JP2019025299A - Massage machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a massage machine small, light weight, and portable, capable of preventing deviation of a massage position during treatment, and accurately applying massage.SOLUTION: A massage machine (1) having a pair of tip portions positioned in body surface both surfaces of a treatment portion of a subject P includes: pressing means (12,21,22) for pressing the pair of tip portions to directions opposed to each other by a first elastic force (F1); a pair of rotation drive parts (24) provided in support parts at both sides of the pressing means; a pair of massage heads (23)connected to the rotation axis of the respective rotation drive parts, and having a plurality of contact pieces (40) rotating (revolving) on the body surface through the rotation of the rotation axis; and a pair of positional deviation prevention parts (36) for surrounding the plurality of contact pieces around the massage head, allowing the rotation of the rotary axis, and preventing or suppressing positional deviation on the body surface during the rotation of the contact pieces while being abutted on the body surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a massage machine that can massage a part of the face of a human body and the like, and more particularly, to a massage machine that can be easily transported and can perform operations such as masticatory muscle physical therapy.

  In recent years, it has been frequently pointed out that oral illnesses and functional declines are the cause of systemic illnesses and the longevity of society.

  The oral cavity has a role as a digestive organ of mastication and swallowing of food and drink, a role as a respiratory organ of breathing and vocalization, and a role as a sensory organ that accepts the taste, temperature and touch (food texture) of food and drink Yes. The oral cavity plays this important role, but many different muscles and other structures share various functions. In particular, the function of the jaw movement that opens and closes the mouth by chewing food or talking is played by the masticatory muscles that move the temporomandibular joint. Oral function is reduced by various factors. Temporomandibular disorders, one of the factors, is a typical dental disease with millions of patients, but the mouth does not open, opening the mouth hurts the temporomandibular joint in front of the ear, or straightens the mouth The face is distorted without opening or noise is generated from the joints, causing serious problems to life.

  The reality is that no cure has yet been established to completely stop the deterioration of oral function. However, by applying massage and training appropriately, it is possible to activate (activate) the oral function and stop the functional deterioration.

  For example, masticatory muscle massage that moves the lower jaw to open and close the mouth has been shown to be effective in treating muscle pain associated with temporomandibular disorders and opening disorders that make it difficult to open the mouth (non-patented) See literature). In addition, it has been found that activation (activation) of the masticatory movement has a positive effect on dry mouth and dysphagia.

  Conventionally, devices described in Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 are known as devices for performing massage treatment of masticatory muscles. The devices described in these patent documents are treatment devices that are completely different from beauty devices such as a beauty roller. Specifically, it is a medical massage robot that treats temporomandibular disorders by applying massage to the masticatory muscles using a full-fledged massage method and a light rub method. Since this robotic treatment is part of the medical practice, it is operated by a doctor.

WO / 2008/041457 JP 2010-75571 A JP2009-240353

Akitoshi Katsumata, Yukihiro Iida, Masahiro Fujishita, Masahiro Izumi, Masako Ichiji, Nobumi Ogi, Chinami Igarashi, Takanori Kosano, Hiroshi Ishii, Hiroki Koga, Yuichi Kobogawa, Ikuo Takanishi. Clinical application, Journal of Temporomandibular Joint Society, 21 (2): 110-115.2009.

  However, the above-described medical robot is attached to a treatment chair, includes an arm that holds a contact (bump ball) at the tip, and operates according to a command from a computer. For this reason, the apparatus is increased in size and weight and is accompanied by computer operation. In other words, when trying to improve the therapeutic effect by performing masticatory muscle massage several times a week for about 15 minutes, it is not possible to set a massage machine easily, and it takes time and effort for the operation of the doctor. An increase in burden cannot be avoided.

  In addition, since it is necessary to provide a chair on which the patient sits, this is a heavy load, which is not easily carried by a doctor or the like in a medical facility, and is a burden on the operation of the doctor who performs the treatment.

  Further, in the case of such a medical massage robot, a doctor sets the contact (scum ball) near the masticatory muscles on the patient's face. The robot rotates the contact according to a predetermined algorithm. During the rotation, the contact is moved from the initial set position depending on the state of the patient's body surface (skeleton, body surface friction, etc.). Often deviated. Of course, the massage in a shifted state is not surgically good, so the doctor cannot keep an eye on during the operation, and this also increases the operational burden on the doctor.

  Therefore, the present invention is intended to solve the problems of conventional medical massage machines for massaging the face, etc., and is small and light and portable, and can prevent displacement of the massage position during the treatment. Provided is a massage machine that can accurately massage a part of the body (face, leg muscles, etc.) of a user (patient) under treatment or instructions by a dentist or the like.

  In order to achieve the above object, the massage machine (1) according to one aspect of the present invention is configured so that the treatment parts (for example, the face and the leg) of the user (P) face each other or substantially face each other during treatment. Pressing means (12 (21, 22)) for pressing the pair of support portions (22C) respectively positioned on the body surface with the first elastic force (F1) on the body surface, A pair of rotation drive units (24) provided on the side of each of the pair of parts facing the treatment part of the user. Further, the massage machine is connected to the rotation shaft (24A) of each of the pair of rotation drive units, and abuts against the body surface with a second elastic force (F2) to rotate the rotation shaft. A pair of massage heads (23) each provided with a plurality of massage contacts (40) that can rotate on the body surface and roll on the body surface, and each of the pair of massage heads When the contactors rotate while being in contact with the body surface with the first elastic force and surrounding the plurality of contacts and allowing the rotation of the rotating shaft. A pair of misregistration prevention units (36) are provided, which prevent or suppress misregistration on the body surface.

