Massager

Abstract

A massaging machine (1) is provided with: a tilting mechanism (24) that individually pushes out left and right sides of a body at a prescribed position in the longitudinal direction of the body to tilt the body; a tilt detection section (23) that detects the tilt in the front-rear direction of the left and right sides at the prescribed position; and a control section (19) that causes the tilting mechanism to act to correct the tilt based on the tilt detected in the tilt detection section.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a massager. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, a massager that performs treatment on a subject has been known. In such a massager, various treatments can be performed.

[0003] For example, in Patent Literature 1 described below, a massaging device is disclosed that is structured so that one of a pair of air bags on the left and right is inflated, and a massaging mechanism is caused to operate in a state in which the upper body of a user is held obliquely.

[0004] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0005] PATENT LITERATURE

[0006] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-254435 SUMMARY

[0007] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] However, in the massaging device described in Patent Literature 1 described above, although left-right asymmetric massage can be performed, more delicate treatment corresponding to the subject is desired.

[0009] The present application has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a massager that can appropriately perform treatment corresponding to a subject.

[0010] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0011] To achieve the above object, a massager according to the present application is characterized by including: a tilting mechanism that individually pushes out a left side of a body and a right side of a body at a prescribed position in a body length direction to tilt the body; a tilt detection section that detects a tilt in a front-rear direction of the left and right at the prescribed position; and a control section that causes the tilting mechanism to operate based on the tilt detected in the tilt detection section to correct the tilt.

[0012] To achieve the above object, a massager according to the present application is characterized by including: a treatment section that has a left treatment member and a right treatment member and is movable in a body length direction; a forward-backward mechanism that is provided in the treatment section and individually advances and retreats the left treatment member and the right treatment member; a tilting mechanism that individually pushes out a left side of a body and a right side of a body at a prescribed position in a body length direction to tilt the body; and a control section that controls the tilting mechanism and the treatment section to execute a treatment mode in which treatment is performed while the subject is tilted.

[0013] EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The massage machine according to the present application is capable of appropriately performing treatment corresponding to a subject by being configured as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 (a) of FIG. 1, Figure 1 (b) of FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of a massage machine according to an embodiment of the present application, Figure 1 (a) of FIG. 1 is a schematic front view, Figure 1 (b) of FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view.

[0016] Figure 2 is a schematic control block diagram of the massage machine.

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart schematically showing an example of basic actions performed in the massage machine.

[0018] Figure 4 (a) to Figure 4 (f) of FIG. 1 are schematic plan views of the massage machine with a part omitted.

[0019] Figure 5 (a) to Figure 5 (d) of FIG. 1 are schematic plan views of the massage machine with a part omitted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 In some of the drawings, a part of detailed reference numerals given to other drawings is omitted.

[0021] In the following embodiment, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are described with reference to a subject seated in the massage machine in an upright state.

[0022]

[0023] Figure 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a massage machine according to the present embodiment and an example of basic actions performed in the massage machine. Figure 5 The massage machine 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in (a) of FIG. 1,

[0024] (b) of FIG. 1, is a chair-type massage machine provided with a backrest portion 2 that supports the back of a subject and a seat portion 3 on which the subject is seated. The massage machine 1 is provided with leg supporting portions (leg rests) 4 that support the legs of the subject and armrest portions 5, 5 provided on the left and right sides of the seat portion 3 in an upright manner to support the arms of the subject. Figure 1 Figure 1 The backrest portion 2 is driven by a backrest drive portion 6 (refer to FIG. 2) and is configured to be capable of moving in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction.

[0025] The backrest drive portion 6 is provided with a backrest drive motor 7 and a backrest drive mechanism 8 that is driven by the backrest drive motor 7. The backrest drive mechanism 8 is provided with a backrest drive link 9 that is connected to the backrest portion 2 and a backrest drive link 10 that is connected to the backrest portion 2. The backrest drive mechanism 8 is configured to be capable of moving the backrest portion 2 in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction by driving the backrest drive link 9 and the backrest drive link 10.​Figure 2 ) and is able to tilt freely. The backrest portion 2 is able to rotate freely with respect to the seat portion 3 with the lower end portion on the seat portion 3 side as a fulcrum, or can be a structure that swings (locks) with the seat portion 3. As the backrest drive portion 6, an electric actuator having a rod linked to the backrest portion 2 that extends and contracts by a suitable motor can be used. In the massager 1, a suitable tilt angle detection portion that detects the tilt angle of the backrest portion 2 in order to control the backrest drive portion 6, a suitable stop mechanism that stops the backrest drive portion 6 at the upright limit and the reclining limit, and the like can be provided.

[0026] In the leg supporting portion 4, leg receiving grooves that receive the left and right legs of the person to be treated are provided. This leg supporting portion 4 is able to tilt freely by the leg supporting drive portion 7 (refer to Figure 2 ). The leg supporting portion 4 can also be able to rotate freely with respect to the seat portion 3 with the upper end portion on the seat portion 3 side as a fulcrum. As the leg supporting drive portion 7, as with the above, an electric actuator having a rod linked to the leg supporting portion 4 that extends and contracts by a suitable motor can be used. In the massager 1, a suitable tilt angle detection portion that detects the tilt angle of the leg supporting portion 4 in order to control the leg supporting drive portion 7, or a suitable stop mechanism that stops the leg supporting drive portion 7 at the tilt movement upper limit and the tilt movement lower limit, and the like can be provided. The leg supporting portion 4 can also be able to extend and contract freely or be able to raise and lower freely in the leg length direction of the person to be treated.

[0027] In the leg supporting portion 4, a suitable treatment mechanism of an air cell or a roller or the like that treats the legs received in the leg receiving grooves can be provided.

