Massage machine

Abstract

To prevent a user from being inhibited from visually recognizing surroundings of the body of the user himself / herself or a massage machine as much as possible even when light is generated in a wide range in the visual field of the user as possible.SOLUTION: A massage machine includes: a seat part on which a user is seated; a backrest part against which the user leans; a first wall part positioned outside in the right-left direction of the seat part; a second wall part positioned outside in the right-left direction of the backrest; and a light emitting element for causing the inside surfaces in the right-left direction of the first wall part and the second wall part to emit light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a massage machine.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a massage machine in which a rod-shaped light guide having a fluorescent portion is disposed inside a hood that covers the head of a subject. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses that a light emitting device is attached to a hood that covers the head of a subject and emits light in a predetermined pattern.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to give a visual effect to the user of the massage machine by light, it is conceivable to provide a hood that covers the head on the massage machine and provide a light source on the hood as in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0005] However, when a light source is provided in the hood, if an attempt is made to generate light over a wide range in the field of view of the user of the massage machine, the hood needs to cover most of the user's field of view. For this reason, the hood blocks the view to the outside of the hood, preventing the user from visually recognizing his or her own body or the surroundings of the massage machine.

[0006] Therefore, it is desired to prevent, as much as possible, the user from being hindered from visually recognizing his or her own body or the surroundings of the massage machine even when light is generated over a wide range in the user's field of view.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a massage machine 1. The disclosed massage machine includes a seat portion on which a user sits, a backrest portion against which the user leans, a first wall portion located on the outer side in the left-right direction of the seat portion, and a second wall portion located on the outer side in the left-right direction of the backrest, and a light-emitting element that emits light from the inner surfaces in the left-right direction of the first wall portion and the second wall portion, respectively. Further details will be described as embodiments below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <1. Overview of the Massage Machine>

[0010] (1) The massage machine according to the embodiment may include a seat portion on which a user sits, a backrest portion against which the user leans, a first wall portion located outside the seat portion in the left - right direction, a second wall portion located outside the backrest in the left - right direction, and a light - emitting element that emits light from the inner surfaces in the left - right direction of the first wall portion and the second wall portion respectively. Since the first wall portion and the second wall portion are located in front of the user sitting on the massage machine, by emitting light from the inner surfaces of these wall portions, a wide range of light can be generated in the user's field of vision. Moreover, even if there is a hood, it is not necessary to make the hood so large that it significantly obstructs the user's field of vision. Therefore, the degree to which the user's visual recognition of their own body or the surroundings of the massage machine is obstructed can be reduced. Also, even if there is a hood, it is not necessary to make the hood large, and the sense of pressure caused by the hood can also be reduced.

[0011] (2) The massage machine according to the embodiment may further include a drive mechanism that moves at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion, and a control unit that controls at least the drive of the drive mechanism. The movement of the wall portion by the drive mechanism may include movement in the left - right direction. By the movement of the wall portion by the drive mechanism, the left - right position of the inner surface of the wall portion that emits light by the light - emitting element can be moved.

[0012] (3) The wall portion may be biased inward in the left - right direction by a biasing force of a biasing portion. The drive mechanism may move the wall portion outward in the left - right direction by a driving force that resists the biasing force.

[0013] (4) The massage machine according to the embodiment may further include a massage portion provided inside the wall portion in the left - right direction. By the movement of the wall portion by the drive mechanism, the left - right position of the massage portion can be moved.

[0014] (5) The massage machine according to the embodiment may further include a first massage unit provided inside the first wall portion in the left-right direction for massaging the arm or hand. The first wall portion may extend upward beyond the first massage unit. The light-emitting element may emit light from a portion above the first massage unit on the inner surface of the first wall portion.

[0015] (6) The massage machine according to the embodiment may further include a second massage unit provided inside the second wall portion in the left-right direction for massaging the arm or shoulder. The second wall portion may extend forward beyond the second massage unit. The light-emitting element may emit light from a portion in front of the second massage unit on the inner surface of the second wall portion.

