JP2020054822A - Joint part massager - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a light-weight and compact joint part massager capable of being used by easily mounting it on a joint part in a bent state such as the knee.SOLUTION: A joint part massager 1 to be used by being mounted on a joint part 11 in a bent state, comprising a first body part 12, a joint 13 and a second body part 14, includes: a body part 2 coming into contact with the respective parts of the joint part 11 in mounting, and fixing means 3 for fixing by mounting the body part 2 on the joint part 11. The body part 2 has a helmet shape, and a joint insertion port 22 into which the joint 13 is inserted in mounting. The body part 2 including a hard shell body 7 continuously and integrally formed is incorporated with compression means, vibration means, heating means and a control part. The control part which has a timer, storage means for storing a vibration stimulation state sequence and a compression speed state sequence, a memory, and an input/output part, controls the compression means, the vibration means, and the heating means on the basis of a signal from the input/output part so as to massage the joint part 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

  The present invention relates to a massage device and a massage method for massaging a joint.

  Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 62-500987 (Patent Document 1) discloses a handy type massage device 110 as shown in FIG. The massager 110 includes a massage head 116, a vibrator assembly 112 mounted within a portable casing 114 to impart vibrational motion to the massage head 116, a fan 118 for generating an airflow passing around the massage head 116, It has a heating element 120 for warming the airflow. However, the massage device 110 is a handy type and cannot be used by being attached to a joint, and must be grasped by hand when used. Further, although the massage device 110 has a vibration means, it does not have a heating means for warming the massage head or a compression means for giving a compression stimulus by expanding the massage head.

  In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-089540 (Patent Document 2), as shown in FIG. 22, a boot-type air massage machine is cited as a conventional technique. The air massage machine has a main body 201 having a substantially L-shape when viewed from the side, and an air supply / exhaust device 206. After the legs are inserted into the foot storage portion 201a and the lower leg storage portion 201b of the main body 201, By activating the air supply / exhaust device 206, the air bladders 202 and 204 are inflated and deflated, and the feet and lower legs are massaged. However, the air massager cannot be used for joints other than the heel, and there is a trouble that the legs have to be taken in and out of the cylindrical main body 201. Since the air supply / exhaust device 206 is separately installed, portability is poor, and there is a disadvantage that the air supply / exhaust device 206 cannot be easily mounted and used anywhere. In addition, although the air massager has a compression means, it does not have a heating means or a vibration means.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-136849 (Patent Document 3) discloses a boot-type massager that can use a footbath and massage by mechanical stimulation on the toes as shown in FIG. The massage machine includes a bag-like container 305 for footbath provided with an access opening 354 for putting the foot 307 in and out, and a massage device main body 301 in which the bag-like container 305 is set. The massage device main body 301 includes a massage means 303 and a heating means 306. The massage means 303 causes a mechanical stimulus such as vibration to act on the toe 307. The heating unit 306 is configured by a heater that heats the inside of the cover 304 that can accommodate the bag-shaped container 305. However, the massager cannot be used for joints other than the heel, and it has to be filled with hot water or water in order to obtain a heating stimulus. However, there is a disadvantage that it cannot be easily worn and used anywhere.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-316932 (Patent Document 4) discloses a massage machine that applies a pressure stimulus to a massage target 409 by inflating and contracting an air bag 402, as shown in FIG. The massage machine includes a bottom plate 413, a plurality of supports 414 provided at intervals, a band 403 having both ends attached to the support 414 and having a U-shaped cross section, and an inner surface of the band 403. And an air supply means 404 for inflating and contracting the air bag 402. However, the massage device can be used for massaging a forearm or a lower leg due to its shape, but cannot be used for massaging a joint. Can not be used. Furthermore, since the air supply means 404 is provided separately from the main body, there is a drawback that the air supply means 404 cannot be easily mounted and used anywhere.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-245707 (Patent Document 5) discloses an invention of a massage method for giving an affected area M such as a knee a massage action in which three types of compression, heat and vibration are mixed, as shown in FIG. Have been. In the massage method, the wrapping bag P and the hot water storage tank T, which are attached to and integrated with the affected area M in a sealed state, are connected and connected by a hot water circulation circuit R, and bubbles are mixed with air taken in from the middle of the hot water circulation circuit R. The hot water F is fed into the hollow interior of the wrapper P itself and the massage effect of the combination of compression, warming and vibration by the hot water F mixed with air bubbles is given to the affected part M. However, in this massage method, it is troublesome to attach the zipper P with the pipe connected to the affected part M such as a knee, and further, the hot water storage tank T which is set apart from the zipper P Therefore, there is a drawback in that it is not possible to easily attach the wrapper P to the affected area M and perform massage anywhere.

Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 62-500987 JP-A-08-089540 JP 2010-136849 A JP-A-2000-316932 JP 2005-245707 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight and compact joint that can be easily worn and used on bent joints such as knees, elbows, shoulders, and ankles, and open both hands of the user when worn. An object of the present invention is to provide a massager, and to provide a joint massage method using the joint massager.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and a compression unit, a vibration unit, and / or a heating unit are compactly housed in a main body having a hard shell facing the joint, and The object is achieved by providing a joint massager having a fixing member for fixing the main body to the joint.

  A first aspect of the present invention is a joint massager for use by being attached to a joint, wherein the joint comprises a first body, a joint, and a second body. And the second body part is controlled to be opened and closed at an arbitrary opening angle within an angle range from an acute angle to an obtuse angle, and a main body part which comes into contact with the joint part at the time of mounting, is attached to the main body part, and the main body part is connected to the joint part. The main body has a helmet shape, and has a joint insertion port in a portion facing the inside of the bend of the joint at the time of mounting. Sometimes, a first support member facing the first body, a joint support member facing the joint, and a second support member facing the second body, the first support member and the The joint support member and the second support member are continuously formed integrally or rigidly. Combined, forming a hard shell, the main body portion, a compression means for applying a compression stimulus to the joint, a vibration means for applying a vibration stimulus to the joint, And a heating means for giving a heating stimulus.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a joint massager in which the shell covers at least half of the outer circumference of a cross section of any one or more of the first body, the joint, and the second body. It is.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the fixing means abuts on the joint at the time of wearing, and the fixing means is a sub-compression means for applying a compression stimulus to the joint, and / or It is a joint massager having a sub-heating means for giving a heating stimulus.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vibration unit provided on the main body, wherein the vibration unit includes a vibration plate provided on the main body, a motor fixed to the vibration plate, and an eccentric. And a joint massager that generates vibration on the diaphragm by rotating the eccentric by rotation of a rotating shaft of the motor.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is a joint massager in which the diaphragm is the shell or the diaphragm is rigidly connected to the shell.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention has compression means provided on the main body, wherein the compression means includes an elastic fluid bag and the main body for sending a fluid into the fluid bag. A joint massager comprising: a pump provided; and an on-off valve provided on the main body for controlling a flow of fluid inside the fluid bag.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a joint massaging method comprising massaging a joint using the joint massaging device according to any one of the above aspects.

  In an eighth aspect of the present invention, the main body has a compression unit, a vibration unit, a heating unit, and a control unit, and the compression unit gradually increases the intensity of a compression stimulus applied to the joint. A compression strength increase progress state, a compression strength decrease progress state in which the strength of the compression stimulus applied to the joint gradually decreases, and a compression strength constant holding state in which the strength of the compression stimulus applied to the joint is kept constant A joint section configured to allow the control section to select one of the joint sections, attaching the main body section to the joint section by using the fixing section, and continuously applying a heating stimulus to the joint section by the heating section. Is the way.

  In a ninth embodiment of the present invention, the vibration unit controls the vibration unit to provide one of a vibration stimulation ON state for applying vibration stimulation to the joint unit and a vibration stimulation OFF state for not applying vibration stimulation to the joint unit. This is a joint massage method configured to be selectable.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a timer is provided in the control unit, and the timer is operated to count time intervals one after another. State, (s2) compression strength increase progress state and vibration stimulation OFF state, (s3) compression strength decrease progress state and vibration stimulation ON state, (s4) compression strength decrease progress state and vibration stimulation OFF state, (s5) compression strength constant A joint massaging method in which the control unit selects one of a holding state and a vibration stimulation ON state and (s6) a constant compression strength holding state and a vibration stimulation OFF state to massage the joint.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a joint massager for use by being attached to a joint, wherein the joint comprises a first body, a joint, and a second body, The body portion and the second body portion are controlled to be opened and closed at an arbitrary opening angle within an angle range from an acute angle to an obtuse angle, and a main body portion abutting on the joint portion at the time of mounting, and attached to the main body portion, the main body portion is It has fixing means for mounting and fixing to a joint portion, the main body portion is a helmet shape, and has a joint insertion port in a portion facing the inside of the bend of the joint portion when mounted, the main body portion has A first support member facing the first body portion, a joint support member facing the joint, and a second support member facing the second body portion when mounted, the first support member And the joint support member and the second support member are formed continuously and integrally, or A rigid shell body, which is connected to the joint portion, wherein the main body portion has a compression means for applying a compression stimulus to the joint portion; a vibration means for applying a vibration stimulus to the joint portion; And a heating unit for applying a heating stimulus to the part.

  In the present invention, “joint” refers to a joint such as a knee, an elbow, a shoulder, or a foot. Further, "to be worn" means that it is fixed to the joint by the fixing means and does not require support by both hands or support by members other than the joint massager of the present invention. Therefore, when the main body of the joint massager of the present invention is mounted on the joint by the fixing means, both hands of the user are released, and the posture of the body can be changed while maintaining the mounted state, so that the user can relax. Massage can be performed in a state where it is done. Further, “facing” means that the first member or the like faces the first body portion or the like with which the massage head comes in contact via the massage head provided on the first member or the like.

  The joint massager of the present invention is used by being attached to a bent joint. The main body has a helmet shape, and has a joint insertion port at a portion facing the inside of the bend of the joint when worn. The joint can be put in and out of the main body through the joint insertion port, so that the main body can be easily attached and detached. The “helmet shape” is a shape generated by continuously deforming a hemispherical shell embedded in a three-dimensional Euclidean space in the sense of topological mathematics, and has a substantially “C” shape in a certain cross section. In addition, it refers to a shape that is substantially “U-shaped” in a cross section that intersects the cross section. Here, the “hemispherical shell” refers to an arbitrary one of two three-dimensional shapes generated by cutting a spherical shell into two in an arbitrary plane. In addition, the substantially “U-shaped” shape refers to a ratio of the lengths of two sides forming the “U-shaped”, an angle formed by the two sides, a rounded corner near a vertex shared by the two sides, and two sides. Means that any curvature may be arbitrary as long as the angle is not 180 °. Furthermore, the substantially “U-shape” shape refers to the ratio of the lengths of three sides forming the “U-shape”, the angle formed by two adjacent sides at two vertexes, the roundness of the corner at two vertices, and This means that the curvature of each of the three sides may be arbitrary as long as each of the two angles is larger than 90 ° and smaller than 180 °.