[0028] The left and right armrest portions 5, 5 are provided across the seat portion 3 to the backrest portion 2 so as to be able to support the fingers, the forearms, and the upper arms of the person to be treated. At these left and right armrest portions 5, 5, arm receiving grooves that receive the left and right arms of the person to be treated can be provided. A suitable treatment mechanism of an air cell or a roller or the like that treats the arms received in the arm receiving grooves of these left and right armrest portions 5, 5 can be provided.

[0029] The massager 1 is provided with a treatment unit 10 having left and right treatment members 20A, 20B that constitute a treatment portion that is able to move in the body length direction.

[0030] The left and right treatment members 20A, 20B are provided in one treatment unit 10 in the present embodiment. If this structure is used, the device structure can be simplified compared to a structure in which a pair of left and right treatment portions that are each able to move in the body length direction are provided. These left and right treatment members 20A, 20B can be formed as rollers that are able to rotate freely about an axis that is substantially in the left-right direction.

[0031] The massage unit 10 is movable in the massage machine 1 along a guide rail 9 (refer to Figure 4 (a)) formed in a long size in a manner along the length direction of the body. The guide rail 9 is formed in an appropriate shape in a manner along the back surface shape of the body. The guide rail 9 can be provided in a continuous manner throughout substantially the entire upper and lower direction of the backrest portion 2 and substantially the entire front and rear direction of the seat portion 3, or can be provided only in the backrest portion 2. The guide rail 9 is provided in a pair at positions spaced apart to the left and right so as to guide the left and right end portions of the massage unit 10. In the left and right guide rails 9, a guide groove that guides the guided portions provided to the left and right end portions of the massage unit 10, or a rack that engages with pinions provided to the left and right end portions of the massage unit 10, and the like are provided.

[0032] In the left and right end portions of the massage unit 10, guided portions guided along the guide grooves of the above-described left and right guide rails 9 are provided. The guided portions can be provided at two places spaced apart in the length direction of the body at the left and right end portions of the massage unit 10. In the left and right end portions of the massage unit 10, pinions that engage with the racks of the left and right guide rails 9 are provided. The left and right pinions can be provided in a coaxial manner with respect to the guided portions of one side in the length direction of the body.

[0033] In the massage unit 10, a main body lift driving portion 12 (refer to Figure 2 ) that rotates the left and right pinions is provided. The main body lift driving portion 12 is constituted by an appropriate motor, and rotates the left and right pinion shafts via an appropriate reduction mechanism. That is, if the main body lift driving portion 12 is driven, the left and right pinions of the massage unit 10 rotate, and the massage unit 10 moves in the length direction of the body along the racks of the left and right guide rails 9 with which the pinions engage. In the massage machine 1, a main body lift position detecting portion 13 (refer to Figure 2 ) that detects the lift position of the massage unit 10 moved by the main body lift driving portion 12 is provided. As the main body lift position detecting portion 13, a rotary encoder that detects the rotational speed of a rotating body rotated by the main body lift driving portion 12, or an appropriate sensor that detects a detected portion provided to one of the massage unit 10 and the guide rail 9 can be used.

[0034] In the massage unit 10, a main body advance and retreat driving portion 14 (refer to Figure 2 ) that is driven when the massage portion main body 11 provided with the left and right massage members 20A, 20B is advanced and retreated in the front and rear direction with respect to the guide rail 9 is provided (also refer to Figure 4 (a), Figure 4 (b)).

[0035] The treatment unit main body 11 can also be swingable relative to the main body holding portion of the treatment unit 10 by pivoting at the end side as a fulcrum and displacing the upper end side in the substantially front-rear direction that is substantially orthogonal to the length direction of the guide rail 9, for example. As such a main body advancing / retracting mechanism, a pinion gear connected to the motor that constitutes the main body advancing / retracting drive portion 14 via a suitable reduction mechanism can be provided on one of the main body holding portion and the treatment unit main body 11, and an arcuate rack that is substantially elongated in the front-rear direction and with which the pinion gear engages can be provided on the other. That is, if the main body advancing / retracting drive portion 14 is driven, the pinion gear rotates, and the upper end side of the treatment unit main body 11 advances / retracts together with the left and right treatment members 20A and 20B substantially in the front-rear direction along the arcuate rack with which it engages. The main body advancing / retracting mechanism is not limited to the structure described above, and can be configured so that the treatment unit main body 11 advances / retracts in linear motion relative to the guide rail 9, or can be configured in various other ways. In the massager 1, a main body advancing / retracting position detection portion 15 that detects the advancing / retracting position of the treatment unit main body 11 moved by the main body advancing / retracting drive portion 14 is provided (see Figure 2 ). The main body advancing / retracting position detection portion 15 can be configured in the same way as the main body lifting / lowering position detection portion 13 described above.

[0036] In the treatment unit 10, a treatment member width drive portion 16 that is driven when the left and right treatment members 20A and 20B provided on the treatment unit main body 11 are moved in the left-right direction (width direction) is provided (see Figure 2 ). In the treatment unit main body 11, a guide shaft that movably guides a left treatment member unit having the left treatment member 20A and a right treatment member unit having the right treatment member 20B in the left-right direction, or a screw shaft that is connected to the motor that constitutes the treatment member width drive portion 16 via a suitable reduction mechanism and that engages with female screw portions provided on the left and right treatment member units and displaces them toward the approaching side or the distancing side, or the like can be provided. In the treatment unit 10, a suitable detection portion that detects the left-right positions of the left and right treatment member units can also be provided.

[0037] In the treatment unit 10, a kneading drive portion 17 that is driven when the left and right treatment members 20A and 20B are caused to perform a kneading action is provided (see Figure 2 ). In the treatment unit main body 11, a suitable eccentric rotor or a kneading shaft that displaces the left and right treatment members 20A and 20B in an arcuate manner, or the like that is connected to the motor that constitutes the kneading drive portion 17 via a suitable reduction mechanism can be provided.

