WO2020091372A1

WO2020091372A1 - Massage machine

Info

Publication number: WO2020091372A1
Application number: PCT/KR2019/014353
Authority: WO
Inventors: Minkyu Oh; Yongnam KIM; Yanghwan NO; Hongkyu Park; Seongwoo AN
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2018-10-30
Filing date: 2019-10-29
Publication date: 2020-05-07

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a massage machine including a base seated on an installation surface, a first support part fixed to the base to support at least a portion of a lower half of a body, a second support part connected to the first support part to support at least a portion of an upper half of the body, a first rotation shaft arranged parallel to a width direction of the first support part to form a center of rotation of the second support part, a second rotation shaft arranged orthogonal to the first rotation shaft to form a center of rotation of the second support part, a massage part provided to at least one of the first support part or the second support part to generate at least one of kneading force or tapping force for the body, a first adjuster configured to provide power to rotate the second support part around the first rotation shaft, and a second adjuster configured to provide power to rotate the second support part about the second rotation shaft.

Description

MASSAGE MACHINE

The present application relates to a massage machine and a method of controlling the massage machine.

Massage refers to kneading, pressing, pulling, or tapping the body with hands or a tool to aid blood circulation and relieve fatigue. A massage machine refers to an apparatus to implement the aforementioned effects through mechanisms.

A conventional massage machine includes a base body configured to provide a space for a user to sit in, a first body rotatably provided to the base body to support the user's back, a second body rotatably provided to the base body to support the calves of the user, a first body controller configured to control a rotation angle of the first body, a second body controller configured to control a rotation angle of the second body, a massage part provided to the first body to supply external power to the user's body.

The conventional massage machine having the above-described structure is capable of adjusting the angle between the base body and the first body through the first body controller, and the angle between the base body and the second body through the second body controller. Therefore, the conventional massage machine is operable in a mode of massaging the user who remains in a sitting position, and a mode of massaging the user who remains in a lying position. However, there is a difficulty in implementing the massage effects based on only the two modes described above.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a massage machine configured to provide a sitting position, a lying position, a twisting position, and a stretching position, and a method of controlling the massage machine.

According to the present disclosure, a massage machine may include a base seated on an installation surface, a first support part fixed to the base to support at least a portion of a lower half of a body, a second support part connected to the first support part to support at least a portion of an upper half of the body, a first rotation shaft arranged parallel to a width direction of the first support part to form a center of rotation of the second support part, a second rotation shaft arranged orthogonal to the first rotation shaft to form a center of rotation of the second support part, a massage part provided to at least one of the first support part or the second support part to generate at least one of kneading force or tapping force for the body, a first adjuster configured to provide power to rotate the second support part around the first rotation shaft, and a second adjuster configured to provide power to rotate the second support part about the second rotation shaft.

The massage machine may further include an accommodation portion formed by curving, in a direction away from the second support part, one surface positioned on a side facing the second support part in a space provided by the first support part, a connection body rotatably coupled to the accommodation portion through the first rotation shaft, and a shaft through hole formed through the connection body in a penetrating manner, the second rotation shaft being rotatably fixed to the shaft through hole.

The second adjuster may include a first gear fixed to the second rotation shaft and positioned in a space formed between the connection body and the accommodation portion, a second gear engaged with the first gear to rotate the first gear, and a gear driver fixed to the connection body and configured to provide power to rotate the second gear.

The second adjuster may include a first gear fixed to the second rotation shaft and positioned in a space formed between the connection body and the second support part, a second gear engaged with the first gear to rotate the first gear, and a gear driver fixed to the connection body and configured to provide power to rotate the second gear.

The massage part may be allowed to reciprocate in at least one of a width direction of the second support part, a length direction of the second support part, or a thickness direction of the second support part.

The massage machine may further include an insertion part protruding from the second support part toward the first support part, an insertion part accommodation portion configured to provide a space for accommodating the insertion part, the insertion part accommodation portion being formed by curving, in a direction away from the second support part, one surface positioned on a side facing the second support part in a space provided by the first support part, an accommodation portion formed by ben curving, in a direction away from the second support part, curving, in a direction away from the second support part, one surface positioned on a side facing the second support part in a space provided by the insertion part accommodation portion, a connection body rotatably coupled to the accommodation portion through the first rotation shaft, and a shaft through hole formed through the connection body in a penetrating manner, the second rotation shaft being rotatably fixed to the shaft through hole.

The massage part may be provided to the second support part and be allowed to reciprocate between the insertion part and a free end of the second support part.

The first support part may include a first seating body fixed to the base to provide a space for supporting a hip, the second support part being rotatably connected to the first seating body, a second seating body rotatably fixed to the first seating body to support a calf, and a third rotation shaft arranged parallel to the first rotation shaft to form a center of rotation of the second seating body, the third rotation shaft connecting the first seating body and the second seating body to each other.

The massage machine may further include a third adjuster configured to provide power to rotate the second seating body around the third rotation shaft.