  As a result, the first elastic force generated by the pressing means is obtained by bringing a pair of massage heads into contact with each other so as to sandwich the surface of the face (for example, the masticatory muscle or the temporal muscle) or the thigh as a treatment site. Based on the force, the treatment site is pressed from both sides. For this reason, the plurality of contacts rotate (revolve) on the surface of the treatment site, so that the plurality of contacts alternately pass through the same point in a wavy manner. Thereby, the point is massaged by a heel function or a light rubbing function.

  At this time, the pair of misregistration prevention portions surround the plurality of contacts, respectively, and press the treatment site around them. By this pressing, the surface of the treatment site is relatively slightly expanded and hardened and flattened. For this reason, the situation in which the multiple contactors receive extra reaction force or pulling force due to the unevenness or softness of the treatment site with its rotation (revolution) is almost certainly eliminated, so movement by rotation (revolution) Becomes easier. At the same time, the plurality of contacts are provided with a pressing function by pressing the position shift prevention portion, so that the position shift due to the rotation (revolution) of the plurality of contacts is reliably prevented.

  On the other hand, the massage machine according to the present invention has a relatively simple configuration in which a rotation drive unit, a massage head, and a misregistration prevention unit are attached to each of a pair of support portions opposed to the treatment site of the pressing means. For this reason, as a massage machine, it is small and lightweight, and can be carried by a doctor or a user.

  In the main configuration, as a preferred example, the misalignment prevention unit has a bottom surface fixedly supported by the tip portion, includes the plurality of contacts rotatably, and is provided on the body surface side. The cup is a one-side open cup with the surface open, and the depth of the cup is set so that the contact protrudes from the open surface in a natural state where no external force is applied.

  More preferably, the pressing means has the pair of tip portions, and has a substantially U-shaped arm portion that generates the first elastic force during the treatment, and the second portion during the treatment. And a first elastic member that applies the elastic force to the cup.

  More preferably, the cup is supported by a support portion from the tip portion, the support portion includes the elastic member, and the cup is detachably attached to the support portion.

  In addition, preferably, a controller for controlling the rotational drive of the pair of rotational drive units is provided, and the controller is housed in the case unit integrally or separately from the massage machine. And an electrical mechanism for controlling the rotational drive of the pair of rotational drive units.

  The effects of these configurations will become apparent from various embodiments and modifications thereof described in conjunction with the following drawings.

In the accompanying drawings,
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mounted state of the massage machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view (part (A)), a front view (part (B)), and a side view (part C) of the massage machine according to the embodiment except for the control box. 3 is a partially broken perspective view (FIG. (A)), side view (FIG. (B)), and A of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the -A line (same figure C)). FIG. 4 is a side view of the kneading ball holding part of the massage machine according to the embodiment (FIG. 4A), and a partially broken side view along the line A-A in FIG. It is a figure (B). FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control elements housed in the control box of the massage machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart illustrating electric motor control for massage executed by the control circuit. FIG. 7 is a model diagram schematically illustrating a dynamic system for pressing the treatment site of the user in the massage machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating prevention of displacement due to pressing of a cup when massaging a treatment site of a user. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the position of the treatment site (masticatory muscles) of the user and the motion of the kneading balls. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3C, showing another example of the cup and kneading ball holding mechanism in the embodiment described above. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the massage machine of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining another modified example. FIG. 13: is the side view (the figure (A)) and front view (the figure (B)) explaining 2nd Embodiment of the massage machine based on this invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining another example of use of the massage machine of the present invention, illustrating an example when the thigh of the human body is set as a treatment position.

  Hereinafter, a preferred first embodiment of a massage machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a portable massage machine 1 according to the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as a portable massage machine or simply a massage machine) during treatment and how it is attached to a user (patient) P. Show.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the massage machine 1 is configured so that the user P holds a part of the massage machine P, specifically, a control box 11 (case part), which will be described later, on the chest with both hands, and the control box 11 It is used in a state in which both end portions of the arm portion 12 extending in a substantially U shape are in contact with the treatment site of the face. For this reason, it can be easily attached and detached by removing the arm part 12 from the user P. Therefore, the massage machine 1 is configured as a portable device that is portable. The massage machine 1 is set on the user P by a doctor or a person who has received an instruction (hereinafter referred to as a doctor).

  First, the configuration and function of the arm unit 12 will be described. 2A, 2B, and 2C are a perspective view, a front view, and a side view of the arm portion 12, respectively. Here, when the arm portion 12 is attached to the user P for treatment, the direction of the user P viewed from the front and rear is referred to as the front-rear direction, and the side of the face is referred to as the lateral direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the arm portion 12 has a plate spring 21 having a substantially U shape when viewed from the front and rear direction and a rectangular shape when viewed from the lateral direction, and both ends of the plate spring 21. Two arm extension portions 22 fixed to the respective portions and further extending the leaf spring 21; two massage heads 23 attached to the respective tips of the arm extension portions 22; and electric drive as two rotational drive portions And a motor 24. The plate spring 21 and the two arm extensions 22 maintain the above-described substantially U-shape as a whole.

