JP2023059008A - Massage machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To treat the heel region of a person-to-be-treated in a proper position.SOLUTION: A massage machine comprises a first treatment part and a movable part. The first treatment part treats at least a horizontal side surface of the heel region of a person-to-be-treated. The movable part can move the first treatment part in a longitudinal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to massage machines.

Conventionally, there has been known a massage machine capable of treating the heel of a user. For example, the chair-type massage machine disclosed in Patent Literature 1 has heel treatment air cells as heel treatment units for sandwiching and pressing the heels of the user from both left and right sides.

Further, as another example of conventional technology related to the present invention, in the chair-type massage machine of Patent Document 2, an ottoman that supports the legs of the user has a swing mechanism and a moving mechanism. The swing mechanism swings the ottoman laterally with respect to the seat. The movement mechanism relatively moves the foot body in which the toes of the user are accommodated with respect to the leg support means of the ottoman. By driving the rocking mechanism, the legs of the user are subjected to rocking treatment. At this time, in order to prevent the lower legs of the user from coming into contact with the lower leg support means, the chair-type massage machine pushes the user's legs forward by, for example, inflating an airbag of the moving mechanism. This causes the lower leg to move out of the lower leg support means.

JP 2006-346273 A JP-A-2013-468

The heel part of the user may be arranged at a position shifted from the heel treatment part. For example, when the user's foot is small, the user's heel tends to be positioned away from the heel-treatment section. In addition, the heel part may be separated from the heel treatment part due to the rotation of the part (for example, the ottoman, the backrest part, etc.) that supports the part other than the feet of the user in the massage machine. In such a case, it is difficult to treat the heel of the user appropriately.

Also, when the heel is at a position away from the heel-treatment part, even if the user's foot is pushed forward as in Patent Document 2, the heel cannot be brought closer to the heel-treatment part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to treat the heel of a user at an appropriate position.

In order to achieve the above object, a massage machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first treatment section and a movable section. The first treatment section treats at least the lateral side of the heel of the user. The movable section can move the first treatment section in the front-rear direction.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be made clearer by the embodiments shown below.

According to the massage machine of the present invention, the heel of the user can be massaged at an appropriate position.

Schematic perspective view of a chair-type massage machine Block diagram showing the control system that controls the operation of the chair-type massage machine External view of foot massage unit See-through perspective view of foot massage unit The figure which shows the example of 1st arrangement|positioning of a sensor. The figure which shows the example of 2nd arrangement|positioning of a sensor. The figure which shows the example of the 3rd arrangement|positioning of a sensor. The figure which shows the modification of a 1st treatment part

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair-type massage machine 100. FIG. Below, the chair type massage machine 100 is called "massage machine 100."

In the following description, the front side (front side) as seen from the user U seated on the massage machine 100 in which the backrest portion 102 is not reclined is referred to as the "front side", and the backrest portion 102 is not reclined. The rear side (back side) as viewed from the user U seated on the massage machine 100 in the state is referred to as the "rear side". In addition, the upper side (head side) as viewed from the user U seated on the massage machine 100 with the backrest 102 not reclined is referred to as the "upper side", and the massage machine 100 with the backrest 102 not reclined. The lower side (leg side) as viewed from the user U who is seated on the seat is called the "lower side". The right side of the user U seated on the massage machine 100 with the backrest 102 not reclined is referred to as the "right side", and the subject seated on the massage machine 100 with the backrest 102 not reclined. The left side as seen from the user U is referred to as the "left side".

<1. Massager>
The massage machine 100 includes a seat portion 101 , a backrest portion 102 , a pair of left and right base portions 103 , a pair of left and right armrest portions 104 , an ottoman 105 and a foot massaging unit 1 .

The seat 101 supports the user's U buttocks and thighs.

The backrest portion 102 is erected against the seat portion 101 and supports the user's U head, body (for example, shoulders, waist, back), and the like. The backrest portion 102 is attached to the rear end portion of the seat portion 101 so as to be rotatable about a reclining rotation axis (not shown) extending in the left-right direction. The backrest portion 102 can be tilted rearward by rotating about the reclining rotation axis. A treatment unit 1021 is arranged on the backrest portion 102 . The treatment unit 1021 can be moved up and down along the backrest 102 in its longitudinal direction (for example, in the vertical direction) to treat the back of the person to be treated U.

The base portions 103 are erected on both sides in the left-right direction of the seat portion 101 and support the armrest portions 104 .

The armrest part 104 supports the user's U forearms and hands. The pair of left and right armrests 104 are symmetrical to each other.

