Constant current control circuit, electrical stimulation device and constant electrical stimulation method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of electronic instruments, and provides a constant current control circuit, an electrical stimulation device and a constant electrical stimulation method. The constant current control circuit comprises a voltage regulation module and an output electrode, the voltage regulation module comprises a chip U4, an adjustable resistor R50 and a reversing switch K1, one branch at an FB pin of the chip U4 is connected with the adjustable resistor R50 in series and then is grounded, and the other branch at the FB pin is connected with a power supply output end VCES through the reversing switch K1; and the output electrode is connected in parallel with the change-over switch K1 and is connected in series with the adjustable resistor R50 through the change-over switch K1. The electrical stimulation device provided by the invention adopts the constant current control circuit, and can keep constant output current even after long-term use, so that a user can obtain comfortable electrical stimulation experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of electronic devices and provides a constant current control circuit, an electrical stimulation device and a constant electrical stimulation method. Background Art

[0002] In addition to a large amount of water, the human body also contains a lot of conductive electrolytes and non-conductive dielectrics. Therefore, the human body is actually a complex conductor with both resistance and capacitance properties. Applying low-intensity trace current to human skin can cause a certain sense of touch, and different people have different tactile needs.

[0003] The electrical stimulation devices currently on the market usually work with a preset fixed current or voltage. On the one hand, due to individual differences, the current or voltage preset by the developer cannot take into account the sensory sensitivity of different users. In addition, different organs and tissues of the human body, different functional states and pathological changes also react differently to electric current. On the other hand, when there is water or sweat on the surface of the human body, these conductive liquids will cause the output current value to fluctuate, causing the touch of the electrical stimulation to be strong or weak, which will cause errors in some situations that require a stable electrical stimulation touch; in addition, after long-term use and wear, the preset current or voltage of the electrical stimulation device will be irreversibly weakened, the output current will be unstable, and the electrical stimulation effect will be greatly reduced. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve at least one of the deficiencies in the above-mentioned prior art, the present invention provides a constant current control circuit, including a voltage regulating module and an output electrode. The voltage regulating module includes a chip U4, an adjustable resistor R50 and a reversing switch K1. A branch at the FB pin of the chip U4 is connected in series with the adjustable resistor R50 and then grounded, and another branch at the FB pin is connected to the power supply output terminal VCES through the reversing switch K1. The output electrode is connected in parallel with the reversing switch K1 and is connected in series with the adjustable resistor R50 through the reversing switch K1.

[0005] In one embodiment, the FB pin of the chip U4 has a preset reference voltage value. The current value flowing through the output electrode can be adjusted by changing the resistance value of the adjustable resistor R50. The current value flowing through the output electrode is equal to the reference voltage value divided by the resistance value of the adjustable resistor R50.

[0006] In one embodiment, the voltage regulation module also includes an inductor L4 and a diode D4; the input port VIN of the chip U4 is connected to the power supply input terminal VBAT, the inductor L4 is connected in parallel between the input port VIN of the chip U4 and the SW pin of the chip U4, and the diode D4 is connected in series between the SW pin of the chip U4 and the power supply output terminal VCES.

[0007] In one embodiment, the model of chip U4 is SX1308.

[0008] In one embodiment, the 4th and 9th pins of the reversing switch K1 are common terminals, the 4th pin is connected to the first plug of the output electrode, and the 9th pin is connected to the second plug of the output electrode; the 3rd and 10th pins of the reversing switch K1 are normally closed terminals, and the 5th and 8th pins are normally open terminals, the 3rd pin is connected to the power supply output terminal VCES and is also connected to the 8th pin, and the 10th pin is connected to the FB pin of the chip U4 and is also connected to the 5th pin.

[0009] In one embodiment, the type of the reversing switch K1 is HFD3.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first plug and the second plug of the output electrode are used to contact with human skin, so that a current loop is formed between the reversing switch K1 and the chip U4.

[0011] The present invention also provides an electrical stimulation device, which adopts the constant current control circuit as described above, and also includes an MCU controller which is communicatively connected to the constant current control circuit.

