Massage device and control method thereof

Abstract

To provide a massage device for greatly activating the parasympathetic nerve.SOLUTION: A massage device includes a seat part on which a person undergoing therapy sits, a backrest part for supporting a back of the person undergoing therapy, thermal massage balls for massaging at least the neck of the person undergoing therapy while warming the neck, a thermal sheet for warming a sacrum of the person undergoing therapy, and a control unit for controlling a time during which the thermal massage balls massage the neck of the person undergoing therapy while warming the neck and a time during which the warming sheet warms the sacrum of the person undergoing therapy, so as to at least partially overlap each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a massage device and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a massage machine consisting of a backrest and a seat, with a pair of upper arm massagers located near the left and right ends of the upper part of the backrest, each consisting of an upper arm support base with a recess for placing the upper arm on to massage the inner part of the shoulder blade of the person being treated, and a drive rod that supports the upper arm support base and is connected to a drive unit for driving it.The massage machine also describes a structure in which a sacrum warming device with a heat generating function is provided under the lower part of the backrest to warm the sacrum, thereby giving dominance to the parasympathetic nervous system and relieving tension in the autonomic nervous system. Patent Document 2 describes a massage device that includes kneading balls, a moving device that changes the relative position between the body and the treatment device in the height direction, and a treatment device, and among the areas in which the kneading balls can move, areas that correspond to the lower back and buttocks are set as avoidance areas, including an area that corresponds to the sacrum, and the kneading balls avoid the avoidance areas when moving within a range that covers the lower back and buttocks in the height direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-253631 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-16204 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There are massage devices that perform massage with kneading balls and warm the sacrum. However, in such massage devices, if the massage with the kneading balls and the warming of the sacrum are performed at different times, the parasympathetic nerves cannot be significantly activated.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to greatly activate the parasympathetic nervous system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] With this objective in mind, the present invention provides a massage device comprising a seat on which the user sits, a backrest that supports the user's back, heated massage balls that massage while warming at least the user's neck, a heated sheet that warms the user's sacrum, and a control unit that controls the time during which the heated massage balls massage while warming the user's neck and the time during which the heated sheet warms the user's sacrum overlap at least in part.

[0007] The control unit may control the heat massage balls to move back and forth at least once between the neck and buttocks of the user before massaging the neck of the user while warming it. In this case, when the heat massage balls move back and forth once or more, they may pass through the heat sheet on the opposite side of the user from the heat sheet. In this case, the control unit may control the heat massage balls to massage the neck of the user while warming it slower than the heat massage balls to move back and forth once or more. Furthermore, in this case, the control unit may control the heat massage balls to start applying heat before the heat massage balls finish moving back and forth once or more. Furthermore, in this case, the control unit may control the heat sheet to start applying heat before the heat massage balls finish moving back and forth once or more.

[0008] The control unit may control the heating of the thermal massage balls and the thermal sheet so that the surface temperature of the recipient's skin becomes a predetermined temperature.

[0009] The heat massage balls may be ones that intensively massage the muscles in the neck of the user where the parasympathetic nerves are concentrated. In this case, the heat massage balls may include a left massage ball and a right massage ball, and when massaging the muscles on the left and right sides or the muscles diagonally behind the neck as the muscles in the neck of the user where the parasympathetic nerves are concentrated, the left massage ball and the right massage ball may be operated one side at a time.

[0010] The thermal sheet may include a heating element sheet in which a heating element is covered with a covering material in a sheet form, or a heating element sheet in which a heating element is covered with a covering material and sandwiched between fiber sheets. In this case, the thermal sheet may further include a heat conductive sheet that is superimposed on the heating element sheet and conducts the heat generated by the heating element, and the heating element sheet may have a heating element disposed on the outer periphery and a heat conductive sheet that conducts the heat generated by the heating element to the center. In this case, the thermal sheet may further include a base material that is superimposed on the heating element sheet and has heat insulating and cushioning properties.

[0011] The thermal sheet may be attached to a tension band to prevent the recipient's body from sagging.

[0012] The backrest portion may be configured to function as a bed surface together with the seat portion by tilting it horizontally.

