Connection device for a massage head

Abstract

Connection device for a massage head. Connection device (4) for pneumatically and electrically connecting a massage head (3) to a station (2), the station comprising a pneumatic means (5), characterized in that it comprises a first conduit (18) intended to be connected to the station (2) and a second conduit (20) intended to be connected to the massage head (3), the first conduit and the second conduit being removably connected to each other, at least one of the first and second conduits comprising a first portion and a second portion connected to each other by a pivoting connection means (33) about a longitudinal axis (X). Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Connection device for a massage head. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a connection device for a massage head. The invention also relates to a massage device comprising such a connection device and a massage head. The invention further relates to a massage installation comprising a station equipped with pneumatic and electrical means and such a massage device. Prior art

[0002] For performing massages on the human body, massage devices equipped with a massage head that exerts a mechanical action on the skin are known. In particular, massage heads suitable for performing a rolling massage are known. Such massage heads comprise rollers mounted to rotate within a treatment chamber. These rollers, or at least one of them, are generally motorized so as to rotate around their axis and / or to move within the treatment chamber. The treatment chamber is connected to a suction device configured to generate a vacuum and thus form a skin fold. The massage head is then moved across the skin surface to perform a massage. Publication EP3151806A1 discloses such a massage device.

[0003] The massage head is generally manipulated and applied against a patient's body by a practitioner who thus performs a body treatment. In order to make the massage head relatively light and easy to handle, the power supply and suction means necessary for the proper functioning of the massage head are generally located on a station such as a trolley positioned near the patient. The massage head is therefore connected both electrically and pneumatically to the station. However, these various connections hinder the performance of the treatment. Indeed, to reach different areas of the patient's body, the practitioner must move around and turn around the patient. The practitioner must therefore constantly be concerned with the positioning of the pneumatic and electrical connections. These connections must neither impede the practitioner's movements nor cause discomfort to the patient.Furthermore, manipulating the massage head puts mechanical stress on these connecting parts, which eventually break. Presentation of the invention

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a connection device for a massage head that remedies the above drawbacks and improves the connection devices. cording known from previous art.

[0005] More specifically, a first object of the invention is a connecting device for a massage head that facilitates the handling of the massage head. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention relates to a connection device for pneumatically and electrically connecting a massage head to a station, the station comprising a pneumatic means and an electrical means, the connection device comprising a first part intended to be connected to the station and a second part intended to be connected to the massage head, the first part and the second part being removably fixed to each other, the first part being provided with a first pneumatic conduit and a first electrical connection means, the second part being provided with a second pneumatic conduit and a second electrical connection means, the first pneumatic conduit and the second pneumatic conduit being removably connected to each other, the first electrical connection means and the second electrical connection means being removably connected to each other,at least one of the first pneumatic conduit and the second pneumatic conduit comprising a first portion and a second portion connected to each other by a pivot joint about a longitudinal axis along which the first pneumatic conduit or the second pneumatic conduit extends.

[0007] The connecting device may include stop means to limit the amplitude of rotation of said pivot connecting means.

[0008] The amplitude of rotation of said pivot link means can be between 300° and 360°.

[0009] The first electrical connection means may include a first set of electrical conductors distributed over the circumference of the first pneumatic conduit, and / or the second electrical connection means may include a second set of electrical conductors distributed over the circumference of the second pneumatic conduit.

[0010] The first electrical connection means and the second electrical connection means may each comprise at least four separate electrical conductors for supplying the massage head with energy and for exchanging data between the station and the massage head.

[0011] The connecting device may include a reversible fastening means between the first part and the second part, the fastening means comprising a bayonet connection means provided with a locking ring and a return means bearing against the locking ring, the fastening means being configured such that that a locking of the first part to the second part is obtained by a translational movement along the longitudinal axis bringing the first part closer to the second part, and / or the fastening means being configured so that an unlocking of the first part to the second part is obtained by a rotational movement of the locking ring against the return means combined with a translational movement along the longitudinal axis moving the first part away from the second part.

[0012] Said pivot connection means may include at least one plain bearing.

[0013] The connection device may include a first sealing means configured to seal the connection between the first pneumatic conduit and the second pneumatic conduit, and / or it may include a second sealing means configured to seal the connection between said first portion and said second portion.

[0014] The invention also relates to a massage device comprising a connecting device as defined above and a massage head, said second part of the connecting device being fixed directly to the massage head.