[0012] In one embodiment, the MCU controller includes a single-chip microcomputer U1, a PB6 pin of the single-chip microcomputer U1 is connected to an EN pin of a chip U4, a PD7 pin of the single-chip microcomputer U1 is connected to a positive end of a reversing switch K1, and a negative end of the reversing switch K1 is grounded.

[0013] The present invention also provides a constant electrical stimulation method, using the constant current control circuit as described above, comprising the following steps: S100, the user inputs the required set current value; S200, transmitting the current value to the constant current control circuit; S300 The constant current control circuit controls the output of a constant current value to ensure constant electrical stimulation.

[0014] Based on the above, compared with the prior art, the constant current control circuit provided by the present invention can maintain a constant output current even after long-term use and wear, so that the user can obtain a comfortable electrical stimulation experience. Among them, the output electrode is indirectly connected in series with the adjustable resistor R50, so according to different treatment needs and individual conditions, the output current can be adjusted by adjusting the resistance value of the adjustable resistor R50, which enhances the applicability and flexibility of the electrical stimulation device.

[0015] Other features and beneficial effects of the present invention will be described in the following description, and partly become apparent from the description, or understood by practicing the present invention. The purpose and other beneficial effects of the present invention can be realized and obtained by the structures particularly pointed out in the description, claims and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, a brief introduction will be given below to the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work. The positional relationships shown in the drawings in the following description are based on the directions of the components drawn in the diagrams unless otherwise specified.

[0017] Figure 1 A flowchart of the constant electrical stimulation method provided by the invention; Figure 2 A circuit diagram of an embodiment of a constant current control circuit provided by the present invention; Figure 3 for Figure 1 Internal schematic diagram of the middle chip U4; Figure 4 A circuit diagram of an MCU controller of an embodiment of an electrical stimulation device provided by the present invention; Figure 5 A key input control circuit and display logic circuit diagram of the MCU controller of an embodiment of the electric stimulation device provided by the present invention.

[0018] Reference numerals: DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments; the technical features designed in different implementation modes of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other; based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that all terms (including technical terms and scientific terms) used in the present invention have the same meanings as those generally understood by ordinary technicians in the field to which the present invention belongs, and should not be understood as limitations on the present invention; it should be further understood that the terms used in the present invention should be understood to have the same meanings as these terms in the context of this specification and in the relevant fields, and should not be understood in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless explicitly defined in this invention.

[0021] In the actual electrical stimulation process, constant current electrical stimulation can ensure that the tactile sensation generated by electrical stimulation is constant. However, in actual use, the stimulation intensity of electrical stimulation is set to a fixed value, which does not take into account the tactile sensation needs of different users. As a result, some users can bear the same electrical stimulation intensity value, while others cannot. In addition, when there is conductive liquid such as water or sweat at the electrical stimulation site, the output current will be unstable, the current value will change, and the tactile sensation will be unstable.

[0022] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a constant electrical stimulation method, such as Figure 1 As shown, the following steps are included: S100, the user inputs the required set current value; S200, transmitting the current value to the constant current control circuit; S300, the constant current control circuit controls the output of a constant current value to ensure constant electrical stimulation.

[0023] Specifically, users can set the current value that best suits their touch sense according to their touch sense threshold. This can be done through the APP or through the button on the electrical stimulation device itself. After the current is set, the set current value is transmitted to the constant current control circuit. The constant current control circuit is not affected by the external environment, such as water or sweat on the human body surface, and continuously outputs a constant current value to ensure constant electrical stimulation, thereby making the touch sense constant.

[0024] The present invention provides a constant electrical stimulation method, in which users can design their own current values ​​according to their own sense of touch, thereby outputting electrical stimulation suitable for different users, which is universal. In addition, through the constant current control circuit, it is ensured that the human body is not affected by the presence of conductive media such as water or sweat, and a constant current is output, thereby ensuring a constant sense of touch of the output electrical stimulation.

