JP7416502B2 - massage equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a massage device using neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy (EMS).

Cushions used in physical therapy etc. include, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a back physical therapy device provided on the backrest of the pad body, and a buttock physical therapy device provided on the cushion of the pad body. It has been proposed that it consists of Such back part physiotherapy device and buttock physiotherapy device are each mounted on a power supply board that is connected to a power plug and controlled based on control signals from a control panel that includes a temperature setting button and a time control button. It is equipped with multiple spheres. Each of the plurality of spheres has an upper housing and a lower case. A heating rod for adjusting the heating temperature is arranged inside the upper housing and the lower case that come into contact with the human body, and moxibustion powder of mugwort as a Chinese herbal medicine is arranged around the heating rod.

Furthermore, as a watch-type physical therapy device that can be attached to an arm or leg, a treatment device main body has been proposed, as shown in Patent Document 2, for example, and the treatment device main body provides treatment to the user. a first electrode sheet and a second electrode sheet; a control board that supplies a predetermined pulse current to the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet; and a rechargeable battery that supplies power to the control board; The housing includes a charging interface for externally charging the battery, and a push button as an operation section for controlling the operations of the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet.

Furthermore, for example, as shown in Patent Document 3, a training device using EMS technology has been proposed. Such a training device includes a first electrode pad, a second electrode pad, a third electrode pad, and a fourth electrode pad each having an electrode in contact with the user's skin, and a third electrode pad operated by an operator. The device includes a controller that controls pulse waves supplied to the electrodes of the first to fourth electrode pads, and a sheet. The first to fourth electrode pads are each attached to the user's body using an adhesive sheet attached to the electrode. With the first to fourth electrode pads attached to the user's body in this way, the controller supplies pulse waves to the electrodes of the first to fourth electrode pads. This allows the muscles to be stimulated electrically.

China Utility Model No. 205359963 China Utility Model No. 213884746 JP2020-168270A

In a massage device using neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy (EMS) as described above, it is also desired to use the massage device in a bathtub during bathing, for example, in order to further enhance the effect of physical therapy.

However, the cushions and the watch-type physical therapy devices disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are difficult to use because they are not originally intended to be used underwater. In the training device disclosed in No. 3, no consideration is given to the waterproof function of the power source, so there is a possibility that it may be difficult to use the training device underwater.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a massage device that uses neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy (EMS) and has a waterproof function and can be used underwater. .

In order to achieve the above object, the massage device according to the present invention includes at least one electrode part made of conductive silicone rubber and an electrode part made of non-conductive silicone in a frame part integrally formed with the electrode part. The outer periphery of the frame portion facing the electrode portion holds the operation portion including a + button operation portion, a − button operation portion, and a power on/off operation portion for adjusting the frequency level of the drive pulse control signal supplied to the electrode portion. a bottom shell that is adhesively bonded to the lower end of the face shell and forms an internal closed space in cooperation with the inner peripheral surface of the face shell; A circuit board is disposed facing the operating section and supplies a drive pulse control signal to the electrode section in response to the operation of the operating section; , a vibration motor that vibrates the face shell and the bottom shell, and a rechargeable secondary battery that is placed in an internal closed space and supplies power to the circuit board.The operation section includes a + button operation section and a - button. The device is characterized in that it further includes an operation section, a charging port with a waterproof plug in parallel with the power on/off operation section, and a display section that displays the state of charge of the secondary battery .

Furthermore, a sealing portion may be provided on the entire peripheral edge of one surface portion of the bottom shell that is fitted to the lower end portion of the face shell. The bottom shell may have a post at a position corresponding to the connection terminal of the electrode section .

According to the massage device of the present invention, the electrode part is held in the frame part which is integrally formed with at least one electrode part made of conductive silicone rubber and the electrode part made of non-conductive silicone, and the electrode part is held in the frame part integrally formed with the electrode part. A face shell having an operation section on a side surface of the outer periphery of the frame section facing the electrode section, including a + button operation section, a - button operation section, and a power on/off operation section for adjusting the frequency level of the drive pulse control signal to be supplied. a bottom shell that is adhesively bonded to the lower end of the face shell and forms an internal closed space in cooperation with the inner circumferential surface of the face shell; The face shell and the bottom shell are controlled based on a circuit board that supplies a drive pulse control signal to the electrode section in response to the operation of the operation section, and a drive signal formed by the circuit board in response to the operation of the operation section. It is equipped with a vibration motor that vibrates, and a rechargeable secondary battery that is placed in an internal closed space and supplies power to the circuit board.The operation section includes a + button operation section, a - button operation section, and a power on/off operation. The device further includes a charging port with a waterproof plug and a display section that displays the state of charge of the secondary battery in parallel with the section, so that the massage device with waterproof function can be used underwater.