The first adjuster may enable a free end of the second support part to reciprocate between a first point higher than the first seating body and a second point lower than the first seating body, wherein the third adjuster may enable a free end of the second seating body to reciprocate between a third point set at the same height as the first seating body and a fourth point lower than the first seating body.

The first adjuster may enable a free end of the second support part to reciprocate between a first point higher than the first seating body and a second point lower than the first seating body, wherein the third adjuster may enable a free end of the second seating body to reciprocate between a third point higher than the first seating body and a fourth point lower than the first seating body.

The first adjuster may include a first adjuster cylinder configured to provide a space for storing a fluid, one end of the first adjuster cylinder being rotatably fixed to the base via a shaft parallel to the first rotation shaft, a first adjuster piston having one end arranged inside the first adjuster cylinder and an opposite end positioned outside the first adjuster cylinder, the first adjuster piston being configured to reciprocate according to a pressure inside the first adjuster cylinder, a semi-circular or arc-shaped guide fixed to a rear surface of a space of the second support part facing the base, and a guide support part provided at the opposite end of the first adjuster piston to support the guide, wherein the third adjuster may include a third adjuster cylinder configured to provide a space for storing a fluid, one end of the third adjuster cylinder being rotatably fixed to the base via a shaft parallel to the third rotation shaft, and a third adjuster piston having one end arranged to reciprocate inside the third adjuster cylinder and an opposite end connected to the second body, the third adjuster piston being configured to reciprocate according to a pressure inside the third adjuster cylinder.

The massage machine may further include a first cylinder configured to provide a space for storing a fluid, one end of the first cylinder being rotatably fixed to the base via a shaft parallel to the first rotation shaft, a first piston having one end positioned inside the first cylinder and a free end supporting a rear surface of the second support part, the first piston being configured to reciprocate according to a pressure inside the first cylinder, a second cylinder configured to provide a space for storing a fluid, the second cylinder having one end rotatably fixed to the base via a shaft parallel to the first rotation shaft, and a second piston having one end positioned inside the second cylinder and a free end supporting a rear surface of the second support part, the second piston being configured to reciprocate according to a pressure in the second cylinder. A point on the rear surface of the second support part contacting the free end of the first piston and a point on the rear surface of the second support part contacting the free end of the second piston may be symmetrical about the second rotation shaft.

The present application may provide a massage machine configured to provide a sitting position, a lying position, a twisting position, and a stretching position for a user, and a method of controlling the massage machine.

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 to 3 show an example of a massage machine;

FIG. 4 shows an example of a massage part provided in the massage machine;

FIG. 5 shows an example of a first arm and a second arm provided in the massage part;

FIG. 6(a) illustrates a mode for providing a lying position, and FIG. 6(b) illustrates a mode for providing a stretching position;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an example of a connector and a second adjuster provided in the massage machine; and

FIG. 9 shows another example of the second adjuster provided in the massage machine.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of a massage machine and a method of controlling the massage machine will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a massage machine 100. The massage machine 100 may include a base 1 seated on an installation surface, a first support part fixed to the base 1 to support at least a portion of a lower half of the body, a second support part 3 connected to the first support part 2 to support at least a portion of an upper half of the body, and a massage part 6 provided to at least one of the first support part or the second support part to generate at least one of kneading force or tapping force for the body. The installation surface may refer to the bottom surface of a space where the massage machine 100 is installed, and may be regarded as the X-Y plane in the example of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the base 1 includes a first fixed body 11 supported on the installation surface to form a bottom surface of the massage machine 100, and a second fixed body 13 provided to the first fixed body, the second support part being fixed to the second fixed body 13. The first fixed body 11 and the second fixed body 13 may be provided in any shape as long as they are capable of supporting the massage machine 100.

The first support part 2 is a means to support a portion of the lower half of the body or the entire lower half of the body. FIG. 2 exemplarily shows that the first support part 2 is provided with a first seating body 21 and a second seating body 23 to support the entire lower half of the body.

The first seating body 21 may be fixed to the second fixed body 13 to provide a space for supporting the hips (or hips and thighs). The second seating body 23 may provide a space for supporting the calves (or calves and feet).

The second seating body 23 may be rotatably connected to the first seating body 21 through a body connector 25 (a third rotation shaft). The body connector 25 may be arranged parallel to a width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first seating body 21. Accordingly, the second seating body 23 may rotate around the body connector 25 in the X-Z plane.

The second support part 3 may be rotatably coupled to the first seating body 21 to support a portion of the upper half of the body or the entire upper half of the body. FIG. 2 exemplarily shows that the second support part 3 is arranged to support the entire upper half of the body (the waist, back, and head). The second support part 3 may be rotatably fixed to the first support part 2 via a connector 4.

The massage machine 100 may further include a cover 15 arranged to surround the first support part 2 and the second support part 3. The cover 15, which is a means to preventing the first support part 2, the second support part 3, the connector 4, and the like from being exposed to the outside, may be formed of a material capable of making the user feel comfortable.

