WO2005013880A1

WO2005013880A1 - Apparatus for treating feet

Info

Publication number: WO2005013880A1
Application number: PCT/FR2004/001617
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc Legrain
Original assignee: Seb S.A.
Priority date: 2003-07-11
Filing date: 2004-06-25
Publication date: 2005-02-17
Also published as: EP1648370B1; FR2857251A1; RU2343897C2; RU2006104111A; EP1648370A1; DE602004026067D1; FR2857251B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for treating feet, comprising a tub (2) to contain water (6) into which the feet of the user are introduced. Said tub (2) is provided with at least one massage device (10), for contact with the feet, having a drive end (12), taking the rotational movement of the output shaft (21) of a motor unit arranged outside the tub (2). According to the invention, the tub has a wall with at least a part thereof made from a magnetically-permeable material and the transmission of the movement between the output shaft (21) of the motor unit and the massage device (10) is achieved across the wall of the tub (2) by means of a magnetic coupling (11).

Description

FEET TREATMENT APPARATUS

The present invention relates to an apparatus suitable for treating or caring for the feet, in particular of the type, capable of washing and also massaging the feet.

Such a foot care device generally comprises a tank designed to receive a certain amount of water, possibly comprising means for heating the water, as well as an electromechanical drive device capable of producing vibrations in the walls of to the tank or to send jets of water drawn towards the feet. Some more sophisticated devices include a device with additional electromechanical drive arranged in the center of the tank to drive in a movement of rotation, translation or vibration one or more massage accessories arranged above the water level in the tank. It has been found that such a localized massage of the soles of the feet contributes to improving blood circulation and stimulating the peripheral nervous system, which causes a feeling of relaxation and relaxation in the part of the body treated. Such a movement applied to the feet happens, moreover, to dissipate the feelings of fatigue felt in the feet or the legs.

The document DE 295 02 720 U describes an apparatus for foot bathing of this type comprising a housing supporting a tank containing water, an internal space being provided between the housing and the tank for housing an electric motor for driving movement of several foot treatment accessories. These treatment or massage accessories can be a rotary roller, a translational plate or massage pins with vertical movement. The movement is transmitted from the electric drive motor via a reduction gear and mechanical coupling to the various accessories, a seal being provided around the output shaft of the motor unit, in the wall of the tank. Such a seal is in permanent sliding contact with the output shaft of the motor unit and cannot therefore not ensure a good seal. To secure such a device connected to the network, it is then necessary to use a transformer with double insulation to limit the risks in the event of water leakage, which increases the construction and the cost of the device. In addition, since the watertightness is not perfectly guaranteed, and also for safety measures, the drive output of the motor unit shaft is located above the water level in the tank, which imposes a prominence inside the tank which turns out to be bulky and thereby reduces the possibilities of movement of the feet in the tank.

Furthermore, document DE 298 23 166 U describes a hydraulic massage device comprising a tank containing water closed by an upper flexible membrane forming the massage surface on which the patient lies. A mobile massage device in the tank consists of a nozzle which sends a jet of water towards the internal part of the flexible membrane, the patient being positioned on the opposite side. The nozzle is mounted on a support having permanent magnets on its side facing the bottom wall of the tank, while on the other side of this bottom wall, in front of the nozzle support, is a carriage also with permanent magnets. The carriage transmits its movement to the nozzle being itself driven in a translational movement in a horizontal plane by a mechanism receiving the movement of two electric motors provided for this purpose in the lower part of the tank. Such a drive by magnetic transmission certainly ensures the transmission of movement to the nozzle in good sealing conditions. However, such a system is not suitable for massaging feet in contact with a massage device driven in rotation by the output shaft of the power unit.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a foot treatment device comprising a motor unit, outside the tank and also comprising a massage device inside the tank containing water. intended to come directly into contact with the feet by being actuated by the output shaft of the engine group, where the movement is transmitted without the slightest risk of water leakage.

Another object of the invention is a foot treatment device allowing the operation of underwater massage devices.

Another object of the invention is a foot treatment device making it possible to ensure an optimum torque transmitted to the massage device, or even to vary the value of this couple, while being efficient and reliable over time.

Another object of the invention is a compact foot treatment device, having reduced dimensions and being of an optimized, simplified construction, capable of being industrialized at lower costs.

