Vibration stimulator

Abstract

To disclose one embodiment of a device and method capable of effectively promoting a user's venous return and neural activities.SOLUTION: A control part can execute a simulation travel mode control that vibrates a first vibration applicator 3 and a second vibration applicator 4 by turns. During the simulation travel mode control, the first vibration applicator 3 and the second vibration applicator 4 are mutually vibrated so that at least a first vibration period and a second vibration period are displaced. The first vibration period refers to a time when the first vibration applicator 3 vibrates with a maximum amplitude. The second vibration period refers to a time when the second vibration applicator 4 vibrates with a maximum amplitude.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vibration stimulation device for promoting the user's venous return (also known as "milking action") and neural activity (projections from muscle and tendon receptors to sensory neurons and motor neurons via interneurons). [Background technology]

[0002] For example, the invention described in Patent Document 1 states that "the footrest applies vibrations to the whole body in the left-right and front-back directions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 168372 / 1983 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides an example of a device and method that can effectively stimulate venous return and neural activity in a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The vibration stimulation device preferably includes at least one of the following components: a first vibration imparting device (3) for imparting vibration to the right side of the user's body, a second vibration imparting device (4) for imparting vibration to the left side of the user's body, and a control unit (5) for controlling the operation of the first vibration imparting device (3) and the second vibration imparting device (4), the control unit (5) being capable of executing simulated running mode control for alternately vibrating the first vibration imparting device (3) and the second vibration imparting device (4).

[0006] As a result, the vibration stimulation device can apply stimulation to the user's body that is similar to the muscle activity patterns experienced during walking or jogging, thereby effectively promoting the user's venous return and nerve activity.

[0007] The vibration stimulation device may have the following configuration. That is, when the time when the first vibration imparting device (3) vibrates at the maximum amplitude is defined as the first vibration period, and the time when the second vibration imparting device (4) vibrates at the maximum amplitude is defined as the second vibration period, during the simulated traveling mode control, it is desirable that the control unit (5) alternately vibrates the first vibration imparting device (3) and the second vibration imparting device (4) so ​​that at least the first vibration period and the second vibration period are shifted from each other.

[0008] Furthermore, during the simulated travel mode control, it is desirable that the vibration waveform when the control unit (5) vibrates the first vibration imparting device (3) or the second vibration imparting device (4) is (1) a composite vibration wave of a first frequency of 20 Hz or more and 110 Hz or less and a second frequency of more than 0 Hz and 40 Hz or less, and (2) the amplitude of the first frequency is 30% or more of the composite vibration wave amplitude, and the amplitude of the second frequency is 70% or less of the composite vibration wave amplitude.

[0009] Incidentally, the symbols in each of the parentheses above are examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations, etc. described in the embodiments described below, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations, etc. shown by the symbols in the parentheses above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a seat according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an electrical system block diagram of the seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 4 is a time chart showing the operation of the vibration imparting device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a driving waveform of the vibration imparting device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5]5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of a driving waveform of the vibration imparting device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of how a vibration imparting device according to a second embodiment is attached. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following "embodiments of the invention" are examples of embodiments that fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the invention-specific matters described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the following embodiments.

[0012] This embodiment is an example in which the vibration stimulation device and vibration stimulation method according to the present disclosure are applied to a seat installed in a vehicle such as a car or a seat such as an easy chair. Note that at least one component or part described with a reference numeral is provided unless otherwise specified, such as "one." The seat shown in this disclosure includes at least one of the components such as the component or part described with a reference numeral and the structural parts shown in the drawings.

[0013] (First embodiment) <1. Sheet Overview> 1, the seat 1 according to this embodiment is configured to include at least a seat body 2, a first vibration imparting device 3, a second vibration imparting device 4, and a control unit 5 (see FIG. 2). The seat body 2 has at least one of a seat cushion 2A, a seat back 2B, and an ottoman (not shown).

[0014] The seat body 2 according to this embodiment has a seat cushion 2A and a seat back 2B. The seat cushion 2A supports the lower body, such as the legs, of the seated occupant. The seat back 2B supports the upper body, such as the waist and back, of the seated occupant. The ottoman supports the lower body, such as the calves, below the knees, of the seated occupant.

[0015] The first vibration imparting device 3 is disposed on the right side of the center of the seat width direction of the seat main body 2 and applies vibrations to the seated occupant. The second vibration imparting device 4 is disposed on the left side of the center of the seat width direction of the seat main body 2 and applies vibrations to the seated occupant.

[0016] In this embodiment, the first vibration imparting device 3 and the second vibration imparting device 4 are embedded in the seat cushion 2A. The first vibration imparting device 3 and the second vibration imparting device 4 are configured by vibrators of an electric actuator type.

[0017] The control unit 5 is a controller that controls the operation of the first vibration imparting device 3 and the second vibration imparting device 4. The control unit 5 is capable of executing simulated running mode control in which the first vibration imparting device 3 and the second vibration imparting device 4 are vibrated alternately.