[0013] The present invention also provides a method for controlling a massage device that includes a seat on which the user sits, a backrest that supports the user's back, heated massage balls that massage while warming at least the user's neck, and a heated sheet that warms the user's sacrum, the method including a step of controlling the massage device so that the time during which the heated massage balls massage while warming the user's neck and the time during which the heated sheet warms the user's sacrum overlap at least in part. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the parasympathetic nerves can be significantly activated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of a massage device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view of a massage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a front view of a massage device according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a user. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a massage mechanism as viewed from the front. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a massage mechanism as viewed from the side; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the heat massage ball in the present embodiment, seen from diagonally above. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the heat massage ball in the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first configuration example of a thermal sheet in the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second configuration example of the thermal sheet in the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third configuration example of the thermal sheet in the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fourth configuration example of the thermal sheet in the present embodiment. [Figure 13] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the massage device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] [Background of the implementation] Chronic fatigue and stiffness in the body are often caused by insufficient autonomic nervous system activity, particularly the parasympathetic nervous system. When the parasympathetic nervous system is not functioning properly, the body's heart rate and blood pressure do not decrease, and mental stress and anxiety do not decrease. Therefore, in this embodiment, a massage device that can improve the function of activating the parasympathetic nerves (function of obtaining a relaxing effect) compared to conventional massage devices is provided, which can improve both physical and mental health. In such a massage device, in this embodiment, an optimal configuration for activating the parasympathetic nerves is constructed and treatment is performed. In addition, treatment is performed using the optimal treatment method for each part of the body.

[0018] Meanwhile, parasympathetic nerves are concentrated in the neck and sacrum. Therefore, treatment of the neck and sacrum is likely to produce a relaxing effect. It is more preferable to perform treatment of the neck and sacrum simultaneously. Furthermore, it is more preferable to perform treatment of the neck and sacrum after performing a full body massage.

[0019] First, treatment of the neck will be described. The massage device of the present embodiment effectively stimulates the parasympathetic nerves by performing a thermal massage on the vicinity of the muscles where the parasympathetic nerves are concentrated when treating the neck. Here, the muscles where the parasympathetic nerves are concentrated may be, for example, deep muscles. Alternatively, the muscles where the parasympathetic nerves are concentrated may be, for example, the sternocleidomastoid muscle, multifidus muscle, splenius muscle, and suboccipital muscle. Furthermore, if the neck is treated immediately after the start of the movement when there are other stiff areas, the effect is small. Muscles are layered and overlap each other. For example, the trapezius muscle is on the surface of the suboccipital muscle of the neck, so if the trapezius muscle is stiff, the effect is small when the suboccipital muscle is treated. In addition, since the neck is a delicate area, treating the neck immediately after the start of the movement makes the person feel uneasy. Therefore, it is better to move the hot massage ball from the center of the torso down and return it to the neck, and then use the hot massage ball to perform a hot massage on the neck.

[0020] Next, treatment of the sacrum will be described. The massage device in this embodiment performs heat therapy on the sacrum, which has very little muscle or fat, by using a fixed heat sheet. In the massage device of the present embodiment, the heated kneading balls pass through the heat sheet to massage the whole body, that is, the buttocks located below the sacrum. Therefore, it is preferable that the heat sheet is configured to withstand the pressure of the heated kneading balls.

[0021] [Appearance of the massage device] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of a massage device 1 in this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a side view of the massage device 1 in this embodiment. However, Fig. 2 shows a state in which a support frame has been removed. Fig. 3 is a front view of the massage device 1 in this embodiment as seen from the user. However, Fig. 3 shows a state in which a backrest is partially cut out so that the inside can be seen.

[0022] As shown in the figure, the massage device 1 comprises a seat 11, a pair of left and right support frames 12 that support the seat 11, and a backrest 13 supported by the pair of left and right support frames 12 on the rear side of the seat 11. In this embodiment, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction (width direction), and the up-down direction indicate directions as seen by a person to be treated when sitting on the seat portion 11.

[0023] The seat 11 is a member configured to have a generally rectangular shape in a plan view so that a person to be treated can sit on it while receiving treatment from the massage device 1. The seat 11 is configured, for example, by covering a three-dimensionally assembled frame with a cushioning material so that a person to be treated can sit on it comfortably.

[0024] The support frame 12 is a member formed of a metal plate, resin, etc. When the massage device 1 is placed on a flat floor surface, the lower end of the support frame 12 is configured to be approximately horizontal to the floor surface, and the front and rear ends of the lower end of the support frame 12 are provided with front and rear legs that are placed on the floor surface, although not shown in the figure. The seat 11 is supported by the support frame 12 by fixing the frames on the left and right sides of the seat 11 via fasteners at approximately the same height on front and rear support pieces (not shown) that support the support frame 12 vertically. Therefore, when the massage device 1 is placed on a flat floor surface, the upper surface of the seat portion 11 is approximately horizontal to the floor surface, and the seat portion 11 is raised upward from the floor surface. The support frame 12 is formed so as to protrude above the upper surface of the seat 11, and the upper edge of the support frame 12 protruding above the upper surface of the seat 11 is curved, and the upper protruding portion serves as an armrest. Therefore, the support frame 12 supports the seat 11 and is also an armrest frame on which the arm can be rested, and the entire support frame 12 is covered with a cushioning material or the like.