The ottoman 105 is rotatably supported by the front end portion of the seat portion 101 and accommodates the user's U lower legs and feet. In addition, the foot refers to the part below the user's U ankle. The ottoman 105 is rotatable around a rotation shaft (not shown) extending in the left-right direction below the front end of the seat portion 101 . The ottoman 105 is provided with an airbag (not shown). The lower legs of the user U are treated by inflation and contraction of the airbag. Also, the foot massage unit 1 is mounted on the ottoman 105 . The foot massage unit 1 will be explained later.

<2, Control system of massage machine>
Next, a configuration example of the control system of the massage machine 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system that controls the operation of the massage machine 100. As shown in FIG.

The massage machine 100 includes an operation section 1061, a storage section 1062, a control section 107, an actuator group 1081, an air pump 1082, an electromagnetic valve group 1083, and the treatment unit 1021 described above.

The operation unit 1061 is an input device for the user U to select a treatment pattern, adjust the strength of the treatment, adjust the position of the heel, which will be described later, and the like. The operation unit 1061 is connected to the control unit 107 via a cord line. The operation unit 1061 receives an operation input from the user U or the like, and outputs a signal based on the operation input to the control unit 107 . The operation unit 1061 can be attached to and detached from a stand (reference numeral omitted). The stand is fixed to an armrest portion 104 located on the left side of the seat portion 101 .

The storage unit 1062 is a non-transitory storage medium that retains stored information even when power supply is stopped. The storage unit 1062 stores programs and data necessary for the control unit 107 to control the operation of the massage machine 100, for example.

Control unit 107 is arranged, for example, under seat 101 and controls each unit of massage machine 100 based on signals output from operation unit 1061 and the like. For example, the control unit 107 controls an actuator group 1081, an air pump 1082, and an electromagnetic valve group 1083. Furthermore, the control section 107 controls the foot massaging unit 1 (for example, the second treatment section 5 described later).

Actuator group 1081 includes a plurality of actuators. For example, the actuator group 1081 includes a backrest actuator that rotates the backrest 102, an ottoman actuator that rotates the ottoman 105, and the like.

Electromagnetic valve group 1083 includes a plurality of electromagnetic valves. Some of the plurality of solenoid valves are provided between the air pump 1082 and the group of airbags provided in the massage machine 100, and switch communication/shutoff between the two. The airbag group includes, for example, airbags provided in the ottoman 105 (especially airbags 32 and 41 to be described later). Another part of the plurality of electromagnetic valves is provided between the airbag group and the outside, and switches communication/blocking between the two. For example, when the air pump 1082 and the airbag communicate with each other through a part of the electromagnetic valve, the airbag is inflated by supplying airbag air from the air pump 1082 through the electromagnetic valve. On the other hand, when the airbag communicates with the outside due to the operation of some other solenoid valves, the air inside the airbag is released to the outside through the solenoid valves. This releases the air in the airbag and deflates the airbag. Further, when the airbag is disconnected from both the air pump 1082 and the outside due to the operation of each electromagnetic valve, the amount of air in the airbag is maintained.

<3. Foot massage unit 1>
Next, the foot massage unit 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. FIG. 3 is an external view of the foot massage unit 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a see-through perspective view of the foot massaging unit 1. FIG. In addition, in FIG. 4, the housing 2, which will be described later, is made transparent in order to show the inside of the foot massage unit 1. As shown in FIG. In addition, in the configuration relating to the foot massaging unit 1, the front and rear direction is defined with the foot massaging unit 1 as a reference. For example, in FIGS. 3 and 4, the direction in which the first treatment section 3 is moved by driving the movable section 4 is defined as the front-rear direction. The direction in which the first treatment portion 3 approaches the first roller 52 of the second treatment portion 5, which will be described later, is the front side, and the direction in which the first treatment portion 3 moves away from the first roller 52 is the rear side.

The foot massage unit 1 has a housing 2 , a first treatment section 3 , a movable section 4 , a second treatment section 5 and a sensor 6 . In other words, the massage machine 100 includes the housing 2 , the first treatment section 3 , the movable section 4 , the second treatment section 5 and the sensor 6 .

<3-1. Case 2>
The housing 2 accommodates the first treatment section 3 , the movable section 4 , the second treatment section 5 and the sensor 6 . The housing 2 has two recesses 21 and an opening 22 arranged in the horizontal direction. The left leg of the user U is accommodated in the left recess 21 . The right foot of the user U is accommodated in the recess 21 on the right side. The recessed portion 21 is recessed downward from the upper surface of the housing 2 and recessed rearward from the front surface of the housing 2 . The first treatment section 3 and the movable section 4 are housed in each recess 21, and the sensor 6 is arranged. In addition, an opening 22 penetrating in the vertical direction is arranged in the bottom surface of each recess 21 facing upward. The second treatment section 5 arranged inside the housing 2 can treat the feet of the person to be treated U through the opening 22 .