[0016] (7) The first wall portion may extend upward outside the seat portion in the left-right direction. The second wall portion may extend forward outside the backrest portion in the left-right direction. Inside each of the first wall portion and the second wall portion, a light reflection surface facing the inner surface may be provided. The light-emitting element may be disposed inside each of the first wall portion and the second wall portion on the front side in the extending direction, and may be provided to irradiate the light reflection surface with light toward the rear side in the extending direction. The inner surface may emit light by reflecting the light irradiated onto the light reflection surface.

[0017] (8) The massage machine according to the embodiment may further include a control unit that controls at least the light-emitting element. The control unit may change the light emitted by the light-emitting element in conjunction with the massage operation by the massage machine.

[0018] (9) The massage machine according to the embodiment may further include a control unit that controls at least the light-emitting element. The control unit may change the light emitted by the light-emitting element for an instruction to the user by the massage machine.

[0019] (10) The massage machine according to the embodiment further includes a control unit that controls at least the light-emitting element, and the control unit may cause the light-emitting element to emit light during a non-massage operation in which the massage operation by the massage machine is not being performed.

[0020] <2. Example of a massager

[0021] FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a massager 1 according to an embodiment. Note that the concept of direction used in the following description is consistent with the concept of direction when viewed from a user sitting on the massager 1 in the usage state shown in FIG. 1, and in other cases, it will be described as appropriate.

[0022] The massager 1 mainly includes a seat portion 2 on which the user sits and a backrest portion 3 against which the user leans. The backrest portion 3 is provided reclinably at the rear portion of the seat portion 2 and supports the upper body of the user. The massager 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a footrest portion 4 provided swingably up and down at the front portion of the seat portion 2. The footrest portion 4 supports the legs and / or feet of the user. A leg frame 7 for supporting the massager 1 is provided below the seat portion 2. The seat portion 2, the backrest portion 3, and the footrest portion 4 are each a body support portion for supporting the user's body.

[0023] Massage portions a1 to a5 for massaging the user are provided at various locations of the massager 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the massager 1 includes, as an example, massage portions a1 to a5 configured to have air cells. The air cells press the user's body by expanding.

[0024] The massage portions a1 to a5 include a first massage portion a1. The first massage portion a1 is shown as an arm massage portion a1 in FIG. 3. The first massage portion a1 is disposed above both the left and right sides of the seat portion 2. The first massage portion a1 massages the user's arms (especially the forearms) and / or hands. The air cells provided in the first massage portion a1 press the arms or hands from the vertical direction or the horizontal direction by expanding, for example.

[0025] The massage parts a1 to a5 include the second massage part a2. The second massage part a2 is shown as the shoulder massage part a2 in FIG. 3. The second massage part a2 is arranged to protrude forward from both the left and right sides of the backrest part 3. The second massage part a2 massages the user's shoulder or arm (especially the upper arm). The air cells provided in the second massage part a2 expand inward in the left-right direction and press the outer side of the user's shoulder or arm inward.

[0026] Furthermore, the massage parts a1 to a5 include a third massage part a3 (hip massage part a3) provided on the seat part 2 to massage the hips and the like, a fourth massage part a4 provided on the footrest part 4 to massage the calves, and a fifth massage part a5 (foot massage part a5) also provided on the footrest part 4 to massage the feet.

