JPH07178145A - Massaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a massaging apparatus of simple and small structure at low cost, capable of warming up or cooling down the body to be treated without causing uncomfortable feeling during both summer and winter. CONSTITUTION:A massaging apparatus capable of massaging by vibrating knobs projected above an uppermost member of a housing is provided with a thermoelectric conversion device 23 having first and second heat transfer surfaces 23a and 23b, respectively, a first heat transfer means 21 placed at a required position on the top surface of the housing, being in contact with the first heat transfer surface, and a second heat transfer means 28 extended under the uppermost member of the housing, being in contact with the second heat transfer surface.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a massage device for warming or cooling a body to be massaged to obtain a massage effect.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique of this kind, there has been
The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-84194 is known. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the disclosed massage device of this technique.

In the figure, a blower 101, a main heater 102 and a sub heater 103 are arranged in a housing 100 having legs 104. And blower 1
The air sent from 01 is warmed by passing over the main heater 102 and the sub-heater 103, and flows into the upper space 106 from the lower space 105 of the housing 100 through the through hole 100a. Upper member 10 of housing 100
0b is heated by the air heated by the heaters 102 and 103, and heats the massaged body 107.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional technique, the body to be massaged is indirectly heated by the wind warmed by the heater, which is uncomfortable during summer use. A cooler may be installed to cool the body to be massaged, but it becomes uncomfortable during winter use.

In general, in order to obtain a massage effect, it is desirable to heat or cool the body to be massaged. Therefore, a heater and a cooler are provided in the housing to heat the body to be massaged. It may be possible to cool it down as well, but increasing the size of the device,
In addition, the cost increases due to the complexity.

The present invention provides a small-sized and low-cost massage device capable of warming or cooling a body to be massaged with a simple structure without causing discomfort during use in summer and winter. Is a technical issue.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical means taken in the invention of claim 1 is to vibrate a protrusion projecting from the upper member of the housing to massage the object to be massaged. In the massage device, a thermoelectric conversion element having first and second heat exchange surfaces,
First heat exchange means provided at a so-called position of the upper member of the housing and abutting on the first heat exchange surface, and second heat exchange means extending below the upper member of the housing and abutting on the second heat exchange surface. Be prepared.

[0008] The technical means taken in the invention of claim 2 is a blowing means for sending air to the second heat exchange means and a wind provided on the housing and passing over the second heat exchange means to escape to the outside of the housing. And a first through hole.

The technical means taken in the invention of claim 3 is to provide a hood for directing the wind from the first through hole toward the object to be massaged.

The technical means taken in the invention of claim 4 is to provide a guide passage for guiding the wind from the blowing means to the first through hole.

The technical means taken in the fifth aspect of the present invention is that the second heat exchange means is provided with a water flow means for flowing water and a covering member for covering the upper surface of the housing and the body to be massaged.

The technical means taken in the invention of claim 6 is that the second heat exchange means is provided with fins.

The technical means taken in the invention of claim 7 is the second through hole provided in the housing, the cooling member in contact with the first or second heat exchange surface, and the second through hole for the air outside the housing. That is, a fan is provided to feed the cooling member to the cooling member.

[0014]

The operation of the invention of claim 1 will be described. A thermoelectric conversion element having first and second heat exchange surfaces, a first heat exchange means provided at a so-called position on the upper surface of the housing and in contact with the first heat exchange surface, and extending below an upper member of the housing. Since the second heat exchanging means that contacts the second heat exchanging surface is provided, the so-called position on the upper surface of the housing can be easily heated or cooled by simply switching the direction of energization to the thermoelectric conversion element. Moreover, the structure is simple and the cost is low. Further, the rate of temperature change can be easily changed by adjusting the current flowing through the thermoelectric conversion element.

The operation of the invention of claim 2 will be described. Since the wind from the blower passes over the second heat exchange means, if heat is dissipated by the first heat exchange means, the wind is cooled by the endothermic action of the second heat exchange means and absorbed by the first heat exchange means. If the above is performed, the wind is warmed by the heat radiation effect of the second heat exchange means. When the wind hits the object to be massaged through the through holes, discomfort during use in summer and winter can be prevented.
Furthermore, the object to be massaged can be heated or cooled with good thermal efficiency.