[0015] The invention also relates to a massage installation comprising a station equipped with a pneumatic means and an electrical means, and a massage device as defined above, said first part of the connection device being connected to the station by a flexible pneumatic line and an electrical cable passing inside the flexible pneumatic line. Presentation of the figures

[0016] These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which:

[0017] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a massage installation according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0018] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a connection device according to a mode of the realization of the invention.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connection device.

[0020] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first part of the rac device cordage.

[0021] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a second part of the connection device.

[0022] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of some components of the second part of the connecting device. Detailed description

[0023] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a massage installation 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The massage installation 1 comprises a station 2, a massage head 3, and a connecting device 4 arranged between the station 2 and the massage head 3.

[0024] Station 2 may, for example, be a trolley mounted on casters. Station 2 comprises a pneumatic means 5 and an electrical means 6. The pneumatic means 5 may, in particular, be a suction means. It may be configured to generate a relative vacuum, for example, of 0.8 bar, or even 0.9 bar. The electrical means 6 may be configured to supply electrical power to the massage head 3 and / or to exchange data, including digital data, with the massage head 3. The electrical means 6 may, for example, comprise an electrical transformer and / or a computer. In addition, station 2 may also comprise control means 7 for the pneumatic means 5, including means for adjusting the level of relative vacuum. Station 2 may also comprise control means 8 for the electrical means 6.Finally, station 2 may also include means for viewing 9 patient characteristics and / or operating parameters of the massage head 3. Station 2 can be connected to an electricity distribution network.

[0025] The massage head 3 can be configured to perform a "palpate-roll" type massage. It may include rollers 10 mounted for rotation within a treatment chamber 11 delimited by a set of walls. The massage head 3 includes drive means 12 configured to rotate all or part of the rollers 10 around their axis and / or to move all or part of the rollers 10 within the treatment chamber 11. The treatment chamber 11 is connected to the pneumatic means 5, and the drive means 12 are connected to the electrical means 6 by means of the connection device 4. Thus, a vacuum can be created in the treatment chamber 11 to form a skin fold. The skin fold is then massaged by said rollers. Advantageously, the massage head 3 may also include a handle allowing the practitioner to manipulate it easily.In addition, the massage head may also include one or more sensors 13 capable of measuring skin characteristics. A sensor 13 may, for example, be configured to measure the height of a skin fold formed in the treatment chamber 11. The sensor(s) 13 are then electrically connected to the electrical means 6 of the station 2 by means of the connection device 4. The massage head 3 may also include control means and / or visualization means connected to the electrical means 6 by means of the connection device 4.

[0026] The connection device 4 is therefore configured to pneumatically and electrically connect the massage head 3 to the station 2. The connection device 4 The device comprises a first part 14 pneumatically and electrically connected to station 2 and a second part 15 pneumatically and electrically connected to the massage head 3. The first part 14 and the second part 15 are removably attached to each other. It is therefore possible to disconnect the massage head 3 from station 2. This allows, in particular, the connection of different massage heads to the same station 2 and / or maintenance operations on the massage head 3. The first part 14 of the connection device is connected to station 2 via a flexible pneumatic line 16 and an electrical cable 17 passing inside the flexible pneumatic line 16. The flexible pneumatic line 16 and the electrical cable 17 can, for example, be two or three meters long. The second part 15 is attached directly to the massage head 3, or even integrated into the massage head 3.

[0027] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate in more detail the connection device 4. The first part 14 is provided with a first pneumatic conduit 18 and a first electrical connection means 19. The second part 15 is also provided with a second pneumatic conduit 20 and a second electrical connection means 21.

[0028] The first pneumatic conduit 18 and the second pneumatic conduit 20 are arranged in line with each other and pneumatically connected to each other in a removable manner. A longitudinal axis X can be defined as the axis along which the first pneumatic conduit and the second pneumatic conduit extend. In particular, the first pneumatic conduit 18 is a female pneumatic conduit and the second pneumatic conduit 20 is a male pneumatic conduit partially engaged inside the first pneumatic conduit 18. Alternatively, this arrangement could be reversed. Sealing cones 22, 23 can be provided respectively on the inner periphery of the first pneumatic conduit 18 and on the outer periphery of the second pneumatic conduit 20 to ensure a leak-proof and removable connection between these two conduits.

