PRESSURE WAVE MASSAGER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pressure wave massage device for body parts, in particular erogenous zones such as the clitoris, with a pressure field generating device which has at least one cavity with a first end and a second end opposite the first end and remote from the first end, wherein the first end is provided with at least one opening for placement on a body part, and a drive device which is designed to effect a change in the volume of the at least one cavity between a minimum volume and a maximum volume in such a way that a stimulating pressure field is generated in the at least one opening.

[0002] A device of the type mentioned above is known, for example, from DE 10 2013 110 501 A1. In this known device, the cavity is formed by a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber has an opening for placement on a body part or an erogenous zone. The two chambers are connected to one another via a narrow connecting channel. The drive mechanism is designed such that it only changes the volume of the first chamber, specifically in such a way that a stimulating pressure field is generated via the connecting channel in the second chamber. However, this known design has significant disadvantages. Use with lubricant or under water is not possible, as the lubricant or water in the narrow connecting channel increases its throttling effect so much that the drive mechanism is stalled.In addition, the known device does not meet the strict requirements for the necessary hygiene, since the connecting channel, due to its very small cross-section, prevents cleaning of the internal first chamber, so that dirt and bacteria can accumulate there, which then cannot be removed again.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to propose a pressure wave massage device of the type mentioned above with a simple and at the same time effective construction which also meets the strict requirements of hygiene.

[0004] This object is achieved with a pressure field generating device which has at least one cavity with a first end and a second end opposite the first end and remote from the first end, wherein the first end is provided with at least one opening for placement on a body part, and a drive device which is designed to effect a change in the volume of the at least one cavity between a minimum volume and a maximum volume in such a way that a stimulating pressure field is generated in the at least one opening, characterized in that the cavity is formed by a single chamber and the ratio of volume change to the minimum volume is not less than 1 / 10, preferably not less than 1 / 8.

[0005] Accordingly, the invention is characterized by a single-chamber solution, the advantages of which are a simpler structure, improved hygiene, in particular due to easier rinsing of the cavity formed by only a single chamber according to the invention, and easy use with lubricant or under water.

[0006] Furthermore, according to the invention, the ratio of minimum volume to volume change should not be greater than 10, preferably not greater than 8, since it has been found that otherwise the suction effect becomes too weak. The volume change is the difference between the maximum and minimum volumes. The volume of the cavity is defined as the volume of the chamber that ends in the area of the opening at a virtual flat surface that imaginarily closes the opening.

[0007] Preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] Preferably, the ratio of minimum volume to volume change should not be less than 1 and preferably not less than 2, since it has been found according to the invention that otherwise, on the one hand, the power requirement of the drive device becomes too great and, on the other hand, an excessive and possibly painful negative pressure is created at the opening.

[0009] When using a flexible membrane that is set into reciprocal motion by the drive device to alternately generate negative and positive pressures, the minimum volume of the cavity is defined as the volume when the opening of the cavity is imaginarily closed with a virtual flat surface and the membrane is in an operating state or a position with the shortest distance to the opening. In contrast, the maximum volume of the chamber's cavity is defined as the volume when the opening of the cavity is imaginarily closed with a virtual flat surface and the membrane is in an operating state or a position with the greatest distance to the opening.To ensure that the air flow velocity remains substantially unchanged or at least nearly constant over the entire length of the chamber cavity, the cross-section of the chamber cavity, defined transversely to its length between its two ends, should preferably be substantially unchanged or at least nearly constant over the entire length between its two ends. "Cross-section" preferably refers to the cross-sectional shape and / or cross-sectional area.

[0010] The cavity of the chamber may preferably have substantially the shape of a rotational body with a circular or elliptical cross-section.

[0011] It is also advantageous for achieving a uniform, unhindered and thus effective air flow if the side wall of the chamber which defines the cavity and connects its two ends is free of discontinuities.

[0012] Conveniently, the cavity of the chamber may have the shape of a continuous tube.

[0013] Preferably, the opening cross-section of the opening should essentially correspond to the cross-section of the cavity of the chamber.

[0014] It has proven particularly advantageous to preferably dimension the ratio of the width of the cavity of the chamber, defined transversely to its longitudinal extent, to the length of the cavity of the chamber, defined in the direction of its longitudinal extent, between 0.1 and 1.0, preferably between 0.2 and 0.6, in particular between 0.38 and 0.4.

[0015] Preferably, the cavity of the chamber is closed at its inner second end with a flexible membrane that extends substantially over the entire cross-section of the cavity and is moved by the drive device alternately toward the opening and in the opposite direction. Such a construction allows the stimulating pressure field to be generated in the cavity of the single chamber provided according to the invention in a particularly simple yet effective manner.