  The main body has a hard shell in which the first support member, the joint support member, and the second support member are continuously formed integrally or rigidly connected. The shell includes a compression unit for applying a compression stimulus to a joint, a vibration unit for applying a vibration stimulus to a joint, and a heating unit for applying a heating stimulus to a joint. It can provide a stable base for compact accommodation and incorporation.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the joint body covers at least half of the outer circumference of a cross section of at least one of the first body part, the joint part, and the second body part. Massager can be provided. Since the shell covers more than half of the outer circumference of the cross section, the shell is a compression means, a vibration means, and a heating means for effectively massaging many of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones constituting the joint. Can be provided in a compact manner so as to be accommodated in the main body part.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the fixing means comes into contact with the joint when worn, and the fixing means is a sub-compression means for applying a compression stimulus to the joint and / or the joint. It is possible to provide a joint massager having a sub-heating means for applying a heating stimulus to the part. According to this embodiment, the main body is fixed to the joint by a fixing means such as a band which comes into contact with the joint when worn. Since the fixing means has the sub-compression means and / or sub-heating means, in addition to the stimulation by the compression means, the vibration means and the heating means incorporated in the main body, the compression stimulation by the sub-compression means provided in the fixing means And / or the heating stimulus by the sub-heating means provided in the fixing means can be applied to the joint, so that more effective massage of the joint can be performed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vibration unit provided in the main body, wherein the vibration unit includes a vibration plate provided in the main body, a motor fixed to the vibration plate, And an eccentric, wherein the eccentric rotates by the rotation of the rotating shaft of the motor, thereby providing a joint massager that generates vibration on the diaphragm. According to the present embodiment, the vibrating means has a simple mechanism in which the eccentric rotates by the rotation of the motor fixed to the vibrating plate to generate vibration on the vibrating plate. By giving the stimulation by the vibration to the joint, massage of the joint by the vibration stimulation becomes possible.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a joint massager in which the diaphragm is the shell, or the diaphragm is rigidly connected to the shell. According to this embodiment, the entire shell vibrates as a diaphragm, or the entire shell rigidly coupled to the diaphragm vibrates. Therefore, by arranging the vibration massage head at an arbitrary part of the shell, the vibration massage head vibrates due to the vibration of the shell, and the massage by the vibration stimulus is applied to an arbitrary part of the joint to which the massage head abuts. Can be performed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided compression means provided on the main body, wherein the compression means comprises an elastic fluid bag, and the main body for sending fluid into the fluid bag. The present invention can provide a joint massager having a pump provided in the main body and an on-off valve provided in the main body for controlling the flow of the fluid inside the fluid bag. According to the present embodiment, since the fluid bag, the pump, and the on-off valve for giving the compression stimulus to the joint by expanding and contracting by the inflow and outflow of the fluid are all incorporated in the main body, the main body is There is no need for a stationary pump or the like. Therefore, it is possible to easily attach the main body part to the joint part and perform the massage by the compression stimulus anywhere.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a joint massaging method characterized by massaging a joint using the joint massaging device according to any of the above aspects. According to the present embodiment, a joint massaging method using a lightweight and compact joint massaging device, which can be easily worn and used on a bent joint, and both hands of a user are opened at the time of wearing. Can be provided.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the main body has a compression unit, a vibration unit, a heating unit, and a control unit, and the compression unit gradually increases the intensity of the compression stimulus applied to the joint. An increasing compression strength increasing progress state, a compression strength decreasing progress state in which the intensity of the compression stimulation applied to the joint gradually decreases, and a compression intensity constant holding state in which the intensity of the compression stimulation applied to the joint is kept constant And the control unit can be selected by the control unit, the main unit is attached to the joint using the fixing unit, and the heating unit continuously applies a heating stimulus to the joint by the heating unit. We can provide a massage method According to the present embodiment, the compression strength increase progress state, the compression strength decrease progress state, and the compression strength constant holding state, the control unit automatically selects and massages, the user pressed the power button Thereafter, it is possible to provide a massage method in which a compression stimulus is applied to the joint in accordance with a massage pattern stored in advance by the control unit without any operation.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the vibration means controls any one of a vibration stimulation ON state in which vibration stimulation is applied to the joint, and a vibration stimulation OFF state in which vibration stimulation is not applied to the joint. It is possible to provide a method of massaging a joint portion configured to allow selection of a portion. According to the present embodiment, since the control unit automatically selects the vibration stimulation ON state and the vibration stimulation OFF state and performs massage, even if the user presses the power button, without performing any operation, It is possible to provide a massage method in which a vibration stimulus is applied to the joint in accordance with a massage pattern stored in the control unit in advance.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, a timer is provided in the control section, and the timer is operated to count time intervals one after another. Stimulation ON state, (s2) Compression intensity increase progress state and vibration stimulation OFF state, (s3) Compression intensity decrease progress state and vibration stimulation ON state, (s4) Compression intensity decrease progress state and vibration stimulation OFF state, (s5) Compression It is possible to provide a joint massage method in which the control unit selects one of the constant strength holding state and the vibration stimulus ON state and the (s6) compression strength constant holding state and the vibration stimulus OFF state to massage the joint. According to this embodiment, while counting the time intervals one after another, at each time interval, the control unit automatically selects any one of the states (s1) to (s6) to perform the massage. It is possible to provide a massage method in which a composite stimulus in which a compression stimulus and a vibration stimulus are rhythmically combined is applied to a joint part according to a massage pattern stored in advance by a control unit without performing any operation. In the present embodiment, since the sounds played by the compression means and the vibration means during operation are rhythmically combined, it is possible to provide a massage method having both the above-mentioned massage effect and a relaxing effect by musical hearing.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a use state of the embodiment of the present invention. It is an end elevation showing the state where one embodiment of the present invention was attached to a joint part in section. FIG. 3 is an end view as viewed in a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an end view similar to FIG. 3, in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an end view as seen from a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 2 and a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. It is an end elevation which illustrates two ways of composition of a vibration generation means, a diaphragm, and a shell in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a lineblock diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is two perspective views of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from different directions. It is the bottom view which looked at the main part of one embodiment of the present invention shown in Drawing 8 from the direction which a massage head can see. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the display operation panel according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inside of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8 can be seen by removing a main body cover and a display operation panel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a motor and an eccentric according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an end view showing a configuration of a motor and a diaphragm. It is the schematic diagram which shows the structure of the compression means which has an airbag in one Embodiment of this invention, and the schematic diagram which shows the structure of the compression means which has a fluid bag in another Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows each flow of initialization, k-th heating state control, k-th vibration state control, and safe stop processing in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure in one Embodiment of this invention which shows the flow of the kth compression speed state control. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process of confirming the presence or absence of an operation input and processing at the time of an operation input in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the effect of the vibration stimulation state VS and the compression speed state PS on the time change of the compression strength, and a graph showing a combination pattern of the vibration stimulation state VS and the compression speed state PS in one embodiment of the present invention. is there. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the effect of the compression speed level PL and the compression speed state PS on the change over time of the compression intensity, and the effect of the heating intensity level TL on the change over time of the heating intensity in one embodiment of the present invention. It is. It is a perspective view of the conventional handy type massage device. It is sectional drawing of the conventional boot type air massage machine. It is sectional drawing of the conventional boot type air massager provided with the bag-shaped container for footbaths. It is the perspective view and sectional drawing of the conventional massage machine which gives a compression stimulus to a to-be-massed part by expansion and contraction of an air bag. It is sectional drawing which shows the massage method using the conventional warm water storage tank, and its apparatus.

  Next, an embodiment of a joint massager and a massage method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a joint massager 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is used while being attached to a joint 11 which is a knee joint. The joint 11 which is a knee joint has a first body 12 which is a thigh, a joint 13 which is a knee joint (in FIG. 1, hidden behind the joint massager 1), and a second body which is a lower leg. 14. The joint massager 1 is used by attaching its body 2 to the joint 11 in a bent state by the fixing means 3. At the time of wearing, the joint 11 enters the inside of the main body 2 from the joint insertion opening 22 of the helmet-shaped main body 2, and the massage head 10 (invisible and not visible in FIG. 1) provided inside the main body 2 is connected to the joint. It is mounted so as to be in contact with the part 11. When the main body 2 is attached to the joint 11 by the fixing means 3, both hands of the user are opened, and the posture of the body can be changed while maintaining the attached state, so that the massage is performed in a relaxed state. Can be. The main body 2 has a main body cover 26 and a display operation panel 9. The surface of the display operation panel 9 is a substantially flat surface, improving visibility and operability. The display operation panel 9 includes display means 91 having a display and operation input means 92 having operation buttons.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention which is used by being attached to a joint 11 which is a knee joint, but the joint to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a knee joint. Elbow joints, shoulder joints, and ankle joints are also an object of the present invention, and there can be embodiments of the present invention for use by being attached to the respective joints. If the subject is an elbow joint, the first body part 12 is an upper arm, the joint is an elbow joint, and the second body part is a forearm. If the subject is a shoulder joint, the first body 12 is an upper shoulder, the joint is a shoulder joint, and the second body is an upper arm. When the subject is an ankle, the first body 12 is a lower leg, the joint is an ankle, and the second body is a foot.

  FIG. 2 is an end view showing a longitudinal section in a state where the joint massager 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a joint 11 which is a knee joint. The main body 2 of the joint massager 1 is attached by the fixing means 3 in contact with the bent inner side 16 of the joint 11 while being in contact with the bent joint 11. The joint 11 includes a first body 12, a joint 13, and a second body 14.

  The first integral part 12 and the second body part 14 are controlled to be opened and closed at an arbitrary opening angle within an angle range from an acute angle to an obtuse angle, and form an opening / closing angle (θ) 15 (of a joint) in a mounted state. When the joint portion 11 is a knee joint portion, the opening / closing angle (θ) 15 can be set to 30 ° to 170 °, and the viewpoint of ease of wearing when the user is sitting on a chair or a floor and a massage effect. Is preferably 60 ° to 120 °. When the joint 11 is an elbow joint, the opening / closing angle (θ) 15 can be 30 ° to 170 °, and is preferably 60 ° to 120 ° from the viewpoint of ease of mounting and a massage effect. . When the joint 11 is a shoulder joint, the opening / closing angle (θ) 15 can be set to 100 ° to 170 °, and is 100 ° to 150 ° from the viewpoint of easy maintenance of the mounting posture and the massage effect. Is preferred. When the joint 11 is an ankle, the opening / closing angle (θ) 15 can be set to 100 ° to 170 °, and is 100 ° to 150 ° from the viewpoint of easy maintenance of the mounting posture and the massage effect. Is preferred.

  The main body 2 has a helmet shape, and has a joint insertion port 22 at a portion facing the bent inner side 16 of the joint 11 when worn. Since the joint 13 can be inserted into and removed from the main body 2 through the joint insertion port 22, the mounting and removal of the main body 2 are easy.

