Vibration stimulation device

Abstract

To provide a vibration stimulation device that allows a frailty prevention effect to be expected.SOLUTION: A vibration stimulation device includes a vibration imparting device 3 for imparting vibration to the body of a user and an input part to which a music signal output from a sound source is input. The vibration imparting device 3 is operated by a vibration waveform obtained by adding a vibration waveform (hereinafter referred to as a basic waveform) for promoting a frailty prevention effect to a vibration waveform (hereinafter referred to as a music waveform) based on the music signal input to the input part. Thereby, if the vibration stimulation device is used in a state that music related to the music waveform is reproduced, for example, the user can receive the vibration by the vibration waveform for promoting the frailty prevention effect, that is, the basic waveform, while enjoying the music.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vibration stimulation device for promoting a user's venous return (also known as "milking action") and neural activity (projections from muscle and tendon receptors to sensory neurons and motor neurons via interneurons). [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in the massage machine of Patent Document 1, the vibration generator is operated in a state where the maximum amplitude of vibrations generated by the vibration generator (hereinafter simply referred to as "amplitude") is set to a constant value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-262578 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventor discovered through testing and research that "if a vibration generator is operated continuously while maintaining a constant amplitude of vibration that imparts vibration to the body, the user will feel great discomfort." The present disclosure discloses an example of a vibration stimulation device that takes this into consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] It is desirable that a vibration stimulation device for promoting frailty prevention effects has at least the following constituent elements, for example. That is, the constituent elements are a vibration imparting device (3) for imparting vibrations to the user's body, an input unit (4) to which a music signal output from a sound source is input, and a control unit (5) for controlling the operation of the vibration imparting device (3), the control unit (5) being capable of operating the vibration imparting device (3) with a vibration waveform (hereinafter referred to as an output waveform) obtained by adding a vibration waveform (hereinafter referred to as a music waveform) based on the music signal input to the input unit (4) to a vibration waveform (hereinafter referred to as a basic waveform) for promoting an effect.

[0006] As a result, for example, if the user uses the vibration stimulation device while playing music related to a musical waveform, the user can receive vibrations based on a vibration waveform, i.e., a basic waveform, that promotes frailty prevention effects while enjoying the music.

[0007] In other words, the user receives vibration stimulation based on the basic waveform while focusing on hearing, and therefore, the user may be able to obtain the effect of increasing motor nerve activity, i.e., the effect of venous return or nerve activity, without being aware of the vibration stimulation based on the basic waveform.

[0008] Therefore, the user may be able to obtain the effect of preventing physical weakness or functional decline, that is, the effect of preventing frailty, without being overly conscious of training for the purpose of preventing frailty.

[0009] Incidentally, the symbols in each of the parentheses above are examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations, etc. described in the embodiments described below, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations, etc. shown by the symbols in the parentheses above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a seat according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an electrical system block diagram of the seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an output waveform of the vibration imparting device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4]10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of how a vibration imparting device according to a fourth embodiment is attached. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a seat according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following "embodiments of the invention" are examples of embodiments that fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the invention-specific matters described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the following embodiments.

[0012] It should be noted that at least one of the components or parts described with a reference numeral is provided unless otherwise specified, such as "one." The vibration stimulation device disclosed in the present disclosure includes at least one of the components such as the components or parts described with a reference numeral and the structural parts shown in the drawings.

[0013] (First embodiment) This embodiment is an example in which the vibration stimulation device and vibration stimulation method according to the present disclosure are applied to a seat such as a vehicle seat, an easy chair, etc. This embodiment is particularly effective in preventing frailty (mental and physical decline due to aging).

[0014] <1. Sheet Overview> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the seat 1 of this embodiment is configured to include at least a seat body 2, at least one (in this embodiment, multiple) vibration imparting device 3, a music signal input unit 4 (hereinafter referred to as input unit 4), and a control unit 5.

[0015] The seat body 2 has at least one of a seat cushion 2A, a seat back 2B, and an ottoman 2C. The seat cushion 2A supports the lower body of the seated occupant, such as the legs. The seat back 2B supports the upper body of the seated occupant, such as the waist and back. The ottoman 2C supports the lower body of the seated occupant, such as the calves, below the knees.

[0016] Each vibration imparting device 3 imparts vibration to the body of a user of the vibration stimulation device, that is, a user of the seat 1. In this embodiment, at least one vibration imparting device 3 is arranged on each of the seat cushion 2A, the seat back 2B, and the ottoman 2C.

[0017] Specifically, vibration imparters 31 and 32 are arranged on the seat cushion 2A. Vibration imparters 33 and 34 are arranged on the seat back 2B. Vibration imparter 35 is arranged on the ottoman 2C. Hereinafter, all or any of the vibration imparters 31 to 35 will be referred to as vibration imparter 3.