  The plate spring 21 is made of, for example, a steel member, and given a predetermined tension on the inside, that is, in the lateral direction. That is, when the leaf spring 21 is to be expanded laterally outward from its U-shaped angle in its natural state, a tension (first elastic force) F1 that is pulled laterally inward by the tension acts. Both arm extension portions 22 are formed so as to have a stepped shape when viewed from the front-rear direction FR (when mounted), and spread outward in the lateral direction LT. Each of the arm extensions 22 is a plate material made of, for example, metal or plastic that does not have a spring property.

  Each of the arm extension portions 22 includes a lower straight plate portion 22A, an inclined plate portion 22B extending in the extending direction from the end of the straight plate portion 22A and spreading outward in the lateral direction, and an end of the inclined plate portion 22B. To an upper straight plate portion 22C extending in the extending direction in parallel with the lower straight plate portion 22A. The lower straight plate portion 22A is fixed to both upper end portions of the leaf spring 21 via fixing members such as screws. For this reason, the tension (first elastic force) F1 of the leaf spring 21 serving as the base is transmitted as it is to the respective distal ends of the arm extension portions 22, and when the leaf spring 21 is spread outward in the lateral direction, The tension F1 acts on the inner side in the lateral direction.

  Further, the two massage heads 23 and the two electric motors 24 are respectively provided on the side surfaces of the upper straight plate portion 22C of each arm extension portion 22 in the lateral direction LT. This attachment state is shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, the electric motor 24 functions as a rotational drive source fixed on the laterally outer side of the lower linear plate portion 22A. The electric motor 24 is, for example, a bipolar stepping motor, and its rotating shaft 24A is loosely inserted into a hole HL (see FIG. 3C) provided in the upper straight plate portion 22C, and the upper straight plate portion 22C. Extends laterally inward. The rotational drive of the electric motor 24 is controlled by a controller provided in the control box 11 described later.

  Further, the rotational driving force of the rotating shaft 24 </ b> A of the electric motor 24 is transmitted to each of the two massage heads 23. Further, each pad 23 is configured to hold a portion that receives the rotation of the rotating shaft 24A by the second and third elastic forces F2 and F3. Specifically, as can be seen from FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, each massage head 23 is attached to the upper straight plate portion 22C on the lateral inner surface of the plate portion. Four bolts 31 with coil springs (with suspension) and a joint 33 into which a part of the front end side of the rotating shaft 24A is inserted and fixed to the rotating shaft 24A by a screw 32 are provided. The bolt 31 with a coil spring includes a coil spring 34 as a second elastic member. When the bolt 31 is compressed downward from the head direction of the bolt 31, a second elastic force F2 is generated which tends to repel and extend. (See FIG. 3C).

  These four bolts 31 (and coil springs 34) are configured to support a bottom portion 36BT of a cup 36, which will be described later, from the upper straight plate portion 22C so as to be movable up and down within a predetermined range of the cup. Moreover, the four bolts 31 (and the coil springs 34) are independent of each other with respect to the vertical movement of the cup 36 described later.

  The joint 33 is formed in, for example, an aluminum cylindrical shape, and has a hole for inserting a part of the rotating shaft 24A of the electric motor 24 as described above. The joint 33 rotates integrally when the rotating shaft 24A rotates (see an arrow R1 in FIG. 3C). In the joint 33, a step portion 33A is formed in the vicinity of the center of the outer peripheral surface in the longitudinal direction.

  A mechanism for rotating and holding a massaging ball (contactor) 40 (described later) for treatment of each massage head 23 is configured using this stepped portion 33A. In other words, in this kneading ball rotation holding mechanism, each massage head 23 has a resin-made cup 36, a joint 33 that connects the cup side and the electric motor side in addition to the above-described mechanism on the electric motor side, A kneading ball holding portion 37 that is slidably attached to the distal end side of the joint 33 that penetrates the bottom portion 36BT and is coupled to the rotary shaft 24A of the electric motor (see FIG. 3C). A hole 36HL having a predetermined diameter is opened at the center of the bottom 36BT of the cup 36. The joint 33 is loosely inserted through the hole 36HL, and the rotation of the electric motor 24 can be transmitted to the kneading ball rotation holding mechanism independently of the cup 36.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the kneading ball holding portion 37 is a base portion 38 and a third portion disposed between the base portion 38 and the stepped portion 33A of the joint 33. 1 coil spring 39 (see FIG. 3C) as an elastic member of the above, and three resin and spherical kneading balls 40 (three at each end of the arm portion 12) held by the base portion 38. And kneading balls). For this reason, the coil spring 39 and the four coil springs 34 described above are the same in that they are supported by the upper straight plate portion 22C, but are mechanically coupled in parallel to the plate portion 22C and independent from each other. A dynamic system model is constructed (see FIG. 7).