[0038] In the treatment unit 10, a tapping drive portion 18 that is driven when the left and right treatment members 20A and 20B are caused to perform a tapping action is provided (see Figure 2). In the treatment unit main body 11, a suitable crank mechanism or eccentric rotor, a knocking shaft, or the like that is linked to the knocking drive section 18 via a suitable speed reducer and causes the left and right treatment members 20A and 20B to be displaced in the substantially up-and-down direction of the length of the guide rail 9 can also be provided.

[0039] All of the treatment member width drive section 16, the kneading drive section 17, and the knocking drive section 18 can also not be provided. For example, the kneading drive section 17 can not be provided, and the kneading action can be performed by the treatment member width drive section 16 and the main body lift drive section 12 or the advance-and-retreat mechanism 21 described later.

[0040] As for the basic structure of the massager 1 described above, various other known structures can be adopted.

[0041] In the treatment unit 10, in the present embodiment, the advance-and-retreat mechanism 21 that enables the left treatment member 20A and the right treatment member 20B to be individually advanced and retreated is provided.

[0042] The advance-and-retreat mechanism 21 is provided with the left advance-and-retreat drive section 22A that advances and retreats the left treatment member 20A and the right advance-and-retreat drive section 22B that advances and retreats the right treatment member 20B. The motors that constitute these left advance-and-retreat drive section 22A and right advance-and-retreat drive section 22B and the motors that constitute the drive sections 6, 7, 12, 14, 16, 17, and 18 described above can also be servo motors or the like that are capable of being rotated in both directions and that are capable of being controlled in terms of rotational speed.

[0043] As the advance-and-retreat mechanism 21, a structure in which the left treatment member 20A and the right treatment member 20B are advanced and retreated via a transmission mechanism that is driven by the left advance-and-retreat drive section 22A and the right advance-and-retreat drive section 22B, respectively, can also be adopted. For example, a structure in which a circular-plate-shaped eccentric cam that is rotationally driven by the left advance-and-retreat drive section 22A and the right advance-and-retreat drive section 22B and a treatment member mounting section that has the left treatment member 20A and the right treatment member 20B and is provided with a cam receiving portion that rotationally receives the circular-plate-shaped eccentric cam are provided as the transmission mechanism can be adopted.

[0044] The retraction mechanism 21 is not limited to the aforementioned mechanism where the left and right treatment components 20A and 20B move in an arc-shaped manner while retracting forward and backward. The retraction mechanism 21 can also be a structure that tilts the support arms of the left and right treatment components 20A and 20B via an eccentric plate or an arc-shaped rack, or a mechanism that moves them forward and backward in a linear motion via various linkage mechanisms. The retraction mechanism 21 is not limited to a mechanism that moves the left and right treatment components 20A and 20B forward and backward via a mechanical transmission mechanism; it can also be a mechanism that moves them forward and backward via air pressure in an air chamber. The retraction mechanism 21 can be any mechanism that allows the left and right treatment components 20A and 20B to move forward and backward independently; it is not limited to being set up independently on the left and right sides, and can be made into various other structures. In the massage machine 1, in addition to the left and right treatment components 20A and 20B, other treatment components may also be set above or below them or to their left and right sides.

[0045] Massager 1 Figure 2 As shown, a tilt detection unit 23 is provided to detect the left and right tilt in the forward and backward directions at a predetermined position along the body's length. In this embodiment, the tilt detection unit 23 includes a left body position detection unit 23A and a right body position detection unit 23B, which are designed to detect the load from the patient on the left treatment member 20A and the right treatment member 20B, respectively. These left body position detection units 23A and right body position detection units 23B have the same structure. Since the left treatment member 20A and right treatment member 20B have the same structure, they are described as tilt detection unit 23 and treatment member 20 without the need for left-right distinction.

[0046] The tilt detection unit 23 can be a pressure sensor, such as a strain gauge or a semiconductor pressure sensor, that allows the part where the treatment element 20 is located to slightly shift relative to the treatment element mounting part constituting the advance / retreat mechanism 21 and detects the pressure caused by this shift. Alternatively, the tilt detection unit 23 can be a structure that detects the load by detecting the current value flowing into the motor constituting the advance / retreat mechanism 21, or it can be made into various other structures. The tilt detection unit 23 is not limited to a structure that detects the load of the treatment element 20 on the treatment recipient; it can also be a potentiometer, optical sensor, magnetic sensor, ultrasonic sensor, etc., that detects the shift of the appropriate location where the treatment element 20 is located. The contact of the treatment element 20 with the treatment recipient's body when detecting the load of the treatment element 20 on the treatment recipient is not limited to a structure in which the treatment element 20 is directly in contact with the body, but includes contact via a sheet-like cover or clothing that is usually provided to cover the front side of the treatment element 20.

[0047] Massager 1 Figure 1 andFigure 2 As shown, a tilting mechanism 24 (26) is provided which individually pushes out the left and right sides of the body at a prescribed position in the body length direction to tilt the body. In the present embodiment, the tilting mechanism 24 (26) is capable of changing the amount of push-out of the left and right sides of the body. If this structure is adopted, as will be described in detail later, the amount of push-out of the left and right sides can be changed to effectively correct the posture or effectively apply treatment.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the massage machine 1 is provided with a first tilting mechanism 24 and a second tilting mechanism 26 which are respectively provided at a first position and a second position which are spaced apart in the body length direction as prescribed positions. The tilting detection section 23 described above is structured so as to be capable of detecting the tilting in the forward and backward direction of the left and right sides at the first position and the second position. If this structure is adopted, as will be described in detail later, the first tilting mechanism 24 and the second tilting mechanism 26 are caused to act in a direction which alleviates / eliminates the twisting of the left and right sides at the first position and the second position respectively, and the posture can be effectively corrected. Furthermore, treatment can also be applied in a state in which the posture has been corrected in this way.

