SEXTOY AS A VIBRATOR FOR EROGENIC STIMULATION, METHOD AND USE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sex toy as a vibrator for erogenous stimulation, a method and a use.

[0002] A large number of different designs of sex toys are known from the state of the art as vibrators for erogenous stimulation. Many of these have an electric motor drive, usually a brushed electric motor that drives an eccentrically rotating flywheel. This causes the vibrator or the walls of such a vibrator to oscillate in a typical frequency range from 80–120 Hz and higher, and consequently, the rotational oscillation frequency of the flywheel almost corresponds to the working oscillation frequency of the vibrator. However, these vibrators known from the state of the art in this field generate a great many loud noises and sounds, which are perceived as extremely disturbing and unpleasant when used with such a vibrator and can thus lead to acoustic and sensory irritations.

[0003] An insertable stimulation device is known from US 2020 / 281808 A1. In this stimulation device, an alternating pressure field is generated within a stimulation opening, so that a changing pressure is felt at the opening of the stimulation opening, thereby causing the stimulation. In one embodiment, this stimulation device has an electric motor that sets an eccentric in rotation. This eccentric acts against an elastic wall of a pressure field generating device. This eccentric is not a flywheel. Likewise, this stimulation device is not a vibrator that causes the desired stimulation through housing vibrations.

[0004] DE 10 2018 107 939 A1 discloses another stimulation device that, like the stimulation device known from US 2020 / 281808 A1, differs from conventional vibrators. To improve stimulation, DE 10 2018 107 939 A1 proposes using a linear vibration drive, rather than one that operates with an eccentric flywheel.

[0005] A vibrator with two vibration drives is known from US 9,393,175 B2.

[0006] US 2014 / 0357944 A1 describes a vibrator with an eccentrically driven mass that is relatively heavy compared to other devices. This is intended to generate stronger vibrations.

[0007] Another vibrator for erogenous stimulation is known from US 2016 / 0015596 A1. This device is powered by an electric motor that drives a drive wheel via a flexible drive shaft. The drive wheel, in turn, drives a reduction gear, which drives a radial element on the output side. An asymmetrical ring-shaped weight is connected to the radial element. This is responsible for generating vibrations when the electric motor is operating. The described design of this previously known vibrator requires a certain size and, due to the components used, a corresponding weight. Furthermore, operation of this device is considered too loud or subject to interference due to the gearing integrated into the drive.

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to minimize the above-mentioned irritations and, ideally, to avoid them.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by a sex toy according to claim 1, a method according to claim 22 and a use according to claim 23.

[0010] The sex toy as a vibrator for erogenous stimulation has an electric motor drive, for example and in particular a brushed electric motor (DC motor) of conventional design; usually without a reduction gear. The motor drives a flywheel via its shaft, which rotates eccentrically in a rotation frequency range. Consequently, the vibrator (hereinafter, the terms "sex toy" and "vibrator" are to be understood as synonyms) oscillates in this frequency range and thus in its working vibration frequency range. The diameter of the motor drive is between 5 mm and 50 mm. The vibrator is designed such that A.) the working vibration frequency is in a range of f = 10 - 40 Hz and / or B.) the speed constant of the electric motor drive is in the range of 600 rpm to 2,400 rpm at a minimum drive voltage of 1 volt, while the speed constant is in the range of 60 rpm to 240 rpm at a maximum drive voltage of 10 volts, whereby for all drive voltages in between the respective product of drive voltage and speed constant in the drive voltage range from 1 volt to 10 volts leads to rotational speeds of 600 rpm to 2,400 rpm; and / or C.) the torque constant of the electric motor drive is in the range of aa.) 0.001 mNm / A or 0.01 mNm / A or 0.1 mNm / A or 1.0 mNm / A or 10 mNm / A to bb.) 10 mNm / A or 20 mNm / A or 30 mNm / A or 40 mNm / A or 50 mNm / A.