  The base portion 38 is formed of metal or plastic, and includes a disk 38A on a disc and two types of cylinders 38B and 38C that are integrally projected on the front and back surfaces. Among these, one cylindrical body 38B protrudes from the center part of the back surface. As shown in FIG. 3C, the cylindrical body 38B has a hole NA opened on the end side thereof, and a portion on the tip side of the joint 33 is inserted into the hole NA. They are fixed integrally with each other. Therefore, when the joint 33, that is, the rotating shaft 24A of the electric motor 24 rotates, the rotational force is transmitted to the disk 38A, and the disk 38A rotates.

  Further, the coil spring 39 is wound around the joint 33 and is interposed between the lower end of the cylindrical body 38 </ b> B and the bottom surface of the cup 36. An elongated hole NA through which the inserted spring pin 41 can move up and down is formed on the side surface of the cylinder 38B (see FIG. 4A).

  Therefore, when a compressive force is applied from the disk 38A to the coil spring 39, the coil spring 39 generates a repulsive force (third elastic force) F3 that repels it (see FIG. 3C). When the compressive force exceeds the spring constant of the coil spring 39, the coil spring 39 starts to contract. This contraction causes the oblong hole NA of a certain length to pass through the spring pin 41 on the front side (inner side in the lateral direction: (see FIG. 4A). By moving to), only that amount of movement is absorbed.

  In the present embodiment, the tension (first elastic force) F1 of the leaf spring 21, the second elastic force F2 of the coil spring 34 as the second elastic member, and the coil spring 39 as the third elastic member. The relationship of the third elastic force F3 is set such that F1> F2 = F3. Further, in the natural state in which no force is applied to the coil springs 34 and 39, the apex of the kneading balls 40 protrudes from the end of the cup 36 by a predetermined height H as shown in FIG. Is formed.

  As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, another type of cylindrical body 38 </ b> C is projected on the surface of the disk 38 </ b> A at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 3A, the protruding positions are arranged at equal angles in the circumferential direction around the central axis O on the surface of the disk 38A. Note that, at the position of the central axis O, one cylindrical body 38B fixed and coupled to the joint 33 on the back surface is located.

Each of the three cylinders 38C is provided with a pedestal 42 with the disk 38A at the bottom. The size of the inner height Hc (excluding the thickness of the pedestal 42) of the cylindrical body 38C is set to be higher than the diameter D _M / 2 of the kneading balls 40 by a predetermined amount. Further, it formed to be larger by a predetermined length than the diameter D _M of the diameter D _T is massaging balls 40 of the cylindrical body 38C. For this reason, the kneading balls 40 are placed on the surface of the pedestal 42 so as to roll freely. That is, the kneading ball holding portion 37 is rotated in any one of the circumferential directions as indicated by the arrow R1 (see FIG. 3C) by the rotation drive of the electric motor 24. At this time, each kneading ball 40 itself Are capable of rolling (spinning) freely while being held by the respective cylinders 28 </ b> C, in accordance with contact friction with the face. By this rolling, the masticatory muscles (such as the masseter and temporal muscles) under the face can be massaged by rotating (revolving) on the face while the kneading balls 40 are pressed against the face.

  Further, a protrusion (not shown) is formed on a part of the open end on the inside of each cylinder 38C. For this reason, each kneading ball 40 is formed so as not to jump out of the outside while rolling freely with the inner bore of each cylindrical body 38C.

  When the cup 36 rotates the kneading balls 40 on the face of the user P, the misalignment of the kneading balls 40 during the rotation (the position of the kneading balls 40 contacting the face changes with the rotation). ). For this reason, the cup 36 is formed as a bottomed cup made of silicon in order to prevent this displacement and maintain a good treatment feeling. As described above, the bottom portion 36BT of the cup 36 is held by the joint 33 so as to be vertically movable by a coil spring 39 within a predetermined range.

  The open end portion 36OT of the cup 36 is a part that comes into contact with the face of the user P, and is formed to have a size that surrounds the masticatory muscles from above the face. The open end portion 36OT is formed integrally from the wall portion 36W of the cup 36, and is formed by folding outward at the end portion position. Thereby, coupled with the elasticity of the cup 36 itself, the open end 36OT can exhibit the fourth elastic force (see FIG. 3C). The fourth elastic force is mainly intended to widen the contact area of the user P to the face and strengthen the adhesion, and to maintain a good treatment feeling (not painful).

  Of course, instead of the open end 36OT, it may be formed thicker toward the end. Further, it may be a single end portion that extends straight from the wall portion 36W instead of the folded structure. In this case, the fourth elastic force is almost zero.

  Furthermore, the shape of the cup 36 is a bottomed cylindrical shape in the present embodiment, but it is not necessarily a cylindrical shape, and the shape can be freely selected as long as the kneading ball holding portion 37 can be included. That is, as in this embodiment, the shape of the open end portion 36OT does not need to be circular as shown in FIG. 3A when viewed from the open direction, and is formed according to the shape of the treatment site. May be. For example, the open end 36OT may be elliptical or substantially triangular when viewed from the open direction.