As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 4 may include a connection body 41, a first rotation shaft 43 fixed to the connection body 41 so as to be parallel to the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first seating body 21, and a second rotation shaft 45 rotatably fixed to the connection body 41 in a direction orthogonal to the first rotation shaft.

The connection body 41 may be rotatably fixed to the first seating body 21 via the first rotation shaft 43, and the second rotation shaft 45 may be inserted into a shaft accommodation groove 412 so as to be rotatably fixed to the connection body 41. The shaft accommodation groove 412 may be provided as any one of a groove provided in the connection body or a through hole formed through the connection body.

The first rotation shaft 43 may be rotatably fixed to a first bearing 411, which may be fixed to the first seating body 21. The second rotation shaft 45 may be rotatably fixed to a second bearing 413, which may be fixed to the shaft accommodation groove 412.

The first rotation shaft 43 may be a rotational center allowing the second support part 3 to rotate in the X-Z plane, and the second rotation shaft 45 may be a rotational center allowing the second support part 3 to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise (wherein the second rotation shaft may be a rotational center allow rolling motion of the second support part).

In order to minimize the distance from a free end of the second seating body 23 to a free end of the second support part 3, the first seating body 21 may be further provided with an accommodation portion 211, which may provide a space for accommodating the connection body 41.

The accommodation portion 211 may be formed by curving a surface of the space provided by the first seating body 21 on the side facing the second support part 3 in a manner that the surface is curved in a direction away from the second support part 3.

The accommodation portion 211 may have any shape as long as the accommodation portion 211 is capable of accommodating the connection body 41. The accommodation portion 211 may have a volume in which the accommodating body 41 may be completely accommodated. In this case, the first rotation shaft 43 may need to be rotatably fixed to the accommodation portion 211.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the massage machine 100 having the above-described structure may further include a first adjuster 7 configured to adjust the angle between the second support part 3 and the first seating body 21, a second adjuster 8 configured to enable the second support part 3 to rotate about the second rotation shaft 45, and a third adjuster 9 configured to adjust the angle between the second seating body 23 and the first seating body 21.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first adjuster 7 may be a means configured to enable the second support part 3 to rotate around the first rotation shaft 43, and the third adjuster 9 may be a means configured to enable the second seating body 23 to rotate around the third rotation shaft 25. The massage machine may implement a sitting position, a lying position, and a stretching position through the first adjuster 7 and the third adjuster 9, which will be described in detail later.

The first adjuster 7 may include a first adjuster cylinder 71 having one end rotatably fixed to the base 1, a first adjuster piston 72 having one end arranged inside the first adjuster cylinder and an opposite end positioned outside the first adjuster, a guide 73 fixed to the back of the second support part 3, and a guide support part 74 fixed to an opposite end of the first adjuster piston to support the guide 73.

The first adjuster cylinder 71 may be formed in a hollow cylinder shape, and a fluid may be stored therein. The fixed end of the first adjuster cylinder 71 may be rotatably fixed to the first fixed body 11 or the second fixed body 13 via a shaft parallel to the first rotation shaft 43. The one end of the first adjuster piston 72 inserted into the first adjuster cylinder 71 may reciprocate according to change in pressure in the first adjuster cylinder 71.

The guide 73 and the guide support part 74 may be means to prevent the second support part 3 from sagging toward the installation surface when the second supporter 3 rotates around the first rotation shaft 43 or rotates about the second rotation shaft 45. In addition, when the second support part 3 rotates around the second rotation shaft 45, the guide 73 and the guide support part 74 may serve to provide a rotation path for the second support part 3.

The guide 73 may be formed as a semi-circle or arc-shaped bar. The guide 73 having the semi-circle or arc shape may be arranged such that the center thereof is positioned on a straight line passing through the second rotation shaft 45. The guide support part 74 may have any shape as long as the guide support part 74 is capable of supporting the sliding movement of the guide 73.

The second adjuster 8 may include a first gear 81 fixed to the second rotation shaft 45 and positioned in a space between the connection body 41 and the second support part 3, a second gear 82 engaged with the first gear 81 to rotate the first gear 81, and a gear driver 83 fixed to the connection body 41 to provide power for rotating the second gear 82. The massage machine may implement a twisting position through the second adjuster 8.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the rotation shaft of the first gear 81 and the rotation shaft of the second gear 82 are arranged orthogonal to each other, the first gear 81 may be a worm wheel, and the second gear 82 may be a worm.

As shown in FIG. 2, the third adjuster 9 may include a third adjuster cylinder 91 having one end rotatably fixed to the base 1, and a third adjuster piston 92 having one end arranged inside the third adjuster cylinder 910 and an opposite end rotatably fixed to the second seating body 23.