[0029] Similarly, the first electrical connection means 19 and the second electrical connection means 21 are electrically connected to each other in a removable manner. As can be more clearly seen in [Fig. 4], the first electrical connection means 19 comprises a first set of electrical conductors 24 distributed around the circumference of the first pneumatic conduit 18. Likewise, the second electrical connection means 21 comprises a second set of electrical conductors 25 distributed around the circumference of the second pneumatic conduit 20. The electrical conductors 24, 25 may be metallic strips, for example made of copper, for example rectangular in shape, fixed to an insulating support. These metallic strips extend parallel to the longitudinal axis X.

[0030] Each electrical conductor 24 of the first assembly is intended to come into contact of an electrical conductor 25 of the second assembly to allow the passage of an electric current between the two parts 14 and 15 of the connecting device. These electrical connecting means 19, 21 are both simple to manufacture and offer a large contact surface between them, which allows for very good transmission of the electric current from one conductor to the other. The electrical conductors 24 are distributed uniformly around the inner circumference of a tubular support 26, while the electrical conductors 25 are distributed uniformly around the outer circumference of a tubular support 27. The electrical conductors 24 and 25 may exhibit a certain radial elasticity to ensure good contact between them.

[0031] The pneumatic conduits 18 and 20 are arranged respectively inside the supports 26 and 27. The electrical conductors 24 and 25 are therefore arranged outside the airflow through the pneumatic conduits 18 and 20 but inside an external casing of the connection device 4. They are thus protected both against impurities that could be carried in the airflow circulating in the pneumatic conduits 18 and 20 (for example, bodily residues and / or cosmetic products), and against external contact.

[0032] The electrical conductors 24 are electrically connected to the cable 17 arranged inside the flexible pneumatic duct 16. For this purpose, the first pneumatic duct 18 includes a radial opening 28 through which the cable 17 passes. Note that a protective sheath for the cable can be removed from the radial opening 28 or shortly before it, so as to expose electrical wires 37 inside the sheath. The connection device 4 includes sealing means configured so that the airflow circulating in the first pneumatic duct 18 does not escape through the opening 28.

[0033] The first electrical connection means 19 and the second electrical connection means 21 comprise four electrical conductors 24 and four electrical conductors 25, respectively. The cable 17 comprises four electrical wires 37, each connected to an electrical conductor 24. A first pair of electrical conductors 24, 25 is intended to transmit a power supply current to the massage head 3, for example, with a voltage of twelve volts. A second pair of electrical conductors 24, 25 is intended to establish grounding. A third and fourth pair of electrical conductors 24, 25 form a CAN-type bus for exchanging data between the massage head 3 and the electrical means 6 of the station 2.As a note, the third pair of electrical conductors and the fourth pair of electrical conductors can be connected together by a resistor integrated into the connection device 4 in order to filter the signals and thus improve the quality of data transfer between the massage head 3 and the station 2.

[0034] The first pneumatic conduit 18 comprises a first portion 29 and a second portion 30 connected to each other by a pivot joint about the longitudinal axis X. The first portion 29 is fixed to the end of the flexible pneumatic conduit 16, in particular by means of a fir-tree type fitting 31 inserted inside the flexible pneumatic conduit 16. This first portion 29 is equipped with a first ring 32 around which is arranged a self-lubricating, tubular plain bearing 33. The second portion 30 is removably fixed to the second part 15 of the connection device. The second portion 30 is equipped with a second ring 34 arranged around the plain bearing 33. This provides rotational guidance of the second portion 30 relative to the first portion 29, as indicated by arrow Fl in [Fig. 2].According to one embodiment, this rotational guidance could also be achieved by means of bearings instead of plain bearings, in particular ball and / or needle bearings. Thus, the massage head can rotate around the longitudinal axis X relative to the flexible pneumatic line 16. This avoids twisting the flexible pneumatic line 16. According to another embodiment, the second pneumatic line 20 could comprise a first portion and a second portion connected to each other by a pivoting connection about the longitudinal axis X. The second ring 34 can be covered by a finishing ring 48 which encloses and protects various components of the first part 14 of the connection device while giving a smooth and clean appearance to the connection device.