1 is a plan view showing the appearance of a first embodiment of a massage device according to the present invention. (A) is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the massage device shown in FIG. 1, and (B) is a partial sectional view of the massage device shown in (A). FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a connection configuration between an electrode part of the massage device shown in FIG. 1 and a printed circuit board housed in a closed space between an upper case and a lower case. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing each push button, a USB receptacle connector, and a vibration motor mounted on a printed circuit board together with a lithium ion battery. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an example of a drive pulse signal generation circuit formed on a printed circuit board. (A), (B), and (C) are diagrams each used to explain the operation of the operation unit. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the massage device according to the present invention. (A) and (B) are plan views showing the face shell and silicone rubber pad shown in FIG. 8, respectively.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the appearance of a first embodiment of a massage device according to the present invention.

The massage device 10 includes, for example, a face shell 18 having electrode portions (conductive silicone rubber) 12A and 12B disposed so as to be in contact with the skin of the body of a user who uses the massage device 10, and a lower end of the face shell 18. A bottom shell 40 (see FIG. 5) that is adhered to the bottom shell 40 to form a closed space 42 having a waterproof structure, and a closed space 18CA formed between the face shell 18 and the bottom shell 40 and an operating section to be described later. A printed circuit board 22 (Fig. (2(A), (B), see FIGS. 4 and 6), and a predetermined weight disposed in the recess formed in the face shell 18 to allow the massage device 10 to sink into water more quickly. The main elements include a counterweight 14 and a lithium ion battery 34 that supplies power to the printed circuit board 22.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the face shell 18 includes a substantially fan-shaped frame portion 16 made of, for example, electrically insulating silicone rubber (hereinafter also referred to as non-conductive silicone rubber), and a frame portion 16. Conductive conductors are arranged in relatively large depressions formed in a substantially triangular shape on both sides of the connecting part 16P, which is located approximately at the center of the part 16 and has the lithium ion battery 34 arranged in a recessed part on its inner surface. The electrode parts 12A and 12B molded from silicone rubber are arranged in a recess relatively smaller than the above-mentioned recess on the inner surface of the frame part 16 adjacent to the lithium ion battery 34, which is arranged in the recess on the inner surface of the connecting part 16P. The counterweight 14 is configured to include a counterweight 14.

The electrode parts 12A and 12B are each arranged in the recess of the frame part 16 so as to be line symmetrical with the connecting part 16P in between. As shown in FIG. 2(A), the electrode part 12A includes a conductive sheet 12A1 disposed in the above-mentioned depression and formed of conductive silicone rubber into a substantially triangular shape, and a conductive sheet 12A1 laminated on the conductive sheet 12A1. 12A2. The conductive sheet 12A1 placed in the above-mentioned depression has a plurality of through holes 16S in the metal sheet through which lead wires Wi (see FIG. 3) from the printed circuit board 22 (described later) pass. The electrode section 12B is composed of a conductive sheet 12B1 disposed in the above-mentioned depression and formed into a substantially triangular shape from conductive silicone rubber, and a conductive sheet 12B2 laminated on the conductive sheet 12B1. The conductive sheet 12B1 placed in the recess has a through hole 16S in the metal sheet through which a lead wire Wi (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, passes. As shown in FIG. 3, one end of the lead wire Wi from the printed circuit board 22 is connected to the connection terminal 12a of the conductive sheet 12A2 and the connection terminal 12b of the conductive sheet 12B2 via the annular terminals 12aR and 12bR. electrically connected.