The third adjuster cylinder 91 may be formed in a hollow cylinder shape, and a fluid may be stored therein. The fixed end of the third adjuster cylinder 91 may be rotatably fixed to the second fixed body 13 via a shaft parallel to the third rotation shaft 25. The one end of the third adjuster piston 92 inserted into the third adjuster cylinder 91 may reciprocate according to change in pressure in the third adjuster cylinder.

The massage part 6 may be provided to only one of the first support part 2 and the second support part 3, or may be provided to each of the first support part 2 and the second support part 3. FIG. 3 exemplarily shows that the massage part 6 is provided only to the second support part 3.

The massage part 6 may be arranged to reciprocate in at least one of the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second support part, the length direction (X-axis direction) of the second support part, or the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) of the second support part. FIG. 3 exemplarily shows that the massage part 6 reciprocates in the length direction of the second support part.

As shown in FIG. 4, the massage part 6 may include a frame 61, a first arm 62 and a second arm 64 provided to the frame, a transport part 65 configured to move the frame 61 in the length direction of the second support part, a first arm driver 67 configured to cause the first arm and the second arm to perform a kneading operation, and a second arm driver 68 configured to cause the first arm and the second arm to perform a tapping operation.

The second support part 3 may be provided with a mounting part 31 (see FIG. 3) providing a space for accommodating the massage part 6. The frame 61 may be formed in any shape as long as the frame 31 is allowed to reciprocate in the mounting part 31 in the length direction of the second support part. The mounting part 31 may be provided as a groove formed by convexly curving an upper surface of the second support part 3 toward a rear surface of the second support part 3 (a surface provided with the guide).

The first arm 62 may include a first-arm body 621 fixed to the first arm driver 67, a first-arm operation body 625 rotatably fixed to the first-arm body 621, and

pressing parts

627 and 629 provided to the first-arm operation body 625.

The first-arm operation body 625 may have a bar shape or a curved bar shape. In the latter case, the first-arm operation body 625 may be provided as a C-shaped bar and a V-shaped bar.

The pressing part may include a first first-arm pressing part 627 fixed to one end of the first-arm operation body 625, and a second first-arm pressing part 629 fixed to the opposite end of the first-arm operation body 625. The first first-arm pressing part 627 and the second first-arm pressing part 629 may be configured to contact the upper half of the user's body. The first first-arm pressing part 627 and the second first-arm pressing part 629 may be provided as rollers rotatably fixed to both ends of the first-arm operation body 625.

The first-arm operation body 625 may be supplied with a resilient force by a first spring. The first spring may be provided as a tension spring and have one end fixed to the first-arm body 621, and an opposite end fixed to an area of the first-arm operation body 625 where the second first-arm pressing part 629 is located.

The second arm 64 may include a second-arm body 641 fixed to the first arm driver 67, a second-arm operation body 645 rotatably fixed to the second-arm body 641, and

pressing parts

647 and 649 provided to the second-arm operation body 645.

The second-arm operation body 645 may also have a bar shape or a curved bar shape. In this case, the pressing parts may include a first second-arm pressing part 647 and a second second-arm pressing part 649 in the form of rollers rotatably fixed to both ends of the second-arm operation body 645.

The second-arm operation body 645 may be supplied with a resilient force by a second spring. The second spring may be provided as a tension spring and have one end fixed to the second-arm body 641, and an opposite end fixed to an area of the second-arm operation body 645 where the second second-arm pressing part 649 is located.

The transport part 65 may include a first rail 655 and a second rail 656 (see FIG. 3) provided to the mounting part 31 in the length direction of the second support part, a first wheel 651 and a second wheel 653 provided to the frame 61 and supported by the first rail 655 and the second rail 656, and a wheel driver configured to move the frame along the rails.

The first wheel 651 may be arranged at the front side of the frame 61 (on a side facing the free end of the second support part in the space provided by the frame), and the second wheel 653 may be arranged at the rear side of the frame 61 (a side facing the first support part in the space provided by the frame).

The first wheel 651 may be provided at both ends of a first-wheel axle 652 rotatably fixed to the frame 61. That is, the first wheel 651 may include a left first-wheel fixed to the first-wheel axle 652 and configured to move along the first rail 655, and a right first-wheel fixed to the first-wheel axle and configured to move along the second rail 656.

The second wheel 653 may include a left second-wheel fixed to one end of the second-wheel axle 654, which is rotatably fixed to the frame 61, and supported on the first rail 655, and a right second-wheel fixed to an opposite end of the second-wheel axle 654 and configured to move along the second rail 656.

The wheel driver may include a first rack 657 and a second rack 658 fixed to the mounting part 31 so as to be parallel to the movement direction of the frame 61, a first pinion 659a rotatably provided to the frame 61 and engaged with the first rack 657, a second pinion 659b rotatably provided to the frame 61 and engaged with the second rack 658, and a pinion a motor (not shown) configured to rotate the first pinion 659a and the second pinion 659b.

FIG. 4 exemplarily shows that the first pinion 659a and the second pinion 659b are respectively arranged in the left second-wheel and the right second-wheel, which constitute the second wheel 653. In this case, the first pinion 659a and the second pinion 659b may need to remain connected to each other through the second-wheel axle 654, and the pinion motor may need to rotate the second-wheel axle 654.

