JP3338141B2 - Massage machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a massager having a pair of treatment elements which repeatedly approach and separate from each other, and which rubs a part pressed between them.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, due to the growing health orientation,
Attention has been focused on massage machines for home use. In particular, the treatment unit moving along the backrest of the chair includes a pair of treatment elements protruding forward (front side of the backrest), and the treatment pressed against the backrest by the movement of the treatment unit and the operation of the treatment element. A chair-type massage machine that performs various treatments (massaging, tapping, acupressure, etc.) on the site can perform a wide range of treatments from the neck line to the waist without changing the sitting posture, and a massage that provides excellent treatment effects Widely used as a machine.

[0003] The treatment element comprises a pair of support arms each having a base end supported by a common support shaft, and a massaging wheel attached to the distal end of the support arm. The support arms slide along the support shaft to approach each other. Kneading action to separate and massage the treatment site, finger pressure operation to press the treatment site by swinging of the support arm generated in the same phase around the support shaft, and hitting the treatment site by swinging the same phase. The present applicant has already provided a plurality of drive motors respectively corresponding to each of the above-mentioned operations, and by driving these motors in combination with the vertical movement motors of the treatment unit, We propose a massage machine that enables treatment that is appropriately combined with various treatments that have been performed, and that further improves the treatment effect.

In order to perform the kneading operation, a transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the kneading motor to the treatment element as a moving force in the axial direction of the support shaft is required. In general, this transmission mechanism includes a feed screw shaft which is superior to a screw portion in a different direction on both the left and right sides and is parallel to the support shaft, and a support base of the treatment element is provided on each of the screw portions on both sides. The screw is screwed separately, and the feed screw shaft is driven to rotate by the motor.

[0005] In this configuration, when the feed screw shaft rotates, both treatment elements slide in the axial direction of the support shaft in accordance with the screwing of the screw portions to be screwed with each other. Since the directions of the screw portions to be screwed are different, the sliding of both treatment elements occurs in opposite directions. Therefore, when the feed screw shaft was rotated forward and backward, the two treatment elements would repeatedly approach and separate from each other, and were pressed between these treatment elements, specifically, between the different kneading wheels. Massage treatment is performed on the treatment site.

However, the above-described transmission mechanism includes a screw mechanism with low transmission efficiency, requires a large motor to obtain a sufficient kneading and loosening effect, causes an increase in the weight of the treatment unit, and generates heat from the motor. However, there is a problem that the configuration of the cooling means is complicated.

In order to solve this problem, the applicant of the present application has already provided a pair of racks with their respective tooth surfaces facing each other separately from the treatment element, and kneaded a pinion that meshes with these racks collectively. Has proposed a massage machine provided with a transmission mechanism for kneading operation configured to be connected to the output end of a motor for use. In this transmission mechanism, since the transmission from the motor to the treatment element is performed only through the gear mechanism having excellent transmission efficiency,
The massage motor can be downsized, the treatment unit can be reduced in weight, and the cooling structure of the motor can be simplified.

[0008]

The gear mechanism generally requires a proper backlash at the meshing portion of each tooth. Therefore, in a massage machine configured to perform transmission for massaging only through a gear mechanism, the backlash between the gears in the transmission path is concentrated on the treatment element, and the treatment element is reversed from approach to separation and separation. When the treatment element is reversed from close to approaching, rattling occurs, and there is a disadvantage that a smooth reversing operation is not performed and the usability is deteriorated.

Such backlash can be reduced by adjusting the backlash. However, between the kneading motor and the treatment element, there are a plurality of gear mechanisms including the rack and pinion mechanism, and adjusting the backlash for each of them requires a great deal of trouble. Furthermore,
Since the backlash adjusted in the assembling stage increases with time with subsequent use, it is difficult to eliminate the deterioration of the feeling of use due to the backlash of the treatment element by adjusting the backlash.

[0010] On the other hand, the kneading motor is driven forward and reverse in accordance with the detection result of the sliding position of the treatment element, so that the kneading treatment can be performed with a desired kneading width. If a failure occurs in the sensor or switch that detects the moving position, the treatment element may move too close to each other, resulting in a personal injury in which the treatment site is pinched between the kneading wheels. There is a possibility that the parting operation may be performed beyond the range, colliding with other parts inside the treatment unit, and the parts or the treatment element itself may be damaged.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a configuration in which a kneading operation is performed by transmission through a gear mechanism, rattling at the time of reversal of a treatment element is effectively reduced, and a feeling of use is reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a massage machine that can improve the performance and prevent a runaway accident of a treatment child from occurring.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A massage machine according to the present invention is provided with a pair of treatment elements which slide along a common support shaft by transmission via a gear mechanism and approach and move away from each other. In the machine, there is provided an urging means for urging one or both of the treatment elements toward one side in the axial direction of the support shaft over the entire operation range of the approach and separation.

