Massage device and seat with same

Abstract

This invention relates to a massage device (2) for a seat (4), particularly for a vehicle seat, the massage device comprising at least one air cushion (6), wherein the at least one air cushion (6) has an air inlet (8) to allow the air cushion to be individually filled with air via an air supply system (10), wherein a vibration generating device (20) is arranged between the air supply system (10) and the air cushion (6) and is in fluid communication with the air cushion (6) to apply pressure vibration to the air cushion (6). Furthermore, this invention relates to a seat.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application filed on May 21, 2020, with application number 202010436046.3 and entitled "Massage Device and Seat with the Massage Device". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a massage device, more particularly to a chair, and to a chair incorporating such a massage device. Background Technology

[0003] According to existing technology, electro-electric massage systems (e.g., for vehicle seats) are known. Such devices include at least one air cushion, an air supply system (particularly including a pneumatic pump), and valves and valve control units for controlling the supply of air to and from the air cushion. Such massage systems are known, for example, from DE 100 63 478 A1. Such massage systems can be combined with lumbar support systems.

[0004] In known systems, the muscles of the user (occupant) of the seat are stimulated by stretching, pulling, and pressing in order to increase the user's physical comfort and relieve the development of tension during long periods of seat use. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide an alternative solution for generating massage. Specifically, the device is designed to generate vibrational massage in the sense of andullation therapy.

[0006] The object of the present invention is achieved through features related to the massage device and features related to the seat. Beneficial embodiments are derived from the following.

[0007] A massage device according to the invention, applicable to seats (particularly vehicle seats), comprises at least one air cushion having an air inlet to allow for individual filling with air via an air supply system. A vibration generating device is arranged between the air supply system and the air cushion and is in fluid communication with the air cushion to apply pressure vibration to it. An advantage of the massage device according to the invention is that one or more air cushions can be filled with a desired volume at a time, and pressure vibration can then be specifically generated via the vibration generating device. Another advantage is that the frequency and amplitude of the pressure vibration can be adjusted within a wide range by an independent vibration generating device.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the vibration generating device includes an air chamber with a variable volume and a drive element for changing the volume within the air chamber, the air chamber being in fluid communication with the air pad. According to another embodiment, the air chamber may include a diaphragm movable by the drive element. The air chamber may be arranged in a (fluid) line.

[0009] The driving element is advantageously one of magnetic vibration drive, mechanical crank drive or electroactive polymer.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the vibration generating device generates low-frequency oscillations. Such low-frequency oscillations are particularly in the range of 0.5 Hz to 1000 Hz, particularly between 3 Hz and 100 Hz, and particularly below 70 Hz.

[0011] The air supply system advantageously includes a valve and a valve control unit for each air cushion, with one or more valves controlled by the valve control unit. Therefore, the air volume of each individual air cushion can be controlled individually. Consequently, the massage device can also be additionally configured as a lumbar support device, or it can be configured for individual contour adaptation to a seat.

[0012] According to one embodiment, a single vibration generating device is arranged in a flow geometry within the conduit between the valve control unit and the air pad. According to an alternative embodiment, the vibration generating device is connected to the conduit between the valve control unit and the air pad via a T-connector. The air chamber can be arranged in the supply conduit leading to the conduit between the air supply system and the air pad, or it can be arranged within the conduit between the air supply system and the air pad. The conduits between the air supply system and the air pad are advantageously pneumatically separated from each other.

[0013] The valve control unit is advantageously connected to a plurality of air pads, and the vibration generating device is connected to each or some of the plurality of air pads. The plurality of air pads or all the air pads can be vibrated to them in phase or in phase shift.

[0014] The seat according to the invention, particularly the vehicle seat, includes a massage device according to the invention.

[0015] The massage device is advantageously integrated into the backrest and / or seating surface of the seat.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the air pads are arranged in at least one row, particularly at least two rows, particularly at least four rows. Attached Figure Description

[0017] In the following description of embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, the invention will be explained in more detail with respect to some features or advantages. Each of the following drawings is illustrated schematically:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a massage device;

[0019] Figure 2a , 2b It is a massage device;

[0020] Figure 3 It is a vibration generating device;

[0021] Figure 4 It's a seat. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic circuit diagram of the first massage device 2 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the massage device 2 includes three air cushions 6, each having an air inlet 8. The air cushions 6 are connected to a common air supply system 10, which specifically includes a pump. Each line 16 between the air supply system 10 and the air cushions 6 has a valve 14 disposed therein, specifically a controllable valve. A vibration generating device 20 is arranged in parallel with each line 16 and is connected to each of the lines 16 via a T-shaped member. A corresponding additional valve 26 may be arranged at or in front of the T-shaped member to precisely direct vibration to the individual air cushions or to protect the vibration generating device from excessively strong airflow during air bubble filling or deflating.