The first arm driver 67 may implement the kneading operation by causing the first-arm

pressing parts

627 and 629 fixed to the free end of the first arm and the second-arm

pressing parts

647 and 649 fixed to the free end of the second arm to reciprocate in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the frame.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first arm driver 67 may include a first cam 671 to which the first-arm body 621 is rotatably coupled, a second cam 673 to which the second-arm body 641 is rotatably coupled, a cam rotation shaft 675 rotatably provided to the frame 61 and configured to connect the first cam 671 and the second cam 673, and a cam motor (not shown) fixed to the frame 61 and configured to rotate the cam rotation shaft 667.

The first-arm body 621 may have a first-arm through hole and a first-arm bearing 623 fixed to the first-arm through hole, and the second-arm body 641 may have a second-arm through hole and a second-arm bearing 643 fixed to the second-arm through hole. In this case, the first cam 671 may be fixed to the first-arm bearing 623, and the second cam 673 may be fixed to the second-arm bearing 643.

The first cam 671 may be provided with a first coupling surface 671a to which the first-arm bearing 623 is coupled, and the second cam 673 may be provided with a second coupling surface 673a coupled to the second-arm bearing 643. Each of the first coupling surface 671a and the second coupling surface 673a may have an inclination angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the cam rotation shaft 675.

Accordingly, when the cam rotation shaft 675 is rotated by the cam motor, the

pressing parts

627 and 629 provided to the first arm may repeat movement toward the second arm 64 and movement away from the second arm 64, and the

pressing parts

647 and 649 provided to the second arm repeat movement toward the first arm 62 and movement away from the first arm 62 (Kneading operation).

As shown in FIG. 4, the second arm driver 68 may include a disk rotation shaft 685 rotatably fixed to the frame 61, a first disk 681 and a second disk (not shown) fixed to both ends of the disk rotation shaft 685, a first link 682 connecting the first disk 681 and the first-arm body 621, a second link (not shown) connecting the second disk and the second-arm body 641, and a disk motor (not shown) fixed to the frame 61 to rotate the disk rotation shaft 685.

One end of the first link 682 may be rotatably fixed at a position spaced apart from the disk rotation shaft 685 in the space provided by the first disk 681, and one end of the second link may be rotatably fixed at a position spaced apart from the disk rotation shaft 685 in the space provided by the second disk. Accordingly, when the first disk 681 and the second disk rotate, the

pressing parts

627 and 629 provided to the first arm and the

pressing parts

647 and 649 provided to the second arm may repeat movement away from the frame 61 and movement toward the frame 61 (Tapping operation).

The massage machine 100 having the above-described structure may provide a sitting position, a lying position, a twisting position, and a stretching position through the

position controllers

7, 8, and 9.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), the first adjuster 7 may be configured to cause the free end of the second support part 3 to reciprocate between a first point P1, which is higher than the first seating body 21, and a second point P2, which is lower than the first seating body 21. The third adjuster 9 may be configured to cause the free end of the second seating body 23 to reciprocate between a third point P3, which is at the same level as the first seating body 21, and a fourth point P4, which is lower than the first seating body 21.

When the second support part 3 is maintained at the same level as the first seating body 21 by the first adjuster 7, and the second seating body 23 is maintained at the same level as the first seating body 21 by the third adjuster 9, the massage machine may provide a lying position for the user. When the massage part 6 operates in this arrangement, the massage machine may massage the user who is in the lying position.

FIG. 6(b) shows a stretching position. In the illustrated example, the free end of the second support part 3 may be located at a point (between H and P2) lower than the first seating body 21, and the free end of the second seating body 23 may be located at a point (between H and P4) lower than the first seating body 21. When the massage part 6 operates in this arrangement, the massage machine may massage the user who is in the stretching position.

When the free end of the second support part 3 is positioned at a point (between P1 and H) higher than the first seating body 21 by the first adjuster 7, and the free end of the second seating body 23 is positioned at a point (between H and P4) lower than the first seating body 21 by the third adjuster 9, the massage machine may provide a sitting position for the user (see FIG. 2). When the massage part 6 operates in this arrangement, the massage machine may massage the user who is in the sitting position.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, when the second support part 3 is rotated about the second rotation shaft 45 by the second adjuster 8, the massage machine may provide the user with a twisting position at which the upper half of the user's body is twisted. When the massage part 6 operates in this arrangement, the massage machine may massage the user who is in the twisting position.

The first point P1 may be set as a point that the second support part 3 reaches when rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise with respect to the first seating body 21, and the second point P2 may be set as a point that the second support part 3 reaches when rotated 30 degrees clockwise with respect to the first seating body 21.