  The main body part 2 includes a first support member 71 facing the first body part 12, a joint support member 72 facing the joint 13 and a second support member 73 facing the second body part 14 when mounted. The first support member 71, the joint support member 72, and the second support member 73 constitute a hard shell 7 that is continuously formed integrally or rigidly connected. The main body 2 includes a compression unit for applying a compression stimulus to the joint unit 11, and the compression unit includes a pump 42 and a massage head 10 which is a compression massage head 44. In addition, the main body 2 includes vibration means for giving a vibration stimulus to the joint 11, and the vibration means includes a vibration generating means 51, a shell 7 functioning as a diaphragm, and a massage which is a vibration massage head 53. The head 10 is included. Further, the main body 2 includes a heating unit for applying a heating stimulus to the joint unit 11, and the heating unit includes a massage head 10 that is a heating massage head. In the above description, “the first support member 71 faces the first body portion 12” means that the massage head 10 is connected to the first member 71 via the massage head 10 provided on the first member 71. This means that the second body member faces the second body portion, and the meaning of “the joint support member 72 faces the joint 13” is the same. It is. The hard shell 7 includes a compression unit for applying a compression stimulus to the joint unit 11, a vibration unit for applying a vibration stimulus to the joint unit 11, and a heating unit for applying a heating stimulus to the joint unit 11. Thus, it is possible to provide a stable base for compactly housing and incorporating the main body 2.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, since the thicknesses of the plurality of massage heads 10 are always substantially equal, the first support member 71 and the first body part 12, the joint support member 72 and the joint 13, and the second support member 73 The distance between each of the second body parts 14 is always substantially the same. Therefore, in the longitudinal section, the angle (α) between the extension direction of the first support member 71 and the extension direction of the second support member 73 is such that the extension direction 15a of the first body portion and the extension direction 15b of the second body portion are different. It is substantially equal to the opening / closing angle (θ) 15, which is the angle made. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the joint 11 is a knee joint, the angle α can be set to 30 ° to 170 °, and the user can easily wear the joint 11 while sitting on a chair or a floor. From the viewpoint of the massage effect, the angle is preferably 60 ° to 120 °. When the joint 11 is an elbow joint, the angle α can be set to 30 ° to 170 °, and is preferably 60 ° to 120 ° from the viewpoint of ease of mounting and a massage effect. When the joint 11 is a shoulder joint, the angle α can be set to 100 ° to 170 °, and is preferably 100 ° to 150 ° from the viewpoint of easy maintenance of the mounting posture and the massage effect. When the joint portion 11 is an ankle joint portion, the angle α can be set to 100 ° to 170 °, and is preferably 100 ° to 150 ° from the viewpoint of easy maintenance of the mounting posture and the massage effect. . In another embodiment of the present invention, the angle α is selected to be different from the opening / closing angle (θ) 15.

  The main body 2 further includes a main body cover 26 attached to the shell 7, a control unit 8, and a display operation panel 9, and the display operation panel 9 includes a display unit 91 and an operation input unit 92. . Further, the fixing means 3 includes a sub-fluid bag 34 a constituting the sub-compression means 34 and a sub-heating element 33 a constituting the sub-heating means 33. The sub-compression unit 34 aims to apply a compression stimulus to the joint 11, and the sub-heating unit 33 aims to apply a heating stimulus to the joint 11.

FIG. 3 is an end view as seen in a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. In the present embodiment, the shell 7 of the main body 2 covers at least half of the outer circumference of the cross section of at least one of the first body, the joint, and the second body forming the joint 11. The shell 7 is used for compactly storing and incorporating compression means, vibration means, and heating means for effectively massaging many of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones constituting the joint 11 in the main body 2. Can provide a stable base for The shell 7 is provided with a vibration generating means 51, a massage head 10 as a vibration massage head 53, a massage head 10 as a compression massage head 44, and a massage head 10 as a heating massage head. 26 is attached.
The fixing means 3 that comes into contact with the joint portion 11 when worn has a first band 31 and a second band 32. Both the first band 31 and the second band 32 are made of a flexible material, and preferably include a nonwoven fabric as a component. At the time of mounting, the first band 31 that passes through the band adjuster 32a attached to the tip of the second band 32 forms a band loop 31a. A hook-and-loop fastener 31b is provided on the outer surface of the first band 31 facing itself at the band loop 31a, and by fixing the outer surfaces of the first band 31 facing itself with the hook-and-loop fastener 31b, the main body is formed. The part 2 can be attached and fixed to the joint part 11. The first band 31 is fixed to the shell 7 by a band fixture 38, and the second band 32 is fixed to the shell 7 by a band fixture 38. Since the line of sight of the band fixing tool 38 is blocked by the main body cover 26, the band fixing tool 38 cannot be visually recognized from the outside. A shell edge notch 74a is provided in the shell edge 74 of the shell 7, and the first band 31 extends to the outside of the main body 2 through the shell edge notch 74a. The band 32 extends to the outside of the main body 2 through the cutout 74a of the shell edge. The first band 31 of the fixing means 3 is provided with a sub-fluid bag 34 constituting a sub-compression means 34 for applying a compression stimulus to the joint 11 and / or a sub-heating for providing a heating stimulus to the joint 11. It has a sub-heating element 33 a constituting the means 33. Since the fixing means 3 includes the auxiliary fluid bag 34a and / or the sub-heating element 33, the fixing means 3 is disposed on the fixing means 3 in addition to the stimulation by the pressing means, the vibration means and the heating means incorporated in the main body 2. A compression stimulus by the auxiliary fluid bag 34 constituting the auxiliary compression means 34 and / or a heating stimulus by the auxiliary heating element 33a constituting the auxiliary heating means 33 disposed on the fixing means 3 are applied to the joint portion 11. Because it can be added, a more effective massage of the joint 11 can be achieved.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, since the length of the fixing means 3 can be freely adjusted by using the hook-and-loop fastener 31b, the main body 2 is connected to the joint 11 regardless of the individual shape and size of the joint 11. Just fit and massage can be done. Furthermore, in the cross section shown in FIG. 3, since the cross-sectional shape of the shell 7 and the arrangement of the plurality of massage heads 10 attached to the shell 7 are substantially symmetrical left and right, Can be fitted to the joints of the subject and fixed by the fixing means 3 to perform massage. In the present embodiment, the first band 31 and the second band 32 are connected by the hook-and-loop fastener 31b. However, in a modification of the present embodiment, a male member and a female member are provided at the ends of both bands, and The band is provided with a loop-shaped excess band loop so that the length can be adjusted, and both bands are joined by mechanical engagement of the male member and the female member, or by joining the male member and the female member by magnetic force. The connection may be made in a length-adjustable manner. Alternatively, instead of providing the second band 32, a female member is provided at the edge of the main body 2 and a male member is further provided at the end of the first band 31 so that the length can be adjusted. The main body 2 may be attached to and fixed to the joint 11 by stretching the first band 31 in the diameter direction of the joint insertion port 22 of the main body 2 by mechanical engagement of the members.

  Here, an embodiment of the present invention in which the joint 11 is a knee joint will be described. The knee joint includes the patella, quadriceps femoris, medial collateral ligament, lateral collateral ligament, patella tendon, patella ligament and the like. The knee joint is the most complex and unstable structure of the human body. In addition, the knee joint is susceptible to the influence of gravity and functions as a fulcrum for various movements. In the joint massager 1 of the present embodiment, the compression massage head 44 and the auxiliary fluid bag 34 inflate slowly and gently press around and behind the patella of the knee joint, and at the same time, the vibration generating means 51 is activated, and the knees are activated by the vibration. Many muscles and the like of joints can be relaxed gently. Further, the heating means 6 and the sub-heating means 33 can provide comfortable heating stimulation or cooling stimulation. In addition, the intensity of the compression and the intensity of the warming stimulus can be adjusted in three stages or in multiple stages.

  FIG. 4 is an end view similar to FIG. 3 for a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the shell 7 of the main body 2 does not cover more than half of the outer circumference of the joint 11, but instead, the fixing means 3 covers more than half of the outer circumference of the joint 11. The compression stimulus provided by the auxiliary fluid bag 34a constituting the sub-compression means 34 provided in the fixing means 3 and / or the sub-heating element 33a constituting the sub-heating means 33 provided in the fixing means 3 By applying the warming stimulus to the joint portion 11, many of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones constituting the joint portion 11 can be effectively massaged. Since the configurations and operational effects of the fixing means 3 and the main body 2 are almost the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the description will focus on the differences. In the end view of FIG. 4, the vibration massage head 53 and / or the massage head 10 which is a heating massage head is attached to the shell 7, but the shell 7 is included in the cross section of FIG. The compression massage head 44 and / or the massage head 10 which is a warming massage head may be attached to a position where there is no massage head. The first band 31 includes one or more auxiliary fluid bags 34a and one or more auxiliary heating elements 33a. In this modification, a main body cover notch 27 is provided in the main body cover 26. The first band 31 is fixed to a band fixing member 38 attached to a position that is not visible from the outside of the shell 7, passes through the notch 27 of the main body cover, and extends to the outside of the main body cover 26. The second band 32 is also fixed to the band fixing member 38 attached to a position where the second band 32 cannot be seen from the outside of the shell 7, passes through the body cover notch 27, and extends to the outside of the body cover 26.

  FIG. 5A is an end view as viewed in a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure of the massage head 10 that is the compression massage head 44 and is also a warming massage head. The massage head 10 is attached to a surface of the shell 7 opposite to the body cover 26. The massage head 10 is preferably made of a resilient material such as polyurethane, a soft polyurethane foam, or a resin foam such as a natural rubber sponge. The surface of the massage head 10 is covered with a cloth cover 54, and the joint portion 11 has a pleasant tactile sensation. give. The massage head 10 includes a fluid bag 41 and a heating element 61 therein or inside the cloth cover 54. A tube 43 for supplying and discharging a fluid is connected to the fluid bag 41, and the fluid bag 41 expands and contracts due to the supply and discharge of the fluid, so that the massage head 10 expands and contracts, so that the joint portion is formed. Compression stimuli can be given. A bipolar conductor 62 is connected to the heating element 61, and a current flows through the heating element 61 through the conductor 62 to change the temperature of the heating element 61, so that a heating stimulus can be given to the joint. . The tube 43 and the conducting wire 62 pass through the shell hole 75c provided in the shell 7, and are guided to the inner space 26a of the main body which is a space surrounded by the main body cover 26 and the shell 7. .

  FIG. 5B is an end view as viewed in a cross section taken along line CC in FIG. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure of the first band 31. The inner band-shaped member 35 and the outer band-shaped member 36 are fixed by a band edge fixing member 37b with both edges sandwiched between two band edge members 37a. The fixing method is, for example, sewing, bonding or fusion. The band edge fixing member 37b is a thread in the case of sewing, an adhesive in the case of bonding, and a bonding material in the case of fusion. Is the inner band member 35, the outer band member 36, or the band edge member 37a itself. The sub-fluid bag accommodating portion 34b surrounded by the inner band member 35, the outer band member 36, and the two band edge members 37a has a sub-fluid bag 34a and a sub-heating element 33a therein. The auxiliary fluid bag accommodating portion 34b may be filled with an elastic material such as polyurethane, a soft polyurethane foam, or a resin foam such as a natural rubber sponge. A tube 43 for supplying and discharging a fluid is connected to the auxiliary fluid bag 34a, and the auxiliary fluid bag 34a expands and contracts due to the supply and discharge of the fluid, so that the first band 31 expands and contracts in its sectional shape. By contracting, a compression stimulus can be applied to the joint. Preferably, by forming the inner band-shaped member 35 from a material having a higher elasticity than the outer band-shaped member 36, the expansion and contraction in the cross-sectional shape of the first band 31 due to the expansion and contraction of the auxiliary fluid bag 34a is relatively reduced. Asymmetric inflation and contraction can be made larger on the side of the inner band-like member 35 and smaller on the side of the outer band-like member 36, so that a greater compression stimulus can be given to the joint portion 11. A bipolar conducting wire 62 is connected to the sub-heating element 33a, and when a current flows through the sub-heating element 33a through the conducting wire 62, the temperature of the sub-heating element 33a changes to provide a heating stimulus to the joint. be able to. The tube 43 and the conducting wire 62 extend through the auxiliary fluid bag accommodating portion 34b and pass through the outer band-shaped member hole 36a provided in a portion of the outer band-shaped member 36 located in the main body inner space 26a. It goes out of the first band 31 and is guided to the inner space 26a of the main body. The surface of the inner band-shaped member 35 on the side in contact with the joint 11 is preferably made of polyester, nylon, cotton or a blended cloth containing cotton, and more preferably made of a mesh fabric having air permeability and water repellency. , Giving the joint portion 11 a pleasant tactile sensation.