  At the time of the treatment, as shown in FIG. 3B, an antibacterial cover 49 that covers the entire open end portion 36OT of the cup 36 including the kneading balls 40 is attached. The cover 49 is formed with rubber around it and is easily detachable. Of course, the locking member is not limited to rubber, and a surface fastener or the like may be used.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control box 11 described above is formed in a box-like size that allows the user P to hold the chest with both hands. As shown in FIG. 2, the control box 11 includes a support bar 51 fixed to the center position of the plate spring 21 in the longitudinal direction, that is, the center part of the U-shaped bottom, and the support bar. And a flat box-like substrate case 52 supported by 51. As shown in FIG. 2A, a gap KH that can be loosely inserted into the leaf spring 21 is provided at both ends 52A of the substrate case 52. Therefore, the leaf spring 21 is supported by the support bar 51, that is, the control box 11 while being inserted and locked in the gap KH on both sides.

  At the time of treatment, a doctor or a doctor's instruction (including the user P itself) sets the tip of the arm 12 on the face of the user P while the arm 12 is slightly expanded by hand. The change in the U-shaped angle of the leaf spring 21 due to the spread of the arm portion 12 at this time is absorbed by the play of the gap KH.

  Inside the substrate case 52, a control board 55 is built in which the electric motor 24 is rotated and its rotational drive is controlled. As shown in FIG. 5, the control board 55 includes control elements such as an interface circuit 61, a control circuit 62, and a driver 63 that receive commands from various switches and indicators. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the control circuit 62 includes arithmetic processing elements such as a CPU 62A, ROM 62B, and RAM 62C, and is configured to control the rotation of the electric motor 24 under software processing. Of course, this control circuit may be constituted by a digital circuit such as a logic circuit.

  The ROM 62B stores in advance a massage machine operation program that is activated in response to an instruction from the user. The CPU 62A reads out the operation program in the ROM 62B in accordance with an instruction from the user, and sequentially executes the procedure. The RAM 62C is used as a temporary storage area for data being operated by the CPU 62A.

  On the other hand, as various switches and indicators, a power on / off switch 64, a start switch 65 for instructing massage start, a forward / reverse switch 66 for instructing rotation (forward / reverse rotation) of the electric motor 24, and massage time Includes a timer 67 and various display LEDs 68.

  FIG. 6 shows a representative example of the operation program of this massage machine. When the massage operation is instructed, the CPU 62A reads from the switch 66 or the timer 67 that instructs the massage conditions (motor rotation direction (forward / reverse rotation), massage time) (step S1). Next, the CPU 62A checks whether or not the massage start preparation is completed and the start switch 65 is pressed (step S2). If YES, the CPU 62A instructs the driver 63 to rotate in the direction commanded (step S3). Thereby, the electric motor 24 starts to rotate in the instructed direction, and massage treatment is disclosed. Furthermore, CPU62A measures the remaining time of the designated massage time (for example, 15 minutes) with the start of a massage (timer), and displays the measurement time (step S4).

  Further, the CPU 62A reads an instruction of a stop button from the patient or the operator, and determines whether or not to stop the massage without waiting for the end of the massage time for some reason (step S5). If NO in this determination, the massage can be continued, and it is then determined from the timer whether or not the designated massage time has elapsed (step S6). If the determination is YES, it is determined that the massage time has ended, and the driver 63 is instructed to stop the electric motor 24 (step S7). On the other hand, if the determination in step S6 is NO, the process returns to step S5 and the above-described process is repeated until the massage time is up.

  On the other hand, when it becomes YES in determination of step S5 mentioned above, it is a case where it is desired to cancel a massage on the way. In this case, the CPU 62A advances the process to step S7 and stops the rotation of the electric motor 25 on the way.

  From the above configuration, when the left and right massage heads 23 are respectively attached to the surface (face) of the site where the masticatory muscle (massage, temporal muscle, etc.) MA of the user P is present, As shown in FIG. 1, the elastic force acting on the LT is a value obtained by combining the tension F1 (first elastic force), the second elastic force F2, and / or the third elastic force F3. The dynamic system model at this time is expressed as shown in FIG.

  That is, as schematically shown in FIG. 8, the cup has a pressing force obtained by combining two first and third elastic forces F1 and F3 among these elastic forces F1, F2, and F3. 36 edges are brought into contact with the treatment site on both sides of the face of the user P. Further, with the pressing force obtained by combining the first and second elastic forces F1 and F2 (this force is set to about 10 N, for example), the kneading balls 40 are applied to the treatment person P on both sides of the face. Abut. The second and third pressing forces are substantially balanced between the second and third elastic forces F2 and F3 during treatment, that is, when the open end 36OT of the cup 36 is pressed against and brought into contact with the treatment site. The massage force (pressing force) is set so as to be substantially determined by the first elastic force F1.

  For this reason, when an instruction to start treatment is received from the control box 11 in this wearing state, the electric motors 24 on both sides rotate in the same direction when viewed from one side of the lateral direction LT, for example. By this rotation, as shown schematically in FIG. 9, each kneading ball 40 also moves while rotating in the circumferential direction as indicated by an arrow R1 on the surface of the face (face of the position of the masticatory muscle). In other words, if the masticatory muscle MA is represented by a line, the pressing force by the kneading balls 40 is successively applied to the line MA (masticatory muscle) in the direction R2 intersecting with the line MA. That is, the pressing force applied in a wave manner with this time brings a massage effect to the face, that is, the masticatory muscle MA in the inside thereof, and a massage method by a light rubbing method.