[0035] Furthermore, the connecting device includes stop means configured to limit the amplitude of rotation of said pivot connecting means. In particular, the first ring 32 includes a first stop means 35A and the second ring 34 includes a second stop means 35B cooperating with the first stop means 35A to limit the amplitude of rotation. The first stop means 35A may be a lug projecting radially outwards and the second stop means 35B may be a lug projecting radially inwards. Limiting the amplitude of rotation of said pivot connecting means prevents the cable 17 from twisting inside the flexible pneumatic line 16.Indeed, as the electrical connection between the first electrical connection means 19 and the second electrical connection means 21 does not include a rotating electrical contact means, a large number of rotations of the massage head 3 relative to the flexible pneumatic line 16 could lead to tangling and then destruction of the cable 17. On the other hand, the cable 17 has a certain flexibility allowing it to be twisted within a certain limit.

[0036] The rotation range of said pivot joint means can be between 300° and 360°. The rotation range is defined by the dimensioning of the stop means. 35A, 35B. The stop means 35A, 35B may come into contact with each other along two first sides or along two second sides opposite the first sides. The stop means may be relatively thin to obtain a large range of rotation while remaining sufficiently thick to avoid deformation during use of the massage head. Thus, a rotation range of approximately 340° can be obtained for the pivoting linkage.

[0037] In addition, aramid wires inside the cable sheath 17 can be secured to the second ring 34. The second ring advantageously includes a hole for the passage of the aramid wires and a means for attaching the aramid wires. The aramid wires withstand the tensile forces exerted on the cable 17 during operation of the massage head 3, thus avoiding mechanical stress on the electrical wires 37. Furthermore, the connection device also includes a retaining element 49 for the electrical wires 37, which is secured to the second ring 34.

[0038] The connecting device includes sealing means configured to seal the connection between the first portion 29 and the second portion 30. These sealing means include flexible materials, in particular an O-ring 36. This O-ring 36 can be arranged between the first ring 32 and the second ring 34.

[0039] The connecting device also includes a reversible fastening means between the first part 14 and the second part 15. The fastening means includes a bayonet-type connection. In particular, the first part 14, clearly visible in [Fig. 4], includes a locking ring 38 provided with a male fastening interface 39. The fastening interface 39 cooperates with a receiver 40 of the second part 15, clearly visible in [Fig. 5]. The fastening interface 39 includes two lugs 41 and an opening 42 through which a radial rib 43 protrudes. The locking ring 38 is rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis X relative to the second ring 34. The rib 43 is integral with the second ring 34. The opening 42 is dimensioned to allow rotation of the locking ring relative to the second ring 34.The receiver 40 comprises two L-shaped openings 44 for cooperating with the two lugs 41 and a longitudinal groove 45 for cooperating with the rib 43. The cooperation of the lugs 41 with the openings 44 allows the first part to be fixed to the second part according to the principle of a bayonet connection. The cooperation of the rib 43 with the groove 45 provides, on the one hand, a guiding means during the insertion of the first part 14 into the second part 15, on the other hand, a means of preventing rotation between the second ring 34 and the second part 15, and finally an indexing means allowing the correct orientation of the first part 14 relative to the second part 15 during the connection of these two parts. Thus, the electrical conductors 24 and 25 are cor- . matched perfectly.

[0040] Advantageously, the connecting device also includes a return means 46, in particular in the form of a torsion spring, bearing on one side against the locking ring 38 and on the other against the second ring 34. The return means tends to rotate the locking ring into a locked position, that is to say, into a position such that the lugs 41 are placed at the bottom of the L-shaped openings 44. The return means 46 thus acts so as to keep the fastening interface 39 engaged in the receiver 40. To disengage the fastening interface 39 from the receiver 40, a user must rotate the locking ring 38 around the longitudinal axis X against the return means 46, and then apply a pulling force between the two parts 14 and 15 along the longitudinal axis X (as indicated by the double arrow in [Fig. 1]).Thus, the two parts 14 and 15 cannot be accidentally separated from each other. The practitioner can freely manipulate the massage head without risk of unintentionally activating the fastening means between the two parts 14 and 15.

[0041] Advantageously, the locking ring 38 has raised features on its outer edge that facilitate the application of rotational torque by the user. These raised features also have an orientation that indicates to the user the direction in which the locking ring should be turned. The locking ring 38 is arranged in line with the finishing ring 48. The locking ring 38 can be rotated by grasping the massage head 3 or the finishing ring 48 with one hand, and the locking ring 38 with the other hand.

