Body care device

Abstract

Disclosed is a body care apparatus capable of providing massage by physically stimulating the body of a user. The body care apparatus includes a base portion, a main rod portion installed so as to be rotatable about a rod rotating shaft in a transverse direction of the base portion, an angled cam portion configured such that the main rod portion extends and is coupled through the section thereof that is not parallel to an imaginary line orthogonal to the rod rotating shaft, a massage arm portion coupled to the angled cam portion so as to be constrained to displacement of the angled cam portion, a ball guide groove portion continuously formed in the base portion, and a ball joint portion configured such that one end thereof is coupled to the massage arm portion and the other end thereof is inserted into the ball guide groove portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a body care apparatus, and more particularly to a body care apparatus capable of providing massage by physically stimulating the body of a seated user.BACKGROUND

[0002] With aging of society in recent years, people of all ages are becoming increasingly aware of healthcare, health maintenance, and health promotion. As a result, many people are utilizing facilities such as medical facilities or sports clubs to manage, maintain, or improve their health.

[0003] In addition to maintaining or improving health and physical fitness, many people are also trying to relieve fatigue and stress. To this end, various body care apparatuses, such as a massage apparatus, have been developed and are widely used in real life.

[0004] Massage is a type of medical complementary therapy that involves stroking, kneading, pressing, pulling, tapping, or moving the body with hands or a specialized device to improve blood circulation and relieve fatigue. An apparatus that performs massage by mechanical devices is called a massage apparatus, and various mechanical elements are used in the massage apparatus for effective massage.

[0005] With regard to a body care apparatus for performing massage using a mechanical device, Korean Registered Patent No. 10-2496485 (hereinafter referred to as "Prior Art Document 1") discloses a detachable air stretching massage apparatus for assisting in correct postures of the legs, pelvis, and waist.

[0006] Specifically, there are disclosed a main assembly having a massage space concave from above in a downward direction, a center assembly selectively removably assembled to the main assembly and configured to divide the massage space into two subspaces, an air bag device disposed at the main assembly and configured to inflate into the massage space upon receiving a control signal, and a cushion device disposed at the center assembly.

[0007] However, the body care apparatus of Prior Art Document 1 has the problem that only massage through a simple operation of compressing a user's legs from left and right is provided and the massage is limited to the position where the air bag is installed. That is, the body care apparatus of Prior Art Document 1 has the limitation that a region to be massaged is not changed and massage is performed only using air pressure.

[0008] Korean Utility Model Application Publication No. 20-2023-0002125 (hereinafter referred to as "Prior Art Document 2") discloses a multifunctional massager.

[0009] Specifically, there are disclosed a foot massage device including two sets of foot massage assemblies installed in a first case to provide foot massage and two slots disposed side by side in a second case to receive a user's legs and each having a massage air bag disposed therein.

[0010] However, the body care apparatus of Prior Art Document 2 also has the problem that only massage through a simple operation of compressing a user's legs from left and right is provided and the massage is limited to the position where the air bag is installed. That is, the body care apparatus of Prior Art Document 2 has the limitation that the user has to move the massager by himself in order to change a region to be massaged and massage is performed only using air pressure.

[0011] As described above, the body care apparatus that performs massage using the mechanical device has problems that need to be solved in order to achieve a more appropriate structure in terms of effective massage and convenience of use.

[0012] However, the conventional body care apparatuses have limitations in adequately solving these problems.DISCLOSURETECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0013] An aspect of the present disclosure is to solve the above problems with a body care apparatus for providing massage by physically stimulating the body of a user.

[0014] Specifically, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a body care apparatus configured such that physical stimulation of a user's body is performed by a movement similar to the movement of a human hand, thereby further improving the massage effect.

[0015] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a body care apparatus configured such that a component configured to physically stimulate a user's body is automatically movable, thereby conveniently accomplishing massage of a larger part of the body.

[0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a body care apparatus configured such that a component configured to be in direct contact with a user's body is elastically deformable, thereby performing optimal massage considering the characteristics of the user.