[0016] For hygiene reasons, it is also advantageous if the section of the chamber containing the opening is provided as a replaceable spout, the inner side wall of which forms a section of the side wall of the cavity leading to the opening. The spout should preferably be made of a flexible material, preferably silicone.

[0017] In a further development of the preferred embodiment indicated above, the inner side wall of the spout should be substantially flush with the remaining portion of the side wall of the cavity so that a point of discontinuity between the spout and the inner portion of the cavity of the chamber is avoided.

[0018] In an alternative development of the previously specified preferred embodiment, the inner side wall of the spout forms a substantially continuous side wall of the cavity, connecting the first end to the second end of the cavity and thus the opening of the spout to the membrane, and the spout, together with the membrane, forms a single-piece component. Such a preferred development offers a particularly easy-to-manufacture design due to the single-piece connection of the spout and membrane and also has additional hygienic advantages, since the entire component comprising the membrane and spout can be replaced, which is only possible with the single-chamber solution implemented according to the invention.

[0019] Preferably, the pressure field should consist of a pattern of relative negative and positive pressures, which are modulated onto a reference pressure, preferably onto normal pressure. The magnitude of the relative positive pressure, relative to normal pressure, is expediently smaller than the magnitude of the relative negative pressure, relative to normal pressure, and preferably amounts to no more than 10% of the magnitude of the relative negative pressure. This is because it has been found that under normal conditions of use, when the pressure wave massager is not subjected to excessively strong contact pressures when its opening is placed on the body part to be stimulated, any relative positive pressures that may occur can largely dissipate. Therefore, for these more practical reasons alone, the focus should be on a pressure field that is to be modulated predominantly in the negative pressure range.For this reason, it is also conceivable alternatively for the pressure field to consist of a pattern of only relative negative pressures, which are modulated onto a reference pressure, preferably onto normal pressure. In a further preferred embodiment, the pressure field is generated with a substantially sinusoidal-periodic pressure curve, for which purpose the drive device must effect a regular change in the volume of the cavity, for example, with the aid of an eccentric mechanism.

[0020] Preferably, a control device can be provided which controls the drive device and has at least one operating means by which a respective modulation of the pressure field can be changed.

[0021] Ideally, the device should be designed as a handheld device, preferably one powered by a battery.

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 is a perspective side view of the pressure wave massage device according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment; Fig. 2 is a front view of the pressure wave massage device of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a longitudinal section through the pressure wave massage device of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 an enlarged section of the longitudinal section of Fig. 3 in the head area of the pressure wave massage device from Fig. 1 ; and Fig. 5a pressure wave massage device from Fig. 1 generated preferred pressure wave pattern.

[0023] The pressure wave massage device 1 shown in the figures in a preferred embodiment comprises an elongated housing 2 with a first end portion 2a, an opposite second end portion 2b, and an intermediate middle portion 2c. The housing is preferably made of plastic. As the Figures 1 to 3 As can be seen, in the illustrated embodiment, the two end sections 2a and 2b are rounded and taper slightly towards the middle section 2c, which is somewhat slimmer. A projecting extension 4 extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the housing 2 is formed on the first end section 2a of the housing 2 and, together with the first end section 2a of the housing 2, forms a head of the pressure wave massage device 1, while the second end section 2b of the housing 2 preferably serves as a handle for holding the pressure wave massage device 1 during use, which will be described in more detail below.

[0024] How Fig. 1 As can further be seen, the housing 2 is composed of two half-shells in the direction of its longitudinal extension, one of which is provided with the aforementioned extension 4. The two half-shells of the housing 2, not identified in more detail in the figures, are preferably glued together; alternatively, however, it is also conceivable, for example, to connect the two half-shells of the housing 2 in another way, for example by means of screws or locking means attached to their inner sides.

[0025] As in particular the Figures 1 , 3 and 4 As shown, a nozzle 6 is located on the extension 4, which contains an opening which can be inserted into the Figures 2 to 4 and is marked with the reference symbol "8". The grommet 6 is preferably made of a soft or flexible plastic material, such as, in particular, a silicone material.