[0049] The first tilting mechanism 24 is structured so as to individually push out the left and right sides of the body, i.e. the left shoulder and the right shoulder, at the shoulder position which is the first position. This first tilting mechanism 24 is as shown in (a) of FIG. 4, Figure 1 (b) of FIG. 5. In the present embodiment, a left shoulder air chamber 25A which pushes out the left shoulder and a right shoulder air chamber 25B which pushes out the right shoulder are provided. Figure 1 These left shoulder air chamber 25A and right shoulder air chamber 25B are provided in the backrest portion 2 in a manner so as to be located on the left and right sides of the treatment unit 10 so as to be at a position which does not interfere with the treatment unit 10 described above. These left shoulder air chamber 25A and right shoulder air chamber 25B can also be formed in a long size in the body length direction so as to be able to correspond to the shoulder position of a treatment recipient of various heights.

[0050] The second tilting mechanism 26 is structured so as to individually push out the left and right sides of the body, i.e. the left waist and the right waist, at the waist (pelvis) position which is the second position. This second tilting mechanism 26 is substantially the same as the first tilting mechanism 24, and in the present embodiment, a left waist air chamber 27A which pushes out the left waist and a right waist air chamber 27B which pushes out the right waist are provided.

[0051] These left waist air chamber 27A and right waist air chamber 27B are provided in the backrest portion 2 in a manner so as to be located on the left and right sides of the treatment unit 10 so as to be at a position which does not interfere with the treatment unit 10. These left waist air chamber 27A and right waist air chamber 27B can also be formed in a long size in the body length direction so as to be able to correspond to the waist position of a treatment recipient of various heights.

[0052] These left waist air chamber 27A and right waist air chamber 27B are provided in the backrest portion 2 in a manner so as to be located on the left and right sides of the treatment unit 10 so as to be at a position which does not interfere with the treatment unit 10. These left waist air chamber 27A and right waist air chamber 27B can also be formed in a long size in the body length direction so as to be able to correspond to the waist position of a treatment recipient of various heights.

[0053] The left shoulder air chamber 25A, the right shoulder air chamber 25B, the left waist air chamber 27A, and the right waist air chamber 27B are bag-shaped and expand and contract by introduction and discharge of air. That is, if air is introduced into the left shoulder air chamber 25A, the right shoulder air chamber 25B, the left waist air chamber 27A, and the right waist air chamber 27B to expand them, the pushed-out portion of the body is pushed out forward with respect to the backrest portion 2. In the left shoulder air chamber 25A, the right shoulder air chamber 25B, the left waist air chamber 27A, and the right waist air chamber 27B, an air source such as an air pump is connected via an air pipe.

[0054] In the first tilting mechanism 24, a left shoulder air chamber supply / discharge portion 25a and a right shoulder air chamber supply / discharge portion 25b that control supply and discharge of air to the left shoulder air chamber 25A and the right shoulder air chamber 25B are provided. In the second tilting mechanism 26, a left waist air chamber supply / discharge portion 27a and a right waist air chamber supply / discharge portion 27b that control supply and discharge of air to the left waist air chamber 27A and the right waist air chamber 27B are provided.

[0055] As the left shoulder air chamber supply / discharge portion 25a, the right shoulder air chamber supply / discharge portion 25b, the left waist air chamber supply / discharge portion 27a, and the right waist air chamber supply / discharge portion 27b, a solenoid valve or the like that opens and closes an air pipe connected to each of the left shoulder air chamber 25A, the right shoulder air chamber 25B, the left waist air chamber 27A, and the right waist air chamber 27B can be provided.

[0056] The left shoulder air chamber 25A and the right shoulder air chamber 25B control the left shoulder air chamber supply / discharge portion 25a and the right shoulder air chamber supply / discharge portion 25b, and by changing the supply and discharge amount (supply and discharge time) of air, the pushed-out amount of the left shoulder and the right shoulder can be changed. An appropriate detection portion that detects the pushed-out amount of the left shoulder and the right shoulder can be provided.

[0057] The left waist air chamber 27A and the right waist air chamber 27B control the left waist air chamber supply / discharge portion 27a and the right waist air chamber supply / discharge portion 27b, and by changing the supply and discharge amount (supply and discharge time) of air, the pushed-out amount of the left waist and the right waist can be changed. An appropriate detection portion that detects the pushed-out amount of the left waist and the right waist can be provided.

[0058] In this embodiment, the massager 1 includes a third tilting mechanism 28 that separately extends and lifts the left and right sides of the body, i.e., the left and right buttocks, respectively, from the seat position (the third position). This third tilting mechanism 28 is substantially the same as the first tilting mechanism 24 and the second tilting mechanism 26 described above, and includes a left buttock air chamber 29A for extending (lifting) the left buttock and a right buttock air chamber 29B for extending (lifting) the right buttock. When the treatment unit 10 is configured to be movable to the seat 3, these left buttock air chambers 29A and 29B are, as described above, located on the left and right sides of the treatment unit 10 within the seat 3, in a position that does not interfere with the treatment unit 10. As described above, these left buttock air chambers 29A and 29B are connected to an air source, such as an air pump, via air pipes.

[0059] In the third tilting mechanism 28, similarly to the above, there are left and right buttock air chamber supply and exhaust sections that control the supply and exhaust of air to the left buttock air chamber 29A and the right buttock air chamber 29B. This third tilting mechanism 28 can also function as the second tilting mechanism, replacing the second tilting mechanism 26 described above. Alternatively, the second and third tilting mechanisms 26 and 28 described above can also function as the first and second tilting mechanisms, respectively. The position and combination of multiple tilting mechanisms are not limited to this example; a structure with only one or four or more tilting mechanisms is also possible. Air chambers for restraining or treating the left and right shoulders of the patient may also be provided on both sides of the backrest 2.