In addition, a stopper made of an elastic material which contacts one or both of the treatment elements and limits the moving range of the approach and separation is provided. The urging means and the stopper are provided with the support. Each is characterized by being inserted into a shaft.

[0014]

According to the present invention, there is provided an urging means for urging one or both of the pair of treatment elements supported on the support shaft in the axial direction of the support shaft, that is, in the moving direction for kneading and loosening. The backlash of the gear mechanism is absorbed by this urging force, and the rattling that occurs when the treatment element is inverted is eliminated.

Further, a stopper provided at a position abutting on one or both of the treatment elements mechanically limits an approaching and separating operation range of the treatment element, and the treatment element runs away due to a failure of a sensor or the like. An accident is prevented, and the stopper is made of an elastic body to prevent the treatment element itself from being damaged due to collision with the stopper.

Further, the biasing means and the stopper are inserted into the support shaft of the treatment element, and the support shaft is used as a support to prevent the biasing means and the stopper from falling off.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a massage machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a frame structure thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, the massage machine shown in this embodiment has a seat 1 having armrests 1a on both sides in the width direction,
It is provided with a backrest 2 rising from the rear edge of the seat 1 and is configured as a chair-type massage machine having the appearance of an armchair. As shown in FIG. 2, the seat 1 has a seating pad 12 placed on a seat plate 11 mounted on a leg frame 10, and the backrest 2 has a lower end pivotally supported on the leg frame 10 so as to be swingable. The vertical frames 20, 20 are provided on both left and right sides (only one side is shown), and support plates 21 are provided on a plurality of brackets 22, 22 projecting forward at appropriate positions of the vertical frames 20, 20, respectively.
, And a back pad 23 is placed on the support plate 21.

Between the left and right vertical frames 20, 20, a treatment unit 5 that moves up and down using these as a guide member is supported, and a pair of treatment elements 6, 6 are provided in front of the treatment unit 5 in the width direction. I have. These treatment elements 6, 6 protrude toward the front side of the backrest 2 through cutouts of an appropriate width formed in the center in the width direction of the backrest pad 23 over substantially the entire length, and a covering cloth 24 ( The operation of each of the different driving mechanisms incorporated in the treatment unit 5 causes the approaching and separating operations in the width direction for massaging, the vertical operation for hitting, and the acupressure. In the front-rear direction.

The vertical frame 20 of the backrest 2 has a bent shape as shown in FIG. 2 so as to follow the bending of the neck from the back serving as a treatment site. A drive chain 15 stretched between the drive sprocket 13 and the upper driven sprocket 14 extends along the drive sprocket 13. The driving force of an up / down driving motor M installed on the rear lower side of the seat 1 is transmitted to the driving sprocket 13 via a speed reducer G. The rotation of the driving sprocket 13 in accordance with the transmission transmits the driving force. The chain 15 operates up and down.

The treatment unit 5 includes a pair of upper and lower support rollers 51, 52 on both sides in the width direction (only one side is shown).
The vertical frame 20 on the same side is sandwiched and supported by the supporting rollers 51 and 52 from the front and rear. Treatment unit 5
Are connected to a middle part of the drive chain 15 on the same side via a connecting member 53 fixed to the lower rear portion on both sides in the width direction (only one side is shown). Thus, the treatment unit 5 moves up and down with the rolling of the support rollers 51 and 52 on the front and rear surfaces of the vertical frame 20 according to the operation of the drive chain 15 transmitted by the vertical drive motor M. By the combination of the vertical movement and the above-described operation of the treatment elements 6 and 6, various treatments are performed over substantially the entire area of the portion pressed against the backrest 2.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a drive mechanism of the treatment elements 6 and 6 for a kneading operation inside the treatment unit 5. A drive mechanism for each operation of beating and acupressure is also configured inside the treatment unit 5, but these are omitted to prevent the drawing from being complicated.
As shown, a pair of upper and lower support shafts 5 are provided inside the treatment unit 5.
The support rollers 51, 52 are attached to both ends of support shafts 53, 54 projecting from the side plates 5a, 5a on both sides, respectively.