[0025] Specifically, the constant current control circuit used in the present invention includes a voltage regulating module 100 and an output electrode 200. The voltage regulating module 100 includes a chip U4, an adjustable resistor R50 and a reversing switch K1. A branch at the FB pin of the chip U4 is connected in series with the adjustable resistor R50 and then grounded, and another branch at the FB pin is connected to the power supply output terminal VCES through the reversing switch K1. The output electrode 200 is connected in parallel with the reversing switch K1 and is connected in series with the adjustable resistor R50 through the reversing switch K1.

[0026] When implementing it, Figure 2 , 3As shown, the working principle of the voltage regulation module 100 is that: the FB pin of the chip U4 has a preset reference voltage value, and this reference voltage value is the current value set by the user. When the voltage value at the FB pin of the chip U4 is affected by external factors and is less than the reference voltage value, negative feedback increases the switching frequency of the SW pin, thereby increasing the voltage value of the power supply output terminal VCES. After the voltage value of the power supply output terminal VCES increases, the voltage at the FB pin of the chip U4 rises back to the reference voltage value. In this embodiment, the reference voltage value at the FB pin is 0.6V. Since the output electrode 200 is connected in parallel with the reversing switch K1 and connected in series with the adjustable resistor R50 through the reversing switch K1, the current value flowing through the output electrode is equal to the reference voltage value 0.6V divided by the resistance value of the adjustable resistor R50.

[0027] Similarly, when the voltage value at the FB pin of the chip U4 is greater than the reference voltage value due to external factors, negative feedback reduces the switching frequency of the SW pin, thereby reducing the voltage value of the power supply output terminal VCES. After the voltage value of the power supply output terminal VCES is reduced, the voltage at the FB pin of the chip U4 drops back to the reference voltage value. Since the output electrode 200 is connected in parallel with the reversing switch K1 and connected in series with the adjustable resistor R50 through the reversing switch K1, the current value flowing through the output electrode is equal to the reference voltage value 0.6V divided by the resistance value of the adjustable resistor R50, thereby achieving constant current output. The current value flowing through the output electrode can be adjusted by changing the resistance value of the adjustable resistor R50 to meet different treatment needs and individual conditions.

[0028] Preferably, the voltage regulation module 100 also includes an inductor L4 and a diode D4; the input port VIN of the chip U4 is connected to the power supply input terminal VBAT, the inductor L4 is connected in parallel between the input port VIN of the chip U4 and the SW pin of the chip U4, and the diode D4 is connected in series between the SW pin of the chip U4 and the power supply output terminal VCES.

[0029] When implementing it, Figure 2 As shown, preferably, the model of chip U4 is SX1308. SX1308 is a chip with high-efficiency low-voltage amplifier characteristics, which can help increase the voltage of batteries or other low-voltage devices to the required level to meet the operating voltage requirements of other components in the circuit. Specifically, when the VIN pin of the SX1308 chip receives the input voltage from the power input terminal VBAT, the SW pin starts to work and periodically applies the input voltage to the inductor L4. At the beginning of each cycle, the SW pin is closed and the inductor L4 stores a certain amount of electrical energy; and at the end of each cycle, the SW pin is opened, and the inductor L4 releases the stored electrical energy and transmits it to the power output terminal VCES through the diode D4.

[0030] Preferably, the 4th and 9th pins of the reversing switch K1 are common terminals, the 4th pin is connected to the first plug of the output electrode 200, and the 9th pin is connected to the second plug of the output electrode 200; the 3rd and 10th pins of the reversing switch K1 are normally closed terminals, and the 5th and 8th pins are normally open terminals, the 3rd pin is connected to the power supply output terminal VCES and is also connected to the 8th pin, and the 10th pin is connected to the FB pin of the chip U4 and is also connected to the 5th pin.

[0031] When implementing it, Figure 2 As shown, the 4th and 9th pins of the reversing switch K1 are common terminals, the 3rd and 10th pins are normally closed terminals, and the 5th and 8th pins are normally open terminals. Among them, the 4th pin can be switched to be connected with the 3rd and 5th pins, and the 9th pin can be switched to be connected with the 10th and 8th pins.