[0060] The massage machine 1 is provided with a suitable power supply unit or power cord that connects to an external commercial power supply or the like and supplies drive power to the aforementioned components.

[0061] Massager 1 Figure 2 As shown, an operation display unit 8 is provided. This operation display unit 8 may also be a remote control or the like, connected to the control unit 19 (described later) via a suitable signal line. The operation display unit 8 includes controls for starting and stopping (on / off) the massage machine 1, selecting various treatment modes, tilting the backrest 2 or footrest 4, and moving the treatment unit 10. The operation display unit 8 is not limited to controls operated with fingers, etc.; it may also include a voice recognition unit that can be operated via voice input, or other various structures. The operation display unit 8 is not limited to being pre-installed on the massage machine 1; it may also be a portable information terminal with application software installed for operation.

[0062] The massage machine 1 is equipped with a control unit 19 for controlling various parts.

[0063] The control section 19 executes a correction mode that causes the tilting mechanism 24 (26) to act based on the tilt detected in the above-described tilt detection section 23 to correct the tilt. If such a structure is made, the tilting mechanism 24 (26) is caused to act in a direction that alleviates / eliminates the twisting to the left and right at the prescribed position where the subject is to be placed, and the posture can be corrected. Furthermore, the subject can be treated or the posture can be corrected while the posture is thus corrected.

[0064] The control section 19 executes a treatment mode that controls the tilting mechanism 24 (26) and the treatment unit 10 to treat the subject in a tilted state. If such a structure is made, the left and right treatment members 20A and 20B that can individually advance and retreat as described above can be appropriately caused to advance and retreat while the subject is tilted, and treatment can be performed. Thus, one of the treatment members 20A (20B) can be caused to advance more toward the side of the backrest side to which the subject is tilted and be pushed more strongly, or the left and right treatment members 20A and 20B can be caused to advance and retreat so that the left and right sides of the body that is tilted are each pushed by approximately the same amount.

[0065] The control section 19 is built in the lower side of the seat section 3 of the massage machine 1 or the like. In the control section 19, a microcontroller (MCU) or the like including a control circuit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like and various memories such as a ROM, a RAM, or the like is provided. In the control section 19, as shown in Figure 2 , the above-described various drive sections and air supply and exhaust sections, detection sections, and the like are connected via signal lines or the like. In accordance with a program that is set in advance in the memories or the like of the control section 19, the drive sections and air supply and exhaust sections are controlled while referring to the detection values obtained by the various detection sections, and the execution of the tilt detection mode or the correction mode described later, the various treatment modes is performed. The tilt detection mode or the correction mode described later, the tilt treatment mode can be a structure that is executed by operating an appropriate operation section provided in the above-described portable information terminal or the operation display section 8 provided in the massage machine 1, or by accepting a sound input in a sound recognition section, or can be included in an initial setting mode or the like that is appropriately executed when a start operation of the massage machine 1 is performed.

[0066] The control section 19 specifically executes a tilt detection mode that detects the tilt in the forward and backward directions of the left and right at a prescribed position (Step S100), as shown in Figure 3 In the present embodiment, the control section 19 executes a shoulder forward and backward tilt detection mode that estimates the tilt in the forward and backward directions of the left and right at a shoulder position that is a prescribed position (first position), and a waist forward and backward tilt detection mode that estimates the tilt in the forward and backward directions of the left and right at a waist position that is a prescribed position (second position).

[0067] In the shoulder forward and backward tilt detection mode, as shown in Figure 4 (a) of FIG. 6, the left and right treatment members 20A and 20B are caused to advance and retreat while the subject is tilted, and the posture of the subject is corrected.Figure 4 In the state where the left-side application member 20A is made to advance more than the right-side application member 20B as shown in (b), the application unit main body 11 set to the retracted position is made to advance to detect the front-rear position of the left shoulder. Also, if the detection value obtained by the left-side body position detection section 23A exceeds a threshold value set in advance as a result of the abutment of the left-side application member 20A against the left shoulder, the position exceeding the threshold value is saved to the memory as the front-rear position of the left shoulder. The front-rear position of the left shoulder can be detected by the main body advance-retract position detection section 15 described above.

[0068] Next, the application unit main body 11 set to the retracted position can also be made to advance in the state where the right-side application member 20B is made to advance more than the left-side application member 20A, to detect the front-rear position of the right shoulder, contrary to the above. Also, if the detection value obtained by the right-side body position detection section 23B exceeds a threshold value set in advance as a result of the abutment of the right-side application member 20B against the right shoulder, the position exceeding the threshold value is saved to the memory as the front-rear position of the right shoulder. The front-rear position of the right shoulder can also be detected by the main body advance-retract position detection section 15 as described above.

[0069] Also, the front-rear positions of the left and right shoulders detected as described above are compared, and the inclination in the front-rear direction of the left and right shoulders is estimated. The magnitude of the inclination can also be included in the inclination information in the front-rear direction of the left and right shoulders. In the shoulder front-rear inclination detection mode, the widths of the left and right application members 20A, 20B can also be set to the widths corresponding to the left and right shoulders.

[0070] The shoulder height position detection mode for detecting the approximate height position (reference position) of the shoulders of the person to be treated can also be executed before the execution of the shoulder front-rear inclination detection mode. In the shoulder height position detection mode, the application unit 10 positioned on the upper side of the shoulders of the person to be treated can also be moved downward in the state where the left and right application members 20A, 20B are made to advance, to detect the height position of the shoulders. An operation section capable of changing the height position of the shoulders detected by the shoulder height position detection mode can also be provided to the operation display section 8. Alternatively, the left and right shoulder height position detection mode for detecting the height position of one of the left and right shoulders in the state where one of the application members is made to advance more than the other, and then detecting the height position of the other, can also be executed before the execution of the shoulder front-rear inclination detection mode.