[0017] Aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned aspects, and other technical aspects not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0018] In order to achieve the above and other objects, a body care apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure is configured such that a massage arm portion configured to physically stimulate the body of a user is driven similarly to the movement of a human hand. Specifically, the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure is configured such that the massage arm portion is coupled to an angled cam portion disposed on a main rod portion at an angle, and therefore when the angled cam portion is rotated, not only is the massage arm portion driven in a leftward-rightward direction, but also relative displacement of upper and lower parts thereof is generated.

[0019] Further, in the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the massage arm portion may include a cam cover and a massage body.

[0020] Further, in the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, a pair of massage arm portions may be driven together upon rotation of one main rod portion.

[0021] Further, in the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the pair of massage arm portions driven together may be driven in a symmetrical state.

[0022] Further, in the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the insertion depth of one end of a ball joint portion may be varied by a guide bushing installed in the cam cover.

[0023] Further, in the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the outer diameter of one end of the ball joint portion and the inner diameter of the guide bushing may correspond to each other.

[0024] Further, the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure is configured such that the massage arm portion configured to physically stimulate the user's body is automatically movable. Specifically, the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure is configured such that the massage arm portion is moved upward and downward in a longitudinal direction of a base portion.

[0025] Further, in the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, a rack gear may be installed on the base portion, and a pinion gear may be installed on the massage arm portion.

[0026] Further, in the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the main rod portion and the pinion gear may be rotated together by one driver.

[0027] Further, the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure is configured such that an outer surface of the massage arm portion in direct contact with the user's body is elastically deformable. Specifically, the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure is configured such that an elastically deformable elastic body is installed on an outer surface of the massage body of the massage arm portion.

[0028] Further, in the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the elastic body may include an air bag.

[0029] Further, in the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the outer surface of the massage body on which the elastic body is installed may be uneven.

[0030] Further, in the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the massage body may be hingedly coupled to an end of the cam cover.

[0031] Further, in the body care apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, hinge rotation of the massaging body may be appropriately adjusted through a torsion spring.

[0032] The means for exhibiting the aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned means, and other means not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those killed in the art from the following description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a body care apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIGs. 2 and 3 are views illustrating the operation of the body care apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a view showing a ball joint portion driven along a ball guide groove portion in the body care apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 5 is a view showing an angled cam portion and a massage arm portion coupled to a main rod portion in the body care apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 6 is a more detailed view of the part where a cam cover and the ball joint portion are coupled to each other in the body care apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; FIGs. 7 to 9 are views illustrating the driving of components according to the rotation of the main rod portion in the body care apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 10 is a view showing a rack gear and a pinion gear in the body care apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIGs. 11 and 12 are more detailed views of the part where a massaging body and the cam cover are coupled to each other in the body care apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In relation to describing the present disclosure, when the detailed description of the relevant known technology is determined to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description may be omitted.

[0035] An X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction described in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be orthogonal to each other. The X direction and the Y direction may each be a direction parallel to a horizontal direction, and the Z direction may be a direction parallel to a vertical direction. When the X direction is parallel to a leftward-rightward direction, the Y direction may be parallel to a forward-backward direction. When the X direction is parallel to the forward-backward direction, the Y direction may be parallel to the leftward-rightward direction.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a body care apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGs. 2 and 3 are views illustrating the operation of the body care apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a view showing a ball joint portion 600 driven along a ball guide groove portion 500 in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a view showing an angled cam portion 300 and a massage arm portion 400 coupled to a main rod portion 200 in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a more detailed view of the part where a cam cover 410 and the ball joint portion 600 are coupled to each other in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGs. 7 to 9 are views illustrating the driving of components according to the rotation of the main rod portion 200 in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] The body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a base portion 100, a main rod portion 200, an angled cam portion 300, a massage arm portion 400, a ball guide groove portion 500, and a ball joint portion 600.

[0038] The base portion 100 is a part forming the main body of the body care apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, and the main rod portion 200, the angled cam portion 300, the massage arm portion 400, the ball guide groove portion 500, and the ball joint portion 600 may all be driven while the position and arrangement thereof are changed relative to the base portion 100.