The operation of the invention of claim 3 will be described. By providing the hood that directs the wind from the through hole toward the body to be massaged, the wind can be effectively applied to the body to be massaged, and the position where the through hole is provided has a degree of freedom.

The operation of the invention of claim 4 will be described. Since the air from the air blower is not dispersed by providing the guide passage, the velocity of the air flowing out from the through hole can be improved, and the air blower can be driven with less energy, which is energy saving.

The operation of the invention of claim 5 will be described. Since the water flow means for flowing water on the second heat exchange means and the covering member for covering the upper surface of the housing and the body to be massaged are provided, the thermal efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion element can be improved, so that the first heat exchange means. The amount of heat generated and the amount of heat absorbed from the means increase, so that the air around the body to be massaged can be cooled in the summer and the air around the body to be massaged can be warmed in the winter. This can further improve the feeling of use in summer and winter.

The operation of the invention of claim 6 will be described. Since the second heat exchanging means is provided with the radiation fins, the thermal efficiency can be further improved, and thus the power consumption can be reduced.

The operation of the invention of claim 7 will be described. By providing the second through hole provided in the housing, the cooling member in contact with the first or second heat exchange surface, and the fan for sending the air outside the housing toward the cooling member through the second through hole, The air outside the housing is sent toward the cooling member via the second through hole. At this time, on the surface of the cooling member, the air is cooled and water droplets are generated. As a result, the air outside the housing can be dehumidified.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the massage device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the massage device according to the first embodiment at a protrusion, and FIG. 3 is a thermoelectric conversion element of the massage device according to the first embodiment. 4 is a front view around the second heat exchange means.

A protrusion through hole 10a is formed in the upper member 10 of the housing. The lower surface of the projection 12 is supported by the projection support member 13 so as to penetrate the projection through hole 10 a and project from the upper surface of the upper member 10. A predetermined pressing force is applied to the protrusion support member 13 in the upward direction in FIG. 2 by the spring 15 whose lower portion is positioned by the positioning member 14, and the protrusion support member 13 applies the pressing force to the massage target body 16 via the protrusion 12. It is composed. The projection support member 13 is slidable in the vertical direction in FIG. 2 by a pin 16 penetrating the upper member 10. Further, the projection support member 13 holds the flexible member 17, and the outer periphery of the flexible member 17 is locked by the locking portion 10b of the upper member 10, so that the moisture or the like transmitted through the projection 12 can be prevented. It is configured to be accepted. Further, the projection supporting member 13 holds the motor 19 via the elastic member 18 so as not to drop the motor 19 and
An unbalancer 20 is attached to the rotating shaft of the above, and the motor 19 rotates to vibrate the protrusion supporting member 13.

A metal plate 21 serving as a first heat converting means is fixed to the upper member 10. The metal plate 21 is in contact with the first heat exchange surface 23a of the Peltier element 23, which is a thermoelectric conversion element, via the aluminum plate 22.

A first through hole 10c is formed in the upper member 10.

On the lower member 11 of the housing, a foot 26 made of an elastic body, a cord 25 for supplying electric power to the motor 19 and the sirocco fan 24, and a hood 26 are attached, and the lower surface of the sirocco fan 24 is attached. A suction port 11a is formed.

A duct 27 is arranged in the space between the upper member 10 and the lower member 11.

In the duct 27, the sirocco fan 2
4 and the 2nd heat exchange means 28 are arrange | positioned. The sirocco fan 24 is a motor 24a that is driven by electric power supplied from the cord 25, and is fixed to a rotation shaft of the motor 24a.
When the fan 24b is rotated by the rotational driving of the motor 24a, air is sucked from the suction port 11a and blown in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 toward the first through hole 10c. The second heat exchange means 28 has fins 28a, and the sirocco fan 2 is provided between the fins 28a.
The wind from 4 passes through. The upper surface of the second heat exchange means 28 is in contact with the second heat exchange surface 23b of the Peltier element 23.

As is well known, in the Peltier element 28, the first and second heat exchange surfaces 23 are switched by switching the energizing direction.
It is possible to switch heat input and output of a and 28b, and by periodically performing this switching by a relay switch (not shown), the massaging body 16 is heated and cooled periodically.

The Peltier element 23, the motor 19 and the sirocco fan 24 are energized by a power switch (not shown).

Further, as is well known, the Peltier element 28 can also increase the upper limit value and decrease the lower limit value of the temperature of the metal plate 21 by arbitrarily changing the flowing current.