[0011] A key aspect of the invention is the fact that these very small electric motor drives, which only have a diameter of approximately 5 mm to approximately 50 mm, utilize the frequency-dependent difference between the sound pressure level (unit: dB) and the human-perceived volume (unit: phon). Thus, the motors operate in this very low-frequency range of 10 Hz to 40 Hz. Depending on the application, the voltage-dependent speed constant and / or the current-dependent torque constant of the respective electric motor drive (i.e., the electric motor) are dimensioned accordingly for a usable vibration intensity. The invention is based on similar considerations with regard to the so-called aurally correct volume.The term "aurally accurate volume" describes how sound recordings are reproduced so that they produce a similar auditory impression for people at different volume levels (according to Fletcher-Munson, 1933). When comparing an assumed sine tone of f = 90 Hz with a sine tone in the range of f = 10 - 40 Hz at a volume level in the range from approximately 3 phons to approximately 80 phons, the difference in sound pressure levels is approximately 10 dB to approximately 60 dB, with the difference in sound pressure levels decreasing with increasing volume and the difference in sound pressure levels increasing with increasing frequency difference.

[0012] In other words: a motor running in a frequency range of f = 10 - 40 Hz is perceived to be 10 - 60 phon (a measure of volume) quieter at the same sound pressure level than a motor running at f = 90 Hz, with an absolute volume in the range of approximately 3 - 80 phon. The vibration of the sex toy (vibrator) according to the invention, which is perceived as very quiet, is essentially due to the effect explained above, with this desired effect being slightly amplified by the volume level-dependence of the difference between volume level (unit: phon) and loudness (unit: sone), which increases at low volume levels.

[0013] Depending on the design, however, it is also conceivable for the eccentric flywheel to extend beyond the diameter of the electric motor drive. The electric motor drives thus operate in a frequency range of 10–40 Hz instead of the usual minimum of 80–120 Hz. In almost all cases of the state of the art, the electric motor drives consist of an electric motor and a reduction gear. The motors operate at relatively high frequencies, usually between 300 and 600 Hz, and the reduction ratio results in vibration in the range of at least 80 Hz–120 Hz and higher. Typically, the electric motors operate at an operating voltage of only a few volts, advantageously around 3 volts.

[0014] These inventive, very specific dimensions of the electric motor drive, which generally has a rotational weight in the range of 5 grams - 30 grams on its shaft for the diameters specified above, lead to advantageous vibrators in this very low frequency range that are perceived as particularly quiet in this very specific field of sex toys.

[0015] In this context, the dogma that has been in place for decades, namely that stimulating effects can usually only be detected at frequencies of at least 80 - 120 Hz, had to be overcome.

[0016] In this context, it has proven to be useful and advantageous for the working vibration frequency to be in one of the following ranges: f = 15 - 40 Hz, 20 - 40 Hz, 25 - 40 Hz, 30 - 40 Hz, 35 - 40 Hz, 10 - 35 Hz, 10 - 30 Hz, 10 - 25 Hz, 10 - 20 Hz, 10 - 15 Hz, 15 - 35 Hz, 15 - 30 Hz, 15 - 25 Hz, 15 - 20 Hz, 20 - 35 Hz, 20 - 30 Hz, 20 - 25 Hz, 25 Hz - 35 Hz, 25 - 30 Hz, 30 - 35 Hz. In order to avoid further unnecessary noise, the electric motor drive is designed to be gear-free.

[0017] In order to reduce any further noise that may occur, for example due to imbalances on the shaft of the electric motor, it is advantageous and proven to be effective if a first encapsulation is arranged inside the sex toy in the area of ​​the flywheel, which allows any sounds and noises that may arise to penetrate to the outside to a lesser extent.

[0018] Accordingly, it is advantageous and proven if the electric motor drive is encapsulated.

[0019] Furthermore, it is advantageous and proven to be effective if control and / or regulation electronics are provided that control and / or regulate the electric motor drive, which, when used accordingly, ensures stable and safe operation of the electric motor.

[0020] In this context, it is also advantageous and proven to be effective if the control and / or regulation electronics have a second encapsulation to reduce noise.

[0021] The above-mentioned encapsulations can be metallic, ceramic or polymeric (plastics) in nature.