Each of the treatment elements 6 and 6 is separately supported on a lower support shaft 53 slidably in the axial direction.
And the support bases 60, 60 on the surface facing the other of the support bases 60, 60.
Arm holder 6 mounted for rotation with respect to 60
1, 61, support arms 62, 62 having their base ends fixed to the arm holders 61, 61, and massaging wheels 63, 63 fixed to the distal ends of the support arms 62, 62. .

The treatment elements 6, 6 swing the support arms 62, 62 by the rotation of the arm holders 61, 61 generated in the same phase with respect to the support tables 60, 60, and the massage wheels 63, 63 at the tips. Are pushed out in a lump, and the finger pressing operation of pressing the pressing parts against these rubbing wheels 63, 63 and the forward / reverse rotation of the arm holders 61, 61 which are also shifted in phase, cause the rubbing wheels 63, 63 to move.
Are alternately moved up and down to perform a tapping action to tap the treatment site, and repeatedly slide the kneading wheels 63, 63 toward and away from each other by sliding the support bases 60, 60 generated along the support shaft 53. In addition, a kneading operation for kneading and loosening the treatment site pressed against the kneading wheels 63, 63 is performed.

Kneading drive motor 3 serving as a driving source for kneading operation
Is fixed on the upper part of the rear wall plate 5b of the treatment unit 5. A gear box 30 is fixed to the rear wall plate 5b at a position facing the lower support shaft 53 forward.
An input end protruding to one side of 30 is connected to an output end of the kneading drive motor 3 via a transmission belt 31, and a pinion 33 is fitted and fixed to an output end protruding forward at a substantially central portion. I have.

A pinion is provided on the front of the gear box 30.
A pair of slide guides 34, 34 are attached above and below the projecting position of 33, and are parallel to the support shaft 53, and these slide guides 34, 34 are in their respective longitudinal directions, that is,
The racks 35, 35 are slidably supported in a direction parallel to the support shaft 53.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the support structure of the rack 35. As shown, the slide guide 34 includes an inner member 34a fixed to the front of the gear box 30 and a rack 35.
A number of support balls 34c, 34c ... are interposed in the longitudinal direction between the outer member 34b and the inner member 3b.
This is a mechanical element that enables smooth sliding by rolling the support balls 34c, 34c ... between 4a and the outer member 34b.
For example, it is commercially available under the trade name of Acrylide.

The racks 35, 35 supported as described above are provided with rack teeth on the side facing each other, and these rack teeth are engaged with the pinion 33 from both upper and lower sides. Further, the racks 35, 35 are respectively connected to the support bases 60, 60 of the treatment elements 6, 6 via respective connecting rods 36, 36 extending forward on different sides in the longitudinal direction. It is.

The rotation of the kneading motor 3, which is a driving source for the kneading operation, is transmitted to the gear box 32 via the transmission belt 31, and is output to the pinion 33 after being decelerated inside the gear box 31. The pinion 33 is transmitted. The rotation of the pinion 33 is transmitted to racks 35, 35 meshing with the pinion 33. The treatment elements 6, 6, which are connected to the racks 35, 35 via connecting rods 36, 36, move along the slide guides 34, 34. 35, 35
Slides smoothly along the support shaft 53 in accordance with the sliding of.

The racks 35, 35 are engaged with the upper and lower portions of the pinion 33.
The sliding of 5, 35 occurs in the opposite direction to each other, and both racks 35, 35
The treatment elements 6 and 6 connected to each other move toward or away from each other. Therefore, by turning the kneading motor 3 forward and reverse, the treatment elements 6 and 6 alternately approach and separate from each other,
Kneading of the treatment site pressed between these treatment elements 6 and 6, specifically, between the kneading rings 63 and 63, is performed.

A support shaft 53 is provided below the moving range of the treatment elements 6 and 6.
A pair of photointerrupters 64, 64 are disposed at an appropriate distance in the axial direction of the treatment elements 6, that is, in the moving direction of the treatment elements 6, 6, and the passage of the light blocking member 65 that is suspended downward from one treatment element 6 is detected. It is made to do. This detection result is used for switching between the forward and reverse rotations of the massaging motor 3, that is, for switching between the approaching and separating operations of the treatment elements 6, 6. Thereby, the kneading width in the kneading operation described above is
It is determined by the arrangement intervals of the photo interrupters 4 and 64, and by providing these photo interrupters 64 and 64 so that the interval between them can be appropriately changed, it is possible to adjust the rubbing width.

A coil spring 40 is inserted into the support shaft 53 supporting the treatment elements 6 and 6 outside the treatment element 6, and between the treatment elements 6 and 6 and the other treatment element 6. Outside and
Rubber stopper cylinders 41 and 42 are fitted respectively.