In the first embodiment, the Peltier element 23
The metal plate 21 serving as the first heat exchanging means and the second heat exchanging means 28 are provided, and the metal plate 21 can be easily heated or cooled only by switching the energization direction to the Peltier element 23. The structure is simple and the cost is low.

Further, since the sirocco fan 24 for sending the wind toward the second heat exchange means 28 is provided, the operation of warming or cooling the massage target body 16 can be performed with good thermal efficiency.

Further, since the wind from the sirocco fan 24 passes over the second heat exchange means 28, if the metal plate 21 radiates heat, the wind is cooled by the endothermic action of the second heat exchange means 28, If the metal plate 21 is absorbing heat, the wind is warmed by the heat radiating action of the second heat exchange means 28. This wind
By hitting the body 16 to be massaged through the first through hole 10c, discomfort during use in summer and winter can be prevented.

Further, by providing the hood for directing the wind from the first through hole 10c to the body 16 to be massaged, it is possible to give a degree of freedom to the position where the first through hole 10c is provided, and the above wind is effective. Can be applied to the body to be massaged.

Further, since the duct 27 serving as the guide passage is provided, the wind from the sirocco fan 24 does not disperse, so that the velocity of the wind flowing out from the first through hole 10c can be improved and the sirocco fan 24 with a small amount of energy. It is enough to drive, and it is energy saving.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the massage device of the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a central sectional view of the massage device of the second embodiment.

Below the second heat exchange surface 23b of the Peltier element 23, a jet pipe 29, a waterproof wall 30, which constitutes a flowing water means,
A resin pipe 31 is provided. One end of the ejection pipe 29 is opened upward (in FIG. 6), and the other end is connected to a water source (not shown) via a resin pipe 31 so that water from the water source is ejected to the second heat exchange surface 23b. It has a structure that

The jet pipe 29 is arranged in a water tank 32 formed in the waterproof wall 30, and the water in the water tank 32 is discharged through the resin pipe 31 at any time.

A cover member 33 for covering the metal plate 21 and the body 16 to be massaged is attached to the upper member 10 of the housing.

In the second embodiment, since the thermal efficiency of the Peltier element 23 is improved by providing the water-flowing means, the amount of heat generated and the amount of heat absorbed from the metal plate 21 increase, and the massaging object is massaged in the summer. The air around 16 can also be cooled, and the air around the body 16 to be massaged can be warmed in the winter. This can further improve the feeling of use in summer and winter.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fan and cooling member of the massage device of the third embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the upper member 1 of the housing
The second through hole 35 is formed at 0. Below the second through hole 35, a fan 34 that holds the flexible member 17 together with the upper member 10 is attached, and air above the upper member 10 (in FIG. 7) is passed through the second through hole 35. It sucks in through. Then, below the fan 34 (see FIG.
The cooling member 36 is screwed to the metal lower member 11 ′ via the spacer 39 and the Peltier element 37. The cooling member 36 is the heat exchange surface 3 of the Peltier element 37.
The fins 36a are formed so as to abut the 7a and absorb heat with good thermal efficiency. Lower member 11 '
An escape hole 38 through which the wind from the fan 34 escapes is formed in.

In the third embodiment, since the second through hole 35, the cooling member 36 and the fan 34 are provided, the air on the upper member 10 of the housing is supplied to the cooling member 36 through the second through hole 35. Sent to you. At this time, the cooling member 3
On the surface of 6, the air is cooled and water droplets are generated. Thereby, the air on the upper member 10 can be dehumidified, and the massaging effect of the massaging object 16 can be obtained and simultaneously dried.

Further, in the third embodiment, the fan 34 and the cooling member 36 are arranged between the protrusions 12, but the present invention is not limited to this.

Further, in this embodiment, the fins 28a and 36a are
By including the above, the thermal efficiency can be further improved, so that the power consumption can be reduced.

[0049]

The effect of the invention of claim 1 will be described. First
And a thermoelectric conversion element having a second heat exchange surface, first heat exchange means provided at a so-called position on the upper surface of the housing and in contact with the first heat exchange surface, and a second heat exchanger extending below the upper member of the housing. Since the second heat exchanging means abutting on the heat exchanging surface is provided, the so-called position of the upper surface of the housing can be easily heated or cooled by simply switching the direction of energization to the thermoelectric conversion element. The structure is simple and the cost is low. Further, the rate of temperature change can be easily changed by adjusting the current flowing through the thermoelectric conversion element.