The third point P3 may be set as a point where the free end of the second seating body 23 forms 180 degrees with the first seating body 21, and the fourth point P4 may be set as a point that the second seating body 23 reaches when rotated 30 degrees counterclockwise with respect to the first seating body 21 (the point that the second seating body 23 reaches when rotated 30 degrees counterclockwise with respect to the third point).

The third point P3 may be set as a point where the free end of the second seating body 23 is higher than the first seating body 21. In this case, the third point P3 may be set as a point that the free end of the second seating body 23 reaches when rotated 30 degrees clockwise with respect to the first seating body 21. When the third point (P3) is set as a point higher than the first seating body 21, the calves and feet may be positioned at a point higher than the heart. Thereby, the massage machine may effectively remove the edema from the legs.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show another example of the massage machine 100. Compared to the example of FIG. 2, the massage machine 100 according to this example may expand the movement space of the massage part 6. Thereby, the massage space on the upper half of the body may be maximized and the volume of the massage machine 100 may be minimized.

As shown in FIG. 7, the massage machine 100 according to this example may include a base 1 seated on an installation surface, a first support part fixed to the base 1 to support at least a portion of a lower half of the body, a second support part 3 connected to the first support part 2 to support at least a portion of an upper half of the body, and a massage part 6 provided to at least one of the first support part or the second support part to generate at least one of kneading force or tapping force for the body.

The first support part 2 may include a first seating body 21is fixed to the second fixed body 13 of the base to support the hips (or hips and thighs), and a second seating body 23 rotatably fixed to the first seating body 21 via the connector (third rotation shaft) 25 to support the calves (or calves and feet).

The second support part 3 may be connected to the first seating body 21 through a connector 4. The connector 4 may include a connection body 41, a first rotation shaft 43 configured to rotatably couple the connection body 41 to the first seating body 21, and a second rotation shaft 45 configured to rotatably couple the second support part 3 to the connection body 41. The first rotation shaft 43 may be arranged parallel to the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first seating body 21, and the second rotation shaft 45 may be arranged orthogonal to the first rotation shaft 43.

The first support part 2 may be provided with an accommodation portion 211 by curving a surface of the space provided by the first seating body 21 on the side facing the second support part 3 in a manner that the surface is curved in a direction (X-axis direction) away from the second support part 3. The connection body 41 may be disposed inside the accommodation portion 211. In this case, the first rotation shaft 43 may be rotatably fixed to the accommodation portion 211. The second rotation shaft 45 may be rotatably fixed to the connection body 41 by being inserted into a shaft through hole 414, which may be formed through the connection body 41 in a penetrating manner.

The massage machine 100 according to this example may also include a first adjuster 7 configured to provide power to rotate the second support part 3 around the first rotation shaft 43, a second adjuster 8 configured to provide power to rotate the second support part 3 about the second rotation shaft 45, and a third adjuster 9 configured to provide power to rotate the second seating body 23 around the third rotation shaft 25.

The structures of the first adjuster 7 and the third adjuster 9 are the same as those in the example of FIG. 2, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be skipped.

In this example, the second adjuster 8 may include a first gear 81 fixed to the free end of the second rotation shaft 45, a second gear 82 configured to rotate the first gear 81, and a gear driver 83 fixed to the connection body 41 and configured to provide power to rotate the second gear 82. The first gear 81 may be a worm wheel, and the second gear 82 may be a worm.

The first gear 81 may be fixed to an area exposed to the accommodation portion 211through the shaft through hole in the space provided by the second rotation shaft 45. Accordingly, unlike the first gear provided in the example of FIG. 2, the first gear provided in this example may be positioned in a space between the connection body 41 and the accommodation portion 211.

To stably implement the twisting movement of the second support part 3 in the massage machine 100 having the structure of FIG. 2, the first gear 81 and the second gear 82 provided in the second adjuster 8 may need to be thick or strong. In the massage machine of FIG. 2, the first gear 81 and the second gear 82 are disposed in the space between the first support part 2 and the second support part 3, and accordingly increasing the size or thickness of the massager may increase the total length of the massage machine (the length in the X-axis direction). On the contrary, in the massage machine shown in FIG. 7, the first gear 81 may be disposed in the space formed between the connection body 41 and the accommodation portion 211, and therefore the total length of the entire massage machine may be minimized even when the thickness of the first gear 81 is increased.

When it is assumed that the total length of the massage machine is kept constant, the second support part 3 in the massage machine according to this example may be greater than the second support 3 in the example of FIG. 2. This configuration may extend the range in which the massage part 6 is allowed to reciprocate in the length direction (X-axis direction) of the second support part, and therefore the massage machine according to this example may maximize the massage range.

As shown in FIG. 8, the second support part 3 provided in this example may further include an insertion part 33 protruding toward the first seating body 21, and the first seating body 21 may further include an insertion part accommodation portion 213 configured to provide a space to accommodate the insertion part 33.