[0025] The backrest 13 is a member formed in a generally rectangular shape in a plan view so that a person to be treated by the massage device 1 can lean against it. In other words, the backrest 13 supports the back of the person to be treated. The backrest 13 is formed, for example, in the same manner as the seat 11, by covering a three-dimensionally assembled frame with a cushioning material having cushioning properties so that the person to be treated can lean against it comfortably.

[0026] A tension band 14 is provided inside the backrest 13 and is stretched with tension to prevent the body of the person being treated from sagging.

[0027] A massage mechanism 20 for massaging the neck to buttocks of the user is also provided inside the backrest 13. The massage mechanism 20 is configured to swing a pair of left and right heat massage balls 30 in the front-rear and left-right directions, and to move a pair of left and right arms 22 for operating the pair of left and right heat massage balls 30 in the left-right direction.

[0028] The massage mechanism 20 moves behind the tension band 14, for example, along a guide rail (not shown), as indicated by an arrow A1 in Fig. 2. In other words, the massage mechanism 20 is structured to be able to move up and down at least between the neck and buttocks, and moves back and forth at least once between the neck and buttocks.

[0029] The heat massage balls 30 perform a whole body massage at least between the neck and buttocks when the massage mechanism 20 moves back and forth at least once between the neck and buttocks. The heat massage balls 30 also perform a whole body massage followed by a neck massage. By performing a whole body massage followed by a neck massage, activation of the parasympathetic nerves can be efficiently promoted. The heat massage balls 30 are an example of a heat massage ball that massages at least the neck of the person being treated while warming it. At this time, the heat massage ball 30 intensively massages the vicinity of the muscle where the parasympathetic nerves are concentrated. Here, the muscle where the parasympathetic nerves are concentrated may be, for example, a deep muscle. Alternatively, the muscle where the parasympathetic nerves are concentrated may be, for example, the sternocleidomastoid muscle, multifidus muscle, splenius muscle, or suboccipital muscle. The heat massage ball 30 slowly massages the vicinity of these muscles in a circular motion. The heat massage ball 30 is an example of a heat massage ball that intensively massages the muscle where the parasympathetic nerves are concentrated in the neck of the user. As described above, the heat massage balls 30 are provided in a pair on the left and right. That is, the massage mechanism 20 is provided with the heat massage balls 30 on the left and right sides. When massaging the neck from the left and right sides or diagonally behind, such as when massaging the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the heat massage balls 30 on the left and right sides operate one by one to perform the massage. The heat massage balls 30 on the left side are an example of the left massage balls, and the heat massage balls 30 on the right side are an example of the right massage balls. The heat massage balls 30 on the left side and the heat massage balls 30 on the right side are an example of the left and right massage balls that operate one by one when massaging the left and right sides or diagonally behind the neck, which are muscles in which the parasympathetic nerves of the neck of the user are concentrated.

[0030] A heat sheet 40 for warming the sacrum of the person to be treated is also provided inside the backrest 13. The heat sheet 40 is an example of a heat sheet for warming the sacrum of the person to be treated. The thermal sheet 40 is required not to be permanently deformed or peeled off by the load of either the thermal massage balls 30 or the body of the person being treated. Therefore, the thermal sheet 40 is attached to the tension band 14 and configured to be in good contact with the body of the person being treated. In other words, the thermal sheet 40 has flexibility that allows it to be easily deformed even when the body of the person being treated and the thermal massage balls 30 come into contact with each other. The thermal sheet 40 is an example of a thermal sheet attached to a tension band to prevent the body of the person being treated from sagging. The thermal sheet 40 is provided at a position where the thermal massage balls 30 pass behind it, but because it has flexibility, it reduces the contact with the body when the thermal massage balls 30 pass through the thermal sheet 40. Therefore, the thermal massage balls 30 do not need to be separated from the thermal sheet 40 when they pass through the thermal sheet 40. This configuration is an example of a configuration in which the thermal massage balls pass on the opposite side of the thermal sheet from the person being treated when they make one or more reciprocating movements and pass through the thermal sheet.

