Therefore, in the massage device 1 having a reclining function, the exhaust speed of the first airbag 3 is increased. It is useful to slow down.

  Thus, there is an advantage that only the one of the air supply speed and the exhaust speed is slower in the first airbag 3 than in the second airbag 4, so that the supply in the first airbag 3 is advantageous. Only one of the air speed and the exhaust speed may be configured to be slow.

  Further, when both the air supply speed and the exhaust speed in the first airbag 3 are slowed down, the stimulation from the first airbag 3 and the stimulation from the second airbag 4 are caused by a synergistic effect. Differences can be clarified. Therefore, the massage device 1 can perform a more effective massage by clearly using the massage massage using the first airbag 3 and the finger pressure massage using the second airbag 4. .

  The structure of the said embodiment is only an example, and the structure of each part can be changed suitably. For example, in order to improve the effect of the massage massage, the first airbag 3 is not limited to eight in the height direction of the backrest part 12, and nine or more may be provided to increase the continuity of stimulation. It may be provided over the entire surface of the backrest 12. The number of the second airbags 4 is not limited to eight but may be nine or more or seven or less as long as it is an appropriate number for obtaining a massage effect according to the shape of the backrest 12 or the like. Also good. In particular, the massage effect is improved by providing the position and the number of second airbags 4 corresponding to the points of the human body.

  The massage device 1 is not limited to a vehicle seat installed in a vehicle cabin, and may be a general massage chair used in a house or the like. Furthermore, at least one of the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4 may be provided in the seat portion 11. Thereby, massage to a buttocks and a thigh is attained. Or at least one of the 1st airbag 3 and the 2nd airbag 4 may be provided in headrest 13, and may be used for sleepiness prevention etc. by massaging to a head. Furthermore, at least one of the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4 may be provided on the footrest, and may be used for fatigue recovery, sleepiness prevention, etc. by performing massage on the soles.

(Embodiment 2)
As shown in FIG. 8A, the massage device 1 of the present embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that a cushioning material 17 is provided between the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4. It is different from the massage device 1. Hereinafter, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  The cushioning material 17 is formed in a single plate shape and disposed on the front surface of the first airbag 3, and the second airbag 3 is disposed between the cushioning material 17 and the skin member 16. . That is, the second airbag 4 is overlapped with the first airbag 3 via the cushioning material 17. The buffer material 17 is preferably made of urethane resin, felt material, or the like in consideration of sitting comfort.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, the cushioning material 17 has a two-layer structure in which a layer on the second airbag 4 side is formed of a hard material rather than the first airbag 3 side. desirable. In the configuration of FIG. 8B, the cushioning material 17 has a two-layer structure of a soft layer 171 made of a soft material and a hard layer 172 made of a hard material, and the hard layer 172 is made to be the second airbag 4. It is arranged toward the. When the buffer material 17 is made of urethane resin, the soft layer 171 may be made of soft urethane resin, and the hard layer 172 may be made of hard urethane resin.

  According to the above configuration, not only the second airbag 4 but also the cushioning material 17 functions as a cushioning member with respect to the first airbag 3. This makes it possible to reproduce a massage without a sense of incongruity. Further, in this massage device 1, since one cushioning material 17 functions as a cushioning member for the plurality of first airbags 3, the continuity of stimulation between the adjacent first airbags 3 is improved. Improves the sitting comfort when sitting. Moreover, in the second airbag 4, the reaction force from the cushioning material 17 acts from the back side when inflated, so that the stimulation (local stimulation) applied to the body of the user 2 can be made stronger. .

  Furthermore, since the cushioning material 17 has a two-layer structure of the soft layer 171 and the hard layer 172, the reaction force acting on the second airbag 4 from the hard layer 172 when the second airbag 4 is inflated is compared. Become bigger. Therefore, the second airbag 4 can reduce the loss of the pressing force due to the pressing force escaping to the back side when inflated, and can maintain strong stimulation (local stimulation).

  Other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Seating type massage apparatus 2 User 3,31-38 1st airbag 4,41-48 2nd airbag 5 Air supply / exhaust device 6,61,62 Air piping 11 Seat part 12 Backrest part 14 Frame member 16 Epidermis Member 17 Buffer material 172 Hard layer 51 Air pump 52 Control valve (switching valve)
301, 401 Vents 541, 542, 551, 552 Ports (flow channel ports)

Claims (11)

A seating type massage device having a seat portion and a backrest portion and used in a posture in which a user is seated,
A frame member that supports the user's body, a first airbag that is held by the frame member, and that stimulates the user's body by repeatedly expanding and contracting, and the first airbag It is arranged in a position closer to the user's body than the first airbag, and is locally stimulated to the user's body compared to the first airbag by repeatedly expanding and contracting. A second airbag for providing the first airbag, a skin member for covering the first airbag and the second airbag, and the first airbag and the second airbag, respectively. Air supply and exhaust system
The air supply / exhaust device repeatedly supplies and exhausts air to and from the first airbag so as to stimulate the user's body from the first airbag, and separates the first airbag from the first airbag. A seating type massage device that repeatedly supplies and exhausts air to and from the second airbag so as to stimulate the user's body from the second airbag. The first airbag and the second airbag are built in the backrest part,
The first airbag is formed so that the dimension of the backrest portion in the width direction is larger than that of the second airbag, and a plurality of the first airbags are arranged along the height direction of the backrest portion. The sitting type massage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein   The air supply / exhaust device supplies and exhausts air to and from the plurality of first airbags so that the plurality of first airbags inflate and contract in order along the height direction of the backrest portion. The seating type massage device according to claim 2, wherein the steps are performed in a predetermined order.   The first air bag according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the speed of at least one of air supply and exhaust by the air supply / exhaust device is slower than that of the second air bag. The sitting type massage device as described.   The first airbag and the second airbag have different opening areas of at least one of the air supply and exhaust vents formed in each of the first airbag and the second airbag, and the opening area is the first airbag. The seated massage device according to claim 4, wherein the bag is smaller than the second airbag.   The first airbag and the second airbag have different opening areas of at least one flow path opening for air supply and exhaust in the air supply / exhaust device, and the opening area is the first airbag. The seating type massage device according to claim 4, wherein the side is smaller than the second airbag.   The first airbag and the second airbag have different cross-sectional areas of the air piping connecting the air supply / exhaust device, and the cross-sectional area of the first airbag is higher than that of the second airbag. The seated massage apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the seated massage apparatus is smaller than the airbag. The air supply / exhaust device includes an air pump and a switching valve that sequentially switches a connection destination of the air pump between a plurality of ports.
4. The seated massage apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of first airbags is connected to each port of the switching valve. 5.   The seating type massage device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a cushioning material is provided between the first airbag and the second airbag.   The seating type massage according to claim 9, wherein the cushioning material has a two-layer structure in which a layer on the second airbag side is formed of a harder material than the first airbag side. apparatus. The seated massage apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the seated massage apparatus is installed in a vehicle compartment of a vehicle and used as a vehicle seat.

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