These aims are achieved with a foot treatment device comprising a tank intended to contain water to receive the feet of the user, said tank comprising at least one massage device intended for contacting the feet and comprising one end of drive capable of receiving the rotational movement of the output shaft of a motor unit disposed outside the tank, because the tank has a wall comprising at least one part made of a magnetically permeable material and that the transmission movement between the output shaft of the motor unit and the massage device is carried out through the wall of the tank by means of a magnetic coupling.

By wall made of a magnetically permeable material is understood a wall made of a material which can be crossed by the magnetic field lines without magnetizing. Such a wall may for example be a plastic material.

Thus, the engine group (we understand by engine group not only the engine block, but also the transmission members such as: pinion, toothed wheel, toothed belt, etc. making it possible to transmit the rotational movement of the engine shaft to a so-called output shaft of the power unit in a suitable place of the device), and the massage device are separated by the tank wall made of a magnetically permeable material, the massage device being located on the internal surface of the tank wall, while the outlet shaft is located on the external surface of the tank wall.

Such an apparatus has the advantage that the setting in motion of the massage device is performed by a magnetic coupling which takes place _without, physical contact between the two rotating parts one of which is the output shaft of the engine group at the outside of the tank, while the other is a massage device located inside the tank containing water. Any danger of leakage from the massage device can then be ruled out. Thus, the electric motor is electrically isolated from the tank containing water and, therefore, the motor can be supplied directly to the network, without using a transformer to lower the supply voltage of the motor to a value deemed safe for the user, for example 12V.

Preferably, said massage device has a circular section at its drive end, which is coaxial and faces the circular section of the output shaft of the power unit located on the other side of the wall of the tank, the two sections forming a magnetic coupling.

The massage device, constituting the driven part, has a circular section at its drive end, which faces the circular section of the output shaft of the power unit, constituting the driving part, located on the other side of the tank wall. The two circular sections are coaxial, they are located close face to face with respect to each other and allow the transmission of movement along the same axis through a sealed wall. The two circular sections form a magnetic coupling, each comprising magnets, or even the driven part can be made of a ferromagnetic material and the driving part comprise at least one magnet or an electromagnet, or, also, the driven part can be the rotor. a magnetic generator of which the stator is the driving part. Such a solution also makes it possible to associate the mechanical massage effect of the massage device with the magneto therapy.

Advantageously, the circular section of the drive end of the massage device and the circular section of the output shaft of the motor unit are concentric cylindrical.

One could, of course, have envisaged the transmission of the drive movement via two circular sections facing each other, at least the driving part being provided with magnets on its front face. However, it is preferred to arrange the two circular sections concentrically with each other, where at least the driving part is provided with magnets on its circumference facing the second, since such a solution has more compactness for the same value of the transmitted torque, thereby reducing the size of a foot treatment device.

Preferably, the circular section of the drive end of the massage device belongs to a magnetic core which faces at its periphery to a plurality of magnets located on the circular section of the output shaft of the power unit enveloping said magnetic core.

By magnetic core is understood a central part made of a material with magnetic properties which can be a ferromagnetic material or a magnet. Thus, the circular section of the magnetic core of the drive end of the massage device is inscribed inside the circular section of the output shaft of the motor unit, which allows the use of massage devices less bulky. Furthermore, this is particularly advantageous in the case where the reduction gears are located on the external side of the wall, towards the motor, a toothed wheel of such a reduction gear which can then receive the magnets arranged on its internal circumference.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device comprises means for adjusting and / or limiting the magnetic flux transmitted by said magnetic coupling. The means for adjusting and / or limiting the magnetic flux transmitted from the driving part to the driven part in fact adjust and / or limit the torque transmitted by the magnetic coupling. Limiting the transmitted torque thus guarantees maximum torque security that can be transmitted to the massage device and protects the motor. Adjusting the torque also makes it possible to adjust the intensity of the massage and to adapt it to the type of accessory used and or to the user's sensitivity.

In a first embodiment of the invention, said drive end of the massage device comprises a magnetic core of circular section mounted movable in translation parallel to its axis of rotation.

The displacement in axial translation of the magnetic core makes it possible to vary the axial height of the zone directly opposite the magnetic core (of the driven part) relative to the magnetized zone of the driving part, which thus makes it possible to vary the value of the torque forwarded to the party being led. In another variant, a displacement in axial translation of the driving part can also be envisaged. In another variant, one can consider the arrangement between the driven part and the driving part of a non-magnetic ring displaceable in translation.