[0031] The massage device 1 further includes a control unit 90, as shown in FIG. The control unit 90 controls the neck thermal massage and the sacrum thermal treatment to be performed simultaneously. However, it is not required that the neck thermal massage and the sacrum thermal treatment start and end at the same time. It is sufficient that both the neck thermal massage and the sacrum thermal treatment are performed at a certain point in time. In this case, the control unit 90 is an example of a control unit that controls the time when the thermal massage balls massage and warm the neck of the user and the time when the thermal sheet warms the sacrum of the user to overlap at least partially. The control unit 90 controls the heat massage balls 30 to move back and forth at least once between the neck and buttocks before performing a heat massage on at least the neck. In this case, the control unit 90 is an example of a control unit that controls the heat massage balls to move back and forth at least once between the neck and buttocks of the user before massaging the user's neck while warming it. The control unit 90 controls the heat massage balls 30 to move slowly when performing a thermal massage on the neck. Here, moving slowly may mean that the speed at which the heat massage balls 30 perform a thermal massage on the neck is slower than the speed at which the heat massage balls 30 move between the neck and buttocks. In this case, the speed may be the moving speed of the heat massage balls 30 or the rocking speed of the heat massage balls 30. In this case, the control unit 90 is an example of a control unit that controls the movement of the heat massage balls to warm and massage the neck of the user slower than the movement of the heat massage balls to move back and forth once or more.

[0032] The control unit 90 also controls the heating of the thermal massage balls 30 and the thermal sheet 40. For example, the control unit 90 may start heating the heat massage balls 30 during a full-body massage performed while the heat massage balls 30 are moving between the neck and buttocks, so that the heat massage balls 30 are in a sufficiently heated state when the neck massage is started. This allows the control unit 90 to efficiently promote activation of the parasympathetic nerves. However, the timing for starting the heat massage balls 30 is not limited to during the full-body massage, and may be any timing up to the end of the full-body massage. In this case, the control unit 90 is an example of a control unit that controls the heat massage balls to start heating before the heat massage balls finish moving back and forth once or more. The control unit 90 may also start heating the thermal sheet 40 at the same time as the massage device 1 starts operating, so that thermal treatment of the sacrum can be performed. However, even in this case, the timing to start heating the thermal sheet 40 is not limited to the same time as the massage device 1 starts operating, and may be any timing up until the end of the whole-body massage. In this case, the control unit 90 is an example of a control unit that controls the thermal sheet to start heating before the thermal kneading balls finish moving back and forth once or more. Furthermore, the control unit 90 may control the heating of the heat massage balls 30 and the heat sheet 40 so that the surface temperature of the skin of the person being treated reaches a predetermined temperature. Here, the predetermined temperature, which is the target of the surface temperature of the skin of the person being treated, may be, for example, 41°C. However, even if the target of the surface temperature of the skin of the person being treated is set to 41°C, the surface temperature of the skin may not reach 41°C due to the influence of, for example, clothing. Therefore, the applied temperature may be increased so that the target of the surface temperature of the skin of the person being treated reaches 41°C. In this case, the control unit 90 is an example of a control unit that controls the heating of the heat massage balls and the heat sheet so that the surface temperature of the skin of the person being treated reaches a predetermined temperature.

[0033] [Massage mechanism] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the massage mechanism 20 when viewed from the front, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the massage mechanism 20 when viewed from the side. As shown in the figure, the massage mechanism 20 includes a pair of left and right heat massage balls 30 and a pair of left and right arms 22 for massaging the pair of left and right heat massage balls 30. Here, the massage action is, for example, an action of swinging the pair of left and right heat massage balls 30 in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0034] The massage mechanism 20 includes a moving mechanism 23 that moves the arm 22 in the left-right direction, and a first motor 24 that is a power source for the moving mechanism 23 to move the arm 22. The massage mechanism 20 also includes a mooring point 25 to which the arm 22 is moored in order to fix the position of the arm 22 in the left-right direction.

[0035] The massage mechanism 20 includes an operation switching unit 26 that switches the operation of the arm 22. The operation switching unit 26 is housed in a case 27, and the case 27 is attached to the arm 22. In the figure, the case 27 is attached so as to cover the arm 22, but this is not limited to this. The case 27 may be attached to the left side of the arm 22 in the figure, or may be attached to the right side of the arm 22 in the figure.