[0032] When the 4th pin is connected to the 3rd pin and the 9th pin is connected to the 10th pin, the current flows from the power supply input terminal VBAT through the inductor L4, the diode D4, the 3rd pin of the reversing switch K1, the 4th pin of the reversing switch K1, the first plug of the output electrode 200, the second plug of the output electrode 200, the 9th pin of the reversing switch K1, the 10th pin of the reversing switch K1, the FB pin of the chip U4 and the adjustable resistor R50 in sequence.

[0033] When the 4th pin is connected to the 5th pin and the 9th pin is connected to the 8th pin, the current flows from the power supply input terminal VBAT through the inductor L4, the diode D4, the 8th pin of the reversing switch K1, the 9th pin of the reversing switch K1, the second plug of the output electrode 200, the first plug of the output electrode 200, the 4th pin of the reversing switch K1, the 5th pin of the reversing switch K1, the FB pin of the chip U4 and the adjustable resistor R50 in sequence.

[0034] The first plug and the second plug of the output electrode 200 are used to contact with human skin, so that a current loop is formed between the reversing switch K1 and the chip U4.

[0035] The function of the reversing switch K1 is to change the direction of the current flowing through the output electrode 200. When the 4th pin is connected to the 3rd pin and the 9th pin is connected to the 10th pin, the current enters the human body from the first plug of the output electrode 200; when the 4th pin is connected to the 5th pin and the 9th pin is connected to the 8th pin, the current enters the human body from the second plug of the output electrode 200. By setting the reversing switch K1 to change the direction of the current flow, the user's perception range is expanded, and the electrical stimulation received by the human skin is prevented from being concentrated near a single electrode. Preferably, the model of the reversing switch K1 is HFD3.

[0036] The present invention also provides an electrical stimulation device, which adopts the constant current control circuit as described above, and also includes an MCU controller which is respectively connected to the constant current control circuit 100 for communication.

[0037] The MCU controller includes a single-chip microcomputer U1, a PB6 pin of the single-chip microcomputer U1 is connected to an EN pin of a chip U4, a PD7 pin of the single-chip microcomputer U1 is connected to a positive end of a reversing switch K1, and a negative end of the reversing switch K1 is grounded.

[0038] During specific implementation, the MCU controller is communicatively connected with the constant current control circuit 100, and its function is to control and adjust the working state of the constant current control circuit 100. The MCU controller includes a single-chip microcomputer U1. Preferably, the model of the single-chip microcomputer U1 is FR8008A. It should be noted that the single-chip microcomputer U1 is not limited to the model selected in this embodiment. In fact, the single-chip microcomputer U1 can also be other single-chip microcomputers commonly used in MCU controllers in the field, including but not limited to 8051 series, cotex m0 series, cotex m0+ series, cotex m1 series, cotex m3 series and cotex m4 series, etc., all of which fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Figure 4 As shown, the PB6 pin of the microcontroller U1 is connected to the EN pin of the chip U4 to control the enable (EN) signal of the chip U4. The PD7 pin of the microcontroller U1 is connected to the positive end of the reversing switch K1 to provide a control signal to realize the switch control of the reversing switch K1.

[0039] In some embodiments, the MCU controller also includes a switch reset circuit, an antenna RF1, a crystal oscillator circuit, a programming download interface circuit, a key input control circuit, and a display logic circuit. The switch reset circuit is used for initialization when the system starts, the antenna RF1 is used for wireless communication, the crystal oscillator circuit is used to generate a clock signal, the programming download interface circuit is used for burning and updating the program, the key input control circuit is used for user interaction, and the display logic circuit is used to drive the display to display related content. The combination of these circuits can meet the needs of different application scenarios. The circuit connection relationship is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, no further details are given here.

[0040] In summary, compared with the prior art, the constant current control circuit provided by the present invention has the following advantages: 1. The design of the constant current control circuit can maintain a constant output current even after long-term use and wear, so that users can get a comfortable electrical stimulation experience.