In a second alternative embodiment of the invention, said drive end of the massage device comprises a magnetic core of circular section surrounded by a set of non-magnetic concentric rings each provided on its periphery with longitudinal openings facing each other and mounted rotatable with respect to each other.

Thus, the two rings, which are concentric with one another and also concentric with the magnetic core of the driven part, make it possible, by their rotation, to vary the width of the radial zone directly opposite the magnetic core with respect to the magnetized zone of the leading part, which allows thus varying the value of the torque transmitted to the driven part. In another variant, such rotary concentric rings with longitudinal slots can be arranged around the magnetic zone of the driving part.

Preferably, said massage device is removably mounted inside said tank.

This allows the use, with the same device, of several types of massage devices forming interchangeable accessories such as, for example, a ball tray, a roller accessory, a brush, an exfoliating pad, etc.

Advantageously, said magnetic coupling comprises a magnetic core specific to each massage device.

The magnetic core of each massage device is therefore dimensioned so as to offer an optimum value of the torque transmitted by each of the massage devices, to limit the value of the maximum torque transmissible by each device, or even to vary the value of this couple within limits adapted to each massage device.

Usefully, said magnetic coupling is located on the bottom wall of said tank.

Such a magnetic coupling offers the possibility of using various massage devices in water, for example arranged on the bottom wall of the tank, thus making it possible to eliminate the central column for holding above the water level of the massage device. This saves space and provides, for the same internal volume of the tank, more comfort for the feet of the user. In addition, it has been found that foot massage in water is more advantageous, compared to wet or dry massage, because, on the one hand, it is more relaxing, and, on the other hand, it opens up additional processing options; for example by using a suitable scrub accessory, we can more easily remove dead skin, treat corns, etc. Preferably, said motor unit is located inside a housing surrounding said tank on all of its sides.

Such a housing which supports the tank and at the same time encloses the motor unit makes it possible to obtain a foot treatment apparatus of compact and waterproof construction.

The invention will be better understood from the study of the embodiments taken without any limitation being implied and illustrated in the appended figures in which:.

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a foot treatment apparatus according to the state of the art;

- Figure 2 is a sectional view with a plane passing through the axis of a massage device of a foot treatment device according to the invention; - Figure 3 is an axial sectional view of a massage device according to a first alternative embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 4 is a schematic axial sectional view of a massage device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 5a is a side view of a massage device according to a third embodiment of the invention and Figure 5b is a cross-sectional view along the cutting plane A-A of Figure 5a.

Figure 1 illustrates a foot treatment device according to the prior art comprising a housing 1, intended to be placed on the ground, which supports a tank 2 for the feet intended to contain water. The tank 2 has a bottom wall 3 forming a bearing surface for the feet, the bottom wall 3 having for this purpose massage balls or reliefs, nozzles for sending pulsed jets, or any other device making it possible to receive and / or massage the feet. A protuberance or column 5 is formed in the central part of the tank 2 and supports at the top a massage accessory 7a mounted removably relative to its support. The massage accessory 7a which is a ball massager can be replaced by another accessory, for example an exfoliating pad 7b, stored for example in a housing provided for this purpose at side of column 5 or in one of its side walls. The massage accessory 7a, 7b receives the rotational movement of the output shaft of a motor group located outside the tank, via a mechanical coupling arranged inside the column 5. The motor group is supplied with energy by a cable 8, the accessory 7a, 7b being rotated when the user actuates a control button 9.

The foot treatment device according to the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, comprises a box 1 which supports in its upper part a tank 2 and provides with the latter an internal space intended to receive the electrical components, a power unit , possibly a heating element, etc. The tank 2 contains water 6 necessary for the treatment of the feet and which rises to a predetermined level, from a bottom wall 3, in the tank 2. At the bottom of the tank 2 is mounted a device for massage 10 with longitudinal axis XX 'coaxial with the vertical axis of the tank 2 passing through its center. The bottom wall 3 of the tank 2 is extended at its center by a blind sleeve 4 intended to receive the drive end 12. of the massage device 10, sleeve which forms a bearing for the drive end 12 of the massage device 10 which it supports in rotation. The tank 2 is made of a plastic material, for example polypropylene, by an injection technique, the blind sleeve 4 preferably having a thickness less than that of the side walls of the tank 2.