[0026] In the head of the pressure wave massage device 1 formed by the first end section 2a of the housing 2 and the extension 4, a pressure wave generating device 10 is accommodated, with the aid of which a stimulating pressure field is generated in the opening 8. As in particular Fig. 4 As can be seen in detail, the pressure field generating device 10 has a cavity 12 with an outer first end 12a and an inner second end 4b opposite the first end 12a and located remote from the first end 12a, wherein the first end 4a simultaneously also forms the opening 8 in the nozzle 6. The cavity 12 is formed by a single continuous chamber 14 and is delimited by an inner or side wall 12c connecting its two ends 12a, 12b. As the Figures 3 and 4As can be seen, the grommet has an outer section 6a, with which it is removably fastened to the extension 4, and an inner section 6b, wherein the outer section 6a and the inner section 6b of the grommet 6 are connected to one another in the region of the opening 8. The inner section 6b of the grommet 6 is designed in the manner of a sleeve and delimits an outer section of the cavity 12 leading to its outer first end 12a. Thus, the inner wall of the sleeve-shaped inner section 6b of the grommet 6 simultaneously forms an outer section 12c1 of the inner or side wall 12c of the cavity 12 leading to the opening 8. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 12 is delimited by an inner annular element 16, the inner wall of which simultaneously forms the remaining inner section 12c2 of the side wall 12c of the cavity 12.Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the continuous single chamber 14 is composed of the sleeve-shaped inner portion 6b of the nozzle 6 and the annular element 16.

[0027] Alternatively, it is also conceivable, for example, to omit the annular element 16 and instead to extend the sleeve-shaped inner section 6b of the grommet 6 up to the membrane 18 and to join it together with the membrane 18 to form a common one-piece component, so that the inner wall of the sleeve-shaped inner section 6b of the grommet 6 would in this case form the entire side wall 12c of the cavity 12.

[0028] As the Figures 3 and 4As can further be seen, the arrangement of the nozzle 6 and the annular element 16 is such that the first section 12c1 of the cavity 12 is aligned with the second section 12c2 of the cavity 12, so that the side wall 12c of the cavity 12 is free of discontinuities. The cavity 12 of the chamber 14 essentially has the shape of a rotary body with a circular cross-section, wherein the cross-section of the cavity 12, defined transversely to its length L between its two ends 12a, 12b, in the illustrated embodiment is essentially almost constant over the entire length L between its two ends 12a, 12b and widens only slightly towards the opening 8, so that the opening cross-section of the opening 8 also approximately corresponds to the cross-section of the cavity 12. Alternatively, it is also conceivable, for example, to provide the cavity 12 with an elliptical cross-section.Thus, the chamber 14 forms a continuous tube with a cross-section that remains constant almost over its entire length, wherein in the illustrated embodiment the cavity is oriented in the direction of its length L approximately transversely to the longitudinal extent of the housing 2.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the ratio of the width of the cavity 12, defined transversely to its longitudinal extent, to the length L of the cavity 12, defined in the direction of its longitudinal extent, is approximately 0.39. However, other values for the ratio of diameter or width to length of the cavity 12 of the chamber 14 between 0.1 and 1.0 are also conceivable.

[0030] As the Figures 3 and 4As can also be seen, the cavity 12 is closed at its inner second end 12b with a flexible membrane 18, preferably made of silicone, which extends over the entire cross-section of the cavity 12 and is driven by a drive motor 22 via a mechanism 20. The mechanism 20 is designed such that the rotary movement of the output shaft 22a of the drive motor 22 is converted into a reciprocal longitudinal movement, whereby the membrane 18 is set in a movement transverse to the plane spanned by it, alternately in the direction towards the opening 8 and in the opposite direction thereto. In this way, the volume of the cavity 12 of the chamber 14 is changed depending on the rotation of the output shaft 22a of the drive motor 22.The mechanism 20 preferably has an eccentric or a connecting rod to convert the rotational movement of the output shaft 22a of the drive motor 22 into a reciprocal longitudinal movement for the reciprocal deflection of the membrane 18. In principle, however, other drive types are also conceivable that cause a deflection of the membrane 18 to change the volume of the cavity 12. The reciprocal movement of the membrane 18 thereby causes a change in the volume of the cavity 12 between a minimum volume and a maximum volume, so that a stimulating pressure field is generated in the opening 8. This can also be done electromagnetically, piezoelectrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically, for example.However, the arrangement must be such that the ratio of volume change to minimum volume is not less than 1 / 10 and preferably not less than 1 / 8, so that the ratio of minimum volume to volume change is not greater than 10 and preferably not greater than 8, since otherwise the suction effect becomes too low during the movement of the membrane 18 in the direction away from the opening 8. Furthermore, the arrangement should preferably also be such that the ratio of volume change to minimum volume is not greater than 1 and preferably not greater than 1 / 2, so that the ratio of minimum volume to volume change should not be less than 1 and preferably not less than 2, since otherwise, on the one hand, the power requirement of the drive motor 22 becomes too great and, on the other hand, too great a negative pressure arises during the movement of the membrane 18 in the direction away from the opening 8.In this way, negative and positive pressures are alternately generated in the cavity 12 of the chamber 14 by means of the flexible membrane 18 driven by the drive motor 22.