[0071] In the shoulder front-rear inclination detection mode described above, the application unit main body 11 can also be positioned in the state where the left and right application members 20A, 20B are made to be the height positions of the shoulders detected as described above (the height positions of the left and right shoulders, respectively).

[0072] In the lumbar tilt detection mode, the process can be roughly the same as described above, such as... Figure 4 (d) Figure 4 As shown in (e), the treatment unit body 11, which is set to a retracted position, is advanced while the left treatment member 20A is advanced further than the right treatment member 20B, and the forward / backward position of the left waist is detected. Furthermore, if the detection value obtained by the left body position detection unit 23A exceeds a preset threshold as the left treatment member 20A abuts against the left waist, this exceeded position is stored in memory as the forward / backward position of the left waist. This forward / backward position of the left waist can be detected by the aforementioned body advance / retreat position detection unit 15.

[0073] Next, conversely, with the right treatment component 20B advancing further than the left treatment component 20A, the treatment unit body 11, set to a retracted position, advances to detect the forward / backward position of the right waist. Furthermore, if the detection value obtained by the right body information detection unit 23B, accompanying the right treatment component 20B's contact with the right waist, exceeds a preset threshold, this exceeding position is stored in memory as the forward / backward position of the right waist. This forward / backward position of the right waist can be detected by the aforementioned body advance / retract position detection unit 15. Furthermore, by comparing the forward / backward position of the left waist detected as described above with the forward / backward position of the right waist, the forward / backward tilt of the left and right waists is estimated. This forward / backward tilt information of the left and right waists may also include information about the magnitude of the tilt.

[0074] In this lumbar tilt detection mode, the treatment body 11 can also be positioned so that the left and right treatment pieces 20A and 20B are at approximately the reference lumbar height position. The so-called approximate reference lumbar height position is estimated based on the shoulder height position (the height position of a certain shoulder) detected by executing the above-mentioned shoulder height position detection mode or the left and right shoulder height position detection mode.

[0075] Alternatively, before executing the lumbar tilt detection mode, a left-right lumbar height position detection mode can be executed, in which the treatment unit body 11 is moved downwards to detect the height position of either the left lumbar region (left pelvis) or the right lumbar region (right pelvis) while one treatment piece is advanced further than the other, and then the height position of the other lumbar region is detected in the same way. Furthermore, the lumbar tilt detection mode can also be executed while the treatment unit body 11 is positioned so that the left and right treatment pieces 20A and 20B are at the respective height positions of the detected left and right lumbar regions.

[0076] In this lumbar tilt detection mode, the widths of the left and right treatment pieces 20A and 20B can also be set to correspond to the widths of the left and right waists (pelvis) for execution.

[0077] In the shoulder forward / backward inclination detection mode and the waist forward / backward inclination detection mode described above, the case where detection is performed first from the left side is illustrated, but the case where detection is performed first from the right side can also be adopted.

[0078] In the example described above, the case where one treatment unit 10 is provided is illustrated, but a structure in which a plurality of treatment units 10 are provided above and below can also be adopted, and a structure in which the forward / backward inclination of the shoulder is detected by the treatment unit 10 on the upper side and the forward / backward inclination of the waist is detected by the treatment unit 10 on the lower side, or the like can be adopted.

[0079] In the example described above, the case where one of the left and right body forward / backward positions (shoulder forward / backward position or waist forward / backward position) is detected in a state in which one of the left and right treatment members 20A, 20B is made to advance more than the other is illustrated, but this is not limited to this manner. For example, a manner in which, in a state in which both of the left and right treatment members 20A, 20B are made to advance, the treatment member main body 11 is made to advance as described above, if the detection value of one of the left and right body position detection units 23A, 23B exceeds the threshold value described above, the position is saved to the memory as the body forward / backward position of one side, then the treatment member on one side is made to retreat and the treatment member main body 11 is made to advance, and if the detection value of the other exceeds the threshold value, the position is saved to the memory as the body forward / backward position of the other side, or the like can be adopted.

[0080] Further, instead of the structure in which the left and right treatment members 20A, 20B are provided in one treatment unit 10, a structure in which one pair of treatment members each having the left and right treatment members 20A, 20B and each being able to move in the body length direction is provided can also be adopted. In this case, a manner in which, in a state in which one of the left and right treatment members 20A, 20B is set as an upper limit position or the like with respect to a position that does not contact the subject, the other is made to advance and the body forward / backward position of the other is detected, or the like can be adopted. Instead of this manner in which the left and right body forward / backward positions (shoulder forward / backward position or waist forward / backward position) are detected in left and right order, a manner in which the left and right body forward / backward positions are detected at the same time, or the like can be adopted, and as a manner in which the forward / backward direction inclination of the left and right at the prescribed position (shoulder position or waist position) is detected, various other manners can also be adopted.

[0081] The control unit 19 is configured to Figure 3As shown, the correction mode for tilt correction detected as described above is executed (step S101). In this embodiment, the control unit 19 executes a shoulder tilt correction mode that corrects the tilt in the left and right forward and backward directions at the shoulder position, which is a predetermined position (first position), and a waist tilt correction mode that corrects the tilt in the left and right forward and backward directions at the waist position, which is a predetermined position (second position). These shoulder tilt correction modes and waist tilt correction modes can be executed simultaneously or sequentially, one at a time.