[0036] The operation switching unit 26 includes a movement switching unit 28 and a mooring switching unit 29 that are operated by the same power as that of the first motor 24. The movement switching portion 28 is adapted to be engaged with the movement mechanism 23 at will and to be disengaged from the movement mechanism 23 at will. When the moving switching unit 28 is engaged with the moving mechanism 23 , the mooring switching unit 29 disengages from the mooring destination 25 , and when the moving switching unit 28 is disengaged from the moving mechanism 23 , the mooring switching unit 29 engages with the mooring destination 25 . With such a configuration, the operation switching unit 26 can arbitrarily move only one of the pair of left and right heat massage balls 30.

[0037] [Heat massage ball] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the heat massage balls 30 in this embodiment when viewed obliquely from above, and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the heat massage balls 30 in this embodiment. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the heat massage balls 30 include a massage ball surface portion 31, a support shaft 32, a heat source 33, a heat transfer portion 34, a sliding portion 35, a massage ball fastening screw 36, and a base guide portion 38. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the heat massage balls 30 further include an elastic body 37 and a tip guide portion 39. As shown in Figure 8, the heat massage balls 30 further include a tip sliding portion 351, a base guide portion fastening screw 381, a thermistor 382, ​​and a tip guide portion fastening screw 391.

[0038] The knead ball surface portion 31 is a member that constitutes the surface of the heat knead ball 30. The knead ball surface portion 31 may be a member made of a highly heat conductive material, so that the entire surface is heated to a uniform temperature. Here, the highly heat conductive material is, for example, aluminum, ceramics (Al 2 0 3 ) As described later, by disposing a heat source 33 inside the heat massage balls 30, heat is transferred to the entire massage ball surface portion 31.

[0039] The support shaft 32 is a shaft member that is fixed to the arm 22 and supports the heat massage balls 30. Here, the support shaft 32 may be a member made of stainless steel such as SUS303.

[0040] The heat source 33 is a heat generating member that generates heat when supplied with electric power. In a basic example, the heat source 33 may be, for example, a rectangular or cylindrical PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater that does not have flexibility. The heat source 33 may be built into the heat transfer section 34 in an unbent state.

[0041] The heat transfer section 34 is disposed between the massage ball surface section 31 and the support shaft 32, and is a member that transfers heat from the heat source 33 by incorporating the heat source 33. The heat transfer section 34 may have a spacer that presses the heat source 33 toward the outer circumferential surface of the heat transfer section 34, and is disposed closer to the inner circumferential surface of the heat transfer section 34 than the heat source 33. Here, the heat transfer section 34 may be a member made of an aluminum alloy such as A5052.

[0042] The sliding portion 35 is a member for allowing the knead ball surface portion 31 to rotate freely relative to the heat transfer portion 34. The sliding portion 35 is provided over the entire range between the knead ball surface portion 31 and the heat transfer portion 34. Here, the sliding portion 35 is a sliding member having good thermal conductivity, such as a metal bushing. The tip sliding portion 351 is a member that forms an axial sliding portion with the massage ball surface portion 31, thereby suppressing wear of the heat transfer portion 34 and the massage ball surface portion 31.

[0043] The massage ball fastening screw 36 is a screw for fastening the heat massage balls 30 to the arm 22 .

[0044] The elastic body 37 is an elastic member that is arranged between the heat transfer part 34 and the support shaft 32, and allows the adjustment of the pressure applied to the human body. In other words, the elastic body 37 adjusts the pressure so as not to cause discomfort when the hard kneading ball surface part 31 hits a bone or the like. The elastic body 37 is also arranged on the entire circumference of the entire range from one end to the other end of the support shaft 32. Here, the elastic body 37 is a member made of a material that can be elastically deformed due to the rubber properties, such as silicone rubber or elastomer, and its Shore A hardness may be, for example, 35 degrees to 50 degrees. As a result, the elastic body 37 can thermally insulate the heat transfer part 34 and the support shaft 32, and can efficiently transfer the heat of the heat source 33 to the kneading ball surface part 31 with less energy.

[0045] The root guide portion 38 and the tip guide portion 39 are integrated with the support shaft 32 at both ends of the support shaft 32, and are provided so as to restrain the massage ball surface portion 31 and the heat transfer portion 34 in the axial direction of the support shaft 32. As a result, the root guide portion 38 and the tip guide portion 39 restrict the direction of buffering by the elastic body 37 only to the radial direction of the heat massage balls 30, suppressing the deterioration of the pressure on the human body due to the inclination of the massage ball surface portion 31 and the contact between the parts. In addition, the root guide portion 38 is shown in a see-through state in Figures 6 and 7 so that the heat source 33, the heat transfer portion 34, and the sliding portion 35 can be seen. Here, the see-through state is represented by dashed lines. The root guide portion fastening screw 381 is a screw that fastens the root guide portion to the heat transfer portion . The thermistor 382 detects the temperature inside the heat transfer portion 34 in order to adjust the massage ball surface portion 31 to a predetermined temperature range. The tip guide portion fastening screw 391 is a screw that fastens the tip guide portion 39 to the support shaft 32 .