[0027] Also, the massage machine 1 includes a massage unit 8 provided on the backrest part 3. The massage unit 8 performs kneading massage and / or tapping massage on the user's body. The massage unit 8 is provided in the backrest part 3 so as to be movable up and down, and can massage various parts of the user's waist, back, shoulder, neck, etc.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the backrest part 3 is configured to be reclinable back and forth with respect to the seat part 2 by a first actuator 11 provided below the seat part 2. The backrest part 3 can stop at any position between the upright posture shown in FIG. 1 and the reclining posture in which the backrest surface is substantially horizontal with the floor surface. The footrest part 4 is configured to be swingable up and down with respect to the seat part 2 by a second actuator 12 provided below the seat part 2, and can stop at any position between the hanging posture shown in FIG. 1 and the ascending posture in which the legs or feet are supported with the knees extended.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, below the seat portion 2, there are provided an air supply and exhaust device 10 having a pump 10a and a valve 10b for supplying and exhausting air to and from each of the massage portions a1 to a5 having air cells and a drive mechanism 50, etc., and a control unit 9 for controlling various operations of the massage machine 1. The control unit 9 has a programmable microcomputer or the like, and drives and controls a first actuator 11, a second actuator 12, a massage unit 8, the air supply and exhaust device 10 (drive mechanism 50), a light source 60, etc. An operation unit 13 operated by a user is electrically connected to the control unit 9. The operation unit 13 may be connected to the control unit 9 via wireless communication. The massage machine 1 operates according to a program (massage course) stored in advance in a storage unit 14, and also operates according to an instruction from the operation unit 13 by the user.

[0030] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the massage machine 1 includes a wall portion 100 provided so as to surround the body support portion. The wall portion 100 includes, for example, first wall portions 110, 110 located on the outer sides in the left-right direction of the seat portion 2, second wall portions 120, 120 located on the outer sides in the left-right direction of the backrest portion 3, and third wall portions 130, 130 located on the outer sides in the left-right direction of the footrest portion 4.

[0031] The first wall portions 110, 110 are provided on both outer sides in the left-right direction of the seat portion 2. The left and right first wall portions 110 are generally symmetrical. The left and right first wall portions 110 are each configured to include a plurality of panels 101, 102. Each panel 101, 102 is attached to the left and right side surfaces of the seat portion 2. Each panel 101, 102 is provided so as to extend upward on the outer side in the left-right direction of the seat portion 2. In a side view of the massage machine 1, the upper edges 101a, 102a of the respective panels 101, 102 are formed in a shape that is a convex curve upward. Each panel 101, 102 is formed in a shape like a single petal, for example.

[0032] In FIG. 1, the plurality of panels 101 and 102 that constitute the first wall portions 110 on the left and right sides are, as an example, two panels, namely, a first panel 101 and a second panel 102. The second panel 102 is provided so as to partially overlap the first panel 101 and is located outside the first panel 101.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the first panel 101 is attached to the seat portion 2 such that its upper edge 101a extends upward from the upper surface 2a of the seat portion 2 on the outer sides in the left - right direction of the seat portion 2. In the middle of the extending direction (up - down direction) of the first panel 101 (the first wall portion 110), a first massage portion a1 (arm massage portion a1) for massaging the body B such as the forearm is provided. The first massage portion a1 is provided on the inner side surface 101b in the left - right direction of the first panel 101 (the first wall portion 110). As shown in FIG. 4(A), the first massage portion a1 is located above both left and right side portions of the seat portion 2 so as to partially overlap the upper surface 2a of the seat portion 2 in a plan view of the massage machine 1.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the first panel 101 is provided so as to be rotatable in the left - right direction with its lower part (the rear side in the extending direction) as a fulcrum 101c. Therefore, the upper edge 101a of the first panel 101 is movable (rotatable) in the left - right direction.