[0039] The base portion 100 may be a part of a massage apparatus, such as a massage chair. In addition, the base portion 100 may be independently formed such that relative movement thereof is minimized.

[0040] Accordingly, a user may move a region to be massaged to the base portion 100 and drive the remaining components to massage the region.

[0041] The main rod portion 200 is a part installed so as to be rotatable about a rod rotating shaft 201 in a transverse direction of the base portion 100, and may be axially rotated by the rotational force generated by a driver 700.

[0042] The angled cam portion 300 is a part configured such that the main rod portion 200 extends and is coupled through the section thereof that is not parallel to an imaginary line orthogonal to the rod rotating shaft 201 so as to be rotated together with the main rod portion 200.

[0043] Specifically, the main rod portion 200 may extend and be coupled through the plate-shaped section of the angled cam portion 300. Accordingly, the angled cam portion 300 may be coupled to the main rod portion 200 so as to protrude from an outer circumferential surface thereof.

[0044] In particular, the plate-shaped section of the angled cam portion 300 may be disposed so as not to be parallel to an imaginary line orthogonal to the rod rotating shaft 201.

[0045] That is, when the angled cam portion 300 coupled to the main rod portion 200 is viewed from the front, the plate-shaped section of the angled cam portion 300 may be disposed at an angle rather than being perpendicular. In addition, even when the angled cam portion 300 coupled to the main rod portion 200 is viewed from above, the plate-shaped section of the angled cam portion 300 may be disposed at an angle rather than being perpendicular.

[0046] Accordingly, when the main rod portion 200 is axially rotated, the angled cam portion 300 may be rotated at an angle.

[0047] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the angled cam portion 300 may be configured such that the part thereof disposed above the main rod portion 200 is located farther rightward than the part thereof disposed under the main rod portion. At the same time, the angled cam portion 300 may be configured such that the section thereof disposed on the left side is oriented more toward the front than the section thereof disposed on the right side.

[0048] As shown in FIGs. 8 and 9, the angled cam portion 300 may be changed such that the part thereof disposed above the main rod portion 200 is located farther leftward than the part thereof disposed under the main rod portion according to the rotation of the main rod portion 200. At the same time, the angled cam portion 300 may be changed such that the section thereof disposed on the right side is oriented more toward the front than the section thereof disposed on the left side.

[0049] The massage arm portion 400 is a part that is coupled to the angled cam portion 300 so as to be constrained to displacement other than rotation of the angled cam portion 300, and may be driven to the position corresponding to the angled cam portion 300 in accordance with the driving of the angled cam portion 300.

[0050] The ball guide groove portion 500 is a part that is continuously formed in the base portion 100 in the transverse direction, and may serve as a rail along which the ball joint portion 600 can reciprocate in the transverse direction.

[0051] The ball joint portion 600 is a part configured such that one rod-shaped end 601 thereof is coupled to the massage arm portion 400 and the other spherical end 602 thereof is inserted into the ball guide groove portion 500, and may allow of the massage arm portion 400 to reciprocate in the transverse direction while limiting the rotation thereof.

[0052] In the structure described above, the angled cam portion 300 may be rotated at an angle upon axial rotation of the main rod portion 200. Upon rotation of the angled cam portion 300, the massage arm portion 400 is not only driven in a leftward-rightward direction with limited rotation, but also relative displacement of upper and lower parts thereof may be generated.

[0053] That is, the massage arm portion 400 may be driven in a wave-like motion from top to bottom.

[0054] Accordingly, the massage arm portion 400 may be driven similarly to a human hand in that only a certain part thereof is not reciprocated left and right but the massage arm portion 400 is reciprocated left and right sequentially from top to bottom.

[0055] As such, in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the massage arm portion 400 is coupled to the angled cam portion 300 disposed on the main rod portion 200 at an angle, and therefore when the angled cam portion 300 is rotated, not only is the massage arm portion 400 driven in the leftward-rightward direction, but also relative displacement of upper and lower parts thereof is generated, whereby an experience similar to that of kneading by a human hand may be realized, which may further improve the massage effect.

[0056] In the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the massage arm portion 400 may include a cam cover 410 and a massage body 420.