[0018] 2, the first drive circuit 6A receives a command from the control unit 5 to drive the first vibration imparting device 3. The second drive circuit 6B receives a command from the control unit 5 to drive the second vibration imparting device 4. The power supply 7 supplies power to the control unit 5, the first drive circuit 6A, the second drive circuit 6B, etc.

[0019] <2. Details of simulated driving mode control> During simulated driving mode control, the control unit 5 alternately vibrates the first vibration imparting device 3 and the second vibration imparting device 4 so that at least the first vibration period and the second vibration period are offset, as shown in Fig. 3. The first vibration period refers to the time during which the first vibration imparting device 3 vibrates at the maximum amplitude. The second vibration period refers to the time during which the second vibration imparting device 4 vibrates at the maximum amplitude.

[0020] The control unit 5 controls the operation of the first vibration imparting device 3 and the second vibration imparting device 4 so that the vibration waveform when vibrating the first vibration imparting device 3 or the second vibration imparting device 4 during simulated driving mode control becomes the waveform shown in Figure 4.

[0021] The vibration waveform is a composite vibration wave (see Figure 4) of a "first frequency (see Figure 5A) greater than 20 Hz and less than 110 Hz" and a "second frequency (see Figure 5B) greater than 0 Hz and less than 40 Hz," in which the amplitude of the first frequency is 30% or more of the composite vibration wave amplitude and the amplitude of the second frequency is 70% or less of the composite vibration wave amplitude.

[0022] 3. Features of the seat (vibration stimulation device and vibration stimulation method) according to this embodiment The control unit 5 according to this embodiment is capable of executing simulated running mode control in which the first vibration imparting device 3 and the second vibration imparting device 4 are vibrated alternately.

[0023] As a result, the seat 1, i.e., the vibration stimulation device, may be able to apply stimulation to the user's body similar to the muscle activity patterns experienced during walking or jogging (see Figure 3), thereby effectively promoting venous return and neural activity in the seated person.

[0024] (Second embodiment) In the above-described embodiment, the vibration stimulation device and the vibration stimulation method according to the present disclosure are applied to a seat. In contrast, the present embodiment is a vibration stimulation device including a first fixing device 6C for fixing the first vibration imparting device 3 in close contact with the body of a user, and a second fixing device 6D for fixing the second vibration imparting device 4 in close contact with the body of a user, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B.

[0025] The first fixing device 6C and the second fixing device 6D according to this embodiment are fixing devices that can be easily attached and detached, such as hook-and-loop fasteners. Note that the attachment positions of the vibration imparting devices 3 and 4 shown in Figures 6A and 6B are examples.

[0026] The muscles to be vibrated may be any part, such as the muscle belly or tendon, because venous return and nerve activity can be effectively promoted at any part.

[0027] The above description is about the differences from the above-described embodiment. The same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, in this embodiment, duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0028] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, the first vibration imparting device 3 and the second vibration imparting device 4 are embedded in the seat cushion. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be configured such that the first vibration imparting device 3 and the second vibration imparting device 4 are embedded in at least one of the seat back and the ottoman, for example.

[0029] In the above-described embodiment, the waveform used to vibrate the first vibration imparting device 3 or the second vibration imparting device 4 is a composite vibration wave (see FIG. 4) of a "first frequency (see FIG. 5A) of 20 Hz or more and 110 Hz or less" and a "second frequency (see FIG. 5B) of more than 0 Hz and 40 Hz or less," in which the amplitude of the first frequency is 30% or more of the composite vibration wave amplitude and the amplitude of the second frequency is 70% or less of the composite vibration wave amplitude. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0030] During simulated driving mode control, the control unit 5 according to the above-described embodiment alternately vibrates the first vibration imparting device 3 and the second vibration imparting device 4 so that the first vibration period and the second vibration period are out of sync. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0031] In the simulated travel mode control according to the above-described embodiment, the vibration pattern of the first vibration imparting device 3 and the vibration pattern of the second vibration imparting device 4 are the same. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure also applies to a case where the vibration pattern of the first vibration imparting device 3 and the vibration pattern of the second vibration imparting device 4 are different. Note that different vibration patterns mean that at least one of the vibration imparting time, maximum amplitude, waveform, etc. is different, for example.

[0032] In the above-described embodiment, one each of the first vibration imparting device 3 and the second vibration imparting device 4 is provided. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be configured such that a plurality of first vibration imparting devices and a plurality of second vibration imparting devices are provided.

[0033] In this configuration, for example, among the multiple first vibration imparting devices, the vibration start timing of a specific first vibration imparting device may be different from that of the other first vibration imparting devices, and among the multiple second vibration imparting devices, the vibration start timing of a specific second vibration imparting device may be different from that of the other second vibration imparting devices.