[0046] [Heat Sheet] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a thermal sheet 41 which is a first configuration example of the thermal sheet 40 in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the thermal sheet 41 includes a heat generating sheet 51 and a thermally conductive sheet 61 .

[0047] The heating element sheet 51 is a sheet in which a heating element 511 such as a nichrome wire is routed in a corrugated shape, and a rectangular region including the routed heating element 511 is covered in a sheet-like shape with, for example, a rubber covering member 512. In this case, the heating element sheet 51 is an example of a heating element sheet in which a heating element is covered in a sheet-like shape with a covering member.

[0048] The thermally conductive sheet 61 is a sheet that is superimposed on the patient side of the heating element sheet 51 in order to improve the temperature distribution on the heating element sheet 51. In the heating element sheet 51, a temperature difference occurs between the area where the heating element 511 is placed and the area where the heating element 511 is not placed. Therefore, the thermally conductive sheet 61 conducts heat from the area where the heating element 511 is placed on the heating element sheet 51 to the area where the heating element 511 is not placed. In this case, the thermally conductive sheet 61 is an example of a thermally conductive sheet that is superimposed on the heating element sheet and conducts heat generated by the heating element.

[0049] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a thermal sheet 42 which is a second configuration example of the thermal sheet 40 in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the thermal sheet 42 includes a heat generating sheet 52 and a thermally conductive sheet 62 .

[0050] Heating element sheet 52 is a sheet in which heating element 521 such as a nichrome wire is routed in a corrugated shape, the routed heating element 521 is covered with a covering member 522 made of, for example, rubber along the routed shape, and a rectangular region including the covered heating element 521 is sandwiched between fiber sheets 523 such as nonwoven fabric. In this case, heating element sheet 52 is an example of a heating element sheet in which a heating element is covered with a covering member and sandwiched between fiber sheets.

[0051] The thermally conductive sheet 62 has the same configuration as the thermally conductive sheet 61 in the first configuration example, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0052] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a thermal sheet 43 which is a third configuration example of the thermal sheet 40 in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the thermal sheet 43 includes a heat generating sheet 53 and a thermally conductive sheet 63 .

[0053] The heating element sheet 53 is a sheet in which a heating element 531 such as a nichrome wire is wound around the periphery, and a rectangular area including the wound heating element 531 is covered with a rubber covering member 532 in a sheet shape. Alternatively, although not shown, the heating element sheet 53 may be a sheet in which a heating element such as a nichrome wire is wound around the periphery, the wound heating element is covered with a rubber covering member along the wound shape, and the rectangular area including the covered heating element is sandwiched between fiber sheets such as nonwoven fabric. As a result, the heating element sheet 53 is one in which the heating element is arranged at a location that does not come into contact with the body of the person to be treated. In this case, the heating element sheet 53 is an example of a heating element sheet in which the heating element is arranged around the periphery.

[0054] The heat conductive sheet 63 is a sheet that is superimposed on the heating element sheet 53 on the side of the user to improve the temperature distribution on the heating element sheet 53. In the heating element sheet 53, a temperature difference occurs between the portion where the heating element 531 is arranged and the portion where the heating element 531 is not arranged. Therefore, the heat conductive sheet 63 conducts heat from the portion where the heating element 531 is arranged on the heating element sheet 53 to the portion where the heating element 531 is not arranged. In particular, in this third configuration example, since the heating element 531 is arranged on the outer periphery of the heating element sheet 53, the heat conductive sheet 63 conducts heat from the outer periphery to the center as shown by the arrow A2. As a result, the heat conductive sheet 63 conducts heat to the portion where the body of the user comes into contact. In this case, the heat conductive sheet 63 is an example of a heat conductive sheet that conducts heat generated by the heating element to the center.

[0055] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a thermal sheet 44 which is a fourth configuration example of the thermal sheet 40 in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the thermal sheet 44 includes a heat generating sheet 54 , a heat conductive sheet 64 , and a heat insulating cushion sheet 74 .