The massage device 10 has in its lower part a cylindrical drive end 12 extended by a massage head 14 comprising on its periphery massage balls 15 mounted, for example free in rotation on axes supported by the massage head 14. The drive end 12 comprises a magnetic core 16 of cylindrical shape and of predetermined height, mounted inside a sheath 17 made of a magnetically permeable material. The magnetic core 16 can be made of a ferromagnetic material or, in a variant, it can comprise a row of magnets arranged on its circumference, magnets whose polarity is directed in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis XX 'which coincides with that of the axis of rotation of the massage device 10, as will be explained later.

More particularly according to the invention, the massage device 10 is driven in movement by a magnetic coupling 11 which receives the movement of the output shaft 21 of a motor unit, the massage device 10 representing the driven part, while the driving part is represented by a rotary sleeve 18 comprising permanent magnets on its internal surface directed towards the blind sleeve 4. The rotary sleeve 18 is mounted on supports 19 inside the housing 1 and has on its internal periphery a row magnets 20, the north-south polarity of which is directed in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis XX ′. The rotary socket 18 preferably comprises multi-pole magnets (or with several pairs of poles) which multiply the transmission frequency by rotation thus favoring the perception by the user of a smoothed couple, without giving him time to feel the succession of vacuum and force transmission passages. The greater the number of pairs of poles, the more comfort there will therefore be felt during the transmission of the torque.

In the variant according to which the magnetic core 16 comprises a row of magnets on its outer circumference, then their polarity direction is aligned with that of the row of magnets 20 of the rotary sleeve 18. In another variant, the row d 'magnets 20 is replaced by an electromagnet.

The outer circumference of the rotary sleeve 18 is configured as a ring gear 22 which is meshed by a pinion 24 mounted on the output shaft of a motor 25, or being mounted at the end of a reduction gear driven by the drive shaft. output of the motor 25. During the supply of the motor 25, the pinion 24 rotates and drives the toothed wheel 22 in rotation about the axis XX ′. The torque received by the rotary bush 18, integral with the toothed wheel 22, is transmitted to the massage device 10 by the magnetic coupling produced between the magnets 20 and the magnetic core 16, the field lines of which are represented by arrows in figure 2. For example, the values of the torque transmitted by the magnetic coupling 11 are between 0.2 Nm and 1 Nm for a speed of rotation of the drive end 12 of the massage device between 30 rot / min and 200 rot / min.

One could, of course, make the massage device 10 integral with the tank 2, but it is preferred however to make it in the form of a removable accessory, so that it can be replaced by one or more accessories or removable massage devices. with a different or complementary function. Such a removable massage device should then comprise a magnetic core having the same mounting dimensions inside the blind sleeve 4 and operating in the same way as that of the massage device 10, the part forming the massage head being able, be configured differently, for example ball platter, rotating rollers, scrub pad, etc.

In a variant not shown in the figures, the massage device may include a mechanism for transforming the rotational movement of the driving part around the axis XX ′ into another type of movement for the driven part. This mechanism can be configured in the internal part of the massage device, or even in an independent intermediate part comprising, in the lower part, a magnetic core which is connected directly inside the blind sleeve of the tank and, in the upper part, a coupling mechanical with the massage device. Such a mechanism makes it possible to transform the rotational movement around the axis XX ′ of the drive end of the massage device or of the mechanism, into a vibratory or striking movement, in translation, or of rotation along an axis. different etc. of the massage head part.

In yet another variant, the driving part is mounted on the motor output shaft and the reduction gear is located at the level of the accessory in the tank, which allows the magnetic coupling to transmit more torque. important to the game.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the massage device 10a shown in FIG. 3 comprises a magnetic core 16 which is dimensioned so as to limit the value of the torque transmitted by its magnetic coupling with the magnets 20 of the driving part. This dimensioning can be done by limiting the intensity of the magnetic field transmitted through the coupling, for example by choosing the length L and / or the diameter D of the magnetic core 16 inside the sheath 17 when it is made in soft iron, or even the dimensions and type of permanent magnets used when it has them. Thus, each massage device can have its own magnetic core, which limits the maximum value of the torque transmitted by type of device and thus guarantees its proper operation, in complete safety, with the device of the invention. For example, when the user exerts too great a force on the massage device with his foot, the latter stops without risk of blocking the motor, thereby protecting it from any risk of destruction.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the massage devices 10b, 10c shown in FIGS. 4, 5a and 5b include means for adjusting the torque transmitted by the magnetic coupling which can be produced on a simple massage device 10 FIG. 2 or on a massage device already comprising a torque limiter of the type described and illustrated in FIG. 3.