  At this time, the kneading balls 40 are allowed to roll (spin) along with the rotation (revolution). For this reason, the kneading balls 40 can move smoothly on the face, and it is possible to achieve both prevention of deterioration of treatment feeling (such as a feeling of pressure due to pressing of the kneading balls) and securing of a reliable massage effect.

  Furthermore, even in the present embodiment, for example, when the plurality of kneading balls 40 rotate (revolve) in a state where they are in contact with the face in a state where the face of the cup 36 is not pressed, friction with the face and the degree of irregularity Due to the rotation, a plurality of massaging balls 40 as a whole easily move on the face, so-called misalignment is likely to occur. Usually, the treatment site (face and legs) is not flat, and the elasticity of the masticatory muscles inside it, for example, varies from point to point. Therefore, even if the resistance force received by the kneading balls 40 to rotate is the treatment site, Different for each point. In addition, the resistance force received by the plurality of kneading balls at the same time differs for each kneading ball. For this reason, in such a state, a force acting in a vector manner acts on one or a plurality of kneading balls with one kneading ball serving as a bag. Therefore, as a practical matter, when the plurality of kneading balls 40 are rotated without the cup 36 according to the present embodiment, the plurality of kneading balls 40 are displaced along with the rotation, so that the massage effect can be improved. It may end up massaged parts that should not be done.

  However, according to the present embodiment, the open end (edge) 36OT of the substantially cylindrical cup 36 is also pressed against the face (F1 + F3) so as to surround the three kneading balls 40 in contact with the face in the mounted state. It is contacted with. As a result of this contact, as shown in FIG. 8, the open end portion 36OT slightly presses the face surface inward, so that naturally, the surface of the masticatory muscle portion is flattened and hardened, and A little more than the surroundings (see symbol M in FIG. 8). For this reason, the rolling resistance of the surface of the raised part, that is, the part of the masticatory muscles is made uniform. Furthermore, the position of the cup 36 itself on the face is fixed by pressing the open end 36OT toward the inside of the face. Therefore, even when the three kneading balls 40 rotate (revolve) in the same direction, the rolling resistance received from the face surface is made uniform. Moreover, even if a force is applied to the kneading ball holding portion 37 so as to change the position of the three kneading balls 40 with rotation, the reaction force is regulated by the hole 36HL of the bottom portion 36BT of the cup 36. That is, the joint 33, that is, the position of the rotary shaft 24A of the electric motor 24 is restricted so as not to move. In the present embodiment, the so-called misalignment, in which both the actions are combined and the plurality of kneading balls 40 move as a whole on the face, can be reliably prevented.

Further, in the present embodiment, the joint 33 and the spring 38 are loosely inserted into the hole 36HL of the bottom portion 36BT of the cup 36. That is, the mechanism that holds the cup 36 and the mechanism that holds the three kneading balls 40 are mechanically independent from each other on the upper straight plate portion 22C. Further, the cup 36 is supported by four bolts 31 with coil springs so that the bottom 36BT can tilt. For this reason, when the cup 36 is brought into contact with the face of the user P, the angle of the surface formed by the open end portion 36OT of the cup 36 is tilted as indicated by imaginary lines IM ₁ and IM ₂ in FIG. Although the surface of the masticatory muscle MA on the face is rounded or inclined, there are individual differences in its shape, but such individual differences can be absorbed within a certain range, and the cup 36 can be reliably attached to the treatment site. It can abut and adhere closely, contributing to further enhancing the massage effect due to the acupuncture and light friction.

  From the above, the massage machine 1 according to the present embodiment exhibits the following operational effects.

  First, it is small and portable. Therefore, the user can carry this massage machine 1 to the place where the patient is present and treat it there. The patient needs to hold the part of the control box 11 by himself / herself after setting the arm part 12 to a desired treatment position and then performing massage for about 15 minutes (for example, about 15 minutes). To be treated. For this reason, the burden on the operation of the user is small. At this time, the user P is treated in a sitting posture or lying down on the reclining seat and lying on the bed.

  Furthermore, during treatment, that is, during massage treatment, the kneading balls 40 are not displaced due to their rotation (revolution). This is because the left and right three kneading balls 40 are pressed by the circular open end 36OT of the cup 36 with the first and second elastic forces F1 + F2. This is because a shaft 36 that revolves the three kneading balls 40 with the rotation of the motor, that is, the shaft blurring of the joint 33 connected to the rotating shaft 24A is restricted by the cup 36. Therefore, since there is no position shift on the face of the kneading balls 40, the user is hardly required to correct the position shift. In this respect, the burden on the user can be reduced and the massage time is short. It becomes.

<Modification>
The massage machine which concerns on embodiment mentioned above can further deform | transform into various aspects.