[0057] The cam cover 410 is a part that covers the angled cam portion 300 and allows the angled cam portion 300 to rotate therein while sliding, and may motion other than rotation of the cam cover 410 may be transmitted to the massage arm portion 400.

[0058] In this case, a separate bearing structure may be provided at the part where the cam cover 410 and the angled cam portion 300 are in contact with each other.

[0059] The massage body 420 is a part that is installed on an end of the cam cover 410 so as to extend in a longitudinal direction, and may apply physical stimulation to a region to be massaged due to the movement of the angled cam portion 300 transmitted to the cam cover 410.

[0060] In particular, since the massage body 420 is installed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction, the massage body may be in contact with the region to be massaged to a certain extent. Thus, when the massage body 420 is driven, a certain range of the region to be massaged may be massaged.

[0061] As such, in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, since the massage arm portion 400 includes the cam cover 410 and the massage body 420, physical stimulation may be effectively applied to the certain range of the region to be massaged.

[0062] In the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the angled cam portion 300 may be disposed on the main rod portion 200 in a pair. In this case, the massage arm portion 400 may be disposed on each of the angled cam portions 300.

[0063] That is, when one main rod portion 200 is axially rotated, a pair of angled cam portions 300 coupled thereto may also be rotated. The massage arm portion 400 disposed on each of the angled cam portions 300 may also be driven.

[0064] As such, in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, since a pair of massage arm portions 400 is driven together when one main rod portion 200 is rotated, physical stimulation may be applied simultaneously from both sides to the region to be massaged.

[0065] In the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the pair of angled cam portions 300 may be disposed on the main rod portion 200 in a symmetrical state.

[0066] That is, when one main rod portion 200 is axially rotated, a pair of angled cam portions 300 coupled thereto may be rotated in a symmetrical state. The massage arm portions 400 disposed respectively on the angled cam portions 300 may also be driven in a symmetrical state.

[0067] Accordingly, when a region to be massaged is located between the pair of massage arm portions 400, symmetrical physical stimulation may be applied to both sides of the region, resulting in more effective massage.

[0068] As such, the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the pair of massage arm portions 400 driven together is driven in a symmetrical state, and therefore it is possible to apply more effective physical stimulation to both sides of the region to be massaged.

[0069] In the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the massage arm portion 400 may further include a guide bushing 430 installed at the part where the cam cover 410 is coupled to the ball joint portion 600 such that the insertion depth of one end 601 of the ball joint portion 600 is variable.

[0070] As described above, the ball joint portion 600 may be reciprocated in the transverse direction upon rotation of the angled cam portion 300. However, if the ball guide groove portion 500 into which the ball joint portion 600 is inserted is formed linearly in the transverse direction, the distances between the massage arm portion 400 and the ball guide groove portion 500 may be partially different from each other, making it difficult to reciprocate the ball joint portion 600.

[0071] Therefore, it may be considered to form the ball guide groove portion 500 in an arc shape rather than linearly for smooth reciprocating movement of the ball joint portion 600, but if the ball joint portion 600 is inserted into the arc-shaped ball guide groove portion 500, the massage arm portion 400 may also be driven in an arc shape to a certain extent, which may be undesirable.

[0072] Accordingly, when the distances between the massage arm portion 400 and the ball guide groove portion 500 are partially different from each other, the insertion depth of one end 601 of the ball joint portion 600 may be varied through the guide bushing 430 as shown in FIG. 6 such that the reciprocating movement of the ball joint portion 600 is not hindered even if the ball guide groove portion 500 is formed linearly in the transverse direction.

[0073] As such, in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the insertion depth of one end 601 of the ball joint portion 600 is variable by the guide bushing 430 installed in the cam cover 410, whereby the ball joint portion 600 may be smoothly driven even if the ball guide groove portion 500 is formed linearly.

[0074] In the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner diameter of the guide bushing 430 may correspond to the outer diameter of one end 601 of the ball joint portion 600.