[0018] Each vibration imparting device 3 is configured to have a first vibrator 3A and a second vibrator 3B. The first vibrator 3A imparts vibration to the right half of the user's body. The second vibrator 3B imparts vibration to the left half of the user's body.

[0019] A music signal output from a sound source is input to the input unit 4. The sound source may be, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone owned by a user, or a music playback device installed in a vehicle. The connection between the input unit 4 and the sound source may be either a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0020] The control unit 5 is a controller that controls the operation of the vibration imparting device 3. The control unit 5 is capable of executing frailty prevention vibration mode control (hereinafter referred to as frailty prevention control) using a music signal.

[0021] The frailty prevention control according to this embodiment is a control that operates the vibration applicator 3 with a vibration waveform (hereinafter referred to as the output waveform) that is obtained by adding a vibration waveform (hereinafter referred to as the music waveform) based on a music signal input to the input unit 4 to a vibration waveform (hereinafter referred to as the basic waveform) that promotes the frailty prevention effect.

[0022] In this embodiment, the basic waveform used has a frequency of 20 Hz or more and 120 Hz or less, and a minimum amplitude of 0.1 mm or more (the difference between the minimum amplitude and the maximum amplitude is 0.1 mm or more).

[0023] Specifically, the basic waveform according to this embodiment is an 80 Hz sine waveform with a minimum amplitude of 0.1 mm or more. Incidentally, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an output waveform. As shown in FIG. 3, the output waveform is a composite waveform in which the basic waveform is added to a musical waveform. Note that FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image of the output waveform, and does not show an exact composite waveform.

[0024] 2, the first drive circuit 6A drives each of the first vibrators 3A in response to a command from the control unit 5. The second drive circuit 6B drives each of the second vibrators 3B in response to a command from the control unit 5. The power supply 7 supplies power to the control unit 5, the first drive circuit 6A, the second drive circuit 6B, etc.

[0025] Incidentally, the amplification sensitivity of the music signal output from the sound source is adjusted according to the user's preference, so the control unit 5 adds the basic waveform according to the amplification sensitivity. If the output signal to which the fundamental waveform has been added exceeds the dynamic range of the music signal, the control unit 5 executes processing to fit the dynamic range of the output waveform within the dynamic range of the music signal, and outputs the processed signal to the vibration imparting device 3.

[0026] 2. Features of the seat (vibration stimulation device and vibration stimulation method) according to this embodiment When the seat (vibration stimulation device and vibration stimulation method) according to this embodiment is used while music related to the musical waveform is being played on a smartphone or a vehicle playback device, the user can receive vibrations based on a vibration waveform, i.e., a basic waveform, to promote the frailty effect while enjoying the music.

[0027] In other words, the user receives vibration stimulation based on the basic waveform while focusing on hearing, and therefore, the user may be able to obtain the effect of increasing motor nerve activity, i.e., the effect of venous return or nerve activity, without being aware of the vibration stimulation based on the basic waveform.

[0028] Therefore, the user may be able to obtain the effect of preventing physical weakness or functional decline, that is, the effect of preventing frailty, without being overly conscious of training for the purpose of preventing frailty.

[0029] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment, the musical waveform was a waveform similar to the musical signal input to the input unit 4. In contrast to this, in the present embodiment, a process (called a filtering process) is performed to convert signals of a predetermined frequency or less out of the musical signals input to the input unit 4 into musical waveforms, and then a basic waveform is added to the musical waveform after the filtering process to produce an output waveform.

[0030] The "predetermined frequency" refers to the frequency of the fundamental waveform. For example, if the fundamental waveform has a frequency of 80 Hz, the musical waveform will be one in which signals higher than 80 Hz are removed from the musical signal, resulting in a waveform consisting only of signals below 80 Hz.

[0031] (Third embodiment) In the above-described embodiment, the waveform obtained by adding the basic waveform to the musical waveform is used as the output waveform. In contrast, in this embodiment, the waveform obtained by multiplying the musical waveform by the basic waveform is used as the output waveform.

[0032] When a musical waveform is multiplied by a fundamental waveform, the minimum amplitude may become smaller than the minimum amplitude of the fundamental waveform. Therefore, in this embodiment, a process is performed to adjust the amplitude of the output waveform to be equal to or greater than the average amplitude of the fundamental waveform.

[0033] This can prevent a significant decrease in the frailty prevention effect. Incidentally, if the minimum amplitude were smaller than the minimum amplitude of the fundamental waveform, there is a possibility that the frailty prevention effect would be significantly decreased.