The coil spring 40 resiliently contacts the support base 60 of one treatment element 6 and the side plate 5a on the same side, and acts as urging means for urging the treatment element 6 toward the other treatment element 6. The treatment elements 6 and 6 have a sufficient length to continue the urging even when the treatment elements 6 and 6 are closest to each other.
That is, the treatment element 6 with which the coil spring 40 elastically contacts, and the rack 35 connected to the treatment element 6, are caused by the spring force of the coil spring 40.
It is urged toward the other treatment element 6 over the entire movement range during the kneading operation, and the engagement between the racks 35, 35 and the pinion 33 is always pressed to one side by the spring force. The meshing gap (backlash) between the two and the meshing gap of the gear mechanism inside the gear box 30 can be collectively absorbed. The play of the treatment elements 6, 6 at the time of reversal is greatly reduced.

On the other hand, the stopper cylinder 41 between the treatment elements 6 and 6 is
The stopper tube 42 is positioned at the center of the support shaft 53, and one end of the stopper tube 42 abuts on the side plate 5a on the same side.
With this arrangement, when the treatment elements 6 and 6 approach each other, the stopper tube 41 collides with them and acts to restrain further movement, and the stopper tube 42 causes the treatment elements 6 and 6 to move away from each other. At this time, it collides with one of the treatment elements 6 and acts to restrain further movement.

That is, the stopper cylinders 41, 42 function as stoppers for mechanically limiting excessive approach or separation of the treatment elements 6, 6 when the photo interrupters 64, 64 for adjusting the kneading width fail. It is possible to prevent an accident caused by the runaway of the treatment elements 6 and 6 from occurring. Further, since the stopper cylinders 41 and 42 are made of rubber as described above, it is possible to absorb the shock accompanying the collision and prevent the treatment elements 6 and 6 from being damaged.

Further, the coil spring 40 and the stopper cylinders 41, 42
Are inserted into the support shaft 53 that supports the treatment elements 6 and 6, and the support shaft 53 is used as a support, so that the respective actions on the treatment elements 6 and 6 can be reliably performed. .

In this embodiment, only one of the treatment elements 6 and 6 is urged. However, both of the treatment elements 6 and 6 may be urged. The abutment of the stopper tube 42 serving as a stopper is one of the treatment elements 6,
6, the contact may be performed on both the treatment elements 6, 6.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a chair type massage machine having a treatment unit 5 which moves up and down along the backrest 2 is assumed, but other types of massage machines, for example, the treatment unit 5 are fixed. It goes without saying that the present invention is also applicable to a massage machine that is used in combination.

[0039]

As described above in detail, in the massage machine according to the present invention, the urging means for constantly urging one or both of the pair of treatment elements supported on the support shaft in the axial direction of the support shaft. The backlash of the gear mechanism for allowing the treatment element to approach and separate along the spindle is absorbed,
It is possible to eliminate rattling that occurs when the treatment element is reversed from approaching to separating or from separating to approaching, thereby improving usability.

Further, since excessive approach and separation of the treatment element are mechanically limited by a stopper provided at a position abutting on one or both of the treatment element, the treatment element caused by a failure of the sensor for adjusting the kneading width or the like can be obtained. Runaway accident can be prevented beforehand, and since the stopper is made of an elastic body, there is no danger of the treatment element itself being damaged by collision with the stopper.

Further, since the urging means and the stopper are inserted into the support shaft of the treatment element and the support shaft is used as a support,
The present invention has excellent effects, for example, there is no possibility that the urging means and the stopper will fall off, and there is no possibility that these functions will be lost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a massage machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a frame structure of the massage machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a transmission mechanism for a kneading operation in the massage machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a rack support structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Seat part 2 Backrest 3 Massager 5 Treatment unit 6 Treatment element 30 Gear box 33 Pinion 35 Rack 40 Coil spring 41 Stopper cylinder 42 Stopper cylinder 53 Support shaft M Vertical drive motor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61H 7/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A massage machine provided with a pair of treatment elements that slide along a common support shaft by transmission via a gear mechanism and approach and move away from each other, wherein one or both of the treatment elements are A massaging machine comprising: urging means for urging the support shaft toward one side in the axial length direction over the entire approaching and separating operation ranges. 2. The massage machine according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic stopper that abuts one or both of the treatment elements and limits an approaching and separating movement range. 3. The massage machine according to claim 1, wherein the urging means and the stopper are fitted on the support shaft.