Vibration device

Abstract

Vibration device (2) for training and therapeutic applications with a frame (12), with at least one vibration element (4; 6) held on the frame (12) for the transmission of motion to a body part (K) which is movably held on the frame (12) via a bearing arrangement (8; 10), and with a motion mechanism driven by a motor (M), by means of which a multidimensional oscillating motion can be generated at the vibration element (4, 6), characterized in that the bearing arrangement (8; 10) has at least one spring joint (22; 32) which defines at least three degrees of freedom (f) and connects the vibration element (4; 6) to the motion mechanism via an elastic intermediate element (34).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vibration device for training and therapeutic applications according to the preamble of claim 1. The vibration device has a frame on which at least one vibration element is movably mounted. This vibration element serves to transmit movement to a body part, such as a foot, hand, and / or buttocks, which rests against and / or holds the vibration element. Furthermore, a motor-driven movement mechanism is provided, by means of which a multidimensional oscillating motion can be generated at the vibration element, which occurs repeatedly about both a longitudinal and a transverse axis.

[0002] Such vibration devices are used for medical or physiotherapeutic applications or for training purposes, where the user's muscles are to be stimulated and strengthened, and / or their sense of balance is to be improved. For this purpose, the user stands or sits on the vibration element, or holds it in their hand. During operation, the vibration element is moved by the mechanism in a oscillating or wobbling motion, so that the movements are transmitted to the relevant part of the user's body. The user's musculoskeletal system and vestibular organs react to the movements generated by the vibration device in order to compensate for them and thus maintain an upright posture.

[0003] From EP 1447071 B1, a vibration device is known in which two base elements can each be moved about a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The two base elements are mounted on adjacent inner surfaces by a ball joint and on an outer surface facing away from the inner surface by two pairs of connecting rods. The connecting rods are driven by an eccentric shaft offset from each other to generate a wobbling vibration motion in both base elements.

[0004] A disadvantage of the known vibration devices is that the ball joints used result in relatively high manufacturing costs and relatively high maintenance requirements. Furthermore, the ball joints are subject to wear and tear, meaning they must be replaced after a certain operating period.

[0005] The object of the invention is to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages in a vibration device, to provide a simple and durable bearing arrangement, and to reduce maintenance costs.

[0006] This problem is solved by a vibration device with the features of claim 1. The bearing arrangement includes at least one spring joint that defines at least three degrees of freedom and connects the vibration element to the motion mechanism via an elastic intermediate element, thereby transmitting forces. The elastic intermediate element enables both a stable connection between the motion mechanism and the vibration element and sufficient freedom of movement for the multidimensional oscillating motion. This allows the spring joint to be used as a low-maintenance alternative to a ball joint.

[0007] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the elastic intermediate element is formed by an elastomer body that is held between a connecting bearing on the vibration element side and a connecting bearing on the motion mechanism side to create an elastomer coupling. In this way, the elasticity of the bearing arrangement can be precisely adjusted by dimensioning and / or selecting the material of the elastomer body.

[0008] It is advantageous if both connecting bearings have a threaded section connected to the elastic intermediate element for creating a screw connection. This threaded section is preferably made of metal and embedded in the elastomer body. This allows for a particularly stable connection between the movement mechanism and the vibration element via the elastomer body, which also enables easy removal or, if necessary, replacement of the elastic intermediate element. To create a particularly stable connection, the elastomer body can be vulcanized or injection-molded onto the two threaded sections.

[0009] Advantageously, the intermediate element is cylindrically shaped to allow for uniform lateral deformation around a longitudinal axis of the intermediate element.

[0010] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the bearing arrangement has at least three spring joints in order to enable a complete or statically determinate bearing and thus also an elastic bearing of the vibration element acting in all spatial directions.

[0011] Advantageously, the spring joints are designed to be identical in construction, enabling particularly cost-effective production of the bearing arrangement and easy replacement of the individual spring joints.

[0012] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the spring joint is connected to a connecting rod eye of the motion mechanism. This allows for a simple transmission of motion from the motion mechanism via the spring joint to the vibration element.

[0013] In another advantageous embodiment, the spring joint is connected to a bearing block of the frame, whereby the spring joint can be held at a fixed bearing point.

[0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the vibration device is formed by a stepper that has two vibration elements in the form of foot plates. This allows the vibration motion to be transmitted particularly gently to the relevant body part or to the feet of a user.

[0015] Furthermore, it is advantageous if both footplates are mounted on the frame via three spring joints each. This allows different movements to be transmitted to the respective body part via the two vibration elements, with both movements being transmitted in a particularly gentle manner.

[0016] It should be noted that all the features of the object according to the invention described above are interchangeable or combinable with each other, provided that such an exchange or combination is not excluded for technical reasons.

[0017] The figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. They show: Fig. 1 a top view of a vibration device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a side view of the vibration device in direction II from Fig. 1, Fig. 3 an enlarged view of a bearing block of the vibration device according to Fig. 2 with a fixed spring joint and Fig. 4 an enlarged view of a connecting rod of the vibration device according to Fig. 2 with a spring joint that moves along with a connecting rod.

[0018] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a vibration device 2 in the exemplary form of a stepper for generating repetitive pivoting or wobbling movements on a first vibration element 4 and a second vibration element 6, each having the form of a standing platform. A user can place a body part K, such as a foot, on these platforms to stimulate their muscles and vestibular system through the movement of the vibration device 2 for training or therapeutic purposes. Alternatively to the stepper shown, the vibration device 2, or at least one vibration element 4, 6 of the vibration device 2, can also have any other known shape suitable for transmitting movement to a body part K, such as the shape of a handle or a contact surface (not shown).