[0035] The massage machine 1 includes a first drive mechanism 51 for driving the left and right first panels 101 to move. The first drive mechanism 51 is, as an example, an air cell that expands and contracts by supplying and exhausting air, but it may also be a motor - air cylinder - hydraulic cylinder - electromagnetic actuator or other drive mechanisms. The first drive mechanisms 51, 51 are provided on both left and right side surfaces of the seat portion 2, and by expanding, they move the left and right first panels 101, 101 outward in the left - right direction. The first panels 101, 101 are biased inward in the left - right direction by a biasing portion 81. The biasing portion 81 is, for example, a tension spring provided between the seat portion 2 and the first panel 101.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 4(A), when the air cells constituting the first drive mechanism 51 contract, the left and right first panels 101, 101 are biased inward in the left - right direction by the biasing force of the biasing portion 81. As shown in Fig. 4(B), when the air cells constituting the first drive mechanism 51 expand, due to the expansion of the air cells, a driving force (a driving force greater than the biasing force) against the biasing force is generated, and by this driving force, the first panel 101 moves outward in the left - right direction. For example, the left first panel 101 moves to the left outer side, and the right first panel 101 moves to the right outer side.

[0037] The left and right first panels 101, 101 move as shown in Fig. 4(B) from the initial position shown in Fig. 4(A), so that the left - right interval L1 - A between the upper edges 101a, 101a of the left and right first panels 101, 101 widens. Conversely, when returning from the position in Fig. 4(B) to the initial position shown in Fig. 4(A), the left - right interval L1 - A narrows. Therefore, it becomes possible to adjust the left - right interval L1 - A according to the user's body shape.

[0038] Since the first massage portion a1 is provided on the first panel 101, it moves along with the movement of the first panel 101. That is, when the left and right first panels 101, 101 move outward in the left - right direction as shown in Fig. 4(B) from the initial position shown in Fig. 4(A), the first massage portion a1 also moves outward in the left - right direction. As a result, the left - right interval L1 - B between the left and right first massage portions a1 widens. As shown in Fig. 4(B), when the first massage portion a1 moves outward in the left - right direction, in the plan view of the massage machine 1, the overlap with the upper surface 2a of the seat portion 2 becomes smaller. As a result, in the state of Fig. 4(B), when the user sits on the seat portion 2, the first massage portion a1 does not get in the way and it becomes easier to sit. The same is true when the user stands up from the seat portion 2.

[0039] Similar to the first panel 101, the second panel 102 is attached to the seat portion 2 such that its upper edge 102a extends upward from the upper surface 2a of the seat portion 2 on the outer sides in the left - right direction of the seat portion 2. Also, the second panel 102 is provided so as to be rotatable in the left - right direction with its lower part (the rear side in the extending direction) as a fulcrum. Therefore, the upper edge 102a of the second panel 102 is also movable (rotatable) in the left - right direction. However, the second panel 102 is provided integrally with the first panel 101. Therefore, the second panel 102 moves together with the first panel 101.

[0040] As a result, due to the expansion and contraction drive of the first drive mechanism 51, both the first panel 101 and the second panel 102 move as a whole in the left - right direction. That is, due to the drive of the first drive mechanism 51, the first wall portion 110 moves in the left - right direction.

[0041] The second wall portions 120, 120 are provided on both outer sides in the left - right direction of the backrest portion 3. The left and right second wall portions 120 are generally symmetric. The left and right second wall portions 120 are each composed of a plurality of panels 103, 104. Each panel 103, 104 is attached to the left - right side surfaces of the backrest portion 3. Each panel 103, 104 is provided so as to extend forward on the outer sides in the left - right direction of the backrest portion 3. Similar to the panels 101, 102, in the side view of the massager 1, the front edges 103a, 104a of the respective panels 103, 104 are formed in a shape that is a convex curve forward. Each panel 103, 104 is formed in a shape like a single petal, for example. Therefore, in the side view of the massager 1 (see FIG. 10(E)), a form like a flower composed of a plurality of petals (panels 101, 102, 103, 104, 105) is obtained. Also, when the backrest portion 3 is tilted backward, the plurality of petal - shaped panels 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 spread out, and a form like a blooming flower is obtained. Therefore, the design property of the massager 1 can be improved.