[0056] The heating element sheet 54 is a sheet in which a heating element 541 such as a nichrome wire is routed in a corrugated shape, and a rectangular region including the routed heating element 541 is covered with a sheet-like covering member 542 made of, for example, rubber. That is, the heating element sheet 54 has the same configuration as the heating element sheet 51 in the first configuration example. However, the heating element sheet 54 may have the same configuration as the heating element sheet 52 in the second configuration example or the heating element sheet 53 in the third configuration example.

[0057] The thermally conductive sheet 64 has the same configuration as the thermally conductive sheet 61 in the first configuration example, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. However, the thermally conductive sheet 64 may have the same configuration as the thermally conductive sheet 63 in the third configuration example.

[0058] The heat insulating cushion sheet 74 is a base material made of a material such as sponge that is overlaid on the side opposite to the recipient side of the heat generating sheet 54 in order to provide the thermal sheet 44 with heat insulating properties and cushioning properties that improve contact with the recipient's body. The heat insulating cushion sheet 74 is an example of a base material that is overlaid on the heat generating sheet and has heat insulating properties and cushioning properties.

[0059] [Massage device in operation] 13 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the massage device 1 in this embodiment. Strictly speaking, this is an example of the operation of the control unit 90 of the massage device 1.

[0060] As shown in the figure, when the massage device 1 starts to operate, the control unit 90 first starts heating the heat massage balls 30 (step 911) and the heat sheet 40 (step 921). In this operation example, the control unit 90 starts heating the heat massage balls 30 and the heat sheet 40 when the massage device 1 starts to operate, but this is not limited to this. The control unit 90 may start heating the heat massage balls 30 and the heat sheet 40 at any time before starting the neck thermal massage with the heat massage balls 30 in step 916 and the sacrum thermal treatment with the heat sheet 40 in step 922. For example, the control unit 90 may adjust the timing of starting heating the heat massage balls 30 so that the temperature of the heat massage balls 30 is a predetermined temperature when performing the neck thermal massage with the heat massage balls 30 in step 916. Furthermore, the control unit 90 may adjust the timing at which the thermal sheet 40 starts to heat the sacrum when the thermal sheet 40 is used for thermal therapy in step 922 so that the temperature of the thermal sheet 40 reaches a predetermined temperature.

[0061] Next, the control unit 90 detects the body type of the person to be treated (step 912). Specifically, the control unit 90 detects the body type of the person to be treated by operating the heat massage balls 30 and detecting the position of the shoulders of the person to be treated. For example, the control unit 90 may move the heat massage balls 30 downward from the side of the head, and determine the position where the heat massage balls 30 hit the body as the position of the shoulders. Alternatively, the control unit 90 may move the heat massage balls 30 upward from the back, and determine the position where the body is no longer in front of the heat massage balls 30 as the position of the shoulders. In this way, the control unit 90 may finely adjust the left-right position of the heat massage balls 30 in the whole-body massage in steps 913 and 914 and the heat massage of the neck in step 916.

[0062] Next, the control unit 90 moves the heat massage balls 30 from the shoulders to the buttocks to perform a whole body massage (step 913). Specifically, the control unit 90 first rubs the body while moving the heat massage balls 30 from the shoulders to the back, then rubs the body while moving the heat massage balls 30 from the back to the waist, and then rubs the body while moving the heat massage balls 30 from the waist to the buttocks.

[0063] The control unit 90 also performs the same operation toward the upper part of the body of the person to be treated. That is, the control unit 90 performs a whole body massage by moving the heat massage balls 30 from the buttocks to the shoulders (step 914). Specifically, the control unit 90 first rubs the body while moving the heat massage balls 30 from the buttocks to the waist, then rubs the body while moving the heat massage balls 30 from the waist to the back, and then rubs the body while moving the heat massage balls 30 from the back to the shoulders.

[0064] After that, the control unit 90 first determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the whole body massage in step 913 (step 915). Here, the predetermined time may be, for example, five minutes. If it is determined in step 915 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the control unit 90 returns the process to step 913 and continues the whole body massage. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 915 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 90 performs a thermal massage mainly on the neck using the thermal kneading balls 30 (step 916). Since the heating of the thermal sheet 40 has started in step 921, the control unit 90 performs a thermal massage of the neck using the thermal kneading balls 30 in step 916 and at the same time warms the sacrum using the thermal sheet 40 (step 922).