<Modification 1>
Furthermore, the mechanism for rotating and holding the massaging balls (contacts) 40 for treatment of each massage head 23 may be configured as shown in FIG. In this modification, a mechanism for rotating and holding the massaging balls 40 for treatment of each massage head 23 is mounted using the step portion 33A. In other words, in this kneading ball rotation holding mechanism, each massage head 23 has a resin cup 36, a joint 33 connecting the cup side and the electric motor side, and a joint 33 of the joint 33. And a kneading ball holding portion 37 slidably attached to the distal end side. A hole 36HL having a predetermined diameter is opened at the center of the bottom 36BT of the cup 36. The joint 33 is loosely inserted through the hole 36HL, and the rotation of the electric motor 24 can be transmitted to the kneading ball rotation holding mechanism independently of the cup 36. Also by this, since a predetermined clearance is provided in the hole 36HL having a predetermined diameter, the cup itself and the kneading balls 40 can be mechanically held on the upper straight plate portion 22C via the cup 36. Therefore, when the cup 36 and the kneading balls 40 are brought into contact with the face, the degree of freedom of tilting of the cup 36 can be ensured substantially equal to that of the implementation failure described above, so that a good massage effect can be obtained. . Furthermore, the degree of freedom in designing the rotation holding mechanism can be increased.

<Modification 2>
Moreover, although the massage machine 1 mentioned above provided the control box 11 integrally in the lower end side of the substantially U-shaped arm part 12, and was connected with the control mechanism of the control box 11 and the electric motor 24 with the wire, It is not limited to such a form.

  For example, the user P may hold the arm 12 itself, and the control box 11 may be provided separately. In that case, the arm 12 may be provided with a support bar or a grip bar 91 held by the user P on a part of the leaf spring 21 or the arm extension 22.

  FIG. 11 shows an example in which a grip bar 91 is provided. The user P holds the grip bar 91 at the chest while holding the massage machine 2.

<Modification 3>
Moreover, in order to hold | maintain the arm part 12, it does not necessarily need to be manual. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a pedestal 101 that holds the arm portion 12 may be provided. The pedestal 101 is placed on a desk, for example, and takes a posture in which the user P holds the head between two massage heads 23 of the massage machine 2 held by the pedestal 101. In this case, the control box 11 is formed separately from the arm portion 12.

  In addition, you may employ | adopt the structure which hold | maintains the massage machine 2 on the stand which can be carried on a floor instead of the base 101. FIG.

<Modification 4>
Further, in the massage machine according to the above-described embodiment or the above-described various modifications, the rotation drive of the electric motor 24 is controlled wirelessly from the control mechanism of the control box 11 when the holding means for holding the arm portion 12 is provided. May be. By using this wireless communication means, the troublesomeness of routing the code is eliminated.

[Second Embodiment]
Furthermore, FIG. 13 shows a massage machine 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Here, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent components as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

  Compared to the massage machine 1 described above, the massage machine 2 has an offset of the attachment position of the control box 111 to the arm 12 to the front side in the front-rear direction, and the massaging balls 40 by contact with the face. The shape of the massage head 112 that exhibits the position shift prevention function is different.

  First, since the control box 111 is attached to the front side of the arm portion 12, a shift amount Hs is generated. Since the control box 111 is shifted to the front side by the shift amount Hs, the user P can easily hold the control box 111 instead of the support bar or the handle. For example, as described in the second modification, when the arm portion 12 is supported on the pedestal 101, the posture of the user P during treatment is more upright and a more comfortable posture.

  On the other hand, the massage head 112 is a cup (cup body) 113 having a wall surface and a free-bottom structure as its cup, and having an open end shape of an ellipse (diameter D1 and diameter D2 are different), And a resin pad 114 attached to the inside of the cup 113.

  The pad 114 is formed in a cylindrical shape having an elliptical opening shape, and an open end portion thereof has a flange portion 114OT (which forms an open end) that is thicker than the wall portion. For this reason, when the pad 114 is inserted into the cup 113, the flange 114 OT covers the peripheral edge of the cup 113 on the open end side.

  As a result, when the massage machine 2 is mounted, the ellipse-shaped buttocks 114OT of the pad 114 are pressed and abutted on both sides of the face as described above. Further, the outer surface of the cup 113 has a tapered surface so that the diameter is reduced from the motor side to the face side. This taper surface structure increases the force for pressing the pad 114.

  A structure in which the kneading balls 40 rotate is installed inside the cup body 113 as in the above-described embodiment.

  The control box 111 may be provided separately from the arm unit 12 so as to control the rotational drive of the electric motor 24 by radio.

  For this reason, also in the massage machine 2 of this modification, the effect similar to the Example and modification which were mentioned above is acquired. In particular, since the shapes of the open ends of the cup 113 and the pad 114 are set to be elliptical, it can be easily matched with the shape of the treatment site and the shape of the muscle to be massaged.

  In particular, in the case of this modification, the pad 114 can be prepared in advance by forming the open end in various shapes while keeping the shape of the cup 113 as it is. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the shape of the wall portion 111W of the pad 114 is a hollow elliptical column shape, and the shape of the open end 114OT is formed in a circle, a substantially triangle, a substantially quadrangle, or the like. Thereby, the open end shape in which the shape of the body surface of the treatment site | part matched can be exchanged detachably.

<Other variations>
In addition, the number of kneading balls is not necessarily limited to the configuration having three each. The number of kneading balls may be two, four or four.