  FIG. 6A is an end view showing one configuration of the vibration generating means, the diaphragm, and the shell in the embodiment of the present invention, and shows a configuration in which the shell itself functions as a diaphragm. The massage head 10 which is a vibration massage head 53 is attached to the surface of the shell 7 opposite to the main body cover 26. The surface of the massage head 10 is covered with a cloth cover 54 to provide a comfortable tactile sensation to the joint 11. The massage head 10 is preferably made of a resilient material and includes a heating element 61 inside or inside the cloth cover 54. The vibration generating means 51 is attached to the surface of the shell 7 on the same side as the body cover 26. When the vibration generating means 51 operates to generate vibration, the vibration is transmitted to the shell 7 functioning as a vibration plate, and the massage head 10 attached to the shell 7 vibrates, and the joint which comes into contact with the massage head 10. A vibration stimulus can be given to the unit 11. A bipolar conductor 62 is connected to the heating element 61, and a current is supplied to the heating element 61 through the conductor 62 to change the temperature of the heating element 61 to apply a heating stimulus to the joint portion 11. it can. The conducting wire 62 passes through the shell hole 75 c provided in the shell 7 and is guided to the inner space 26 a of the main body, which is a space surrounded by the main body cover 26 and the shell 7.

  FIG. 6B is an end view showing another configuration of the vibration generating means, the diaphragm, and the shell in the embodiment of the present invention, and shows a configuration in which the diaphragm is fixed to the shell. . The shell 7 is provided with a diaphragm mounting opening 76a, and the diaphragm 52 is fixed to the edge of the diaphragm mounting opening 76a by screwing using the screw 24. The fixing method is not limited to screwing, but may be, for example, adhesion, fusion, engagement, fitting, or the like. The massage head 10, which is a vibration massage head 53, is attached to a surface of the vibration plate 52 opposite to the body portion cover 26. The surface of the massage head 10 is covered with a cloth cover 54 to provide a comfortable tactile sensation to the joint 11. The massage head 10 is preferably made of a resilient material and includes a heating element 61 inside or inside the cloth cover 54. The vibration generating means 51 is attached to the surface of the vibration plate 52 on the same side as the main body cover 26. When the vibration generating means 51 operates to generate vibration, the vibration is transmitted to the vibration plate 52, the massage head 10 attached to the vibration plate 52 vibrates, and the joint 11 in contact with the massage head 10 is stimulated by vibration. Can be given. Further, the vibration of the diaphragm 52 is transmitted to the shell 7, and the massage head 10 (not shown in FIG. 6B) attached to the shell 7 vibrates, and the joint portion that contacts the massage head 10. 11 can be given a vibration stimulus. A bipolar conductor 62 is connected to the heating element 61, and a current is supplied to the heating element 61 through the conductor 62 to change the temperature of the heating element 61 to apply a heating stimulus to the joint portion 11. it can. The conducting wire 62 passes through the diaphragm hole 52g provided in the diaphragm 52 and leads to the main body inner space 26a, which is a space surrounded by the main body cover 26, the shell 7 and the diaphragm 52. I will

  FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. The joint massager 1 of the present embodiment is separate from the main body 2, a power converter 21 a for converting an AC voltage / current into a DC voltage / current, and a fixing for mounting and fixing the main body 2 to the joint 11. Means 3 is provided. By providing the power converter 21a separately from the main body 2, the weight of the main body 2 is reduced, and the comfort at the time of mounting is enhanced. For example, the AC voltage / current is AC100V 50/60 Hz 0.4A, and the DC voltage / current supplied from the power converter 21a to the power terminal 21 of the main body 2 is DC5.0V 2.0A. The fixing means 3 has a sub-heating element 33 a for applying a heating stimulus to the joint 11 and a sub-fluid bag 34 a for applying a compression stimulus to the joint 11. The sub-heating element 33a is a component of the sub-heating means 33, and the sub-fluid bag 34a is a component of the sub-compression means 34.

  The main body 2 has a compression unit 4, a vibration unit 5, a heating unit 6, a control unit 8, and a display operation panel 9. The compression means 4 for applying a compression stimulus to the joint 11 includes a fluid bag 41 contained in a compression massage head 44, a pump 42, and an on-off valve 45. When the pump 42 and the on-off valve 45 are operated based on a signal from the input / output unit 88 of the control unit 8, fluid is supplied and discharged to the fluid bag 41, and the fluid bag 41 is inflated and contracted. The massage head 44 expands and contracts, so that a compression stimulus can be applied to the joint 11 to which the compression massage head 44 contacts.

  The vibration unit 5 for applying vibration stimulation to the joint unit 11 includes a vibration plate 52 to which a vibration massage head 53 is attached, and a vibration generation unit 51. When the vibration generating means 51 generates vibration in response to a signal from the input / output unit 88 of the control unit 8, the vibration plate 52 vibrates, and the vibration causes the vibration massage head 53 to vibrate. A vibration stimulus can be given to the unit 11. One configuration of the vibration generating means 51 is a configuration including a motor 51a and an eccentric 51c. The rotation of the rotation shaft 51b of the motor 51a rotates the eccentric 51c attached to the rotation shaft 51b or connected to the rotation shaft 51b via a gear, a belt, or the like, and rotates the eccentric weight of the eccentric 51c. By doing so, vibration is generated on the vibration plate 52 that holds the rotation shaft of the motor 51a or the eccentric. The configuration of the vibration generating means 51 is not limited to the configuration using the eccentric, and for example, a vibrating plate vibrating by an alternating electric Coulomb force, by an alternating magnetic force, or by an alternating electromagnetic Lorentz force. And so on.

  The heating means 6 for applying a heating stimulus to the joint portion 11 has a heating element 61 included in the massage head 10 which is a heating massage head. When a current flows through the heating element 61 according to a signal from the input / output unit 88 of the control unit 8, the heating element 61 is heated or cooled, and a heating stimulus is applied to the joint 11 to which the massage head 10 contacts. Can be. Here, in the present invention, the “heating stimulus” generally means a stimulus based on a temperature difference, and includes not only a thermal stimulus but also a cold stimulus. For example, when the heating element 61 is formed of a heater such as a heating wire, a thermal stimulus can be applied to the joint 11. When the heating element 61 is formed of a thermocouple, it is possible to arbitrarily select whether to apply a thermal stimulus or a cold stimulus to the joint 11 by changing the direction of the current flowing through the heating element 61. Can be. Similarly, when the sub-heating element 33a is formed of, for example, a heater such as a heating wire, the joint section 11 can be provided with a thermal stimulus. When the sub-heating element 33a is made of a thermocouple, the direction of the current flowing through the sub-heating element 33a is changed to arbitrarily select whether to apply a thermal stimulus or a cold stimulus to the joint portion 11. can do. Note that, in this specification, “cold heat” means removing heat from the object A by bringing another object (referred to as B) having a lower temperature into contact with the object (referred to as A).

  The control unit 8 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 87a, a timer 87b, storage means 87c including a ROM and a RAM, and an input / output unit 88. The display operation panel 9 includes a display unit 91 and an operation input unit 92. The display unit 91 includes a vibration ON / OFF display unit 91a, a compression speed display unit 91b, and a heating intensity display unit 91c. The operation input means 92 has a power button 92a, a compression speed operation button 92b, and a heating intensity operation button 92c.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the joint massager 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the same joint massager 1 viewed from another direction. is there. An arrow 25 in both figures indicates a direction from the first body part 12 to the joint 13 when the joint part massage device 1 is attached to the joint part 11. The helmet-shaped main body 2 has a joint insertion port 22 at a portion facing the bent inner side 16 of the joint 11 when worn. The main body 2 has a main body cover 26 that covers the outside thereof. The material of the main body cover 26 is not limited, but a polymer alloy of PC (polycarbonate) and ABS can be suitably used. The main body cover edge 28 of the main body cover 26 forms a part of the edge of the joint insertion port 22. A body cover edge member 28a, which is a decoration member, is attached to the body cover edge 28 of the body cover 26. The material of the main body cover edge member 28a is not limited, but PC can be suitably used. The main body 2 has a shell 7, and the main body cover 26 is fixed to the shell 7 by fitting and screwing. Although the material of the shell 7 is not limited, high density polyethylene having a density of 0.94 g / cm ³ or more, polypropylene, vinyl chloride resin, phenol resin, urea resin, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, PC , ABS, and a hard resin such as a polymer alloy of PC and ABS can be used, and a polymer alloy of PC and ABS can be preferably used. The main body 2 further includes a display operation panel 9 having a substantially flat surface and covering the outer upper part. The substantially flat surface improves the visibility and operability of the display operation panel 9. The display operation panel 9 includes a display unit 91 and an operation input unit 92. The display operation panel 9 is inserted so as to be fitted into a concave portion provided on the upper outer surface of the main body cover 26, and is engaged with the joint insertion port upper edge member 29 a screwed to the shell 7. It is fixed to the shell 7 by wearing. The material of the joint insertion port upper edge member 29a is not limited, but PC can be suitably used. The inner surface of the shell 7 is provided with a compression massage head 44 on the side and a vibration massage head 53 on the upper part, so that many muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones constituting the joint 11 can be effectively massaged. can do. The shell 7 is provided with a power supply terminal 21 for inserting a power supply plug attached to one end of a conducting wire for guiding a DC voltage / current from the power converter 21a.

  The fixing means 3 attached to the main body 2 is used for mounting and fixing the main body 2 to the joint 11. The fixing means 3 has a first band 31, a second band 32, and a band adjuster 32a fixed to one end of the second band. The band adjuster 32a is a substantially O-shaped or substantially D-shaped member having a hole, and forms a band loop 31a through the first band 31 through the hole at the time of mounting. A hook-and-loop fastener 31b is provided on the outer surface of the first band 31 facing itself at the band loop 31a, and the first band 31 is fixed at an arbitrary length by bonding the hook-and-loop fasteners 31b to each other. The main body 2 is mounted and fixed by the fixing means 3 so as to just fit the joint 11. The first band 31 of the fixing means 3 has one or more auxiliary fluid bag housings 34b. The sub-fluid bag accommodating portion 34b includes therein a sub-fluid bag 34a for applying a compression stimulus to the joint portion 11 by inflation and contraction, and a sub-heating element 33a for applying a heating stimulus to the joint portion 11. In the modification of the present embodiment, the sub-fluid bag accommodating portion 34a of the first band 31 may include only the sub-fluid bag 34a therein and not include the sub-heating element 33a, or The fluid bag accommodating portion 34b may include only the sub-heating element 33a therein and may not include the sub-fluid bag 34a. Alternatively, the first band 31 may not include the sub-fluid bag accommodating portion 34b, and Neither 34a nor the sub-heating element 33a may be provided.

  FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the main body 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The main body 2 has a helmet shape, and has a joint insertion port 22 at a portion facing the bent inner side 16 of the joint 11 when worn. The outer edge of the joint insertion port 22 is formed of a main body cover 26. The main body 2 includes a first support member 71 facing the first body, a joint support member 72 facing the joint, and a second support member 73 facing the second body when mounted. The one support member 71, the joint support member 72, and the second support member 73 constitute a hard shell 7 which is continuously formed integrally or rigidly connected. The shell 7 includes a massage head 10 which is a compression massage head 44 for applying a compression stimulus to the joint 11, a massage head 10 which is a vibration massage head 53 for applying a vibration stimulus to the joint 11, and a joint. The massage head 10, which is a second vibration massage head 57 for giving a vibration stimulus to 11, is attached. Each massage head 10 may include a heating element 61 for applying vibration stimulation to the joint 11. For example, the compression massage head 44 includes a compression massage head side portion 44a indicated by oblique lines and a compression massage head central portion 44b as another portion. In the present embodiment, since the heating element 61 is provided on the compression massage head side portion 44a, it is possible to apply a heating stimulus to the joint portion 11 from the side. In a modification of the present embodiment, the heating element 61 is provided in the compression massage head central portion 44b, so that a heating stimulus can be applied to the joint 11 from the side of the second body. In another modification of the present embodiment, the heating element 61 is provided on both the compression massage head side portion 44a and the compression massage head central portion 44b, so that the joint portion 11 has a side surface and a second body portion side. Heating stimulation can be given from both.

  FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the display operation panel 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The display operation panel 9 is inserted so as to be fitted into a concave portion provided on the upper outer surface of the main body cover 26, and is engaged with the joint insertion port upper edge member 29 a screwed to the shell 7. It is fixed to the shell 7 by wearing. The display operation panel 9 has a substantially flat surface. The substantially flat surface improves the visibility and operability of the display operation panel 9. The display operation panel 9 includes a display unit 91 and an operation input unit 92. The display unit 91 includes a vibration ON / OFF display unit 91a, a compression speed display unit 91b, and a heating intensity display unit 91c. The operation input means 92 has a power button 92a, a compression speed operation button 92b, and a heating intensity operation button 92c.

  The vibration ON / OFF display means 91a indicates that the mark shines brightly unless the power of the joint massager 1 is turned on and the vibration intensity level VL is 0, and that the power is not turned on or the vibration intensity level VL Is set to 0 so that the mark does not shine. The mark is a waveform mark representing vibration. This means that the joint massaging device 1 always changes with time according to a predetermined massage pattern as long as the power is on, unless the user chooses not to apply vibration stimulation (VL = 0) at any time. This is because a vibration stimulus is given. When the power button 92a is pressed while the power is not turned on (the power is turned off), the power is turned on and the power is turned on. If the power button is held down while the power is on (power is on), the power is turned off and the power is turned off. Each time the power button is pressed while the power is on, the vibration intensity level VL is inverted so that VL = 1 if VL = 0 and VL = 0 if VL = 1.

  The compression speed display means 91b can display a multi-stage compression speed level PL in accordance with the compression speed level at the time of initial setting or the operation input by the user. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the compression speed level PL has three stages of 1 to 3, and when PL = 3, all three arc-shaped portions shine, and when PL = 2, three arc-shaped portions. Two of the parts shine, and when PL = 1, only one of the three arc-shaped parts shines, so that the user can intuitively understand the current compression speed level PL. I have. The initial value of the compression speed level PL is 2, and each time the compression speed operation button 92b is pressed, the compression speed level PL changes cyclically from 2 → 3 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 1. In a modification of the present embodiment, the compression speed level PL is composed of n stages of 1 to n, where n is an arbitrary natural number, and the compression speed display means 91b has n arc-shaped portions. Each time the speed operation button 92b is pressed, the compression speed level PL changes cyclically from 2 → 3 →... → n → 1 → 2 → 3.

  The heating intensity display means 91c can display a multi-step heating intensity level TL at the time of initial setting or according to the heating intensity level TL input by the user. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the heating intensity level TL has four stages of 0 to 3, and when TL = 3, all three arc-shaped portions shine, and when TL = 2, three arc-shaped portions. Are illuminated, when TL = 1, only one of the three arc-shaped portions illuminates, and when TL = 0, none of the three arc-shaped portions illuminate. The current heating intensity level TL is configured to be intuitively understood by the user. The initial value of the heating intensity level TL is 2, and every time the heating intensity operation button 92c is pressed, the heating intensity level TL cyclically changes from 2 → 3 → 0 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 0. . In a modification of the present embodiment, n is an arbitrary natural number, the heating intensity level TL includes n + 1 levels from 0 to n, and the heating intensity display means 91c has n arc-shaped portions. Each time the heating intensity operation button 92c is pressed, the heating intensity level TL changes cyclically from 2 → 3 →... N → 0 → 1 → 2. When the heating element 61 and the sub-heating element 33a are heaters such as a heating wire, the larger the heating intensity level TL, the stronger the thermal stimulus given to the joint 11; Thermal stimulation is weak. When the heating element 61 and the sub-heating element 33a are thermocouples, the thermocouple provides either the heating stimulus or the cold stimulus to the joint 11 according to the heating intensity level TL, or provides both stimuli. In other words, the larger the heating intensity level TL, the stronger the thermal stimulus given to the joint 11, and the smaller the TL, the stronger the cold stimulus given to the joint 11.

  FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the joint massager 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. First, the large structure will be described, and then the details will be described. The joint massager 1 has a helmet-shaped shell 7, and the compression massage head 44 and the second vibration massage head 57 are attached inside the shell. The shell 7 includes a first support member 71, a joint support member 72, and a second support member 73 that are continuously and integrally formed. In a modification of the present embodiment, the shell 7 may be configured by rigidly connecting the first support member 71, the joint support member 72, and the second support member 73. The controller main board 84 and the display operation panel 9 are attached to the first support member 71 of the shell 7, and the diaphragm 52 is provided in the diaphragm mounting opening 76 a provided in the joint support member 72 of the shell 7. Are attached by engagement and screwing using a diaphragm fixing member 55 made of ABS resin or the like. The pump 42 and the motor 51a are fixed to the diaphragm 52. A vibration massage head 53 (not shown) is attached to the vibration massage head receiving portion 52d of the vibration plate 52. A band fixing tool 38 provided at one end of the second band 32 of the fixing means 3 is attached to the band fixing tool receiving portion 79a of the shell 7 by screwing. A screw hole 78 is provided in the shell body edge portion 74 of the shell body 7, and the main body cover 26 is attached by engagement and screwing. A main body cover edge member 28a and a main body cover center edge member 28b are attached to the main body cover edge 28 of the main body 26 for decorative purposes by the engagement of the engagement protrusions and the engagement receiving portions. . The material of the main body cover center edge member 28b is not limited, but PC can be suitably used.

  The band fixture 38 is fixed to one end of the second band 32 by sewing. More specifically, one end of the second band 32 is inserted into a hole provided in the band fixture 38 to form a band loop 31a, and the one end is sewn. The first band 31 (not shown) is attached to the shell 7 by using a band fixing tool in the same manner as the second band 32. A band adjuster 32 a having a hole for inserting the first band 31 is sewn to the other end of the second band 32.

  The compression massage head 44 has a screw hole 44d in a compression massage head side portion 44a, and a compression massage head mounting member 44e in a compression massage head central portion 44b. The screw 24 is inserted into the screw hole 44d and the screw hole 75b provided in the shell 7, and the compression massage head mounting member 44e is inserted into the compression massage head mounting opening 75a provided in the shell 7, respectively. The compression massage head 44 is fixed to the shell 7 by screwing. A tube 43 (not shown) for supplying / discharging a fluid to / from the fluid bag in the compression massage head 44 is provided in the compression massage head 44 through a tube insertion port 70 provided in the shell 7. It is connected to the tube receiving portion 44c.

  The second vibration massage head 57 is screwed to the first support member 71 of the shell 7. The second vibration massage head 57 can effectively provide a vibration stimulus and / or a heating stimulus to the first body part 12 and the joint 13 of the joint part 11. The control section main board fixing member 86 is fixed to the first support member 71 of the shell 7 by screwing. The control section main board 84 includes the control section main board fixing member 86 and the first support member 71 of the shell 7. Are fixed by screwing. A black light shielding member 23 made of ABS resin or the like is fixed to the control unit main board 84 by adhesion. The material of the control section main board fixing member 86 is not particularly limited, but an ABS resin can be suitably used. The upper edge member 29a of the joint insertion port is fixed to the first support member 71 of the shell 7 by screwing. The display operation panel 9 and the display operation panel cover 93 are arranged so as to be superimposed on the light shielding member 23, and the display operation panel 9 is engaged with the shell 7 and is fitted to the main body cover 26 by screwing. 9 and the display operation panel cover 93 are fixed to the body cover 26 and the shell 7. The material of the display operation panel cover 93 is not particularly limited, but a polymer alloy of PC and ABS can be suitably used. The control unit sub-board 85 is fixed to the shell 7 separately from the control unit main board 84. The control unit sub-board 85 is a board for performing special control such as interrupt control.

  The pump 42 is fixed to the pump housing recess 52e of the vibration plate 52 by screwing using a pump fixing member 52f. The motor 51 a is fixed to the motor accommodating recess 52 a of the diaphragm 52 by engagement and screwing using a motor fixing member 56. A vibration massage head 53 is attached to the vibration massage head receiving portion 52d of the vibration plate 52. An on-off valve receiving portion 79b is provided on the second support member 73 of the shell 7, and the on-off valve 45 is fitted to the on-off valve receiving portion 79b. In order to prevent the on-off valve 45 from being detached from the on-off valve receiving portion 79b, an on-off valve pressing member 55a is extended from the diaphragm fixing member 55. The material of the diaphragm fixing member 55 is not particularly limited, but an ABS resin can be suitably used. A T-shaped connector 43a is provided for branching a fluid transport path, and a tube 43 (not shown) is connected to the T-shaped connector 43a.

  A plurality of mutually parallel plate-like projections 77 are provided on the outer surface of the shell 7, that is, on the surface facing the inner space 26 a of the main body, and while sufficiently maintaining the strength of the shell 7 against stresses caused by external force, The shell 7 can be made of a thin and light material. In the present embodiment, the joint massaging device 1 is very light, having a total mass of 0.8 kg or less (1.0 kg or less including the power conversion device 21a), so that it can be easily carried and used by the user. However, it can be easily attached to the joint portion 11 anywhere and massage can be performed in a relaxed state.