The insertion part accommodation portion 213 may be formed by curving a surface of the space provided by the first seating body 21 on the side facing the second support part 3 in a manner that the surface is curved in a direction (+ X axis direction) away from the second support part 3. In this case, the accommodation portion 211 may be formed by curving a surface of the space provided by the insertion part accommodation portion 213 on the side facing the second support part 3 in a manner that the surface is curved in a direction away from the second support part 3.

The connection body 41 may be rotatably fixed inside the accommodation portion 211 via the first rotation shaft 43, and the second rotation shaft 45 may protrude from the insertion part 33 so as to be inserted into the shaft through hole 414. The first rotation shaft 43 may be rotatably fixed to the accommodation portion 211 through a first bearing 411, and the second rotation shaft 45 may be rotatably fixed to the shaft through hole 414 through a second bearing 413.

When the insertion part 33 and the insertion part accommodation portion 213 are provided to the second support part 3 and the first support part 2, respectively, the total length of the massage machine 100 according to this example may be minimized. Furthermore, when the massage part 6 is arranged to reciprocate between the free end of the insertion part 33 and the second support part 3, the massage machine according to this example may maximize the reciprocation range of the massage part 6.

FIG. 9 shows another example of the massage machine. In this example, the second adjuster 8 may further include a first actuator 86 and a second actuator 87. The first actuator 86 and the second actuator 87 may serve to stably support the second support part 3 when the second support part 3 rotates through the second rotation shaft 45, and may be applicable to each of the examples of FIGS. 1 to 8.

The first actuator 86 may include a first cylinder 861 having one end rotatably fixed to the base 1 or the first adjuster cylinder 71, and a first piston 863 having one end disposed inside the first cylinder 861 and a free end arranged to support the rear surface of the second support part 3.

The second actuator 87 may include a second cylinder 871 having one end rotatably fixed to the base 1 or the first adjuster cylinder 71, and a second piston 873 having one end disposed inside the second cylinder 871 and a free end arranged to support the rear surface of the second support part 3.

FIG. 9 exemplarily shows that the first cylinder 861 and the second cylinder 871 are fixed to the base 1 via a shaft parallel to the first rotation shaft 43. The first cylinder 861 and the second cylinder 871 may be a space in which a fluid is stored. The first piston 863 and the second piston 873 may perform linear reciprocating motion according to the pressure inside the first cylinder 861 and the second cylinder 871.

A point where the free end of the first piston 863 contacts the second support part and a point where the free end of the second piston 873 contacts the second support part may be set to be symmetrical about the second rotation shaft 45. This may be intended to stably support the second support part 3. To this end, the first actuator 86 and the second actuator 87 may be arranged at positions symmetrical about the second rotation shaft 45.

When the second support part 3 is rotated about the second rotation shaft 45 by the second adjuster 8, the massage machine 100 according to this example may control the first actuator 86 and the second actuator 87 to maintain the free end of the first piston 863 and the free end of the second piston 873 in contact with the rear surface of the second support part 3.

That is, when the second support part 3 is rotated clockwise, the controller (not shown) may adjust the pressure inside the cylinder 861 to move the free end of the first piston 863 in a direction away from the first cylinder 861, and adjust the pressure inside the second cylinder 871 to move the free end of the second piston 873 toward the position where the second cylinder 871 is arranged.

On the other hand, when the second support part 3 is rotated counterclockwise, the controller may adjust the pressure inside the cylinder 861 to move the free end of the first piston 863 toward the position where the first cylinder 861 is arranged, and adjust the pressure inside the second cylinder 871 to move the free end of the second piston 873 in a direction away from the second cylinder 871.

A first piston roller 865 may be further provided at the free end of the first piston 863, and a second piston roller 875 may be further provided at the free end of the second piston 873. This may be intended to minimize noise and vibration by minimizing friction between each of the pistons and the second support part 3.

The present application may be practiced in various forms and is not limited to the above-described examples.

Claims

A massage machine comprising:

a base seated on an installation surface;

a first support part fixed to the base to support at least a portion of a lower half of a body;

a second support part connected to the first support part to support at least a portion of an upper half of the body;

a first rotation shaft arranged parallel to a width direction of the first support part to form a center of rotation of the second support part;

a second rotation shaft arranged orthogonal to the first rotation shaft to form a center of rotation of the second support part;

a massage part provided to at least one of the first support part or the second support part to generate at least one of kneading force or tapping force for the body;

a first adjuster configured to provide power to rotate the second support part around the first rotation shaft; and

a second adjuster configured to provide power to rotate the second support part about the second rotation shaft.
The massage machine of claim 1, further comprising:

an accommodation portion formed by curving, in a direction away from the second support part, one surface positioned on a side facing the second support part in a space provided by the first support part;

a connection body rotatably coupled to the accommodation portion through the first rotation shaft; and

a shaft through hole formed through the connection body in a penetrating manner, the second rotation shaft being rotatably fixed to the shaft through hole.
The massage machine of claim 2, wherein the second adjuster comprises:

a first gear fixed to the second rotation shaft and positioned in a space formed between the connection body and the accommodation portion;