[0042] In FIG. 1, the plurality of panels 103 and 104 that constitute the left and right second wall portions 120 are, as an example, two panels, i.e., the third panel 103 and the fourth panel 104. The third panel 103 is provided so as to partially overlap with the fourth panel 104 and is located outside the fourth panel 104. Also, the third panel 103 is provided so as to partially overlap with the second panel 102 and is located inside the second panel 102.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the third panel 103 and the fourth panel are attached to the backrest portion 3 (the back surface 3b thereof) such that their front edges 103a and 104a extend forward of the front surface 3a of the backrest portion 3 on the outer sides in the left - right direction of the backrest portion 3.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5(A), the third panel 103 and the fourth panel 104 are provided so as to be rotatable in the left - right direction with their rear portions (the rear sides in the extending direction) as fulcrums 103c and 104c. Therefore, the front edges 103a and 104a of the third panel 103 and the fourth panel 104 are movable (rotatable) in the left - right direction.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, the massage machine 1 includes a second drive mechanism 52 that drives the left and right third panels 103 to move. Similar to the first drive mechanism 51, the second drive mechanism 52 is, as an example, an air cell that expands and contracts by supplying and exhausting air, but it may also be a motor - air cylinder - hydraulic cylinder - electromagnetic actuator or other drive mechanisms. The second drive mechanisms 52, 52 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the backrest portion 3 and, by expanding, move the left and right third panels 103, 103 outward in the left - right direction. The third panel 103 and the fourth panel 104 are integrally provided, and as the third panel 103 moves, the fourth panel 104 also moves. The third panels 103, 103 are biased inward in the left - right direction by a biasing portion 80. The biasing portion 80 is, for example, a tension spring provided between the back surface 3b of the backrest portion 3 and the third panel 103.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 5(A) and 6(A), when the air cells constituting the second drive mechanism 52 are contracted, the left and right third panels 103, 103 and fourth panels 104, 104 are biased inward in the left-right direction by the biasing force of the biasing portion 80. As shown in FIGS. 5(B) and 6(B), when the air cells constituting the second drive mechanism 52 are expanded, a driving force (a driving force greater than the biasing force) that resists the biasing force is generated due to the expansion of the air cells, and by this driving force, the left and right third panels 103, 103 and fourth panels 104, 104 move outward in the left-right direction. For example, the left third panel 103 and fourth panel 104 move to the left outer side, and the right third panel 103 and fourth panel 104 move to the right outer side.

[0047] By moving the left and right third panels 103 and fourth panels 104 from the initial positions shown in FIGS. 5(A) and 6(A) to the positions shown in FIGS. 5(B) and 6(B), the left-right interval L2-A between the leading edges 103a, 104a of the left and right third panels 103 and fourth panels 104 widens. Conversely, when returning from the positions in FIGS. 5(B) and 6(B) to the initial positions shown in FIGS. 5(A) and 6(A), the left-right interval L2-A narrows. Therefore, it becomes possible to adjust the left-right interval L2-A according to the user's body shape.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 5(C), on both the left and right sides of the backrest portion 3, there are second massage portions a2 (shoulder massage portions a2) that massage the shoulders or upper arms B1, B1 on both sides of the user's torso B2. The second massage portions a2 are attached to both the left and right sides of the backrest portion 3. The second massage portions a2 are attached to the backrest portion 3 via support portions a2-1. The support portions a2-1 support the second massage portions a2 so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction. Further, the support portions a2-1 have a biasing portion (not shown) and bias the second massage portions a2 outward in the left-right direction. As shown in Figs. 5(A) and 5(B), the second massage portions a2 biased outward in the left-right direction abut against the inner surface of the fourth panel 104. Since the fourth panel 104 is biased inward in the left-right direction by the biasing portion 80, the outward movement of the second massage portions a2 in the left-right direction is restricted by the fourth panel 104 (the inward biasing force acting on the fourth panel 104 is greater than the outward biasing force acting on the second massage portions a2).

[0049] The second massage portions a2 abut against the inner surface at the middle in the extending direction (front-rear direction) of the fourth panel 104 (second wall portion 120). In other words, the fourth panel 104 (second wall portion 120) extends forward beyond the second massage portions a2.