The electrode parts 12A and 12B and the frame part 16 are integrally molded, for example, by two-color molding.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(A), an operating section (FIG. 7(A)) for sending command signals to the printed circuit board 22 is provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the frame section 16 opposite to one side of the triangle of the electrode section 12B. )), a display section consisting of a two-color LED (light emitting diode) (see Fig. 7(C)) that displays the charging status of the lithium ion battery 34, and a charging port 18B4 with a waterproof plug (see Fig. 7(B)). )) are provided. In the closed space 18CA inside the face shell 18 facing the above-mentioned operation section, as shown in FIG. 2(B), there is a printed circuit sandwiched in the closed space between the upper case 20A and the lower case 20B. A substrate 22 is arranged. The lower opening of the closed space 18CA is sealed with a sealing sheet 24 and an adhesive. The lower case 20B faces the above-mentioned operating section that forms a part of the outer peripheral side surface of the above-mentioned frame section 16. One end surface of the lower case 20B is formed with a through hole through which the ends of a USB receptacle connector 24, a push button 30, a push button 26, and a push button 28 in a printed circuit board 22 (to be described later) project.

As shown in FIG. 7(A), the above-mentioned operation section controls the frequency level (for example, 0.1 to 1000 Hz (low frequency), 1000 to 10000 Hz) of the drive pulse control signal supplied to the electrode sections 12A and 12B. (medium frequency), 10,000 to 50,000 Hz (high frequency)) in 4% increments in 20 steps. It consists of a port 18B4. The + button operation section 18B1 is formed to correspond to an end of a push button 30 (see FIG. 4) mounted on a printed circuit board 22, which will be described later. - The button operation section 18B3 is formed to correspond to the end of the push button 26 (see FIG. 4) mounted on the printed circuit board 22. The power on/off operation section 18B2 is formed to correspond to the end of a push button 28 (see FIG. 4) mounted on the printed circuit board 22.

For example, a USB receptacle connector (Type-C) 24 (see FIG. 4) mounted on the printed circuit board 22 is arranged in the charging port 18B4 with the waterproof plug 18C (see FIG. 7(B)). There is. When this USB receptacle connector (Type-C) is connected to a USB plug connector (Type-C) (not shown) connected to a predetermined power source, the power supply from the power source to the lithium ion battery 34 is connected to the printed circuit. This is possible via the substrate 22. Note that instead of the lithium ion battery 34, a nickel-cadmium battery may be used as a secondary battery.

Furthermore, a vibration motor 32 that vibrates in conjunction with the operation of the above-mentioned operating section is mounted on the printed circuit board 22 which is waterproof coated. The operation of the vibration motor 32 is controlled by the printed circuit board 22 intermittently connecting the negative electrode of the vibration motor 32 . For example, when the vibration motor 32 vibrates together with the face shell 18 in conjunction with each operation of the operating section described above, the vibration is transmitted to the user, so that the user can easily move the operating section even underwater. It is possible to reliably recognize that the operation has been performed. Further, by detecting the voltage of the lithium ion battery 34, if the remaining charge amount of the lithium ion battery 34 becomes a predetermined value or less (for example, 3.0V or less), for example, the control from the printed circuit board 22 The vibration motor 32 automatically vibrates three short times based on the signal, thereby warning the user that the remaining charge of the lithium ion battery 34 is low and that charging is required.

As shown in a partially enlarged view in FIG. 5, a protrusion 40P1 and a protrusion 40P2 are provided as sealing parts on the entire circumferential edge of one surface of the bottom shell 40 that is fitted to the lower end of the face shell 18. are formed in two rows with a predetermined interval. The protrusion 40P1 and the protrusion 40P2 each have a height and width of, for example, about 2 mm, and are grooves formed at the lower end of the face shell 18 facing the protrusion 40P1 and the protrusion 40P2 of the bottom shell 40. 18G1 and groove 18G2, and are sealed with an adhesive. An end portion 18E of the upper end portion of the face shell 18 that is connected to the lower end portion described above is integrally molded with the edge portion of the frame portion 16. As a result, a waterproof structure is formed that seals the closed space 42 formed by the face shell 18 and the bottom shell 40.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a drive pulse control signal generation circuit that forms drive pulse control signals and supplies them to the electrode sections 12A and 12B is formed on the above-mentioned printed circuit board 22. The drive pulse control signal generation circuit identifies and detects the load being applied to the user by detecting the BOOST booster circuit that changes the pulse width of the drive pulse control signal and the frequency level of the operating drive pulse control signal. The load detection circuit is configured to include a load detection circuit.
For example, in FIG. 6, transistors Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q7, and Q8 are a pulse width modulation controller. Further, the BOOST booster circuit is composed of, for example, a transistor Q10, a transistor Q11, a coil L1, and a coil DZ3 in FIG. 6. Further, the load detection circuit includes, for example, a transistor Q6.