<3-2. First treatment department 3>
The first treatment unit 3 treats the heel of the person to be treated U, and treats at least the side surfaces of the heel in the left-right direction. The first treatment section 3 has a holding section 31 , an airbag 32 and a convex section 33 .

<3-2-1. holding portion 31>
The holding portion 31 holds the airbag 32 . The holding portion 31 has two side wall portions 311L and 311R facing each other in the left-right direction, and a rear wall portion 312 .

The two side wall portions 311L and 311R spread in a direction intersecting the left-right direction and are arranged in the left-right direction. The left side wall portion 311L is arranged on the left side of the heel portion of the user U and has a holding surface 3111L facing the left side surface of the heel portion. The right side wall portion 311R is arranged on the right side of the heel portion of the user U and has a holding surface 3111R facing the right side surface of the heel portion.

The rear wall portion 312 is arranged on the rear side of the heel portion of the user U and extends in a direction crossing the front-rear direction. In addition, the rear wall portion 312 has a holding surface 3121 that faces the rear surface of the heel portion of the user U in the front-rear direction.

<3-2-2. Airbag 32>
The airbag 32 treats the heel of the user U by expanding and contracting. The airbag 32 is inflated by being supplied with air from the air pump 1082 and deflated by opening an electromagnetic valve connected to the exhaust port.

The airbag 32 has two side airbags 321 L and 321 R and a rear airbag 322 .

The side airbags 321L and 321R are each expandable and contractible in the left-right direction, and treats the heel of the user U from the side in the left-right direction. The side airbag 321L is arranged on the holding surface 3111L and treats the heel of the user U from the left side. The side airbag 321R is arranged on the holding surface 3111R and treats the heel of the user U from the right side. It should be noted that the illustration of this embodiment does not exclude a configuration in which either one of the two side airbags 321L, 321R is omitted. That is, the airbag 32 should have at least one of the side airbags 321L and 321R. In this way, by pressing the airbag 32, the lateral side of the heel portion of the user U can be treated.

The rear airbag 322 is arranged on the holding surface 3121 and is expandable and contractible in the front-rear direction, and treats the heel of the user U from the back. The airbag 32 can further treat the rear surface of the heel of the user U by pressing the rear airbag 322 . Therefore, the first treatment section 3 can treat a wide range of the heel of the person U to be treated.

Also, in this embodiment, the two side airbags 321L and 321R and the rear airbag 322 are separate bodies. However, it is not limited to this illustration, and a part of the two side airbags 321L, 321R and the rear airbag 322 may be integrated with the remaining part. For example, the two side airbags 321L, 321R and the rear airbag 322 may constitute a single airbag.

Note that the illustration of this embodiment does not exclude the configuration in which the rear airbag 322 is omitted. For example, the airbag 32 may be configured to have at least one of the two side airbags 321L and 321R.

<3-2-3. Convex portion 33>
The convex portion 33 is arranged to face the heel of the user U, and can press the heel of the user U. As shown in FIG. The convex portion 33 protrudes toward the heel of the user U, and can move forward and backward with respect to the heel of the user U according to the treatment by the first treatment section 3 . The convex portion 33 can locally press the heel of the user U. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the heel of the user U can be given a stronger stimulus such as pressure point pressing.

For example, the convex portion 33 is arranged on the surface of the airbag 32 that faces the heel portion of the user U. As shown in FIG. The convex portion 33 can move forward and backward according to the expansion and contraction of the airbag 32, and presses the heel of the user U according to the expansion and contraction of the airbag 32. As shown in FIG.

The convex portion 33 may be arranged on at least one of the two side airbags 321L, 321R and the rear airbag 322 on the heel side. For example, in the present embodiment, the protrusions 33 are arranged on the surfaces on the heel side of these.

<3-3. Movable part 4>
The movable part 4 is arranged on the rear wall of the recess 21 and is capable of moving the first treatment part 3 in the front-rear direction. By moving the first treatment section 3 in the front-rear direction, even if the treatment position of the first treatment section 3 deviates in the front-rear direction from the side surface of the heel of the user U, the deviation can be eliminated. Therefore, the first treatment unit 3 can treat the heel of the user U appropriately. In addition, the first treatment section 3 can treat the heel at an appropriate position regardless of the size of the foot of the person to be treated U.

The movable portion 4 includes an airbag 41 that can be inflated and deflated in the front-rear direction. A holding portion 31 is connected to the front end portion of the airbag 41 . The airbag 41 is inflated by being supplied with air from the air pump 1082 and deflated by opening an electromagnetic valve connected to the exhaust port. When the airbag 41 is inflated, the holding portion 31 is pushed forward. As a result, the first treatment section 3 moves forward. Further, when the airbag 41 contracts, the holding portion 31 connected to the front end portion of the airbag 41 is pulled back rearward. As a result, the first treatment section 3 moves rearward. In this way, the first treatment section 3 can be moved in the front-rear direction according to the expansion and contraction of the airbag 41 . Therefore, the movable part 4 can be configured more simply and at low cost.