[0042] Furthermore, the fastening means is configured so that locking of the first part to the second part is achieved by a simple translational movement along the longitudinal axis X by bringing the first part closer to the second part. This is achieved thanks to a specific shape of the lugs 41 and the openings 44 which form ramps capable of inducing the rotation of the locking ring 38, against the return means 46, when the lugs 41 press against the edges of the openings 44. Thus, the fastening, or in other words the connection, of the two parts 14 and 15 of the connecting device is particularly simple to perform since it is sufficient to position the rib 43 opposite the groove 45 and then push the two parts 14, 15 against each other.

[0043] The second part 15 of the fastening device comprises fastening means 47, in particular fastening clips intended to cooperate with a housing for the massage head 3. The fastening means 47 are not necessarily removable insofar as the massage head can be separated from the flexible pneumatic line 16 using the reversible fastening means between the first part 14 and the second part 15 described above. The second part 15 comprises a pneumatic outlet which opens into the treatment chamber 11 of the massage head and electrical connection means with the motorization means 12 and the sensors 13. The combination of the connection device 4 and the massage head 3 forms a massage device 50.

[0044] Finally, thanks to the invention, a connection device is provided between a station and a massage head, allowing for very easy handling of the massage head. The connection device allows the station to be connected pneumatically and electrically to the massage head, while also allowing the massage head to rotate. The connection device is robust and is unlikely to break or come apart during use of the massage head. Furthermore, the connection device allows the massage head to be disassembled, for example, for maintenance or replacement. Assembling and disassembling the two parts of the connection device is particularly simple.

Claims

Demands

1. A connection device (4) for pneumatically and electrically connecting a massage head (3) to a station (2), the station comprising a pneumatic means (5) and an electrical means (6), characterized in that it comprises a first part (14) intended to be connected to the station (2) and a second part (15) intended to be connected to the massage head (3), the first part and the second part being removably fixed to each other, the first part (14) being provided with a first pneumatic conduit (18) and a first electrical connection means (19), the second part (15) being provided with a second pneumatic conduit (20) and a second electrical connection means (21), the first pneumatic conduit and the second pneumatic conduit being removably connected to each other, the first electrical connection means and the second electrical connection means being removably connected to each other,at least one of the first pneumatic conduit (18) and the second pneumatic conduit (20) comprising a first portion and a second portion connected to each other by a pivoting connection means (33) about a longitudinal axis (X) along which the first pneumatic conduit or the second pneumatic conduit extends.

2. Connection device (4) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises stop means (35A, 35B) for limiting an amplitude of rotation of said pivot connecting means.

3. Connection device (4) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the amplitude of rotation of said pivot connecting means is between 300° and 360°.

4. Connection device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first electrical connection means (19) comprises a first set of electrical conductors (24) distributed over the circumference of the first pneumatic conduit (18), and / or in that the second electrical connection means (21) comprises a second set of electrical conductors (25) distributed over the circumference of the second pneumatic conduit (19).

5. A connection device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first electrical connection means (19) and the second electrical connection means (21) each comprise at least four separate electrical conductors for supplying the massage head (3) in energy and to exchange data between the station (2) and the massage head (3).

6. A connecting device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a reversible fastening means between the first part and the second part, the fastening means comprising a bayonet connecting means provided with a locking ring (38) and a return means (46) bearing against the locking ring, the fastening means being configured such that locking of the first part (14) to the second part (15) is obtained by a translational movement along the longitudinal axis (X) bringing the first part closer to the second part, and / or the fastening means being configured such that unlocking of the first part (14) to the second part (15) is obtained by a rotational movement of the locking ring (38) against the return means (46) combined with a translational movement along the longitudinal axis (X) moving the first part away from the second part.

7. A connecting device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pivot connecting means comprises at least one plain bearing (33).

8. Connection device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a first sealing means (22, 23) configured to seal the connection between the first pneumatic conduit (18) and the second pneumatic conduit (20), and / or in that it comprises a second sealing means (36) configured to seal the connection between said first portion and said second portion.

9. Massage device (50) comprising a connecting device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims and a massage head (3), said second part (15) of the connecting device being fixed directly to the massage head.

10. Massage installation (1) comprising a station (2) provided with a pneumatic means (5) and an electrical means (4), and a massage apparatus (50) according to the preceding claim, said first part (14) of the connection device being connected to the station by a flexible pneumatic line (16) and an electrical cable (17) passing inside the flexible pneumatic line.

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