[0075] As described above, it may be desirable for displacement of the ball joint portion 600 excluding displacement in the longitudinal direction to be limited when one end 601 of the ball joint portion 600 is inserted into the guide bushing 430,

[0076] That is, it may be desirable for one end 601 of the ball joint portion 600 to be moved in the guide bushing 430 only in the longitudinal direction and the gap between the guide bushing 430 and one end 601 of the ball joint portion 600 in other directions to be minimized.

[0077] As such, in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer diameter of one end 601 of the ball joint portion 600 and the inner diameter of the guide bushing 430 correspond to each other, whereby the one end 601 of the ball joint portion 600 inserted into the guide bushing 430 may be efficiently driven only in the longitudinal direction.

[0078] FIG. 10 is a view showing a rack gear 101 and a pinion gear 401 in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0079] In the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the massage arm portion 400 may be moved upward and downward relative to the base portion 100 in the longitudinal direction.

[0080] That is, as shown in FIGs. 1 to 3, the massage arm portion 400 may be moved upward and downward in the longitudinal direction to massage regions to be massaged located at different heights.

[0081] For example, the massage arm portion 400 may be moved upward and downward in the longitudinal direction to massage the user's calves as well as the thighs.

[0082] As such, in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the massage arm portion 400 may be moved upward and downward in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 100, whereby the region to be massaged may be automatically changed and massaged more conveniently.

[0083] In the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the base portion 100 may have a rack gear 101 installed thereon in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the massage arm portion 400 may have a pinion gear 401 engageable with the rack gear 101.

[0084] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10, upon rotation of the pinion gear 401, the rack gear 101 may be moved upward and downward along the pinion gear 401, and the massage arm portion 400 coupled to the pinion gear 401 may be moved upward and downward in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 100.

[0085] As such, in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the rack gear 101 is installed at the base portion 100 and the pinion gear 401 is installed at the massage arm portion 400, whereby the massage arm portion 400 may be moved upward and downward more precisely and stably.

[0086] The body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a driver 700 configured to rotate the main rod portion 200 about the rod rotating shaft 201. In this case, the driver 700 may rotate the pinion gear 401 with the rotation of the main rod portion 200.

[0087] Here, the driver 700 may include a driving motor and a driving gear.

[0088] That is, as shown in FIG. 10, one driver 700 may be connected to the main rod portion 200 and the pinion gear 401, whereby the main rod portion 200 and the pinion gear 401 may be rotated together by the rotational force transmitted by the driver 700.

[0089] Accordingly, it is possible to provide a structure simpler than the structure in which separate drivers 700 are disposed at the main rod portion 200 and the pinion gear 401, respectively.

[0090] As such, in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the main rod portion 200 and the pinion gear 401 are rotated together by one driver 700, whereby it is possible to further simplify the overall structure by minimizing the number of drivers 700.

[0091] Meanwhile, in the body care apparatus 1000 according to this embodiment, the driver 700, which is separate from the pinion gear 401, drives only the main rod portion 200 as needed, whereby massage may be performed in the state in which the massage arm portion 400 is not moved upward and downward.

[0092] In the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the massage arm portion 400 may further include an elastic body 440 installed on an outer surface of the massage body 420 so as to be elastically deformable.

[0093] When massage is performed in the state in which the massage arm portion 400 is in contact with the region of the user to be massaged, there is a concern that the massage arm portion may cause pain to the user due to problems such as pressure being concentrated on a specific part.

[0094] Therefore, it may be desirable to install the elastic body 440 on the outer surface of the massage body 420 in order to appropriately distribute the pressure when the pressure is concentrated on the specific part.

[0095] As such, in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the elastically deformable elastic body 440 is installed on the outer surface of the massage body 420 of the massage arm portion 400, whereby it is possible to buffer pressure that is improperly applied to the region to be massaged to a certain extent.

[0096] In the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the elastic body 440 may include an air bag 441 having an adjustable degree of air injection.

[0097] When massage is performed in the state in which the massage arm portion 440 is in contact with the region of the user to be massaged, some users may feel that the pressure applied is too strong, and some other users may feel that the pressure applied is too weak.

[0098] Since the users may have different feelings about the strength of the pressure depending on the characteristics of the users even when the massage is performed with the same pressure, it may be desirable to allow each user to adjust the degree of inflation of the air bag 441 installed on the outer surface of the massage body 420.