[0034] Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments as long as it conforms to the spirit of the disclosure described in the above-described embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure may be a configuration in which at least two of the above-described embodiments are combined, or a configuration in which any of the components illustrated or described with reference numerals in the above-described embodiments is eliminated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1... sheet 2... Seat body 2A... Seat cushion 2B... Seat back 3... First vibration applicator 4... Second vibration applicator 5... Control section

Claims

1. A first vibration applicator for applying vibration to a right side of the body of a user; A second vibration imparting device for imparting vibration to the left side of the user's body; a control unit that controls operation of the first vibration imparting device and the second vibration imparting device, and that is capable of executing a simulated running mode control in which the first vibration imparting device and the second vibration imparting device are alternately vibrated; A vibration stimulation device comprising:

2. When a time during which the first vibration applicator vibrates at the maximum amplitude is defined as a first vibration period, and a time during which the second vibration applicator vibrates at the maximum amplitude is defined as a second vibration period, The vibration stimulation device according to claim 1 , wherein during the simulated driving mode control, the control unit alternately vibrates the first vibration applicator and the second vibration applicator so that at least a first vibration period and a second vibration period are out of sync.

3. During the simulated driving mode control, the control unit vibrates the first vibration imparting device or the second vibration imparting device, and the vibration waveform is A composite vibration wave of a first frequency of 20 Hz or more and 110 Hz or less and a second frequency of 0 Hz or more and 40 Hz or less, The amplitude of the first frequency is 30% or more of the composite vibration wave amplitude, and the amplitude of the second frequency is 70% or less of the composite vibration wave amplitude.

3. The vibration stimulation device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A first vibration applicator for applying vibration to a right side of the body of a user; A vibration stimulation method using a second vibration applicator for applying vibration to the left side of the user's body, A vibration stimulation method in which the first vibration applicator and the second vibration applicator are alternately vibrated.

5. When a time during which the first vibration applicator vibrates at the maximum amplitude is defined as a first vibration period, and a time during which the second vibration applicator vibrates at the maximum amplitude is defined as a second vibration period, 5. The vibration stimulation method according to claim 4, wherein the first vibration applicator and the second vibration applicator are alternately vibrated so that at least a first vibration period and a second vibration period are shifted from each other.

6. A vibration waveform when vibrating the first vibration imparting device or the second vibration imparting device is A composite vibration wave of a first frequency of 20 Hz or more and 110 Hz or less and a second frequency of 0 Hz or more and 40 Hz or less, The amplitude of the first frequency is 30% or more of the composite vibration wave amplitude, and the amplitude of the second frequency is 70% or less of the composite vibration wave amplitude. The vibration stimulation method according to claim 4 or 5.

7. a seat body including at least one of a seat cushion, a seat back, and an ottoman; a first vibration imparting device that is disposed on the seat body to the right of a center in a seat width direction and that imparts vibrations to a seated occupant; A second vibration imparting device is disposed on the seat body on the left side of the center in the seat width direction and imparts vibration to a seated occupant; a control unit that controls operation of the first vibration imparting device and the second vibration imparting device, and that is capable of executing a simulated running mode control in which the first vibration imparting device and the second vibration imparting device are alternately vibrated; A seat comprising:

8. When a time during which the first vibration applicator vibrates at the maximum amplitude is defined as a first vibration period, and a time during which the second vibration applicator vibrates at the maximum amplitude is defined as a second vibration period, The seat according to claim 7 , wherein during the simulated driving mode control, the control unit alternately vibrates the first vibration applicator and the second vibration applicator so that at least a first vibration period and a second vibration period are out of sync.

9. During the simulated driving mode control, the control unit vibrates the first vibration imparting device or the second vibration imparting device, and the vibration waveform is A composite vibration wave of a first frequency of 20 Hz or more and 110 Hz or less and a second frequency of 0 Hz or more and 40 Hz or less, The amplitude of the first frequency is 30% or more of the composite vibration wave amplitude, and the amplitude of the second frequency is 70% or less of the composite vibration wave amplitude.

9. The sheet according to claim 7 or 8.

10. A first vibration applicator for applying vibration to a right side of the body of a user; a first fixing device for fixing the first vibration imparting device in close contact with a user's body; A second vibration imparting device for imparting vibration to the left side of the user's body; a second fixing device for fixing the second vibration imparting device in close contact with a user's body; a control unit that controls operation of the first vibration imparting device and the second vibration imparting device, and that is capable of executing a simulated running mode control in which the first vibration imparting device and the second vibration imparting device are alternately vibrated; A vibration stimulation device comprising:

11. When a time during which the first vibration applicator vibrates at the maximum amplitude is defined as a first vibration period, and a time during which the second vibration applicator vibrates at the maximum amplitude is defined as a second vibration period, The vibration stimulation device according to claim 10, wherein during the simulated driving mode control, the control unit alternately vibrates the first vibration applicator and the second vibration applicator so that at least a first vibration period and a second vibration period are out of sync.

12. During the simulated driving mode control, the control unit vibrates the first vibration imparting device or the second vibration imparting device, and the vibration waveform is A composite vibration wave of a first frequency of 20 Hz or more and 110 Hz or less and a second frequency of 0 Hz or more and 40 Hz or less, The amplitude of the first frequency is 30% or more of the composite vibration wave amplitude, and the amplitude of the second frequency is 70% or less of the composite vibration wave amplitude. The vibration stimulation device according to claim 10 or 11.

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