[0031] The volume of the cavity 12 is defined as the volume of the chamber 14 which ends in the region of the opening 8 at a virtual flat surface which imaginarily closes the opening 8 when the membrane 18 is in its zero or middle position. The minimum volume of the cavity 12 is defined by the fact that the opening 8 of the cavity 12 is imaginarily closed with a virtual flat surface and the membrane 18 is in a position with the smallest distance to the opening 8 and thus in its maximum deflection towards the opening 8. The maximum volume of the cavity 12 is defined by the fact that the opening 8 of the cavity 12 is imaginarily closed with a virtual flat surface and the membrane 18 is in a position with the greatest distance to the opening 8 and thus in a maximum deflection directed away from the opening 8.

[0032] As the Figures 3 and 4As can also be seen, the drive motor 22, which in the described embodiment is an electric motor, is connected via an electrical cable 24 to an electronic control circuit board 26, which controls the drive motor 22. As Fig. 3As can further be seen, a battery 30 is connected to the control circuit board 26 via an electrical cable 28, which battery supplies the drive motor 22 and the control circuit board 26 with the necessary electrical energy. The battery 30 can be either a non-rechargeable battery or a rechargeable accumulator. While in the illustrated embodiment the drive motor 22 is located in the connection area between the slim central section 2c of the housing 2 and the first end section 2a of the housing 2 and thus adjacent to the head of the pressure wave massage device 1 formed by the first end section 2a of the housing 2 and the extension 4, the battery 30 is arranged in the second end section 2b of the housing 2, whereby the housing 2 is well balanced when the pressure wave massage device 1 is held in the hand by the user.

[0033] As the Figures 1 and 3As can also be seen, a power button 32 is provided, which can be operated from the outside of the housing 2 to switch the pressure wave massage device 1 on and off and is arranged in the slim central section 2c of the housing 2. Also arranged in the slim central section 2c of the housing 2 is a button 34, which can be operated from the outside and can be used to set various operating states of the pressure wave massage device 1, and an indicator light 36, preferably designed as a light-emitting diode and visible from the outside. The power button 32 and the button 34 are arranged directly on the control circuit board 26 fastened below the wall of the housing 2, while the indicator light 36 is connected to the control circuit board 26 via an electrical cable (not shown in the figures).

[0034] In addition to controlling the drive motor 22, in the illustrated embodiment, the electronic control circuit board 26 also takes over the charge management of the battery 30. For this purpose, the control circuit board 26 is connected via an electrical cable 38 to charging contacts 40, which are arranged on the front side of the second end section 2b of the housing 2 and are accessible from the outside, as the Figures 1 to 3 An external charger (not shown in the figures) can be connected to these connection contacts 40 via a plug with magnetic plug contacts, which can be brought into contact with the connection contacts 40 due to magnetic forces to establish an electrical connection.

[0035] The described pressure wave massage device 1 is designed as a handheld device and is placed with the nozzle 6 on a body part (not shown in the figures) to be stimulated in such a way that it is essentially enclosed by the nozzle 6 in the area of the opening 8. During operation of the pressure wave massage device 1, the body part to be stimulated is then alternately exposed to different air pressures by the reciprocal movement of the membrane 18. Under normal conditions of use, when no excessive pressure is exerted after the pressure wave massage device 1 with its nozzle 6 is placed on the body part to be stimulated, any relative excess pressures that may arise during the respective movement of the membrane 18 towards the opening 8 largely escape, so that essentially the Fig. 5shown pattern of a modulated relative negative pressure compared to the normal air pressure P 0. However, as the pressure curve of Fig. 5 As can be seen, relative overpressures occur at maximum relative to the normal pressure P 0 , which are, however, considerably lower than the minima of the relative underpressure. Usually, the amount of the relative overpressure, related to the normal pressure P 0 , is not more than 10% of the amount of the relative underpressure, related to the normal pressure P 0 . Alternatively, it is also quite conceivable that the pressure field only consists of a pattern of relative underpressures, which are modulated onto the normal pressure P 0 (from below, so to speak). In particular, if the mechanism 20 has an eccentric, the Fig. 5 shown sinusoidal periodic pressure curve.