In addition, the configuration of the movable portion 4 is not limited to the above-described example. For example, instead of the airbag 41, the movable portion 4 may have an actuator capable of moving a rod in the front-rear direction. In this case, the first treatment section 3 is connected to the rod.

<3-4. Second treatment unit 5>
The second treatment unit 5 treats the sole of the user U (in other words, the sole). With the second treatment section 5, the foot massage unit 1 can further treat the soles of the user U (for example, the toes, arches, etc.).

The second treatment section 5 has a first roller 52 , a first shaft 51 , a second roller 54 , a second shaft 53 , a motor 55 and a transmission section 56 .

The first shaft 51 extends in the left-right direction and forms a rotating shaft of the first roller 52 . A first roller 52 is preferably eccentrically mounted on the first shaft 51 . However, this illustration does not exclude the configuration in which the first roller 52 is not eccentric with respect to the first shaft 51 .

The first roller 52 rotates around the first shaft 51 and treats the sole of the person to be treated U through the opening 22 . The foot massaging unit 1 has two first rollers 52 . The two first rollers 52 are arranged in the horizontal direction. Of the two first rollers 52, the first roller 52 arranged on the right side treats the toe of the right sole of the person U to be treated. Of the two first rollers 52, the left first roller 52 treats the toe of the left sole of the person U to be treated.

The first roller 52 has a first protrusion 521 . The first protrusion 521 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first roller 52 so as to protrude radially outward. A radially outer end portion of the first projecting portion 521 has a rounded shape. Also, the first projecting portion 521 extends in the axial direction of the first shaft 51 .

Preferably, the first projecting portion 521 extends in a direction inclined in the circumferential direction with respect to the axial direction. With such a configuration, the five toes of the foot are not treated at the same time but are treated sequentially, thereby improving the comfort of the person to be treated U due to the tip-toe treatment of the sole.

The second shaft 53 is arranged on the rear side of the first shaft 51 . The second shaft 53 extends in the left-right direction and forms a rotating shaft of the second roller 54 . A second roller 54 is preferably eccentrically mounted on the second shaft 53 . However, this illustration does not exclude a configuration in which the second roller 54 is not eccentric with respect to the second shaft 53 .

The second roller 54 rotates around the second shaft 53 and treats the central portion of the sole of the user U in the longitudinal direction through the opening 22 . Note that the longitudinal central portion of the sole is, for example, the arch of the sole. The foot massaging unit 1 has two second rollers 54 . The two second rollers 54 are arranged in the horizontal direction. The second roller 54 arranged on the right side of the two second rollers 54 treats the central portion of the right sole of the user U in the longitudinal direction. Of the two second rollers 54, the left-side second roller 54 treats the central portion of the left sole of the user U in the longitudinal direction.

The second roller 54 has a second protrusion 541 . The second protrusion 541 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second roller 54 so as to protrude radially outward. In this embodiment, the number of second protrusions 541 is two. The two second protrusions 541 may be arranged at the same position in the circumferential direction when viewed from the left-right direction, or may be arranged at point-symmetrical positions with the center of the second roller 54 as the point of symmetry. The tip of the second projecting portion 541 has a rounded shape.

The motor 55 is a drive source for the second treatment section 5 and rotates the first shaft 51 and the second shaft 53 . The motor 55 is arranged between the first roller 52 and the second roller 54 on the left side and the first roller 52 and the second roller 54 on the right side in the left-right direction.

The transmission portion 56 transmits the rotational driving force of the motor 55 to the first shaft 51 and the second shaft 53 . For example, the rotational driving force of the motor 55 is transmitted to the first shaft 51 via a gear mechanism (not shown) of the transmission section 56 . The rotational driving force of the first shaft 51 is transmitted to the second shaft 53 via a first pulley (not shown), a belt (not shown), and a second pulley (not shown). The first pulley is fixed to the central portion of the first shaft 51 in the left-right direction. The second pulley is fixed to the central portion of the second shaft 53 in the left-right direction. The belt spans the first pulley and the second pulley. As a result, the second treatment section 5 can treat both the tip of the sole of the person to be treated U and the central portion in the longitudinal direction using the same motor 55 as a drive source. For example, the transmission portion 56 is configured such that when the first shaft 51 makes one rotation, the second shaft 53 also makes one rotation.