[0050] Since the second massage portions a2 are in contact with the fourth panel 104 in a state of being biased outward in the left-right direction, when the fourth panel 104 moves outward in the left-right direction as shown in Figs. 5(B) and 6(B), the second massage portions a2 also move outward in the left-right direction together, and the left-right interval L2-B between the left and right second massage portions a2 widens. Also, when the fourth panel 104 moves inward in the left-right direction as shown in Figs. 5(A) and 6(A), the second massage portions a2 also move inward in the left-right direction together, and the left-right interval L2-B becomes narrower. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the left-right interval L2-B according to the body shape of the user.

[0051] Note that since the first wall portion 110 and the second wall portion 120 are independently driven by separate drive mechanisms 51, 52, they can move independently as long as they do not interfere with each other.

[0052] Returning to FIG. 1, each of the left and right third wall portions 130 is configured to include, as an example, a single fifth panel 105. The fifth panel 105 is attached to the first panel 101 (the first wall portion 110) and is provided to extend forward so as to be located on both outer sides of the left and right of the footrest portion 4. The fifth panel 105 is formed in a shape in which the front edge of 105 is a convex curve in a side view of the massage machine 1. The fifth panel 105 is formed in a shape like a single petal, for example. The fifth panel 105 is provided so as to partially overlap the first panel 101 and is located inside the first panel 101.

[0053] In the present embodiment, since the fifth panel 105 (the third wall portion 130) is attached to the first panel 101 (the first wall portion 110), it moves together with the first panel 101 (the first wall portion 110). Also, the fifth panel 105 (the third wall portion) may be attached to the footrest portion 4 and be movable independently of the first wall portion 110.

[0054] The wall portion 100 of the present embodiment also includes a hood 140 (the fourth wall portion 140) attached above the backrest portion 3. The hood 140 is located above the head of the user seated on the massage machine 1. The hood 140 includes a main body portion 143 and side panels 144 extending downward from both left and right sides of the main body portion 143. The side panels 144 are provided so as to partially overlap the fourth panel 104 and are located inside the fourth panel 104.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the hood 140 is fixedly provided on the backrest portion 3, but it may be provided movably like the panels 101 to 104. For example, the hood 140 may be movable back and forth and be driven to move by a drive mechanism.

[0056] The massage machine 1 including the wall portion 100 having the first wall portion 110, the second wall portion 120, the third wall portion 130, and the hood 140 has a form like a flower in which a plurality of petals (panels) are overlapped and arranged as shown in Fig. 10(E) in a left and right side view. Also, the flower form in Fig. 10(E) is a form in which the petals are closed like a bud, while when the backrest portion 3 is tilted backward, as shown in Fig. 10(F), the petals are in a form opened back and forth.

[0057] Also, in the initial positions shown in Figs. 4(A), 5(A), and 6(A), the first wall portion 110 and the second wall portion 120 are in a state where the left and right intervals are narrow as shown in Fig. 10(A), but when the first wall portion 110 and the second wall portion 120 are moved outward to widen the left and right intervals, as shown in Figs. 10(B) and 10(C), the wall portion (panel) spreads to the left and right, and the petals open to the left and right. Therefore, when the backrest portion 3 is tilted backward while the wall portions 110 and 120 are moved outward, a form in which the flower is greatly bloomed can be obtained.

[0058] Also, by repeatedly performing the inward and outward movement of the wall portions 110 and 120 and / or the tilting of the backrest portion 3, the state where the petals are closed and the state where the petals are opened are repeatedly alternated, enhancing the visual effect.