The effect of the invention of claim 2 will be described. Since the wind from the blower passes over the second heat exchange means, if heat is dissipated by the first heat exchange means, the wind is cooled by the endothermic action of the second heat exchange means and absorbed by the first heat exchange means. If the above is performed, the wind is warmed by the heat radiation effect of the second heat exchange means. When the wind hits the object to be massaged through the through holes, discomfort during use in summer and winter can be prevented.
Furthermore, the object to be massaged can be heated or cooled with good thermal efficiency.

The effect of the invention of claim 3 will be described. By providing the hood that directs the wind from the through hole toward the body to be massaged, the wind can be effectively applied to the body to be massaged, and the position where the through hole is provided has a degree of freedom.

The effect of the invention of claim 4 will be described. Since the air from the air blower is not dispersed by providing the guide passage, the velocity of the air flowing out from the through hole can be improved, and the air blower can be driven with less energy, which is energy saving.

The effect of the invention of claim 5 will be described. Since the water flow means for flowing water on the second heat exchange means and the covering member for covering the upper surface of the housing and the body to be massaged are provided, the thermal efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion element can be improved, so that the first heat exchange means. The amount of heat generated and the amount of heat absorbed from the means increase, so that the air around the body to be massaged can be cooled in the summer and the air around the body to be massaged can be warmed in the winter. This can further improve the feeling of use in summer and winter.

The effect of the invention of claim 6 will be described. Since the second heat exchanging means is provided with the radiation fins, the thermal efficiency can be further improved, and thus the power consumption can be reduced.

The effect of the invention of claim 7 will be described. By providing the second through hole provided in the housing, the cooling member in contact with the first or second heat exchange surface, and the fan for sending the air outside the housing toward the cooling member through the second through hole, The air outside the housing is sent toward the cooling member via the second through hole. At this time, on the surface of the cooling member, the air is cooled and water droplets are generated. As a result, the air outside the housing can be dehumidified. As a result, the body to be massaged can be massaged and dried, and a good feeling of use can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the massage device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a protrusion of the massage device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a thermoelectric conversion element of the massage apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the vicinity of a second heat conversion means of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the massage device of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a central sectional view of the massage device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a fan and a cooling member of the massage device of the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of a conventional massage device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Upper member 10c ... 1st through hole 11 ... Lower member 12 ... Protrusion 19 ... Motor 21 ... Metal plate (1st heat exchange means) 23 ... Peltier element ( Thermoelectric conversion element) 23a ... First heat exchange surface 23b ... Second heat exchange surface 24 ... Sirocco fan 26 ... Hood 27 ... Duct 28 ... Second heat exchange means 28a ...・ Fin 29 ・ ・ ・ Spout pipe 30 ・ ・ ・ Waterproof wall 31 ・ ・ ・ Resin pipe 34 ・ ・ ・ Fan 35 ・ ・ ・ Second through hole 36 ・ ・ ・ Cooling member 37 ・ ・ ・ Peltier element

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A massage device for vibrating a protrusion protruding from an upper member of a housing to massage a body to be massaged, comprising: a thermoelectric conversion element having first and second heat exchange surfaces; and an upper member of the housing. The first is provided in a so-called position
A massage device comprising: a first heat exchange means that comes into contact with the heat exchange surface; and a second heat exchange means that extends below the upper member of the housing and comes into contact with the second heat exchange surface. 2. A blower means for sending a wind toward the second heat exchange means, and a first blower provided in the housing for escaping the wind passing over the second heat exchange means to the outside of the housing.
The massage device according to claim 1, further comprising a through hole. 3. The massage device according to claim 2, further comprising a hood that directs the wind from the first through hole toward the body to be massaged. 4. A guide passage for guiding the wind from the blowing means to the first through hole is provided.
4. The massage device according to claim 3. 5. The massage device according to claim 1, further comprising a water flow means for flowing water on the second heat exchange means, and a covering member for covering an upper surface of the housing and the body to be massaged. 6. The massage device according to claim 2, wherein the second heat exchange means includes fins. 7. A second through hole provided in the housing, and a cooling member abutting against the first or second heat exchange surface,
The massaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a fan that sends air outside the housing toward the cooling member through the second through hole.