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inside of the main body 2 is visible with the main body cover 26 and the display operation panel 9 removed in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The light blocking member 23 is attached to the control section main board 84. The motor 51a is fixed to the diaphragm 52 made of hard resin using a motor fixing member 56, and the pump 42 is fixed using a pump fixing member 52f. The material of the pump fixing member 52f is not particularly limited, but an ABS resin can be suitably used. The motor control line 58 connecting the control unit main board 84 and the motor 51a transmits a motor control signal. The pump control line 40 connecting the control unit main board 84 and the pump 42 transmits a pump control signal. An on-off valve 45 is attached to the shell 7. The on-off valve control line 47 connecting the control unit main board 84 and the on-off valve 45 transmits an on-off valve control signal. The pump 42, the on-off valve 45, the air outlet 48, the auxiliary fluid bag 34 a which is an airbag 41 a provided on the first band 31, and the airbag 41 a provided on the compression massage head side 44 a of the compression massage head 44 include: The tubes 43 and the T-shaped connector 43a are connected to each other so as to communicate with each other. A plurality of plate-like projections 77 are provided on the surface of the shell 7 in parallel with each other. The plate-like projections 77 improve the strength of the shell 7 and enable the shell 7 to be made of a thin and light material. It is preferable that the height of the plate-like projection 77 is 5 mm to 1 cm, the interval is 5 mm to 1 cm, and the thickness is 0.5 mm to 2 mm. The fixing means 3 is fixed to the shell 7. More specifically, a band fixing tool 38 is fixed to one end of the first band 31 constituting the fixing means 3 by sewing, and the band fixing tool 38 is fixed to the shell 7 by screwing. A band edge member 37a is fixed to a band edge 37 of the inner band member 35 and the outer band member 36 of the first band 31 using a band edge fixing member 37b. In one embodiment, the band edge fixing member 37b is a thread, and the fixing method is sewing. In addition to sewing, adhesion or fusion may be used. The outer band-shaped member 36 of the first band 31 has an outer band-shaped member hole 36a opened near the band fixing member 38, that is, within a distance of 1 cm or 2 cm. The tube 43 and the bipolar conducting wire 62 are inserted through the outer band-shaped member hole 36a, and extend to the auxiliary fluid bag accommodating portion 34b of the first band 31. The tube 43 is connected to the auxiliary fluid bag 34a, which is an airbag, and the conductor 62 is connected to the auxiliary heating element 33a. A lead wire 62 connecting the control part main board 84 and the heating element 61 included in the massage head 10, and a lead wire 62 connecting the control part main board 84 and the sub-heating element 33a in the sub-fluid bag accommodating part 34b. Supplies a voltage or current corresponding to the set or operation-input heating level TL to the heating element 61 and the sub-heating element 33a. The conducting wire 62 and the tube 43 extend from the inner space 26a of the main body into the massage head 10 through the shell hole 75c provided in the shell 7, and the heating element 61 included in the massage head 10, or The air bag 41a is connected to the fluid bag 41.

  In the present embodiment, the power consumption of the heating unit and the sub-heating unit 33 is 0.5 W to 2 W in total, and preferably 0.5 W to 1 W from the viewpoint of preventing heating of the device. The total power consumption of the joint massager 1 is 2 W to 8 W, and preferably 2 W to 5 W from the viewpoint of preventing heating of the device and reducing power consumption.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view illustrating the motor 51a and the eccentric 51c according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13B is an end view illustrating the configuration of the motor 51a and the diaphragm 52. In the present embodiment, the eccentric 51c is fixed to the rotating shaft 51b of the motor 51a in such a manner that its center of gravity is not located on the rotating shaft 51b, and the motor 51a is operated, as indicated by an arrow 51r indicating the rotating direction. When the rotation shaft 51b rotates, the center of gravity of the eccentric 51c performs a circular motion, and a force that changes the period is applied to the motor 51a. As a result, the diaphragm 52 to which the motor 51a is attached vibrates. The motor 51 a is housed in the motor housing recess 52 a of the diaphragm 52 and is fixed by the motor fixing member 56. A first motor support member 52b and a second motor support member 52c project from the diaphragm 52 so as to surround the motor accommodating recess 52a from both sides, and are provided between the first motor support member 52b and the second motor support member 52c. A motor fixing member 56 is stretched to bridge the bridge, and presses and fixes the motor 51a. The motor support first member 52b is provided with a motor fixing member receiving portion 52b1 into which one end of the motor fixing member 56 is inserted. The motor support second member 52c is provided with a screw hole, and the other end of the motor fixing member 56 is screwed to the motor support second member 52c using the screw 24.
In the present embodiment, the eccentric 51c is directly attached to the rotating shaft 51b of the motor 51a. However, in a modified embodiment of the present embodiment, the rotating shaft 51b of the motor 51a is connected via a gear or a belt. May be converted into the rotational motion of the eccentric 51c, and the diaphragm 52 may vibrate with the rotation of the eccentric 51c. Further, in the present embodiment, the diaphragm 52 is provided separately from the shell 7, but in a modification of the present embodiment, the shell 7 itself can be used as the diaphragm 52.

  In the present embodiment, the vibration frequency (rotation speed) of the vibration means is 3000 times / minute to 13000 times / minute, and the viewpoint of the comfort of the vibration stimulation felt by the user and the comfort of the auditory stimulation by the operation sound of the vibration means. Therefore, it is preferably 5,000 times / minute to 8,000 times / minute, and more preferably 6,000 times / minute to 7000 times / minute.

FIG. 14A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the pressing unit 4 having the fluid bag 41 that is the airbag 41a according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the pump 42, the on-off valve 45, the air outlet 48, and the airbag 41a are connected as shown in the figure using a tube 43 and a T-shaped connector 43a. The airbag 41a is made of an elastic material. When the on-off valve 45 is closed and the pump 42 is operated, the air taken in from the air inlet 46 of the pump 42 is sent to the airbag 41a through the tube 43, and the airbag 41a is inflated. As a result, a compression stimulus can be applied to the joint portion 11 (a state in which the compression strength increases). Here, even when the pump 42 is stopped with the on-off valve 45 closed, the air in the airbag 41a does not escape because the pump 42 is provided with the backflow prevention mechanism. As a result, the compression stimulus can be continuously applied to the joint portion 11 (a state in which the compression strength is kept constant). Here, when the on-off valve 45 is further opened while the pump 42 is kept stopped, the airbag 41a made of an elastic material contracts, and the air in the airbag 41a is discharged from the air discharge port 48 through the tube 43. Is done. As a result, the intensity of the compression stimulus applied to the joint portion 11 gradually decreases as the air is discharged (the compression intensity decrease progress state). It is preferable that the air inlet 46 and the air outlet 48 are provided at locations that cannot be visually recognized from the outside. For example, the air intake 46 takes in air from the main body inner space 26a, and the air discharge port 48 discharges air to the main body inner space 26a. The inner space 26a of the main body communicates with the outside air through a gap between the engaging portions and a porous massage head. The present embodiment has an advantage in that since outside air is used to inflate and deflate the fluid bag, there is no need to prepare a separate fluid, and maintenance is easy. The tube 43 may be connected not only to the airbag 41a but also to one or more auxiliary fluid bags 34a, which are airbags provided in the fixing means 3.
In the present embodiment, the discharge pressure that can be adjusted in multiple stages of the pump 42 is preferably included in the range of 40 kPa to 60 kPa, and from the viewpoint of the comfort of the compression stimulation felt by the user, the discharge pressure is 45 kPa to 55 kPa. More preferably, it is included in the range.

FIG. (14B) is a schematic view showing a configuration of the pressing means 4 having the fluid bag 41 in another embodiment of the present invention. The fluid means a gas, a liquid, or a liquid (or gas) obtained by dissolving or suspending a gas, a liquid, or a solid in a solvent. In the present embodiment, the pump 42, the on-off valve 45, the fluid bag 41, and the fluid reservoir bag 49 are connected as shown in the figure using the tube 43 and the T-shaped connector 43a, and the pump 42 is located in the circulation path. I have. The fluid bag 41 is made of an elastic material. When the on-off valve 45 is closed and the pump 42 is operated, the fluid stored in the fluid reservoir bag 49 is sent to the fluid bag 41 through the tube 43 and the pump 42, and the fluid bag 41 expands. As a result, a compression stimulus can be applied to the joint portion 11 (a state in which the compression strength increases). Here, even if the pump 42 is stopped with the on-off valve 45 closed, the pump 42 is provided with the backflow prevention mechanism, so that the fluid in the fluid bag 41 is not discharged to the outside. As a result, the compression stimulus can be continuously applied to the joint portion 11 (a state in which the compression strength is kept constant). Here, when the on-off valve 45 is further opened while the pump 42 is kept stopped, the fluid bag 41 made of an elastic material contracts, and the fluid in the fluid bag 41 passes through the tube 43 and the on-off valve 45 to accumulate the fluid. It is stored in the bag 49. As a result, the intensity of the compression stimulus applied to the joint portion 11 gradually decreases as the fluid is discharged from the fluid bag 41 (the compression intensity decrease progress state). The tube 43 may be connected not only to the fluid bag 41 but also to one or a plurality of auxiliary fluid bags 34a, which are fluid bags provided in the fixing means 3.
In the present embodiment, the discharge pressure that can be adjusted in multiple stages of the pump 42 is preferably included in the range of 40 kPa to 60 kPa, and from the viewpoint of the comfort of the compression stimulation felt by the user, the discharge pressure is 45 kPa to 55 kPa. More preferably, it is included in the range.

  In the present embodiment, the fluid confined in the circulation path is used for inflating and deflating the fluid bag 41, and therefore, is optimal for enhancing the massage effect according to the type of the joint 11 to be massaged. An advantage is that a fluid having a density and a viscosity can be freely selected and used.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an overall flow in the joint massage method according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the joint massaging method, the timer 87b is operated to count time intervals one after another. At each time interval, (s1) the compression intensity increase progress state and the vibration stimulation ON state, and (s2) the compression intensity increase progression State and vibration stimulation OFF state, (s3) compression strength decrease progress state and vibration stimulation ON state, (s4) compression strength decrease progress state and vibration stimulation OFF state, (s5) compression strength constant holding state and vibration stimulation ON state, ( s6) The control unit selects one of the state where the compression strength is kept constant and the state where the vibration stimulus is OFF, and massages the joint unit 11. The CPU 87a of the control unit 8 performs the above selection based on the vibration stimulus state sequence {VS _k } and the compression speed state sequence {PS _k } loaded in advance from the storage means 87c into the memory. When it is detected that the power button 92a is pressed for a long time, the power is turned off to end the massage, and if an abnormality occurs or the massage time exceeds the massage upper limit time, a safety stop process is performed. .