[0036] Since, as already described above, the cross-section of the cavity 12 of the chamber 14 is essentially constant over the entire length L, this results in the air flow velocity remaining essentially constant over the entire length L of the cavity 12 during operation. In this way, a particularly effective air flow can be generated for effective stimulation of the body part to be stimulated with relatively low energy consumption of the drive motor 22.

[0037] The control circuit board 26 preferably has a memory (not shown in the figures) in which various modulation patterns are stored. By operating the button 34 accordingly, a desired modulation pattern can be selected in order to then control the drive motor 22 accordingly.

Claims

1. Pressure wave massager for the clitoris, comprising a pressure field generating device (10) which has a hollow space (12) with a first end (12a) and a second end (12b) located opposite the first end (12a) and remote from the first end (12a), wherein the first end (12a) is provided with at least one opening (8) for placement on the clitoris, and a drive device (20, 22), which is designed to effect a change in the volume of the at least one hollow space (12) between a minimum volume and a maximum volume in such a way that a stimulating pressure field is generated in the at least one opening (8), characterised in that the hollow space (12) is formed by a single continuous chamber (14) and the ratio of volume change to minimum volume is not less than 1 / 10 and not greater than 1.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the cross-section defined transversely to its length (L) between its two ends (12a, 12b) of the hollow space (12) of the chamber (14) is substantially unchanged, or at least almost constant over the entire length (L) between its two ends (12a, 12b), such that the air flow velocity is substantially unchanged, or at least almost constant over the entire length (L) of the hollow space (12) of the chamber (14).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the hollow space (12) of the chamber (14) substantially has the shape of a rotating body with a circular or elliptical cross-section.

4. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the side wall (12c) of the chamber (14) bordering the hollow space (12) and connecting its two ends (12a, 12b) to one another is free of points of discontinuity.

5. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hollow space (12) of the chamber (14) has the shape of a continuous tube.

6. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the opening cross-section of the opening (8) substantially corresponds to the cross-section of the hollow space (12) of the chamber (14).

7. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ratio of the width of the hollow space (12) of the chamber (14), defined transversely to its longitudinal extension, to the length (L) of the hollow space (12) of the chamber (14), defined in the direction of its longitudinal extension, is between 0.1 and 1.0, preferably between 0.2 and 0.6, in particular between 0.38 and 0.4.

8. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hollow space (12) of the chamber (14) is closed at its second end (12b) with a flexible membrane (18), preferably made of silicone, (18), which extends substantially over the entire cross-section of the hollow space (12) and is moved by the drive device (20, 22) alternately in the direction of the opening (8) and in the opposite direction thereto.

9. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the section of the chamber (14) containing the opening (8) is provided as a replaceable nozzle (6), the inner side wall of which forms a section (12c1) of the side wall (12c) of the hollow space (12) leading to the opening (8).

10. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that the nozzle (6) is made of flexible material, preferably silicone.

11. Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the section (12c1) of the side wall (12c) of the hollow space (12) formed by the inner side wall of the nozzle (6) and leading to the opening (8) is substantially aligned with the remaining section (12c2) of the side wall (12c) of the hollow space (12).

12. Device according to claim 8 and according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the inner side wall of the nozzle (6) substantially completely forms the side wall (12c) of the hollow space (12) connecting the first end (12a) to the second end (12b) of the hollow space (12) and thus the opening (8) to the membrane (18), and the nozzle (6) is combined with the membrane (18) to form a single-piece component.

13. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pressure field consists of a pattern of relative negative and positive pressures which are modulated onto a reference pressure, preferably onto the normal pressure.

14. Device according to claim 13, characterised in that the amount of the relative positive pressure, relative to the normal pressure (P0), is less than the amount of the relative negative pressure, relative to the normal pressure (P0).

15. Device according to claim 14, characterised in that the amount of the relative positive pressure, relative to the normal pressure (P0), is not more than 10% of the amount of the relative negative pressure, relative to the normal pressure (P0).

16. Device according to at least one of the claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the pressure field consists of a pattern of relative negative pressures which are modulated onto a reference pressure, preferably onto the normal pressure (P0).

17. Device according to one of the claims 13 to 16, characterised in that the pressure field has a substantially sinusoidal-periodic pressure curve.

18. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised by a control device (26, 32, 34) which controls the drive device (20, 22) and has at least one operating means (32, 34) by means of which the respective modulation of the pressure field can be changed.

19. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device is a hand-held device, preferably operated by a battery (30).

20. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hollow space (12) is bordered by a side wall (12c) connecting its two ends (12a, 12b) to one another.

21. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ratio of volume change to the minimum volume is not less than 1:8.

22. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ratio of volume change to the minimum volume is not greater than 1:2.