[0023] As shown in the figure, the air cushion 6 can consist of two interconnected chambers. Offset structural designs of the air cushion (e.g., having only one or more chambers) are feasible.

[0024] Figure 2a Figures b show two embodiments of the massage device 2. Figure 2a In this configuration, the number of air pads 6 connected to the air supply system 10 remains three. On the air supply system side, a valve control unit 12 with three valves 14 switches between them. On the air pad side, the vibration generating device 20 switches to the pipeline 16. The individual pipeline 16 is pneumatically separated from the corresponding other pipelines.

[0025] Figure 2b An alternative embodiment is shown. Here, the vibration generating device is switched into line 16 via a corresponding T-connector.

[0026] Figure 3 An embodiment of a vibration generating device 20 switchable to pipeline 16 is shown. The vibration generating device 20 includes an air chamber 22, which is adapted to increase or decrease in volume by means of a drive element 24. For this purpose, the boundary of the air chamber 22 may be formed, for example, a diaphragm.

[0027] Figure 4An embodiment of a seat 4, particularly a vehicle seat, is shown. The seat 4 includes two rows of air cushions 6 arranged in the backrest. The air cushions 6 are part of a massage device 2 according to the invention. Each of the two rows of air cushions 6 is adapted to have vibrations applied to it in a beneficial manner, independently of the other row, by means of a vibration generating device 20.

[0028] List of reference numerals

[0029] 2 massage devices

[0030] 4 seats

[0031] 6 air cushions

[0032] 8 air inlets

[0033] 10 Air Supply Systems

[0034] 12-valve control unit

[0035] 14 valves

[0036] 16 pipelines

[0037] 20 Vibration Generating Device

[0038] 22 air chambers

[0039] 24 driving elements

[0040] 26 Additional valves

Claims

1. A massage device (2) for a seat (4), particularly for a vehicle seat, said massage device comprising at least one air cushion (6), wherein, The at least one air pad (6) has an air inlet (8) to allow individual filling of the air pad with air via an air supply system (10), wherein the air supply system (10) includes a pump, and wherein the air supply system (10) further includes a valve (14) for each air pad (6) and a valve control unit (12), one or more valves (14) being controlled by the valve control unit (12). The vibration generating device (20) is arranged between the air supply system (10) and the air pad (6), and is in fluid communication with the air pad (6) to apply pressure vibration to the air pad (6). The vibration generating device (20) is configured to apply pressure vibration to an air pad (6) filled with a desired volume of air.

2. The massage device (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The vibration generating device (20) includes an air chamber (22) with a variable volume and a drive element (24) for changing the volume in the air chamber (22), the air chamber (22) being in fluid communication with the air pad (6).

3. The massage device (2) according to claim 2, wherein, The driving element (24) is one of magnetic vibration drive, mechanical crank drive or electroactive polymer.

4. The massage device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The vibration generating device (20) generates low-frequency vibration.

5. The massage device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The vibration generating device (20) is disposed between the air supply system (10) and the air pad (6), and the vibration generating device (20) is connected to the pipeline (16) between the valve control unit (12) and the air pad (6) by means of a T-connector, and the vibration generating device (20) is in fluid communication with the air pad (6) to apply pressure vibration to the air pad (6).

6. The massage device (2) according to claim 5, wherein, The additional valve (26) is arranged at or in front of the T-shaped part so that To precisely direct vibrations onto individual air pads, or Protect the vibration generating device from excessively strong airflow during the filling or emptying of air bubbles.

7. The massage device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The vibration generating device (20) is disposed between the air supply system (10) and the air pad (6), and the vibration generating device (20) is connected in a flow geometry to the pipeline (16) between the valve control unit (12) and the air pad (6), and the vibration generating device (20) is in fluid communication with the air pad (6) to apply pressure vibration to the air pad (6).

8. The massage device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The valve control unit (12) is connected to a plurality of air pads (6), and the vibration generating device (20) is connected to each individual air pad or some of the plurality of air pads (6).

9. The massage device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, the massage device (2) being designed for use in a vehicle seat.

10. The massage device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the massage device (2) is configured to fill the air pad via the air supply system (10) and then specifically generate pressure vibrations via the vibration generating device (20).

11. A seat (4), particularly a vehicle seat, comprising a massage device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. The seat (4) according to claim 11, wherein, The massage device (2) is integrated into the backrest and / or sitting surface of the seat (4).

13. The seat (4) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, At least the air pads (6) are arranged in at least one row, in particular at least two rows, in particular at least four rows.

14. The seat (4) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The seat in question is a vehicle seat.

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