a second gear engaged with the first gear to rotate the first gear; and

a gear driver fixed to the connection body and configured to provide power to rotate the second gear.
The massage machine of claim 2, wherein the second adjuster comprises:

a first gear fixed to the second rotation shaft and positioned in a space formed between the connection body and the second support part;

a second gear engaged with the first gear to rotate the first gear; and

a gear driver fixed to the connection body and configured to provide power to rotate the second gear.
The massage machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the massage part is allowed to reciprocate in at least one of a width direction of the second support part, a length direction of the second support part, or a thickness direction of the second support part.
The massage machine of claim 1, further comprising:

an insertion part protruding from the second support part toward the first support part;

an insertion part accommodation portion configured to provide a space for accommodating the insertion part, the insertion part accommodation portion being formed by curving, in a direction away from the second support part, one surface positioned on a side facing the second support part in a space provided by the first support part;

an accommodation portion formed by ben curving, in a direction away from the second support part, curving, in a direction away from the second support part, one surface positioned on a side facing the second support part in a space provided by the insertion part accommodation portion;

a connection body rotatably coupled to the accommodation portion through the first rotation shaft; and

a shaft through hole formed through the connection body in a penetrating manner, the second rotation shaft being rotatably fixed to the shaft through hole.
The massage machine of claim 5, wherein the second adjuster comprises:

a first gear fixed to the second rotation shaft and positioned in a space formed between the connection body and the accommodation portion;

a second gear engaged with the first gear to rotate the first gear; and

a gear driver fixed to the connection body and configured to provide power to rotate the second gear.
The massage machine of claim 5, wherein the second adjuster comprises:

a first gear fixed to the second rotation shaft and positioned in a space formed between the connection body and the second support part;

a second gear engaged with the first gear to rotate the first gear; and

a gear driver fixed to the connection body and configured to provide power to rotate the second gear.
The massage machine according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the massage part is provided to the second support part and is allowed to reciprocate between the insertion part and a free end of the second support part.
The massage machine of claim 1, wherein the first support part comprises:

a first seating body fixed to the base to provide a space for supporting a hip, the second support part being rotatably connected to the first seating body;

a second seating body rotatably fixed to the first seating body to support a calf; and

a third rotation shaft arranged parallel to the first rotation shaft to form a center of rotation of the second seating body, the third rotation shaft connecting the first seating body and the second seating body to each other.
The massage machine of claim 10, further comprising:

a third adjuster configured to provide power to rotate the second seating body around the third rotation shaft.
The massage machine of claim 11, wherein the first adjuster enables a free end of the second support part to reciprocate between a first point higher than the first seating body and a second point lower than the first seating body,

wherein the third adjuster enables a free end of the second seating body to reciprocate between a third point set at the same height as the first seating body and a fourth point lower than the first seating body.
The massage machine of claim 11, wherein the first adjuster enables a free end of the second support part to reciprocate between a first point higher than the first seating body and a second point lower than the first seating body,

wherein the third adjuster enables a free end of the second seating body to reciprocate between a third point higher than the first seating body and a fourth point lower than the first seating body.
The massage machine of claim 12, wherein the first adjuster comprises:

a first adjuster cylinder configured to provide a space for storing a fluid, one end of the first adjuster cylinder being rotatably fixed to the base via a shaft parallel to the first rotation shaft;

a first adjuster piston having one end arranged inside the first adjuster cylinder and an opposite end positioned outside the first adjuster cylinder, the first adjuster piston being configured to reciprocate according to a pressure inside the first adjuster cylinder;

a semi-circular or arc-shaped guide fixed to a rear surface of a space of the second support part facing the base; and

a guide support part provided at the opposite end of the first adjuster piston to support the guide,

wherein the third adjuster comprises:

a third adjuster cylinder configured to provide a space for storing a fluid, one end of the third adjuster cylinder being rotatably fixed to the base via a shaft parallel to the third rotation shaft; and

a third adjuster piston having one end arranged to reciprocate inside the third adjuster cylinder and an opposite end connected to the second body, the third adjuster piston being configured to reciprocate according to a pressure inside the third adjuster cylinder.
The massage machine of claim 14, further comprising:

a first cylinder configured to provide a space for storing a fluid, one end of the first cylinder being rotatably fixed to the base via a shaft parallel to the first rotation shaft;

a first piston having one end positioned inside the first cylinder and a free end supporting a rear surface of the second support part, the first piston being configured to reciprocate according to a pressure inside the first cylinder;

a second cylinder configured to provide a space for storing a fluid, the second cylinder having one end rotatably fixed to the base via a shaft parallel to the first rotation shaft; and

a second piston having one end positioned inside the second cylinder and a free end supporting the rear surface of the second support part, the second piston being configured to reciprocate according to a pressure in the second cylinder,

wherein a point on the rear surface of the second support part contacting the free end of the first piston and a point on the rear surface of the second support part contacting the free end of the second piston are symmetrical about the second rotation shaft.