<3-5. Sensor 6>
The sensor 6 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5A-5C. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a first arrangement example of sensors. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a second arrangement example of sensors. FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a third arrangement example of sensors. 5A to 5C, the direction in which the first treatment section 3 is moved by driving the movable section 4 is defined as the front-rear direction. The direction in which the first treatment section 3 approaches the opening 22 is defined as the front side, and the direction in which the first treatment section 3 moves away from the opening 22 is defined as the rear side. Further, in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the illustration of the second treatment section 5 is omitted in order to make the configuration easier to see.

The sensor 6 detects the position of the feet of the user U in the front-rear direction, and outputs the detection signal to the control unit 107 . Under the control of the control section 107, the movable section 4 drives the movable section 4 according to the detection result of the sensor 6, and moves the first treatment section 3 in the front-rear direction. A pressure sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a contact sensor, or the like can be used as the sensor 6 . By detecting the position of the foot in the front-rear direction with the sensor 6, the control unit 107 can detect the displacement even if the treatment position of the first treatment unit 3 deviates in the front-rear direction from the side surface of the heel of the user U. can be resolved automatically. Moreover, regardless of the size of the foot of the user U, the first treatment unit 3 can reliably and automatically move to a position where the heel of the user U can be appropriately treated.

For example, the sensors 6 are a plurality of pressure sensors arranged on the bottom surface of the recess 21 and arranged in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 5A). The pressure sensor detects pressure due to contact with the user's U feet. Alternatively, the sensors 6 may be a plurality of photoelectric sensors, which are arranged on the inner side surfaces of the concave portion 21 facing each other in the left-right direction and arranged in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 5B). The light-emitting element of the photoelectric sensor is arranged on one of the left-facing inner surface and the right-facing inner surface of the recess 21 . The light-receiving element of the photoelectric sensor is arranged on the other side and faces the light-emitting element in the left-right direction.

When the feet of the user U are accommodated in the recesses 21 , some of the sensors 6 detect the feet of the user U and output detection signals to the controller 107 . The control unit 107 controls the position of the user's U foot (for example, the front and rear ends thereof) based on the arrangement position of the sensor 6 that detects the foot and the arrangement position of the sensor 6 that does not detect the foot. Detects the position in the front-rear direction. Then, the control unit 107 causes the movable unit 4 to move the first treatment unit 3 in the front-rear direction, thereby positioning the first treatment unit 3 in the front-rear direction to a position where the heel of the user U can be appropriately treated. Adjust.

At this time, the control section 107 may further move the feet of the user U forward together with the first treatment section 3 by the movable section 4 . In this way, the position of the foot of the person U to be treated in the front-rear direction can be adjusted to a position where the second treatment section 5 can appropriately treat a predetermined portion of the sole of the person U to be treated. For example, the control unit 107 adjusts the position of the sole of the user U's foot in the front-rear direction to a position where the first roller 52 can appropriately perform the treatment. In addition, the control unit 107 adjusts the position in the front-rear direction of the longitudinal central portion of the sole of the user U to a position where the second rollers 54 can appropriately perform the treatment.

Alternatively, the sensor 6 may be a pressure sensor arranged on the surface facing the heel of the first treatment section 3 (see FIG. 5C). For example, sensor 6 is located in front of rear airbag 322 . During foot treatment, the controller 107 causes the movable part 4 to move the first treatment part 3 forward until the sensor 6 detects pressure due to contact with the heel. When the sensor 6 detects pressure, the control section 107 stops moving the first treatment section 3 . Also in this way, the position of the first treatment section 3 in the front-rear direction can be adjusted to a position where the heel of the user U can be appropriately treated.

<3-6. Example of Interlocking with Operations of Other Components of Massage Machine 100>
The foot massage unit 1 may operate in conjunction with the operation of other components of the massage machine 100 .

<3-6-1. First operation example>
When the ottoman 105 rotates, the feet of the person to be treated U tend to move forward and backward with respect to the foot massaging unit 1 before and after the rotation. In order to eliminate the displacement of the feet in the front-rear direction with respect to the foot massaging unit 1 that occurs at this time, the control unit 107 controls the movable unit 4 according to the detection result of the sensor 6 to The position of the treatment section 3 in the front-rear direction is adjusted.

For example, the control unit 107 detects the position of the feet (for example, the front and rear ends thereof) relative to the foot massaging unit 1 in the front-rear direction based on the detection result of the sensor 6 after the ottoman 105 is rotated. . Then, the control section 107 causes the movable section 4 to move the first treatment section 3 in the front-rear direction. As a result, even if the treatment position of the first treatment unit deviates in the front-rear direction from the side surface of the heel of the user U according to the rotation of the ottoman 105, the control unit 107 can automatically eliminate the deviation. Therefore, the control unit 107 can adjust the position of the first treatment unit 3 in the front-rear direction to a position where the heel of the user U can be appropriately treated.