[0099] As such, in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the elastic body 440 includes the air bag 441, whereby it is possible to adjust the pressure applied to the region to be massaged by adjusting the air pressure.

[0100] In the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the elastic body 440 may be installed on the outer surface of the massage body 420 so as to form an uneven surface.

[0101] As described above, the elastic body 440 may be installed to provide some buffering of pressure improperly applied to the region to be massaged, but for more effective pressure buffering, it is necessary to secure sufficient space for the elastic body 440 to be deformed elastically.

[0102] Accordingly, it may be desirable to form the elastic body 440 in direct contact with the region of the user to be massaged so as to have an uneven structure, thereby securing sufficient space for the elastic body 440 to be deformed under pressure.

[0103] As such, in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer surface of the massage body 420 on which the elastic body 440 is installed is uneven, whereby extra space may be secured for the elastic body 440 to be deformed under pressure.

[0104] FIGs. 11 and 12 are more detailed views of the part where the massaging body 420 and the cam cover 410 are coupled to each other in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0105] In the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the massage body 420 may be hingedly coupled to an end of the cam cover 410. That is, as shown in FIGs. 11 and 12, the massage body 420 may be hingedly rotated at the end of the cam cover 410.

[0106] When massage is performed in the state in which the massage arm portion 400 is contact with the region of the user to be massaged, some users having thin legs may receive massage without difficulty, but other users having thicker legs may have difficulty in using the massage arm portion 400.

[0107] Accordingly, it may be desirable to allow the massage arm portion 400 to be hingedly rotated and be appropriately placed according to the body characteristics of each user, thereby allowing a wider variety of users to receive massage without difficulty.

[0108] As such, in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the massage body 420 is hingedly coupled to the end of the cam cover 410, whereby it is possible to adjust the placement of the massage arm portion 400 so as to correspond to each user's region to be massaged when users having different body characteristics receive massage.

[0109] In the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the massage arm portion 400 may further include a torsion spring 450 provided at the part where the massage body 420 is coupled to the end of the cam cover 410.

[0110] Even if the massage arm portion 400 is hingedly rotated and properly placed in accordance with the body characteristics of each user, as described above, a user with thin legs may feel that the intensity of the massage is weak due to a relatively large amount of empty space. In addition, a user with thick legs may feel that the intensity of the massage is too strong due to a relatively small amount of empty space.

[0111] Accordingly, the torsion spring 450 may be provided at the part where the massage body 420 and the cam cover 410 are coupled to each other, whereby additional pressure may be applied to a user with thin legs due to the stiffness of the torsion spring 450. In addition, for a user with thicker legs, the intensity of massage may be appropriately limited by preventing the massage arm portion 400 from being overly hingedly rotated by the torsion spring 450.

[0112] As such, in the body care apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge rotation of the massage body 420 may be appropriately adjusted through the torsion spring 450, whereby the massage arm portion 400 may be appropriately in contact with each user's region to be massaged when massage is performed on users with different body characteristics.

[0113] While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of the present disclosure, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this disclosure as is herein set forth. Accordingly, such modifications or variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure, and it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0114] In accordance with at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, the massage arm portion is coupled to the angled cam portion disposed on the main rod portion at an angle, and therefore when the angled cam portion is rotated, not only is the massage arm portion driven in the leftward-rightward direction, but also relative displacement of upper and lower parts thereof is generated, whereby an experience similar to that of kneading by a human hand may be realized, which may further improve the massage effect.

[0115] Further, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, since the massage arm portion includes the cam cover and the massage body, physical stimulation may be effectively applied to a certain range of the region to be massaged.

[0116] Further, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, since a pair of massage arm portions is driven together when one main rod portion is rotated, physical stimulation may be applied simultaneously from both sides to the region to be massaged.

[0117] Further, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the pair of massage arm portions driven together is driven in a symmetrical state, and therefore it is possible to apply more effective physical stimulation to both sides of the region to be massaged.