[0065] After that, the control unit 90 judges whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the whole body massage was ended in step 915 (step 917). Here, the predetermined time may be, for example, 15 minutes. If it is determined in step 917 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the control unit 90 returns the process to step 916 and step 922, and continues the thermal massage of the neck with the thermal kneading balls 30 and the thermal treatment of the sacrum with the thermal sheet 40. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 917 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 90 ends the process.

[0066] [Modifications of massage device] In the above, the massage device 1 is assumed to be a chair-type massage machine having a seat 11 and a backrest 13, but is not limited to this. The massage device 1 may be used as a bed-type massage machine by tilting the backrest 13 horizontally. In this case, the backrest 13 is an example of a backrest that functions as a bed surface together with the seat by tilting it horizontally.

[0067] [Effects of the embodiment] In this embodiment, the thermal massage of the neck where the parasympathetic nerves are concentrated and the thermal treatment of the sacrum where the parasympathetic nerves are concentrated are performed simultaneously, which makes it possible to activate the parasympathetic nerves to the maximum extent. In this embodiment, prior to the neck thermal massage and sacrum thermal treatment, a whole body massage is performed from the neck to the buttocks, which makes it possible to maximize the activation of the parasympathetic nerves without causing anxiety to the person being treated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1...massage device, 11...seat portion, 12...support frame, 13...backrest portion, 14...tension band, 20...massage mechanism, 22...arm, 30...heat massage ball, 40-44...heat sheet, 51-54...heat generating sheet, 61-64...thermal conductive sheet, 74...insulating cushion sheet, 90...control portion

Claims

1. A seat on which the person to be treated sits; A backrest portion supporting the back of the user; A heat massage ball that warms and massages at least the neck of the person to be treated; A heat sheet for warming the sacrum of the person to be treated; A control unit that controls the time during which the heat massage balls warm and massage the neck of the person to be treated and the time during which the heat sheet warms the sacrum of the person to be treated to overlap at least partially. A massage device comprising:

2. The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the heated massage balls to move back and forth at least once between at least the neck and buttocks of the person being treated prior to massaging and warming the neck of the person being treated.

3. 3. The massage device according to claim 2, wherein the heat massage balls pass on an opposite side of the heat sheet from the person being massaged when the heat massage balls make the one or more reciprocating movements and pass over the heat sheet.

4. The massage device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the movement of the heat massage balls to warm and massage the neck of the person being treated so as to be slower than the movement of the heat massage balls to move back and forth one or more times.

5. The massage device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the heat massage balls to start applying heat before the heat massage balls finish moving back and forth once or more.

6. The massage device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the heat sheet to start applying heat before the heat kneading balls finish the one or more reciprocating movements.

7. The massage device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls heating of the heat massage balls and the heat sheet so that a surface temperature of the skin of the massage recipient becomes a predetermined temperature.

8. 2. The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the heat kneading balls intensively massage the muscles in the neck of the person to be treated where the parasympathetic nerves are concentrated.

9. The massage device according to claim 8, wherein the thermal massage balls include a left massage ball and a right massage ball, and when massaging the muscles on the left and right sides or the muscles diagonally behind the neck of the person being treated, which are the muscles in which the parasympathetic nerves of the neck of the person being treated are concentrated, the left massage ball and the right massage ball are operated one side at a time.

10. 2. The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the thermal sheet comprises a heating element sheet in which a heating element is covered with a covering material in a sheet form, or a heating element sheet in which a heating element is covered with a covering material and sandwiched between fiber sheets.

11. The massage device according to claim 10, wherein the thermal sheet further includes a heat-conducting sheet superimposed on the heating element sheet for conducting the heat generated by the heating element.

12. The heat generating sheet has the heat generating element disposed on the outer periphery thereof, The massage device according to claim 11, wherein the heat conductive sheet conducts heat generated by the heating element to a central portion.

13. The massage device according to claim 10, wherein the heat sheet further includes a base material having heat insulating and cushioning properties and overlapping the heat generating sheet.

14. 2. The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the thermal sheet is attached to a tension band to prevent the body of the person being massaged from sagging.

15. The massage device according to claim 1 , wherein the backrest portion functions as a bed surface together with the seat portion by being tilted horizontally.

16. A seat on which the person to be treated sits; A backrest portion supporting the back of the user; A heat massage ball that warms and massages at least the neck of the person to be treated; A heat sheet for warming the sacrum of the person to be treated; A method for controlling a massage device comprising: A step of controlling the time during which the heat massage balls warm and massage the neck of the person to be treated and the time during which the heat sheet warms the sacrum of the person to be treated to overlap at least partially. A method for controlling a massage device, comprising:

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