At this time, the control section 107 may further move the legs of the user U together with the first treatment section 3 by the movable section 4 . As a result, even if the treatment position of the second treatment unit 5 deviates in the front-rear direction from the predetermined portion (toe, arch, etc.) of the sole of the user U according to the rotation of the ottoman 105, the control unit 107 The deviation can be resolved automatically. Therefore, the control unit 107 can adjust the position of the foot of the person U to be treated in the front-rear direction to a position where the second treatment unit 5 can appropriately treat a predetermined portion of the sole of the person U to be treated.

<3-6-2. Second operation example>
When the backrest 102 rotates, the feet of the person to be treated U tend to move forward and backward with respect to the foot massaging unit 1 before and after the rotation. For example, when the backrest 102 is tilted rearward, the lower back and thighs of the person to be treated U move forward, so that the feet tend to move forward together with the lower legs. In order to eliminate the displacement of the feet in the front-rear direction with respect to the foot massaging unit 1 that occurs at this time, the control unit 107 controls the movable unit 4 according to the detection result of the sensor 6 to The position of the treatment section 3 in the front-rear direction is adjusted.

For example, the control unit 107 adjusts the position of the feet (for example, the front and rear ends thereof) relative to the foot massaging unit 1 in the front-rear direction based on the detection result of the sensor 6 after the backrest 102 has been rotated. detect. Then, the control section 107 causes the movable section 4 to move the first treatment section 3 in the front-rear direction. As a result, even if the treatment position of the first treatment unit 3 deviates in the front-rear direction from the side surface of the heel of the user U according to the rotation of the backrest 102, the control unit 107 automatically eliminates the deviation. can. Therefore, the control unit 107 can adjust the position of the first treatment unit 3 in the front-rear direction to a position where the heel of the user U can be appropriately treated.

At this time, the control section 107 may further move the legs of the user U together with the first treatment section 3 by the movable section 4 . As a result, even if the treatment position of the second treatment unit 5 shifts in the front-rear direction from the predetermined portion (toe, arch, etc.) of the sole of the user U according to the rotation of the backrest 102, the control unit 107 can automatically eliminate the deviation. Therefore, the control unit 107 can adjust the position of the foot of the person U to be treated in the front-rear direction to a position where the second treatment unit 5 can appropriately treat a predetermined portion of the sole of the person U to be treated.

<2. Remarks>
The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above-described embodiment is an example, and that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component and each process, and that they are within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the foot massaging unit 1 is arranged in the chair-type massaging machine 100 . However, the foot massaging unit 1 is not limited to this example, and may be installed in a device such as a foot massager for massaging the lower limbs of the person U to be treated.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the first treatment section 3 has the side airbags 321L and 321R and the rear airbag 322 . However, it is not limited to this illustration, and at least one of them may be a treatment element other than an airbag. For example, it may be a roller device in which the roller moves in a direction intersecting the vertical direction while pressing the heel. Alternatively, it may be a kneading ball device that presses or kneads the heel with kneading balls. Alternatively, it may be a vibrating device that transmits vibration to the heel.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the convex portion 33 is arranged on the heel side surface of at least one of the two side airbags 321L, 321R and the rear airbag 322 . However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the convex portion 33 may be omitted.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the holding portion 31 has two side wall portions 311L and 311R and the rear wall portion 312. As shown in FIG. However, the holding portion 31 is not limited to the examples in the above-described embodiment. For example, the holding portion 31 may have a flat plate shape having only the rear wall portion 312 without the side wall portions 311L and 311R. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modification of the first treatment section 3. As shown in FIG. 6, the first treatment section 3 for the right leg of the user U is viewed from above. The airbag 32 in FIG. 6 has two airbags 322L and 322R. The airbags 322L and 322R are arranged on the holding surface 3121 of the rear wall portion 312 and arranged in the left-right direction. The airbag 322L treats the heel of the user U from the left side. The airbag 322R treats the heel of the user U from the right side. In FIG. 6, the deflated airbags 322L, 322R are indicated by solid lines, and the inflated airbags 322L, 322R are indicated by broken lines. When air is supplied to the airbags 322L and 322R, the leg sides of the user U in the lateral direction of the airbags 322L and 322R do not inflate. On the other hand, the sides of the airbags 322L and 322R opposite to the legs of the user U in the left-right direction are inflated. Therefore, the airbags 322L and 322R can treat the sides of the user's U heels.

In the above-described embodiment, the second treatment section 5 of the foot massaging unit 1 includes the third roller for treating the lower portion of the heel of the person to be treated U, and the third shaft to which the third roller is eccentrically attached. , may further include: The third shaft is arranged behind the second shaft 53 and extends in the left-right direction. In this case, the transmission portion 56 described above also transmits the rotational driving force of the motor 55 to the third shaft. Although the shape of the third roller is not particularly limited, it may have the same shape as the first roller 52 or the same shape as the second roller 54, for example.