[0022] To increase the immersiveness of stimulation, it is advantageous and proven to be effective if at least one vibration transmission element is arranged in or on a wall of the sex toy, the natural resonance of which corresponds to the working vibration frequency or lies within the working vibration frequency range. In practice, it has proven to be effective and is therefore advantageous if the vibration transmission element is designed in a tongue-shaped manner.

[0023] In practice, the following embodiments have proven suitable and are therefore advantageous: The drive voltage is in the range of 1 - 5 volts, or 1 - 3 volts, or 3 - 5 volts. The control and / or regulation electronics, which are usually designed as a PWD control / regulation, are operated via a full bridge. The full bridge is operated via a DC-DC converter to slightly increase the voltage, usually from a battery of a few volts, in order to achieve clean operation. The control and regulation electronics are programmed in such a way that at least one oscillation program can be called up or is called up during operation, with at least one oscillation phase and at least one non-oscillation phase being provided in terms of time. This is the basis for oscillation programs in which oscillation phases are interrupted by rest phases in order to prevent overstimulation in individual cases or to provide variety.

[0024] In this context, it is advantageous and proven if the control and / or regulation electronics are configured in such a way that at least 0.5 seconds and a maximum of 3 seconds are required to ramp up to the desired rotation frequency of the eccentric flywheel from the non-oscillation phase to the oscillation phase. In this context, it is also advantageous and proven if at least 0.5 seconds and a maximum of 3 seconds are required to ramp down from the desired rotation frequency of the eccentric flywheel from the oscillation phase to the non-oscillation phase.Furthermore, in this context, it is advantageous and proven if the control and / or regulation electronics are designed in such a way that they increase the drive voltage above the actual drive voltage in order to ensure that the eccentric flywheel mass is increased to the desired working vibration frequency in a time window of at least 0.5 seconds and at most 3 seconds, in order to then reduce the working voltage to the actual drive voltage.

[0025] Furthermore, it is advantageous in this context, as it has proven to be effective, if the control and / or regulation electronics are designed in such a way that, when the electric motor drive is running at its working oscillation frequency, they completely brake the electric motor drive in at least 0.5 seconds and at most 3 seconds by feeding in a reversed current.

[0026] The sex toy has an operating part, usually shaped like a handle, and a vibrating part connected via an elastic intermediate part, for example, a material-reduced area. To reduce or even prevent numbness, it is advantageous if a vibration-damping element, for example and in particular a honeycomb-shaped grid element attached to an inner wall of the sex toy, is arranged inside the operating part. To increase vibration generation, it can be advantageous if the electric motor drive is designed as a double motor (a double motor essentially means two individual motors that are powered either in series or in parallel) with one shaft that rotatably drives at least one flywheel, as a double motor with two shafts that each drive at least one flywheel, or as a single motor with two shafts that each drive at least one flywheel.For power supply, it is proven if the power source is a battery, especially a Li-ion battery.

[0027] Finally, the following is claimed: a method for operating a sex toy as a vibrator for generating vibrations, characterized in that a sex toy according to the invention is used; and a use of a sex toy as a vibrator for generating vibrations, characterized in that it is a sex toy according to the invention. The following Figures 1 and 2 explain in an exemplary and non-limiting manner the invention, wherein Figure 1 - outlines the functional and formal structure of the sex toy / vibrator according to the invention, and Figure 2 - shows a sketch of a cross-section of an embodiment of a sex toy / vibrator according to the invention.

[0028] An embodiment of a sex toy according to the invention is presented as a vibrator for erogenous stimulation, with an electromotive drive 1, 3 which rotatably drives at least one eccentric flywheel 2, wherein the flywheel rotates eccentrically in a rotation frequency range and thus the vibrator oscillates in this frequency range and thus its working oscillation frequency range, wherein the diameter of the electromotive drive 1, 3 is between 5 mm and 50 mm, wherein the vibrator is designed such that the working oscillation frequency range f = 10 - 40 Hz; and / or the speed constant of the electromotive drive at a minimum drive voltage of 1 volt in the range from 600 rpm to 2.400 rpm volts, while the speed constant at a maximum drive voltage of 10 volts is in the range from 60 rpm volts to 240 rpm volts, whereby for all drive voltages in between the respective product of drive voltage and speed constant in the drive voltage range from 1 volt to 10 volts leads to rotational speeds of 600 rpm to 2,400 rpm; and / or the torque constant of the electric motor drive is in the range from 0.001 mNm / A to 50 mNm / A or from 0.001 mNm / A to 30 mNm / A or from 0.01 mNm / A to 50 mNm / A or from 0.01 mNm / A to 30 mNm / A or from 0.1 mNm / A to 50 mNm / A or from 0.1 mNm / A to 30 mNm / A or 1.0 mNm / A to 50 mNm / A or from 1.0 mNm / A to 30 mNm / A or from 10 mNm / A to 50 mNm / A or from 10 mNm / A to 30 mNm / A.