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, the first vibration element 4 is held on a frame 12, which can be placed on a floor, by means of a first bearing arrangement 8, and the second vibration element 6 is held on means of a second bearing arrangement 10. Both bearing arrangements 8 and 10 each have three bearing devices L1, L2, and L3. Two bearing devices L1 and L2 each form a first bearing pair 14 and a second bearing pair 16 on a first side S1 of the two vibration elements 4 and 6.

[0020] The two bearing pairs 14 and 16 are part of a motion mechanism that can be driven by a motor M and by means of which the two vibration elements 4, 6 can be set into the desired wobbling motion, in which they can pivot repeatedly about a transverse axis AQ and about their respective longitudinal axes AL. Both the transverse axis AQ and the two longitudinal axes AL extend through a third bearing assembly L3, which is positioned on a second side S2 of the two vibration elements 4, 6, facing away from the first side S1. Both third bearing assemblies L3 each have a first bearing block 18 and a second bearing block 20, respectively.

[0021] As from Fig. As can be seen from Figure 3, both bearing blocks 18, 20 are held on the frame 12 and connected to their respective vibration elements 4, 6 via a fixed spring joint 22, which has at least three degrees of freedom f1, f2, f3. During operation of the vibration device 2, the amplitude at both fixed bearing blocks 18, 20 approaches zero.

[0022] As especially from Fig. As can be seen from Figure 4, the bearing arrangements L1, L2 of the two bearing pairs 14, 16 each have a connecting rod 24 which forms a connecting rod eye 26 at one shaft-side end, which interacts with an eccentric disc 28. The four eccentric discs 28 are connected to a drive shaft 30, which is driven by the motor M, as shown in Figure 4. Fig. 2 can be seen. As a result, the drive shaft 30 forms an axis A on which the four bearing devices L1, L2 of the two bearing pairs 14, 16 are mounted together and coaxially and via which they can be acted upon by a driving force or a driving torque M of the motor.

[0023] As especially from Fig. As can be seen from Figure 4, the ends of the connecting rods 24 on the base surface are each connected to the respective associated vibration element 4, 6 via a movable spring joint 32. These movable spring joints 32 also have at least three degrees of freedom in order to allow an undisturbed wobbling motion of the vibration elements 4, 6 relative to the frame 12 during operation, i.e., when the motion mechanism is driven.

[0024] As from the Fig. 3 and Fig. As can be further seen from Figure 4, both the fixed spring joints 22 and the movable spring joints 32 each have an elastic intermediate element 34, which is essentially formed by an elastomer body E. The intermediate element 34 has a connecting bearing 36 on the vibration element side and a connecting bearing 38 on the motion mechanism side, between which the elastomer body E extends. Thus, the spring joints 22 and 32 each define at least three degrees of freedom, as indicated by arrows f. To ensure the most uniform possible deformability of the elastic intermediate element 34 in all directions, its elastomer body E is rotationally symmetrical and preferably cylindrical.

[0025] The connecting bearings 36, 38 each have a threaded part 40, preferably made of metal, which is, for example, embedded in the elastomer body E. This threaded part 40 serves to create a screw connection with a matching mating thread 42 of the respective vibration element 4, 6 or of the bearing block 18, 20 or of the connecting rod 24.

[0026] In this case, for example, at least the movable spring joints 32, preferably all spring joints 22, 32 are of identical design, in order to be able to replace them all with correspondingly identical replacement spring joints if necessary.

[0027] The storage arrangements 8, 10 according to Fig.Each element 1 thus has at least three spring joints 22, 32, via which the respective vibration element 4, 6 is fully supported or on which the vibration element 4, 6 rests. The elastic intermediate elements 34 of the spring joints 22, 32 enable a multidimensional oscillating movement of the vibration elements 4, 6, which can be generated by means of the motion mechanism driven by the motor M.

[0028] It should be noted that all the elements and features described above of the various embodiments of the object according to the invention are interchangeable or combinable with each other, provided that such an exchange or combination is not excluded for technical reasons. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 1447071 B1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Vibration device (2) for training and therapeutic applications with a frame (12), with at least one vibration element (4; 6) held on the frame (12) for the transmission of motion to a body part (K) which is movably held on the frame (12) via a bearing arrangement (8; 10), and with a motion mechanism driven by a motor (M), by means of which a multidimensional oscillating motion can be generated at the vibration element (4, 6), characterized by , that the bearing arrangement (8; 10) has at least one spring joint (22; 32) which defines at least three degrees of freedom (f) and connects the vibration element (4; 6) to the motion mechanics via an elastic intermediate element (34). [2] Vibration device according to claim 1, characterized by, that the elastic intermediate element (34) is formed by an elastomer body (E) which is held between a vibration element-side connecting bearing (36) and a motion mechanics-side connecting bearing (38). [3] Vibration device according to claim 2, characterized by , that both connecting bearings (36, 38) have a threaded part (40) connected to the elastic intermediate element (34) for the production of a screw connection. [4] Vibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the intermediate element (34) is cylindrical in shape. [5] Vibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the bearing arrangement (8, 10) has at least three spring joints (22, 32). [6] Vibration device according to claim 5, characterized by , that at least three spring joints (22, 32) are of identical design. [7] Vibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by, that a movable spring joint (32) is connected to a connecting rod eye (26) of the motion mechanism. [8] Vibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that a fixed spring joint (22) is connected to a bearing block (18; 20) of the frame (12). [9] Vibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the vibration device (2) is formed by a stepper which has two vibration elements (4, 6) in the form of foot plates. [10] Vibration device according to claim 9, characterized by , that both foot plates are mounted on the frame via three spring joints (22, 32).

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