In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 107 detects the position of the foot in the front-rear direction with respect to the foot massaging unit 1 based on the detection result of the sensor 6 after the ottoman 105 is rotated, and the movable unit 4 The first treatment section 3 is moved in the front-rear direction. However, the control unit 107 is not limited to this example, for example, based on the detection result of the sensor 6 during rotation of the ottoman 105, detects the position of the foot in the front-rear direction with respect to the foot massaging unit 1, and moves the foot. The first treatment section 3 may be moved forward and backward by the section 4 . As a result, the control unit 107 can quickly and automatically eliminate the shift of the treatment position of the first treatment unit 3 from the side surface of the heel of the user U in the front-rear direction due to the rotation of the ottoman 105 . Therefore, the control unit 107 can adjust the position of the first treatment unit 3 in the front-rear direction to a position where the heel of the user U can be appropriately treated.

In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 107 detects the position of the foot in the front-rear direction with respect to the foot massaging unit 1 based on the detection result of the sensor 6 after the backrest 102 rotates, 4 moves the first treatment section 3 in the front-rear direction. However, the control unit 107 is not limited to this example, and the control unit 107 detects the position of the foot relative to the foot massaging unit 1 in the front-rear direction based on the detection result of the sensor 6 during the rotation of the backrest 102, for example. , the movable portion 4 may move the first treatment portion 3 in the front-rear direction. As a result, the control unit 107 automatically eliminates the shift of the treatment position of the first treatment unit 3 in the front-rear direction from the side surface of the heel of the user U according to the rotation of the backrest 102 more quickly. can. Therefore, the control unit 107 can adjust the position of the first treatment unit 3 in the front-rear direction to a position where the heel of the user U can be appropriately treated.

<3. Summary>
According to the above-described embodiment, the massage machine 100 includes the first treatment section 3 for treating at least the lateral side of the heel of the user U, and the movable section capable of moving the first treatment section 3 in the front-rear direction. 4 and .

According to this configuration, by moving the first treatment section 3 in the front-rear direction, even if the treatment position of the first treatment section 3 deviates in the front-rear direction from the side surface of the heel of the person to be treated U, the displacement can be corrected. can be resolved. Therefore, the first treatment section 3 can appropriately treat the heel. In addition, the first treatment section 3 can treat the heel at an appropriate position regardless of the size of the foot of the person to be treated U.

In the massage machine 100 described above, the first treatment section 3 includes holding surfaces 3111L and 3111R that face lateral sides of the heel of the user U, and at least a portion of which is arranged on the holding surfaces 3111L and 3111R. and an airbag 32 (first airbag) that can be expanded and contracted in any direction.

According to this configuration, by pressing the airbag 32, the lateral side of the heel portion of the user U can be treated.

Alternatively, in the massage machine 100 described above, the airbag 32 (first airbag) may be arranged behind the heel of the user U, and may be inflated and contracted in the front-rear direction. . For example, part of the airbag 32 is arranged on the holding surfaces 3111L and 3111R and can be expanded and contracted in the left-right direction, and the other part of the airbag 32 is arranged behind the heel of the user U. It may be expandable and contractible in the front-rear direction.

According to this configuration, by pressing the airbag 32, the lateral and rear surfaces of the heel portion of the user U can be treated. That is, the first treatment section 3 can treat a wide range of the heel.

The above-described massage machine 100 may be configured to further include a second treatment section 5 for treating the soles of the person U to be treated.

According to this configuration, the second treatment section 5 can further treat the soles of the user U (for example, the toes and arches of the feet).

In the massage machine 100 described above, the movable portion 4 includes an airbag 41 (second airbag) that can be inflated and deflated in the front-rear direction, and the first treatment portion 3 moves in the front-rear direction according to the inflation and deflation of the airbag 41 . may be configured to be movable.

According to this configuration, the expansion and contraction of the airbag 41 can be used as a drive source for the movable portion 4 . Therefore, the movable portion 4 can be configured more simply. Moreover, the cost can be reduced as compared with a configuration using an actuator or the like.

In the massage machine 100 described above, the first treatment section 3 further includes a convex portion 33 arranged to face the heel of the user U and capable of pressing the heel of the user U. may project toward the heel of the person to be treated U, and may be configured to move back and forth with respect to the heel according to the treatment by the first treatment section 3 .

According to this configuration, the projection 33 can locally press the heel of the user U. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the heel of the user U can be given a stronger stimulus such as pressure point pressing.