According to a first variant, the massage device 10b of FIG. 4 comprises a magnetic core 16 mounted movable in translation by being provided with a screw and nut system which allows, by turning a rotary button 31, to raise or lower the magnetic core 16 and thus vary its surface opposite the magnets 20 of the rotating sleeve 18 and consequently its magnetic interaction with the magnets 20.

In an additional variant, the magnetic core 16 is fixed, but the device comprises a non-magnetic ring of very fine thickness mounted movable in translation outside the magnetic core 16, the screw and nut system causing this ring to go up or down which then forms a screen between the magnetic core 16 and the magnets 20 of the coupling magnetic. A finer adjustment of the torque transmitted by the magnetic coupling can thus be achieved.

According to a second variant, the massage device 10c shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b comprises a magnetic core 16 mounted fixed inside a sheath 17, two concentric rings, each made of a non-magnetic material and provided with openings on their generator, are interposed between the magnetic core 16 and the sheath 17. Thus, a first outer ring 34 having windows 35 on its generator is arranged, with the possibility of manual rotation around the longitudinal axis or rotation of the accessory 10c , at the inner periphery of the sheath 17. A second inner ring 37 provided with windows 38 is arranged fixed at the inner periphery of the outer ring 34 and therefore at the outer periphery of the magnetic core 16. By rotating the outer ring 34 by relative to the inner ring 37, the windows 35 are more or less superimposed on the windows 38, which therefore varies the window width opposite the magnets 20 of the magnetic core 16, which has the effect of increasing or decreasing the magnetic flux transmissible by the magnetic coupling.

Other variants and embodiments can be envisaged without departing from the scope of these claims.

Thus, a magnetic coupling can be envisaged, the magnetic core of which is permanently mounted inside the blind sleeve of the tank, the massage devices then being able to be connected in a removable manner with respect to said core.

One could also consider a tank whose bottom wall has a blind bulge inside which would protrude a magnetic shaft driving a magnetic crown of a massage device enveloping said bulge of the tank.

In another variant, the driving part could be the stator of an engine, and the driven part its rotor.

Claims

1. Foot treatment apparatus comprising a tank (2) intended to contain water (6) to receive the feet of the user, said tank (2) comprising at least one massage device (10, 10a, 10b , 10c) intended for contact with the feet and comprising a drive end (12) capable of receiving the rotational movement of the output shaft (21) of a motor unit arranged outside the tank (2) , characterized in that the tank has a wall comprising at least one part made of a magnetically permeable material and in that the transmission of movement between the output shaft (21) of the motor unit and the massage device (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) is produced through the wall of the tank (2) by means of a magnetic coupling (11).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said massage device (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) has a circular section at its drive end (12), which is coaxial and faces the section circular of the output shaft (21) of the motor unit located on the other side of the wall of the tank, the two sections forming a magnetic coupling (11).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the circular section of the drive end (12) of the massage device (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) and the circular section of the output shaft (21 ) of the motor unit are concentric cylindrical.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the circular section of the drive end (12) of the massage device (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) belongs to a magnetic core (16) which faces in its periphery has a plurality of magnets (20) located on the circular section of the output shaft (21) of the motor unit enveloping said magnetic core (16).

5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for adjusting and / or limiting the magnetic flux transmitted by said magnetic coupling (11).

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that said drive end (12) of the massage device (10b) comprises a magnetic core (16) of circular section mounted movable in translation parallel to its axis of rotation.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that said drive end (12) of the massage device (10c) comprises a magnetic core (16) of circular section surrounded by a set of concentric rings (34,37) non-magnetic, each provided on its periphery with longitudinal openings facing each other and mounted to rotate relative to each other.

8. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said massage device (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) is removably mounted inside said tank (2).

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said magnetic coupling (11) comprises a magnetic core (16) specific to each massage device.

10. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said magnetic coupling (11) is located on the bottom wall (3) of said tank (2).

11. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said motor group is located inside a housing (1) surrounding said tank (2) on all its sides.