Hereinafter, the entire flow will be described in order. In step S10, when it is detected that the power button 92a is pressed, the power of the joint massage device 1 is turned on, and the massage is started. In step S20, necessary initialization described later is performed. Next, in step S30, based on the values of the heating level TL and the compression speed level PL, the necessary vibration stimulus state sequence {VS _k } and the compression speed state sequence {PS _k } are stored from the storage means 87c such as a ROM. The data is read and stored in the storage means 87c which is a memory such as a RAM. At step S40, the time t of the timer 87b is set to zero, the timer is started 87b, substituting zero integer variable k, zero is substituted into the variable t _0. The “variable” means one storage area of the storage unit 87c or a register of the CPU 87a. In step S50, the vibration stimulation state VS _k and the compression speed state PS _k at the k-th time interval Δt _k are loaded into the memory. Note that the symbol “Δt _k ” means “k-th time interval”, but since it can be distinguished in context, “k-th time interval” is also represented by the same symbol “Δt _k ” for simplicity. . In step S60, a k-th heating state control described later is performed. In step S70, the k-th vibration state control described below is performed. In step S80, a k-th compression speed state control described later is performed. In step S90, it is determined whether or not an abnormality such as a high load applied to the joint massaging device 1 or an internal temperature out of an allowable range occurs. If it is determined that there is an abnormality, the process proceeds to step S140, and a safety stop process is performed. If it is determined that there is no abnormality, the process proceeds to step S100, and it is determined whether the time t indicated by the timer 87b has exceeded the massage upper limit time. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the safety stop process of step S140, and if the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S110, where the presence or absence of an operation input and the process at the time of the operation input are performed. In one embodiment, the massage upper limit time is set to 10 minutes to 30 minutes to prevent overuse and forgetting to cut. From the viewpoint of keeping the user from getting tired while preventing the user from getting tired and preventing the internal temperature from rising excessively for safety, and further preventing injuries, while ensuring the time for the massage effect to be sufficiently obtained, the upper limit massage time Is preferably set to 12 to 18 minutes. In step S120, it is determined whether or not the power button 92a has been pressed for a long time. If YES, the process proceeds to step S130, and after termination processing, the power is turned off to end the massage. If NO, the program proceeds to step S150, the time t is whether t _k + Delta] t _k less than or is determined. If YES, the process returns to step S110. If NO, the program proceeds to step S160, by substituting t _k + Delta] t _k to the variable t _{k + 1,} proceeds further to step S170, increments the value of the integer variable k by 1, to the first step S50 of the loop And return.

  FIGS. (16A) to (16D), FIGS. (17A) to (17D), and FIG. 18 show initial settings, k-th heating state control, k-th vibration state control, It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of each subroutine of safety stop processing, k-th compression speed state control, the presence or absence of operation input, and the processing at the time of operation input.

As shown in FIG. (16A), the subroutine of the initial setting in step S20, the heating level TL is set to an initial value TL ₀ at step S21, the compression velocity level PL is set to an initial value PL ₀ at step S22, the vibration intensity level VL is set to an initial value VL ₀ at step S23, loads the massaging upper limit time in the memory in step S24. Finally, in step S25, the process returns to the main flow shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 16B, in the subroutine of the k-th heating state control in step S60, in step S61, the current value or voltage value of the heating element is set according to the heating level TL. Finally, in step S62, the process returns to the main flow shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 16C, in the k-th vibration state control subroutine of step S70, it is first determined in step S71 whether or not the vibration intensity level VL is 0. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S72, where the vibration unit 5 is turned off, and the process further proceeds to step S75 to return to the main flow shown in FIG. If the determination is NO, the program proceeds to step S73, vibration irritation VS _k is determined whether 1. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S74, where the vibration means 5 is set to the vibration stimulation ON state, and further proceeds to step S75 to return to the main flow shown in FIG. If the determination is NO, the program proceeds to step S76, whether the vibration irritation VS _k is 0 is determined. If the determination is NO, this is abnormal, and the process proceeds to the safety stop process in step S140. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S77, where the vibration unit 5 is turned off in the vibration stimulation state, and further to step S75. To return to the main flow shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 16D, in the subroutine of the safety stop process in step S140, the heating unit 6 is stopped in step S141, the compression unit 4 and the sub-compression unit 34 are stopped in step S142, and the vibration unit is set in step S143. 5 is stopped, and in step S144, an error code or an error message is displayed on the display means 91 or sounded, and the process proceeds to step S145, where it is determined whether or not the power button 92a is pressed and held, and the determination is YES. If so, the process proceeds to step S130, the power is turned off, and the massage is completed. If the determination is NO, the process returns to step S145.

As shown in FIG. 17A, in the subroutine of the k-th compression speed state control in step S80, the value of the compression speed state PS _k is determined in steps S81, S83, and S85. If it is determined that PS _k = 1, the process proceeds to step S82, in which the compression unit 4 (and the sub-compression unit 34) is set to a state of increasing the compression strength, and further proceeds to step S87, where the main unit shown in FIG. Return to flow. If it is determined that PS _k = 0, the process proceeds to step S84, where the compression unit 4 (and the sub-compression unit 34) is kept in a constant compression strength state, and further proceeds to step S87, where the main unit shown in FIG. Return to flow. If it is determined that PS _k = −1, the process proceeds to step S86, where the compression unit 4 (and the sub-compression unit 34) is set to the compression strength decreasing progress state, and further proceeds to step S87, as shown in FIG. Return to the main flow. If it is determined that PS _k is not any of the values 1, 0, and -1, it is abnormal, and the process proceeds to step S140 to perform a safety stop process.

As shown in FIG. 17B, in the sub-subroutine for setting the pressing means to the state of increasing the compression strength in step S82, in step S82a, the pump 42 is set to the operation state of the output corresponding to the compression strength level PL, and step S82b , The on-off valve 45 is closed, the process further proceeds to step S82c, and returns to the subroutine shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. (17C), in the sub-subroutine for keeping the compression means in the state of keeping the compression strength constant in step S84, the pump 42 is stopped in step S84a, and the on-off valve 45 is closed in step S84b. Then, the process further proceeds to step S84c, and returns to the subroutine shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. (17D), in the sub-subroutine for setting the compression means to the compression intensity decreasing progress state in step S86, the pump 42 is stopped in step S86a, and the on-off valve 45 is opened in step S86b. Then, the process further proceeds to step S86c, and returns to the subroutine shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in the subroutine for confirming the presence or absence of the operation input in step S110 and performing the processing at the time of the operation input, it is determined in step S111 whether the heating intensity operation button 92c is pressed. For example, the process proceeds to step S113, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S112, in which the heating intensity level TL is cyclically increased by 1 and the process proceeds to step S113. In step S113, it is determined whether or not the compression speed operation button 92b has been pressed. If NO, the process proceeds to step S115. If YES, the process proceeds to step S114 to cyclically increase the compression speed level PL by 1. After making the change, the process proceeds to step S115. In step S115, it is determined whether or not the power button 92a has been pressed. If NO, the process proceeds to step S117. If YES, the process proceeds to step S116, and if the vibration intensity level VL is VL = 0, VL = 1. , VL = 1, a change is made to invert the vibration intensity level VL so that VL = 0, and the process proceeds to step S117. In step S117, it is determined whether or not the power button 92a has been pressed for a long time. If YES, the process proceeds to step S130. After the end processing, the power is turned off to end the massage. If NO, the process proceeds to step S118, and the following display is performed. Step S118 includes three sub-steps, steps S118a to S118c. In step S118a, the heating intensity level TL is displayed on the display means 91, in step S118b, the compression speed level PL is displayed on the display means 91, and in step S118c, the vibration intensity level VL is displayed on the display means 91. Further, the process proceeds to step S119, and returns to the main flow shown in FIG.

In the above steps S112, S114 and S116, after making a change to increase the heating intensity level TL cyclically by one, or after making a change to cyclically increase the compression speed level PL by one, or , After making a change to invert the vibration intensity level VL, based on the changed heating level TL, compression speed level PL, and vibration intensity level VL, the necessary vibration stimulation state sequence {VS _k } and The compression speed state sequence {PS _k } is read from the storage means 87c such as a ROM and stored in the storage means 87c which is a memory such as a RAM. Thereafter, the continuation of the subroutine shown in FIG. 18 may be executed, or the processing of the subroutine shown in FIG. 18 may be interrupted and a new massage may be executed from step S40 of the main flow shown in FIG. .

FIG. (19A) is a graph illustrating the effect of the vibration stimulation state VS and the compression speed state PS on the change over time of the compression intensity in one embodiment of the present invention. For simplicity, it is assumed that the compression intensity level PL is constant and the vibration intensity level VL is always 1. The horizontal axis represents the value t / Δt obtained by dividing the time t by the time interval Δt. Here, for simplicity, it is assumed the time interval Delta] t _k is a constant value Delta] t, to provide the unexpected to the user in a massage during, random about ± 10% ~ ± 20% in the time interval Delta] t _k Or a regular fluctuation, or a combination thereof. When the fluctuation is given, the monotonous massage rhythm is broken, and the user feels the unexpectedness and concentrates on the joints 11, so that the massage effect can be enhanced.

As shown by curve C1, the vibration irritation VS on the basis of the value of the vibration irritation column {VS _k} to be loaded in advance in the memory, for each time interval Delta] t _k, takes the value of 0 or 1. Because now is always assumed to be VL = 1, the vibration irritation VS is VS = 1 at time interval of Delta] t _k in vibration means 5 providing vibration stimulation to the joint portion 11 is operated. On the other hand, in the time interval Δt _k where VS = 0, the vibration means 5 is stopped, and no vibration stimulation is given to the joint portion 11. In the present embodiment, the intensity of the vibration caused by the vibration generating means 51 when the vibration means 5 is operating is constant. The strength of the vibration stimulus is exclusively controlled indirectly by changing the compression strength of the compression means 4 and changing the pressure exerted on the joint by the vibration massage head 53. Since the intensity of the vibration generated by the vibration generating means 51 is constant, the configuration of the vibration means 5 can be simplified, the number of parts can be reduced, and the weight of the main body can be reduced.

As shown by the curve C2, compression velocity state PS on the basis of the value of the compression velocity status column {PS _k} to be loaded in advance in the memory, for each time interval Delta] t _k, 1, 0, one of the values -1 Take. In the time interval Δt _k in which the compression speed state PS is PS = 1, the compression means 4 is in a state of increasing and increasing the compression intensity, and the intensity of the compression stimulus applied to the joint 11 increases. On the other hand, in the time interval Δt _k in which PS = 0, the compression means 4 is in a state where the compression intensity is kept constant, and the intensity of the compression stimulus applied to the joint 11 is kept almost constant. Furthermore, the PS = -1 for a period of time interval Delta] t _k, pressing means 4 is decreased progress of compression strength, the strength of a given pressure stimulus to the joint portion 11 is reduced sharply to almost zero.

As can be seen from the curves C1, C2, and C3 in FIG. 19A, in the present embodiment, in the process of gradually increasing the compression intensity, the vibration stimulus is not generated in the time interval Δt _k in which the compression intensity is in the increasing progress state. The vibration stimulus is not given in the time interval Δt _k in which the compression strength is kept constant, and the compression stimulus and the vibration stimulus hold hands and massage progresses rhythmically. The sound played during operation also reaches the user's ears rhythmically, and the massage effect can be enhanced by the synergy of touch and hearing.