The massage machine 100 described above further includes a sensor 6 that detects the position of the feet of the user U in the front-rear direction, and a control section 107 that controls the movable section 4 . According to the result, the movable part 4 may be controlled to move the first treatment part 3 in the front-rear direction.

According to this configuration, even if the treatment position of the first treatment section 3 deviates from the side surface of the heel of the user U in the front-rear direction, the deviation can be automatically eliminated. Moreover, regardless of the size of the foot of the user U, the first treatment unit 3 can reliably and automatically move to a position where the heel of the user U can be appropriately treated.

The massage machine 100 includes a seat portion 101 that supports the buttocks of the user U, an ottoman 105 that is rotatably supported by the front end portion of the seat portion 101 and accommodates the lower legs of the user U, The movable unit 4, the first treatment unit 3, and the sensor 6 are arranged on the ottoman 105, and the control unit 107 controls the sensor when the ottoman 105 rotates (for example, during or after rotation). The position of the first treatment section 3 in the front-rear direction is adjusted according to the detection result of 6 .

According to this configuration, even if the treatment position of the first treatment unit 3 deviates in the front-rear direction from the side surface of the heel of the user U according to the rotation of the ottoman 105, the control unit 107 automatically corrects the deviation. can be resolved. Therefore, the control section 107 adjusts the position of the first treatment section 3 in the front-rear direction to a position where the heel of the user U can be appropriately treated.

The massage machine 100 described above further includes a backrest portion 102 that is rotatably supported by the rear end portion of the seat portion 101 and supports the torso of the user U. The controller 107 controls the backrest portion 102 to When rotating (for example, during or after rotating), the position of the first treatment section 3 in the front-rear direction may be adjusted according to the detection result of the sensor 6 .

According to this configuration, even if the treatment position of the first treatment unit 3 deviates in the front-rear direction from the side surface of the heel of the user U according to the rotation of the backrest 102, the control unit 107 corrects the deviation. can be resolved automatically. Therefore, the control section 107 can adjust the position of the first treatment section 3 in the front-rear direction to a position where the heel of the user U can be appropriately treated.

100 (chair type) massage machine 101 seat portion 102 backrest portion 1021 treatment unit 103 base portion 104 armrest portion 105 ottoman 1061 operation portion 1062 storage portion 107 control portion 1081 actuator group 1082 air pump 1083 solenoid valve group 1 foot massager 2 housing Body 21 Concave portion 22 Opening portion 3 First treatment portion 31 Holding portion 311L, 311R Side wall portion 3111L, 3111R Holding surface 312 Rear wall portion 3121 Holding surface 32 Airbag 321L, 321R Side airbag 322 Rear airbag 322L, 322R Airbag 33 Projection 4 Movable Part 41 Airbag 5 Second Treatment Part 51 First Shaft 52 First Roller 521 First Projection 53 Second Shaft 54 Second Roller 541 Second Projection 55 Motor 56 Transmission Part 6 Sensor U Treated person

Claims (9)

a first treatment section that treats at least the lateral side of the heel of the user;
a movable part capable of moving the first treatment part in the front-rear direction;
Equipped with a massage machine. The first treatment unit is
a holding surface facing the side surface of the heel portion in the left-right direction;
a first airbag at least partially disposed on the holding surface and capable of expanding and contracting in the left-right direction;
The massager according to claim 1, comprising: 3. The massage machine according to claim 2, wherein said first airbag is arranged behind said heel portion and can be inflated and contracted in the front-rear direction. The massage machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a second treatment section for treating the sole of the user. The movable part includes a second airbag that can be inflated and contracted in the front-rear direction,
The massage machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first treatment section is movable in the front-rear direction according to the expansion and contraction of the second airbag. The first treatment section further has a convex portion arranged facing the heel and capable of pressing the heel,
The massage according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the convex portion protrudes toward the heel portion and can move back and forth with respect to the heel portion according to treatment by the first treatment portion. machine. a sensor that detects the position of the user's foot in the front-rear direction;
a control unit that controls the movable unit;
further comprising
The massage machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control section controls the movable section according to the detection result of the sensor to move the first treatment section in the front-rear direction. a seat supporting the user's buttocks;
an ottoman that is rotatably supported by the front end of the seat and accommodates the lower legs of the user;
further comprising
The movable part, the first treatment part, and the sensor are arranged on the ottoman,
The massage machine according to claim 7, wherein the control section adjusts the position of the first treatment section in the front-rear direction according to the detection result of the sensor when the ottoman rotates. further comprising a backrest portion that is rotatably supported by the rear end portion of the seat portion and that supports the torso of the user;
The massage machine according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the control unit adjusts the position of the first treatment unit in the front-rear direction according to the detection result of the sensor when the backrest rotates.

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