[0029] The vibrator has a working vibration range - i.e. vibrates in this range - of 10 - 40 Hz, whereby the electric motor drive 1, 3 (the number 3 designates the electric motor as such) in this case has a reduction gear 4 (in this case the electric motor 3 and the reduction gear 4 form the electric motor drive 1), so that the electric motor drive 1 runs at 40 Hz, for example, so that with a reduction ratio of 2:1 the flywheel mass 2 rotates eccentrically at 20 Hz and thus generates a vibration frequency of 20 Hz.

[0030] Inside the sex toy, in the area of ​​the flywheel 2, a first enclosure 5 is arranged, which simultaneously encapsulates (acoustically) the electric motor drive 1, 3. Furthermore, control and / or regulation electronics 6 are provided for controlling and / or regulating the electric motor drive 1, 3, which has a second enclosure (acoustically) 7.

[0031] In addition, at least one vibration transmission element 8 is arranged in or on a wall 10 of the sex toy, which has its natural resonance in the working vibration frequency range, and is tongue-shaped and of metallic nature.

[0032] The drive voltage is in the range of 3 - 5 volts; more precisely, the electric motor drive 1, 3 is operated at approximately 3.3 volts. The control and / or regulation electronics 6 are operated via a full bridge, wherein the full bridge is operated via a DC-DC converter, wherein the control and / or regulation electronics 6 are operated at approximately 5 volts. The control and regulation electronics 6 are programmed such that at least one vibration program can be called up or is called up during operation, wherein at least one vibration phase and at least one non-vibration phase are provided in time. The vibrator (sex toy) has an operating part 20 and an vibration part 22 connected via an elastic intermediate part 21. Arranged inside the operating part 20 is a vibration damping element, which is designed like a net with a honeycomb structure and conforms to an inner wall 10.The electric motor drive 1, 3 is rigidly connected to the inner wall 10 by bridge elements 11, so that the vibrations are transmitted directly to the vibration part 22, so that the latter can vibrate with the help of the elastic intermediate part 21 as a material reduction of the vibration part 22 - in relation to the relatively rigid operating part 20. The power source 9 is a battery, namely a Li-ion battery; the drive voltage is 3.3 volts.

Claims

1. Sex toy as a vibrator for erogenous stimulation, including an electric motor drive (1, 3) that rotationally drives at least one eccentric inertial mass (2), wherein the inertial mass eccentrically rotates in a rotational frequency range, and therefore the vibrator vibrates in this frequency range and thus in its working oscillation frequency range, wherein the diameter of the motor drive (1, 3) is between 5 mm and 50 mm, characterized in that the vibrator is designed in such a way that the eccentric initial mass is rotatably driven without a reduction gear and that A.) the working oscillation frequency in a range of f = 10-40 Hz; and / or B.) the rotational speed constant of the electric motor drive at a minimum drive voltage of 1 volt is in the range of 600 rpm / volt to 2,400 rpm / volt, while the rotational speed constant at a maximum drive voltage of 10 volts is in the range of 60 rpm / volt to 240 rpm / volt, wherein for all drive voltages in between, the particular product of the drive voltage and the rotational speed constant in the drive voltage range of 1 volt to 10 volts results in rotational speeds of 600 rpm to 2,400 rpm; and / or C.) the torque constant of the electric motor drive is in the range of 0.001 mNm / A or 0.01 mNm / A or 0.1 mNm / A or 1.0 mNm / A or 10 mNm / A to 10 mNm / A or 20 mNm / A or 30 mNm / A or 40 mNm / A or 50 mNm / A.