A curve C4 in FIG. 19B shows a time change of the vibration stimulation state VS according to another embodiment of the present invention. The changes over time of the compression speed state PS and the compression intensity are the same as the curves C2 and C3 in FIG. (19A). As can be seen from FIG. 19B, in this embodiment, in the process of gradually increasing the compression intensity, no vibration stimulation is given in the time interval Δt _k in which the compression intensity is in an increasing progress state, and the compression intensity is not increased. In the time interval Δt _k that is a constant holding state, a vibration stimulus is given, and the compression stimulus and the vibration stimulus hold hands to massage rhythmically, so that the sound that the compression means and the vibration means play when activated is also rhythmic. It reaches the user's ear, and the synergistic effect of touch and hearing can enhance the massage effect.

  A curve C5 in FIG. 19C shows a temporal change of the vibration stimulation state VS in still another embodiment of the present invention. The changes over time of the compression speed state PS and the compression intensity are the same as the curves C2 and C3 in FIG. (19A). As can be seen from FIG. 19C, in this embodiment, in the process of gradually increasing the compression strength, the vibration stimulus is “given for two time intervals, In contrast, a repetition with a period of 4 × Δt, in which no vibration stimulus is given during the interval, is seen, while the compression stimulus is a time interval in which the compression intensity is increasing and the compression intensity is kept constant. Is repeated at a period of 2 × Δt. As described above, since the repetition pattern of the vibration stimulus and the repetition pattern of the compression stimulus have a time cycle that is a multiple of each other, the compression stimulus and the vibration stimulus hold hands and massage progresses rhythmically. The sound produced by the vibration means and the vibration means also reaches the user's ears rhythmically, and the massage effect can be enhanced by the synergy between the touch sense and the auditory sense.

FIG. 20A is a graph illustrating the influence of the compression speed level PL and the compression speed state PS on the change over time of the compression intensity in one embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the compression speed level PL can take four values of integers 0 to 3, and the value “t / Δt” on the horizontal axis is referred to as “time” in this paragraph for simplicity. For example, as shown by the curve C6, PL = 2 from time 0 to time 5, and PL = 3 after time 5. The reason why the value of PL changed from 2 to 3 at time 5 is that the compression speed operation button 92b was pressed. The compression speed state PS can take three values of 1, 0, and −1, and based on the value of the compression speed state sequence {PS _k } pre-loaded in the memory, the time as shown by the curve C7. Change. At this time, the compression intensity given to the joint 11 by the joint massager 1 changes over time as indicated by the curve C8. From time 0 to time 4, PS = 1, so the compression strength is in an increasing progress state. Similarly, from time 5 to time 9, PS = 1, so the compression strength is increasing. It is in progress. However, comparing the two, the latter with PL = 3 has a greater speed of increasing the compression strength than the former with PL = 2, and the compression strength that finally reaches is greater. The compression speed level corresponds to the output or discharge pressure of the pump 42. Also, between time 4 and time 5 and between time 10 and 11, PS = −1, so that the compression strength is in a decreasing progress state, and the compression strength rapidly decreases to almost zero. Further, between time 9 and time 10, PS = 0, so that the compression strength is kept almost constant.

  FIG. (20B) is a graph illustrating the effect of the heating intensity level TL on the time change of the heating intensity in one embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the heating intensity level TL can take four values of integers 0 to 3, and the value “t / Δt” on the horizontal axis is referred to as “time” in this paragraph for simplicity. Then, as shown by the curve C9, TL = 1 from time 0 to time 3, TL = 2 from time 3 to time 6, TL = 3 from time 6 to time 9, and TL = 0 after 9; The value of TL changed at times 3, 6, and 9 because the heating intensity operation button 92c was pressed. At this time, the heating intensity given to the joint portion 11 by the joint massaging device 1 changes over time as shown by the curve C10, exactly corresponding to the change in the heating intensity level TL. When the heating element 61 is a heater such as a heating wire, the heating intensity means the heating intensity, and the heating intensity increases as the heating intensity level TL increases. When the heating element 61 is a thermocouple, the heating intensity means the heating intensity or the cooling intensity, and the thermocouple applies either the heating stimulus or the cold stimulus to the joint 11 according to the heating intensity level TL. Or without any stimulus, the heating intensity increases as the heating intensity level TL increases, and the cooling intensity increases as the heating intensity level TL decreases.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modified examples, but includes various modified examples, design changes, and the like within the technical scope of the present invention within the technical scope thereof. Needless to say.

  The joint massager of the present invention has a main body and fixing means for attaching and fixing the main body to the joint, wherein the main body is formed integrally continuously or rigidly. And a hard shell, which provides a stable base for compactly storing and incorporating the pressing means, the vibration means, and the heating means in the main body, so that it is used at the time of mounting. Since the user's hands are open and the posture of the body can be changed while maintaining the wearing state, the massage can be performed in a relaxed state. The present invention provides a lightweight and compact joint massager which does not exist in the prior art, and which can be easily worn and used by a user on a bent joint such as a knee. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The joint massager and the massage method using the same according to the present invention can be easily used by individuals at home, and can be widely used in the electric appliance industry for business use.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Joint part massager 2 Body part 3 Fixing means 4 Compression means 5 Vibration means 6 Heating means 7 (Hard) shell 8 Control part 9 Display operation panel 10 Massage head 11 Joint part 12 First integral part 13 Joint 14 First Two-body part 15 (joint) opening / closing angle 15a Extension direction of first integral part 15b Extension direction of second body part 16 Inner bend (of joint part) 21 Power supply terminal 21a Power conversion device 22 Joint insertion port 23 Light shielding member 24 Screw 25 arrow (in the direction from the first body part to the joint) 26 body part cover 26a body part inner space part 27 body part cover cutout part 28 body part cover edge 28a body part cover edge member 28b body part cover center edge member 29 Joint insertion port upper edge portion 29a Joint insertion port upper edge member 31 First band 31a Band loop 31b Surface fastener 32 Second band 32a Band tone Component 33 Sub-heating means 33a Sub-heating element 34 Sub-compression means 34a Sub-fluid bag 34b Sub-fluid bag accommodation part 35 Inner band member 36 Outer band member 36a Outer band member hole 37 Band edge 37a Band edge member 37b Band Edge fixing member 38 Band fixing device 40 Pump control line 41 Fluid bag 41a Airbag 42 Pump 43 Tube 43a T-shaped connector 44 Compression massage head 44a Compression massage head side portion 44b Compression massage head center portion 44c Tube receiving portion 44d (compression massage Screw hole 44e Compression massage head mounting member 45 Open / close valve 46 Air inlet 47 Open / close valve control line 48 Air outlet 49 Fluid storage bag 51 Vibration generating means 51a Motor 51b Rotary shaft 51c Eccentric 51r Shows rotation direction Arrow 52 Vibrating plate 52a Motor receiving recess 52b Motor supporting first member 52b1 Motor fixing member receiving portion 52c Motor supporting second member 52d Vibration massage head receiving portion 52e Pump receiving concave portion 52f (of diaphragm) Pump fixing member 52g (of diaphragm) Vibration Plate hole portion 53 Vibration massage head 54 Cloth cover 55 Vibration plate fixing member 55a Opening / closing valve pressing member 56 Motor fixing member 57 Second vibration massage head 58 Motor control line 61 Heating element 62 Conducting wire 70 Tube insertion port 71 First support member 72 Joint support member 73 Second support member 74 Shell edge 74a Shell edge cutout 75a Compression massage head attachment opening 75b (For mounting compression massage head on shell) Screw hole 75c Shell hole 76a Diaphragm attachment Opening 77 plate-like projection 78 (for mounting the body cover) screw hole 79a Command fixture receiving portion 79b Open / close valve receiving portion 84 Control main board 85 Control sub board 86 Control main board fixing member 87a CPU
87b Timer 87c Storage unit 88 I / O (input / output unit) 91 Display unit 91a Vibration ON / OFF display unit 91b Compression speed display unit 91c Heating intensity display unit 92 Operation input unit 92a Power button 92b Compression speed operation button 92c Heating Strength operation button 93 Display operation panel cover

Claims (4)

A joint massager for use by being attached to a joint, wherein the joint comprises a first body, a joint, and a second body, wherein the first body and the second body are acute to obtuse. Is controlled to open and close any angle within the range of
A main body portion that abuts on the joint portion at the time of mounting, and a fixing means attached to the main body portion, for mounting and fixing the main body portion to the joint portion,
The body has a helmet shape and has a joint insertion port for inserting the joint. The body includes a first support member facing the first body, and a joint facing the joint when worn. A support member, including a second support member facing the second body, the first support member, the joint support member and the second support member are formed continuously and integrally, or Form a rigid shell that is rigidly joined,
In the main body, a compression unit for applying a compression stimulus to the joint unit, a vibration unit for applying a vibration stimulus to the joint unit, and a heating unit for applying a heating stimulus to the joint unit, And a control unit,
The control unit includes a timer, a storage unit that stores a vibration stimulation state sequence {VS _k } and a compression speed state sequence {PS _k }, a memory, and an input / output unit.
The control unit executes a flow including the following steps (1) to (3) to control the compression unit, the vibration unit, and the heating unit by a signal from the input / output unit, Massage the joints,
(1) setting the heating intensity level TL, the compression speed level PL, and the vibration intensity level VL to initial values, each of which can take a plurality of values;
(2) Based on the values of TL and PL set in (1), the necessary vibration stimulus state sequence {VS _k } and compression speed state sequence {PS _k } are read from the storage means and stored in the memory. Step to do,
(3) Activating the timer and counting the time intervals Δt _k (k = 0, 1, 2,...) One after another, at each k-th time interval Δt _k , the value of PL and the compression speed state The k-th compression speed state control is performed based on PS _k , the k-th vibration state control is performed based on the value of VL and the vibration stimulus state VS _k , and the k-th heating state control is performed based on the value of TL. Step of doing
The k-th compression speed state control in the step (3) includes a step of determining which value of the compression speed state PS _k is +1, 0, or −1, and a case where PS _k = + 1. A step of realizing an increasing progression state of the compression strength given to the joint as a working state of the discharge pressure corresponding to the value of the compression speed level PL by the pump provided in the compression means, and a step of increasing the compression strength when PS _k = 0. A joint massaging device comprising: a step of realizing a constant holding state; and a step of realizing a state in which the compression strength decreases when PS _k = −1. Operation input means is incorporated in the main body,
The flow includes, at each time interval Δt _k , a step of confirming the presence or absence of an operation input to the operation input unit, and a subroutine executed when the operation input is confirmed in the step,
The subroutine changes the heating intensity level TL, the compression speed level PL, or the vibration intensity level VL according to the operation input, and based on the changed values of TL, PL, VL, a necessary vibration stimulus state sequence # 2. The joint massager according to claim 1, wherein the subroutine is a subroutine for reading VS _k } and a compression speed state sequence {PS _k } from the storage means, storing the same in the memory, and returning to the flow. The joint massager according to claim 1, wherein the time interval Δt _k is not constant, and has a random or regular fluctuation or a fluctuation obtained by combining them. The fixing means abuts the joint when worn,
4. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing unit includes a sub-compression unit for applying a compression stimulus to the joint and / or a sub-heating unit for applying a heating stimulus to the joint. Joint massager.