  Furthermore, the treatment site is not necessarily limited to the face (masticatory muscle or the like) of the user P. For example, the upper arm part of the user P, the thigh part of the lower limb, the lower leg part, and the like may be used. It may also be a part of an animal body.

  FIG. 14 shows a massage machine 3 for treating the thigh of the user P and how to use it. This massage machine 3 is configured to be portable in the same manner as the massage machine 2 described in FIG. 13, but the massage machine 3 is placed on the floor surface, etc. The difference is that the drive mode can be selected. The user P sitting on the chair sandwiches the thigh PS between the left and right cups 113 and drives the massage machine 3 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment and modification. Thereby, the muscles of the thigh PS can be massaged in the same manner as described above.

  At this time, by operating the control box 111, it is possible to appropriately select a simultaneous mode in which both right and left massaging balls are driven simultaneously, a selection mode in which either left or right massaging balls are selected, or a sequence mode in which these are continuous. When driven in the selection mode, the rotational speeds of the left and right rubbing balls may be changed. Thereby, the inner and outer muscles of the thigh PS can be massaged with different forces. Thereby, it can contribute to the muscular strength massage and muscular strength maintenance of sports athletes and elderly people.

1, 2, 3 Massage machine 11, 111 Control box (case part)
12 Arm (Pressing means)
21 Leaf spring (pressing means)
22 Arm extension (pressing means)
23,112 Massage head 24 Electric motor (rotary drive)
24A Rotating shaft 34 Coil spring (second elastic member)
36,113 cups (position shift prevention part)
114 Pad (position shift prevention part)
37 A kneading ball holding part 38 A base part 40 A kneading ball (contact)
39 Coil spring (third elastic member)
91 Grip stick 101 pedestal

Claims (11)

A pair of support portions (22C) positioned on each side of the body surface opposite to each other or substantially opposite to each other of the treatment site of the user (P) at the time of treatment are each provided with a first elastic force on the body surface. Pressing means (12 (21, 22)) for pressing with (F1);
A pair of rotation driving portions (24) provided on the side of the pair of pressing portions facing the treatment site of the user,
It is connected to the rotation shaft (24A) of each of the pair of rotation driving units, and abuts on the body surface and rotates on the body surface by the rotation of the rotation shaft and can roll on the body surface. A pair of massage heads (23) each having a plurality of contacts (40) for massage;
The pair of massage heads are provided so as to surround the plurality of contacts and allow the rotation shaft to rotate, and the body surface when the contacts rotate while contacting the body surface A pair of misregistration prevention portions (36) that prevent or suppress misregistration above;
A massage machine characterized by comprising.   The pair of massage heads abut on the body surface with a second elastic force (F2) combined with the first elastic force and rotate on the body surface by rotation of the rotation shaft. The massage machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of contacts is provided.   The pair of misalignment prevention parts are in contact with the body surface with a third elastic force (F3) combined with the first elastic force, and the body rotates when the contact rotates. The massage machine according to claim 2, wherein the massage machine is configured to prevent or suppress a positional deviation on the table. The misregistration prevention unit is
One-side open cup having a bottom portion fixedly supported by each of the pair of support portions of the pressing means, enclosing the plurality of contacts in a rollable manner, and opening the surface on the body surface side And
The massage according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the depth of the cup is set so that the contact protrudes from the open surface in a natural state where no external force is applied. Machine. The pressing means has a pair of tip portions as the pair of support portions, and one substantially U-shaped arm portion that generates the first elastic force during the treatment,
The massage machine according to claim 4, further comprising: a first elastic member that applies the second elastic force to the cup during the treatment. The cup is supported by a support portion from the tip portion,
The support portion includes the first elastic member,
The massage machine according to claim 5, wherein the cup is fixedly or detachably attached to the support portion.   The shape of the edge of the cup that abuts on the body surface can be changed by selecting from a plurality of cups having a plurality of pre-formed shapes of the edge according to the difference in the treatment site. The massage machine according to claim 6. The cup
A bottom part that is detachably supported by the support part, a wall part that stands up from the peripheral part of the bottom part, and an edge part that comes into contact with the body surface of the wall part are formed integrally. A cup base having a cup structure formed of a material;
A massage machine according to any one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising: a resin contact body that is supported by the cup base and has at least the edge that contacts the body surface. .   The antibacterial member that covers the open surface of the cup and prevents the contact from coming into direct contact with the body surface is detachably provided. Massage machine. A controller for controlling the rotational drive of the pair of rotational drive units;
The controller includes a case unit that is provided integrally with or separately from the massage machine, and an electrical mechanism that is housed in the case unit and controls the rotational drive of the pair of rotational drive units. The massage machine as described in any one of Claims 1-9 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The case portion is locked to a substantially central portion of the pressing unit, whereby the pressing unit, the pair of rotation driving units, the controller, the pair of massage heads, and the pair of misalignment prevention units. Is integrated as a whole, and when the treatment site of the user is the face, the integrated massage machine fits in the chest from the face of the user, and the user holds the controller by hand. The massage machine according to claim 10, wherein the massage machine is configured to hold the entire massage machine.

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