2. Sex toy according to claim 1, characterized in that the working oscillation frequency is in one of the following ranges: f = 15-40 Hz, 20-40 Hz, 25-40 Hz, 30-40 Hz, 35-40 Hz, 10-35 Hz, 10-30 Hz, 10-25 Hz, 10-20 Hz, 10-15 Hz, 15-35 Hz, 15-30 Hz, 15-25 Hz, 15-20 Hz, 20-35 Hz, 20-30 Hz, 20-25 Hz, 25 Hz-35 Hz, 25-30 Hz, 30-35 Hz.

3. Sex toy according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a first enclosure (5) is situated inside the sex toy in the region of the inertial mass.

4. Sex toy according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electric motor drive (1, 3) is enclosed.

5. Sex toy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a control and / or regulation electronics system (6) that controls and / or regulates the electric motor drive (1, 3) is provided.

6. Sex toy according to claim 5, characterized in that the control and / or regulation electronics system (6) has a second enclosure (5).

7. Sex toy according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one vibration transmission element (8) is situated in or at a wall (10) of the sex toy, the natural resonance of the vibration transmission element corresponding to the working oscillation frequency or being in the working oscillation frequency range.

8. Sex toy according to claim 7, characterized in that the vibration transmission element (8) has a tongue-shaped design.

9. Sex toy according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the drive voltage is in the range of 1-5 volts or 1-3 volts or 3-5 volts.

10. Sex toy according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the control and / or regulation electronics system (6) is operated via a full bridge.

11. Sex toy according to claim 10, characterized in that the full bridge is operated via a DC-DC converter.

12. Sex toy according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the control and / or regulation electronics system (6) is programmed in such a way that at least one vibration program is retrieved or retrievable during operation, from a temporal standpoint at least one oscillation phase and at least one non-oscillation phase being provided.

13. Sex toy according to claim 12, characterized in that the control and / or regulation electronics system (6) is configured in such a way that at least 0.5 seconds and at most 3 seconds are required for powering up to the desired rotational frequency of the eccentric inertial mass (2), from the non-oscillation phase into the oscillation phase.

14. Sex toy according to any one of claims 12 to 13, characterized in that at least 0.5 seconds and at most 3 seconds are required for powering down from the desired rotational frequency of the eccentric inertial mass (2), from the oscillation phase into the non-oscillation phase.

15. Sex toy according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the control and / or regulation electronics system (6) is designed in such a way that it ramps up the drive voltage above the actual drive voltage to ensure powering up of the eccentric inertial mass (2) to the desired working oscillation frequency in a time window of at least 0.5 seconds and at most 3 seconds, in order to subsequently reduce the working voltage to the actual drive voltage.

16. Sex toy according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the control and / or regulation electronics system (6) is designed in such a way that it brings the electric motor drive (1, 3) to a complete stop, during operation of the electric motor drive (1, 3) in its working oscillation frequency, in at least 0.5 seconds and at most 3 seconds by feeding a reverse-polarized current.

17. Sex toy according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the sex toy has a control portion (20), and a vibration portion (22) that is connected via an elastic intermediate portion (21).

18. Sex toy according to claim 17, characterized in that a vibration damping element is situated inside the control portion (20).

19. Sex toy according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the electric motor drive (1, 3) is designed as a double motor that includes a shaft that rotationally drives at least the one inertial mass (2), as a double motor that includes two shafts, each of which drives at least the one inertial mass (2), or as a simple motor that includes two shafts, each of which drives at least the one inertial mass (2).

20. Sex toy according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the power source (9) is a battery.

21. Sex toy according to claim 20, characterized in that the battery is a Li-ion battery.

22. Method for operating a sex toy as a vibrator for generating vibrations, characterized in that a sex toy according to any one of claims 1 to 21 is used.

23. Use of a sex toy as a vibrator for generating vibrations, characterized in that it is a sex toy according to any one of claims 1 to 21.