In such a configuration, when using the massage device 10, for example, the electrode portions 12A and 12B of the massage device 10, which are submerged in the bottom of a bathtub filled with water or hot water, are inserted with a gel pad or the like into the electrode portions 12A and 12B. The power on/off operation section 18B2 of the operation section is pressed directly against the skin of the user's buttocks, thighs, lower legs, lower back, back, neck and shoulders, upper arms, etc. without the need for application. By pressing for a long time (about 2 seconds), the massage device 10 is turned on. Note that when the massage device 10 is to be turned off, the power on/off operation section 18B2 of the operation section is pressed and held (for about 2 seconds) to be turned off. At this time, in the on-state, the vibration motor 32 generates relatively short vibrations on the face shell 18 only twice. In the off state, the vibration motor 32 causes only one relatively long vibration in the face shell 18 . This allows the user to recognize the on/off state of the massage device 10 by the vibrations generated in the face shell 18.

As shown in FIG. 7(A), the load applied to the user by the electrode sections 12A and 12B is adjusted by appropriately operating the + button operation section 18B1 and the - button operation section 18B3. . For example, when the + button operating section 18B1 or the - button operating section 18B3 is operated once, the vibration motor 32 generates one vibration in the face shell 18, and the load on the user is increased or decreased. .

During use, if the remaining charge of the lithium ion battery 34 becomes less than a predetermined value (for example, 3.0 V or less), the vibration motor 32 is automatically activated based on a control signal from the printed circuit board 22, for example. It vibrates three times briefly, and the vibration is propagated to the face shell 18. As a result, the user recognizes that the amount of charge of the lithium ion battery 34 has fallen below a predetermined value, and, for example, after discontinuing use, connects the lithium ion battery 34 to a predetermined power source as shown in FIG. 7(B). The USB plug connector (not shown) is connected to the USB receptacle connector (Type-C) 24, and the lithium ion battery 34 is charged. As shown in FIG. 7C, for example, during charging, the LED 18 lights up in red, and about 2 hours later, when the charging is completed, the LED 18 lights up in green.

Therefore, the user can use the waterproof massage device 10 underwater.

FIG. 8 schematically shows a second embodiment of the massage device according to the invention in an exploded manner.

Note that in FIG. 8, the same components as those in the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(A) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 8, the massage device 10' includes, for example, a face shell 18 having electrode parts (conductive silicone rubber) 12A and 12B, and a bottom shell that is adhered to the lower end of the face shell 18 and forms a closed space having a waterproof structure. 40' and the operation control of the above-mentioned electrode parts (conductive silicone rubber) 12A and 12B, and the operation control of the vibration motor 32, based on the command signal from the operation part disposed in the closed space formed in the face shell 18. , and a printed circuit board 22 (see FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4 and 6) that performs charging control of the lithium ion battery 34, etc., and a recess formed in the face shell 18 described above. A counterweight 14 of a predetermined weight to allow the massage device 10' to sink into water more quickly, a lithium-ion battery 34 that supplies power to the printed circuit board 22, a face shell 18 and a bottom shell 40'. The main element is a silicone rubber pad 50 sandwiched between them.

Two rows of protrusions 40'P1 and 40'P2 are formed as sealing parts at a predetermined interval on the entire circumferential edge of one surface of the bottom shell 40' that is fitted to the lower end of the face shell 18. ing. The protrusion 40'P1 and the protrusion 40'P2 each have a height and width of, for example, about 2 mm, and the face shell faces the protrusion 40'P1 and the protrusion 40'P2 of the bottom shell 40'. They are fitted into grooves 18G1 and 18G2 formed at the lower end of the groove 18, and are sealed with an adhesive. As a result, a waterproof structure is formed that seals the closed space formed by the face shell 18 and the bottom shell 40'.