[0118] Further, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the insertion depth of one end of the ball joint portion is variable by the guide bushing installed in the cam cover, whereby the ball joint portion may be smoothly driven even if the ball guide groove portion is formed linearly.

[0119] Further, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer diameter of one end of the ball joint portion and the inner diameter of the guide bushing correspond to each other, whereby the one end of the ball joint portion inserted into the guide bushing may be efficiently driven only in the longitudinal direction.

[0120] Further, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the massage arm portion may be moved upward and downward in the longitudinal direction of the base portion, whereby the region to be massaged may be automatically changed and massaged more conveniently.

[0121] Further, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the rack gear is installed at the base portion and the pinion gear is installed at the massage arm portion, whereby the massage arm portion may be moved upward and downward more precisely and stably.

[0122] Further, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the main rod portion and the pinion gear are rotated together by one driver, whereby it is possible to further simplify the overall structure by minimizing the number of drivers.

[0123] Further, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the elastically deformable elastic body is installed on the outer surface of the massage body of the massage arm portion, whereby it is possible to buffer pressure that is improperly applied to the region to be massaged to a certain extent.

[0124] Further, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the elastic body includes the air bag, whereby it is possible to adjust the pressure applied to the region to be massaged by adjusting the air pressure.

[0125] Further, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer surface of the massage body on which the elastic body is installed is uneven, whereby extra space may be secured for the elastic body to be deformed under pressure.

[0126] Further, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the massage body is hingedly coupled to the end of the cam cover, whereby it is possible to adjust the placement of the massage arm portion so as to correspond to each user's region to be massaged when users having different body characteristics receive massage.

[0127] Further, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the hinge rotation of the massage body may be appropriately adjusted through the torsion spring, whereby the massage arm portion may be appropriately in contact with each user's region to be massaged when massage is performed on users with different body characteristics.

Claims

1. A body care apparatus comprising: a base portion; a main rod portion installed so as to be rotatable about a rod rotating shaft in a transverse direction of the base portion; an angled cam portion configured such that the main rod portion extends and is coupled through a section thereof that is not parallel to an imaginary line orthogonal to the rod rotating shaft so as to be rotated together with the main rod portion; a massage arm portion coupled to the angled cam portion so as to be constrained to displacement other than rotation of the angled cam portion; a ball guide groove portion continuously formed in the base portion in the transverse direction; and a ball joint portion configured such that one rod-shaped end thereof is coupled to the massage arm portion and the other spherical end thereof is inserted into the ball guide groove portion.

2. The body care apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the massage arm portion comprises: a cam cover configured to cover the angled cam portion and to allow the angled cam portion to rotate therein while sliding; and a massage body installed on an end of the cam cover so as to extend in a longitudinal direction.

3. The body care apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the angled cam portion is disposed on the main rod portion in a pair, and the massage arm portion is disposed on each of the angled cam portions.

4. The body care apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pair of angled cam portions is disposed on the main rod portion in a symmetrical state.

5. The body care apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the massage arm portion further comprises a guide bushing installed at a part where the cam cover is coupled to the ball joint portion such that an insertion depth of one end of the ball joint portion is variable.

6. The body care apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an inner diameter of the guide bushing corresponds to an outer diameter of the one end of the ball joint portion.

7. The body care apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the massage arm portion is moved upward and downward relative to the base portion in a longitudinal direction.

8. The body care apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the base portion has a rack gear installed thereon in the longitudinal direction, and the massage arm portion has a pinion gear engageable with the rack gear.

9. The body care apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a driver configured to rotate the main rod portion about the rod rotating shaft, wherein the driver rotates the pinion gear with rotation of the main rod portion.

10. The body care apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the massage arm portion further comprises an elastic body installed on an outer surface of the massage body so as to be elastically deformable.

11. The body care apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the elastic body includes an air bag having an adjustable degree of air injection.

12. The body care apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the elastic body is installed on the outer surface of the massage body so as to form an uneven surface.

13. The body care apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the massage body is hingedly coupled to an end of the cam cover.

14. The body care apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the massage arm portion further comprises a torsion spring provided at a part where the massage body is coupled to the end of the cam cover.

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