[0034] In this embodiment, a music signal that has been subjected to filtering is used as the music waveform, but a music signal that has not been subjected to filtering may also be used as the music waveform. (Fourth embodiment) In the above-described embodiment, the vibration stimulation device and vibration stimulation method according to the present disclosure are applied to a seat. In contrast, this embodiment is a vibration stimulation device including a first fixing device 6C for fixing a first vibrator 3A in close contact with the body of a user and a second fixing device 6D for fixing a second vibrator 3B in close contact with the body of a user, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B.

[0035] The first fixing device 6C and the second fixing device 6D according to this embodiment are fixing devices that can be easily attached and detached, such as hook-and-loop fasteners. Note that the attachment positions of the first vibrator 3A and the second vibrator 3B shown in Figures 4A and 4B are examples.

[0036] Furthermore, the muscles to be vibrated may be either muscle belly or tendon, because venous return and nerve activity can be effectively promoted at either site. The above description is about the differences from the above-described embodiment. The same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, in this embodiment, duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0037] (Fifth embodiment) Each vibration imparting device 3 according to the above-described embodiment is configured to have a first vibrator 3A for the right half of the body and a second vibrator 3B for the left half of the body. In contrast, each vibration imparting device 3 according to the present embodiment is configured with one vibrator 3C, as shown in FIG.

[0038] The above description is about the differences from the seat 1 according to the first embodiment. The same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, in this embodiment, duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0039] (Other embodiments) The basic waveform according to the above embodiment is 20 Hz or more and 120 Hz or less, the minimum amplitude is 0.1 mm or more, and the difference between the minimum amplitude and the maximum amplitude is 0.1 mm or more. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0040] In the above-described embodiment, each vibration imparting device 3 is configured to vibrate at the same phase. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be configured such that each vibration imparting device 3 vibrates at a different phase, for example.

[0041] In the above-described embodiment, at least one vibration imparting device 3 is provided in each of the seat cushion 2A, the seat back 2B, and the ottoman 2C. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be configured such that, for example, the vibration imparting device 3 is provided only in the seat cushion 2A, the seat back 2B, or the ottoman 2C.

[0042] In the above-described embodiment, when the vibration stimulation device is used, a music waveform is generated using a music signal input from a sound source provided outside the vibration stimulation device to the input unit 4. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0043] In other words, the disclosure may be, for example, a vibration stimulation device that includes a storage device in which a sound source is stored, or a storage unit that stores a generated music waveform or output waveform, and that uses the music signal, music waveform, or output waveform stored in the storage unit the next time it is used.

[0044] Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments as long as it conforms to the spirit of the disclosure described in the above-described embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure may be a configuration in which at least two of the above-described embodiments are combined, or a configuration in which any of the components illustrated or described with reference numerals in the above-described embodiments is eliminated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1... sheet 2... Seat body 3... Vibration applicator 4... Input section 5... Control section

Claims

1. A vibration stimulation device to promote frailty prevention effects. a vibration imparting device for imparting vibration to the body of a user; an input unit to which a music signal output from a sound source is input; a control unit that controls the operation of the vibration imparting device, and that is capable of operating the vibration imparting device with a vibration waveform (hereinafter referred to as an output waveform) obtained by adding a vibration waveform (hereinafter referred to as a basic waveform) for promoting a frailty prevention effect to a vibration waveform (hereinafter referred to as a music waveform) based on a music signal input to the input unit; A vibration stimulation device comprising:

2. The vibration stimulation device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is capable of executing a process for confining the dynamic range of the output waveform to the dynamic range of the music signal.

3. The vibration stimulation device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit is capable of executing a process of converting a signal having a frequency equal to or lower than a predetermined frequency out of the music signal input to the input unit into the music waveform.

4. A vibration stimulation device to promote frailty prevention effects. a vibration imparting device for imparting vibration to the body of a user; an input unit to which a music signal output from a sound source is input; a control unit that controls the operation of the vibration imparting device, and that is capable of generating a vibration waveform (hereinafter referred to as an output waveform) for activating the vibration imparting device based on a waveform obtained by multiplying a vibration waveform (hereinafter referred to as a music waveform) based on a music signal input to the input unit by a vibration waveform (hereinafter referred to as a basic waveform) for promoting a frailty prevention effect; A vibration stimulation device comprising:

5. The vibration stimulation device according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit is capable of executing a process of adjusting the amplitude of the output waveform to be equal to or greater than the average amplitude of the fundamental waveform.

6. The vibration stimulation device according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit is capable of executing a process of converting a signal having a frequency equal to or lower than a predetermined frequency out of the music signal input to the input unit into the music waveform.

7. 7. The vibration stimulation device according to claim 1, wherein the fundamental waveform has a frequency of 20 Hz or more and 120 Hz or less, and a minimum amplitude of 0.1 mm or more.

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