[0082] exist Figure 4 In example (c), it is shown that in the shoulder tilt detection mode, when the right shoulder is detected to be more forward than the left shoulder and there is a counterclockwise twist in the shoulder area (see...). Figure 4 (b) is an example of a shoulder tilt correction pattern. In this case, the left shoulder air chamber 25A is expanded more than the right shoulder air chamber 25B to correct the tilt and push the left shoulder out. That is, the first tilting mechanism 24 is controlled to twist the shoulder side of the patient clockwise, which is the side where the torsion detected as described above will be relieved / eliminated.

[0083] In the opposite scenario, if the left shoulder is detected to be more forward than the right shoulder and there is a clockwise twist at the shoulder side, the right shoulder air chamber 25B is expanded more than the left shoulder air chamber 25A to correct the situation and push the right shoulder out. That is, the first tilting mechanism 24 is controlled to twist the shoulder side of the patient counterclockwise, which serves as the side that will relieve / eliminate the twist detected as described above.

[0084] In this shoulder tilt correction mode, the extension amount of the left and right shoulders can be changed according to the degree of tilt of the left and right shoulders. The treatment unit 10 can be moved to execute the appropriate treatment mode while the shoulder tilt correction mode has been corrected as described above, or the shoulder tilt correction mode can be executed while the appropriate treatment mode is being executed. At this time, the intensity, number of repetitions, and sequence of treatment can be different on the right and left sides based on the detected torsion.

[0085] exist Figure 4 In example (f), it indicates a situation where, in the lumbar tilt detection mode, the left lumbar region is detected to be more forward than the right lumbar region, and there is a clockwise twist at the lumbar side (see [reference]). Figure 4 An example of the lumbar tilt correction mode (e) is shown. In this case, the right lumbar air chamber 27B is expanded compared to the left lumbar air chamber 27A to correct the right lumbar tilt. That is, the second tilting mechanism 26 is controlled to twist the lumbar side of the patient in a counterclockwise direction, which is the side where the torsion detected as described above is relieved / eliminated.

[0086] In the opposite case to the above, in a case where it is detected that the right waist is located further forward than the left waist and there is a twist to the counterclockwise side at the waist side, the left waist air chamber 27A can be made to expand more than the right waist air chamber 27B to perform correction to push out the left waist. That is, the second tilting mechanism 26 is controlled to twist the waist side of the subject to be treated to the clockwise side, which is the side to alleviate / eliminate the twist detected as described above.

[0087] In the waist front-rear tilting correction mode as well, the amount of pushing out of the left and right waists can be changed according to the size of the front-rear tilting of the left and right waists. In the waist front-rear tilting correction mode as well, the treatment unit 10 can be moved in the state of correction as described above to perform an appropriate treatment mode, or the waist front-rear tilting correction mode can be performed during the performance of an appropriate treatment mode. At this time, the treatment can be performed with the intensity or number, order, etc. being different on the right side and the left side according to the detected twist.

[0088] As the method of making the other of the left air chambers (left shoulder air chamber 25A, left waist air chamber 27A) and the right air chambers (right shoulder air chamber 25B, right waist air chamber 27B) expand more than the one to push out one of the left body (in the example described above, the left shoulder, left waist) and the right body (in the example described above, the right shoulder, right waist), for example, it can be a method of making the one contract by exhausting air and making the other expand by supplying air, or it can be a method of making the one contract by exhausting air from a state where both the left and right sides expand by supplying air, and other various methods can be employed. Here, the contraction of the one is not limited to a state of complete contraction, but can be a state of contraction more than that of the other, and the expansion of the other is not limited to a state of complete expansion, but can be a state of expansion more than that of the one.

[0089] As the method of changing the amount of pushing out of the left body and the right body, it can be a method of changing the amount of supply and exhaust (supply and exhaust time) of air to the left air chamber and the right air chamber, or it can be a method of changing by controlling the supply and exhaust air portion based on detection by an appropriate detection portion that detects the amount of pushing out of the left and right, and other various methods can be employed.

[0090] In the example described above, the front-rear tilting correction mode at the shoulder position and the waist position, which are prescribed positions, is exemplified, but this is only an example, and an appropriate front-rear tilting correction mode at a position can be performed according to the position and number of tilting mechanisms.

[0091] The control portion 19, as described above, controls the supply and exhaust of air to the air chambers 25A, 25B, 27A, 27B of the shoulder and waist of the subject to be treated based on the detection by the detection portion 18. Figure 3As shown, a tilt treatment mode in which treatment is performed in a state in which the subject is tilted (step S102) is executed. This tilt treatment mode can also perform treatment in a state in which a prescribed position of the subject is tilted based on the tilt (twist) in the front-rear direction detected in the above-described shoulder front-rear tilt detection mode and the waist front-rear tilt detection mode, so that treatment of the acupoints (meridian points) of the muscles and the periphery thereof considered to be the cause of the tilt in the front-rear direction is effectively performed.

[0092] In Figure 5 In an example of the tilt treatment mode shown in (a) of the above, an example in which treatment is performed by the treatment unit 10 in each state in which the degree of twist of the shoulder side of the subject is changed by changing the amount of protrusion of one of the left shoulder air chamber 25A and the right shoulder air chamber 25B (in the example, the left shoulder air chamber 25A) is shown. Thus, the abutment position and the abutment strength, the abutment angle, and the like of the left and right treatment members 20A, 20B with respect to the periphery of the left and right shoulder sides can be changed, and various kinds of treatment can be performed. In Figure 5 In (a) of the above, an example in which the left and right treatment members 20A, 20B are set to the same advance-retract position and treatment is performed is shown, but treatment can also be performed in a state in which the treatment member 20 of one of the left and right shoulder sides that is tilted to the backrest side (in the example, the right shoulder side) is more advanced than the treatment member 20 of the other shoulder side.