On the inner surface 40'A of the bottom shell 40' having an outer surface 40'B and an inner surface 40'A, there are posts 40 corresponding to the positions of the connection terminals 12a of the conductive sheet 12A2 and the connection terminals 12b of the conductive sheet 12B2. 'a and 40'b are formed.

The shape of the silicone rubber pad 50 arranged opposite to the face shell 18 shown in FIG. 9(A) is set to be substantially the same as the shape of the face shell 18. As shown in FIG. 9(B), the silicone rubber pad 50 is molded by, for example, a liquid silicone molding method, and has a honeycomb structured surface 50A facing the face shell 18 and an inner surface 40'A of the bottom shell 40'. It has a lower surface 50B facing. The honeycomb structure surface 50A has a plurality of honeycomb-shaped (hexagonal) holes. By imparting elasticity to the silicone rubber pad 50 by forming the honeycomb structure surface 50A, the silicone rubber pad 50 becomes lightweight and flexible, and manufacturing costs can also be reduced.

Through holes into which the posts 40'a and 40'b are respectively inserted are formed at positions corresponding to the positions of the above-described posts 40'a and 40'b on the honeycomb structure surface 50A. Thereby, the posts 40'a and 40'b of the bottom shell 40' prevent the annular terminal 12aR of the conductive sheet 12A2 and the annular terminal 12bR of the conductive sheet 12B2 from detaching.

Therefore, by providing the silicone rubber pad 50 sandwiched between the face shell 18 and the bottom shell 40', the cushioning properties of the massage device 10' are enhanced.

Even in this configuration, the user can use the waterproof massage device 10' underwater.

(1) Also in the second embodiment described above, the massage device 10' is designed based on ergonomics, and the hardness of the material matches the hardness required for contact with the human body. The structure of the face shell 18 and bottom shell 40' of the massage device 10' matches, for example, the structure of the lower back, making it extremely comfortable. At the same time, the electric treatment of the massage device 10' can be used for other areas such as shoulders, back, waist, arms, soles of feet, calves, and thighs, thereby further reducing treatment costs.

(2) The face shell and the bottom shell can be sealed by the annular recess and the annular protrusion, thereby achieving a tight structure and good sealing effect by combining the face shell and the bottom shell. .

(3) The printed circuit board is also sealed with silicone rubber pads 50 to improve hermeticity, and the overall size is further reduced, making it extremely easy to use. It is also equipped with multiple operation buttons, allowing you to quickly adjust the working gear to meet the needs of different people.
(4) Since the silicone rubber pad 50 has a honeycomb structure inside, it is possible to reduce the weight and cost of the entire massage device 10'.

10, 10' Massage device 12A2 Electrode part (conductive silicone rubber)
12B2 Electrode part (conductive silicone rubber)
14 Counterweight 18 Face shell 18CA, 42 Closed space 22 Printed circuit board 34 Lithium ion battery 40, 40' Bottom shell 50 Silicone rubber pad 50A Honeycomb structured surface

Claims (3)

The electrode part is held in a frame part formed integrally with at least one electrode part made of conductive silicone rubber and the electrode part made of non-conductive silicone, and a drive pulse control signal is supplied to the electrode part. a face shell having an operating section including a + button operating section for adjusting a frequency level, a - button operating section, and a power on/off operating section on a side surface of the outer periphery of the frame section facing the electrode section;
a bottom shell that is adhesively bonded to the lower end of the face shell and forms an internal closed space in cooperation with the inner peripheral surface of the face shell;
a circuit board disposed opposite to the operating section on the side surface of the face shell in the internal closed space, and supplying a drive pulse control signal to the electrode section in response to an operation of the operating section;
a vibration motor that is controlled based on a drive signal generated by the circuit board in response to an operation of the operation section and vibrates the face shell and the bottom shell;
a rechargeable secondary battery disposed in the internal closed space and supplying power to the circuit board;
The operation section includes the + button operation section, the - button operation section, a charging port with a waterproof plug in parallel with the power on/off operation section, and a display section that displays the charging state of the secondary battery. A massage device further comprising : 2. The massage device according to claim 1 , wherein a sealing portion is provided on the entire peripheral edge of one surface portion of the bottom shell that is fitted to the lower end portion of the face shell . The massage device according to claim 1 , wherein the bottom shell has a post at a position corresponding to a connection terminal of the electrode section .