[0041] Second, the output electrode is indirectly connected in series with the adjustable resistor R50. Therefore, according to different treatment needs and individual conditions, the output current can be adjusted by adjusting the resistance value of the adjustable resistor R50, thereby enhancing the applicability and flexibility of the electrical stimulation device.

[0042] 3. The reversing switch K1 can change the direction of current flow, expand the user's sensing range, and avoid the electrical stimulation received by the human skin being concentrated near a single electrode.

[0043] 4. The communication connection between the single-chip microcomputer U1 and the chip U4 realizes the intelligent control and function expansion of the electric stimulation device.

[0044] In addition, those skilled in the art should understand that, although there are many problems in the prior art, each embodiment or technical solution of the present invention can be improved in only one or several aspects, without having to solve all the technical problems listed in the prior art or background technology at the same time. Those skilled in the art should understand that the content not mentioned in a claim should not be used as a limitation on the claim.

[0045] Although the terms such as voltage regulating module, output electrode, chip, adjustable resistor, reversing switch, power supply output terminal, etc. are used more frequently in this article, the possibility of using other terms is not excluded. These terms are used only to more conveniently describe and explain the essence of the present invention; interpreting them as any additional restrictions is contrary to the spirit of the present invention; the terms "first", "second", etc. (if any) in the description and claims of the embodiments of the present invention and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0046] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A constant current control circuit, characterized in that: include: A voltage regulating module (100) and an output electrode (200); The voltage regulation module (100) comprises a chip U4, an adjustable resistor R50 and a reversing switch K1, a branch at the FB pin of the chip U4 is connected in series with the adjustable resistor R50 and then grounded, and another branch at the FB pin is connected to the power supply output terminal VCES through the reversing switch K1; The output electrode (200) is connected in parallel with the reversing switch K1, and is connected in series with the adjustable resistor R50 via the reversing switch K1.

2. The constant current control circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The FB pin of the chip U4 has a preset reference voltage value, and the current value flowing through the output electrode (200) can be adjusted by changing the resistance value of the adjustable resistor R50. The current value flowing through the output electrode (200) is equal to the reference voltage value divided by the resistance value of the adjustable resistor R50.

3. The constant current control circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The voltage regulation module (100) further comprises an inductor L4 and a diode D4; the input port VIN of the chip U4 is connected to the power supply input terminal VBAT, the inductor L4 is connected in parallel between the input port VIN of the chip U4 and the SW pin of the chip U4, and the diode D4 is connected in series between the SW pin of the chip U4 and the power supply output terminal VCES.

4. The constant current control circuit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The model of the chip U4 is SX1308.

5. The constant current control circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The 4th and 9th pins of the reversing switch K1 are common terminals, the 4th pin is connected to the first plug of the output electrode (200), and the 9th pin is connected to the second plug of the output electrode (200); the 3rd and 10th pins of the reversing switch K1 are normally closed terminals, and the 5th and 8th pins are normally open terminals, the 3rd pin is connected to the power supply output terminal VCES and is also connected to the 8th pin, and the 10th pin is connected to the FB pin of the chip U4 and is also connected to the 5th pin.

6. The constant current control circuit according to claim 5, characterized in that: The model of the reversing switch K1 is HFD3.

7. The constant current control circuit according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first plug and the second plug of the output electrode (200) are used to contact human skin, so that a current loop is formed between the reversing switch K1 and the chip U4.

8. An electrical stimulation device, characterized in that: The constant current control circuit as described in any one of claims 1 to 7 also includes an MCU controller communicatively connected to the constant current control circuit.

9. The electrical stimulation device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The MCU controller includes a single-chip microcomputer U1, a PB6 pin of the single-chip microcomputer U1 is connected to an EN pin of the chip U4, a PD7 pin of the single-chip microcomputer U1 is connected to a positive end of the reversing switch K1, and a negative end of the reversing switch K1 is grounded.

10. A method of constant electrical stimulation, characterized in that The constant current control circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 7 comprises the following steps: S100, the user inputs the required set current value; S200, transmitting the current value to the constant current control circuit; S300, the constant current control circuit controls the output of a constant current value to ensure constant electrical stimulation.

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