[0093] In Figure 5 In an example of the tilt treatment mode shown in (b) of the above, an example in which treatment is performed in a state in which the left and right treatment members 20A, 20B are adjusted in the amount of advance-retraction so that the left and right treatment members 20A, 20B are roughly equally pushed against each of the left and right shoulder sides in a state in which the shoulder side of the subject is tilted is shown. In the example, an example in which the left treatment member 20A is more advanced than the right treatment member 20B and treatment is performed in a state in which the left shoulder air chamber 25A is inflated and the left shoulder is protruded and the shoulder side is tilted is shown. In contrast, treatment can also be performed in a state in which the right treatment member 20B is more advanced than the left treatment member 20A and treatment is performed in a state in which the right shoulder air chamber 25B is inflated and the right shoulder is protruded and the shoulder side is tilted.

[0094] In Figure 5 In an example of the tilt treatment mode shown in (c) of the above, an example in which treatment is performed by the treatment unit 10 in each state in which the degree of twist of the waist side of the subject is changed by changing the amount of protrusion of one of the left waist air chamber 27A and the right waist air chamber 27B (in the example, the right waist air chamber 27B) is shown. Thus, as with the above, the abutment position and the abutment strength, the abutment angle, and the like of the left and right treatment members 20A, 20B with respect to the periphery of the left and right waist sides can be changed, and various kinds of treatment can be performed. In Figure 5In (c) above, an example is shown in which the left and right application members 20A, 20B are advanced to the same position and the application is performed. However, the application can be performed in a state in which the application member 20 on the side of the backrest side of the waist (left waist side in the drawing) is more advanced than the application member 20 on the other side of the waist.

[0095] In (d) above, an example is shown in which the left and right application members 20A, 20B are adjusted in the amount of advancement in a state in which the waist side of the subject is inclined and the left and right application members 20A, 20B are pushed against the left and right waist side portions in substantially equal amounts. In the drawing, an example is shown in which the right-side application member 20B is more advanced than the left-side application member 20A and the application is performed in a state in which the right waist air chamber 27B is inflated and the right waist is pushed out and the waist side is inclined. Conversely, the left-side application member 20A can be more advanced than the right-side application member 20B and the application can be performed in a state in which the left waist air chamber 27A is inflated and the left waist is pushed out and the waist side is inclined. Figure 5

[0096] The above-described inclined application mode in which the shoulder side is inclined and the inclined application mode in which the waist side is inclined can be executed simultaneously or individually in sequence.

[0097] The inclined application mode is not limited to the manner shown in (d) above, and can be executed individually after the inclination detection mode in which the inclination of the left and right in the forward and backward directions at the prescribed position is detected or the correction mode in which the inclination is corrected. That is, the inclination can not be detected or the inclination can be corrected, and the left and right application members 20A, 20B can be appropriately advanced and retracted to apply the application in a state in which the prescribed portion or the entire body of the subject is inclined. Figure 3 In the above-described example, the inclined application mode in which the shoulder side and the waist side as the prescribed portions are inclined is exemplified, but this is merely an example, and the inclined application mode at an appropriate portion can be executed depending on the position and the number of the inclination mechanisms. For example, instead of the manner in which the shoulder side and the waist side are inclined, or instead of one side or in addition to at least one side, the application can be performed in a state in which the hip is inclined by the above-described third inclination mechanism 28. The application in the inclined application mode can be performed by the air chambers or the rollers or the like provided in the above-described leg portions 4 or the armrest portions 5, 5 in addition to the application by the application unit 10.

[0098]

[0099] ​​The tilting mechanism 24, 26, 28 is not limited to the mechanism that tilts the portion described above, but can be a mechanism that tilts the head or the left and right arms, the left and right legs, and the like. Furthermore, the tilting mechanism is not limited to the mechanism that tilts by the air chamber, but can be a mechanism that tilts by providing a proper advancing and retreating mechanism on the left and right, or the like.

[0100] The structure of each portion of the massage machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the tilting detection mode and the correction mode, and the various treatment modes are not limited to the examples described above, and various modifications can be made.

[0101] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0102] 1 Massage machine

[0103] 10 Treatment unit (treatment portion)

[0104] 19 Control portion

[0105] 20A Left treatment member

[0106] 20B Right treatment member

[0107] 21 Advancing and retreating mechanism

[0108] 23 Tilting detection portion

[0109] 24 First tilting mechanism (tilting mechanism)

[0110] 26 Second tilting mechanism (tilting mechanism)

Claims

1. A massaging machine characterized by comprising: a tilting mechanism that individually pushes out a left side of a body and a right side of a body at a prescribed position in a body length direction to tilt the body; a tilt detecting section that detects a tilt in a front-rear direction of the left and right at the prescribed position; and a control section that causes the tilting mechanism to act in a direction to push out a side different from a side in front detected by the tilt detecting section among the left and right at the prescribed position based on the tilt detected in the tilt detecting section to correct the tilt.

2. The massaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the tilting mechanism comprises a first tilting mechanism and a second tilting mechanism respectively provided at a first position and a second position spaced apart in the body length direction as the prescribed position; and the tilt detecting section is configured to detect a tilt in the front-rear direction of the left and right at the first position and the second position.

3. The massaging machine according to claim 1, characterized by comprising: a forward-rearward mechanism provided at the treatment section and configured to individually advance and retract the left treatment member and the right treatment member; and the control section controls the tilting mechanism and the treatment section to execute a treatment mode in which treatment is performed while the subject is tilted to correct the tilt.

4. The massaging machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the tilting mechanism comprises a first tilting mechanism and a second tilting mechanism respectively provided at a first position and a second position spaced apart in the body length direction as the prescribed position; and the tilt detecting section is configured to detect a tilt in the front-rear direction of the left and right at the first position and the second position.

5. The massaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tilting mechanism is capable of changing a push-out amount of the left side of the body and the right side of the body individually. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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