[0059] Note that the material of the wall portion 100 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is acrylic or polycarbonate. The member constituting the wall portion 100 may be a translucent member that can partially block light from the outside, or an opaque member that can completely block light from the outside.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, the massage machine 1 includes a light source 60 for providing a visual effect by light to a user or a non-user of the massage machine 1. The light source 60 includes one or a plurality of light-emitting elements 61, 62, 63, 64. Here, a user of the massage machine 1 is a person whose body is supported by the massage machine 1. A non-user is a person who can observe the massage machine 1 but is not using the massage machine 1 at an installation location such as a sales store of the massage machine 1 or the home of a purchaser of the massage machine 1. At the sales store of the massage machine 1, if a visual effect is given for the purpose of performance, customers can be attracted. If a visual effect is produced at the home of a purchaser of the massage machine 1, the interior property when the massage machine 1 is not in use is improved.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the light-emitting elements 61, 62, 63, 64 are provided on the respective panels 101 to 104 (wall portions 110, 120). Note that the light-emitting elements may also be provided on the hood 140 and / or the third wall portion 130.

[0062] The light-emitting elements 61, 62, 63, 64 are, for example, constituted by LEDs attached inside the panels 101 to 104.

[0063] FIG. 8 shows the internal structure and the light-emitting elements of each of the panels 101 to 104. In FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B), the vertical direction in the figure corresponds to the extending direction of the panels 101 to 104, and the upper side in the figure corresponds to the upper side (front side in the extending direction) of the seat portion 2 of the massage machine 1 for the first panel 101 and the second panel 102, and corresponds to the front side (front side in the extending direction) of the backrest portion 3 of the massage machine 1 for the third panel 103 and the fourth panel 104.

[0064] Each of the panels 101 to 104 includes a base 91 and a support portion 92 erected inward in the left - right direction (rightward in FIG. 8(A)) from the periphery of the base 91. The inner surfaces 101b to 104b of the panels 101 to 104 are covered with a light - transmissive cover body such as cloth, and a space 95 is formed between the inner surfaces 101b to 104b and the base 91. The inner surfaces 101b to 104b serve as light - emitting surfaces that emit light by the light - emitting elements 61 to 64. The cover body is preferably, for example, a punching fabric in which a predetermined pattern is formed. The punching fabric is a fabric that has been subjected to punching processing (hole - making processing) of an arbitrary pattern or pattern. The portion with holes has higher light transmissivity than the portion without holes. Therefore, when the inner surfaces 101b to 104b emit light, a light pattern or pattern corresponding to the pattern or pattern by the punching processing can be obtained, and the decorativeness is improved.

[0065] On the inner surface 91a of the base 91 (the right - hand side surface in FIG. 8(A)), a film - shaped or sheet - shaped light reflector 93 is provided. The surface of the light reflector 93 constitutes a light - reflecting surface. The light reflector 93 preferably diffusely reflects light. The light reflector 93 is, for example, a white plastic film or sheet.

[0066] Each of the light - emitting elements 61 to 64 is configured as a tape LED shown in FIG. 8(C). The tape LED includes a flexible long - sheet - shaped (tape - shaped) substrate 71 and a plurality of LEDs 70 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 71 on the substrate 71. Each LED is dimmable and can adjust the brightness and / or color of the light. The dimming may be automatically performed by the control unit 9 or manually operated by the operation unit 13. Each of the light - emitting elements 61 to 64 can be independently turned on and dimmed. Also, each LED can be independently turned on and dimmed.

[0067] Each of the light emitting elements 61 to 64 is disposed on the front side in the extending direction of each panel 101 to 104. More specifically, each of the light emitting elements 61 to 64 is attached inside each panel 101 to 104 on the front side in the extending direction of the support portion 92. The light emitting elements 61 to 64 are attached to the support portion 92 such that the LEDs 70 irradiate light generally toward the rear side in the extending direction. The light emitting elements 61 to 64 are attached such that a plurality of LEDs 70 are arranged along the peripheral edges 101a to 104a of the panels on the front side in the extending direction (the upper edges 101a and 102a of the panels 101 and 102; the front edges 103a and 104a of the panels 103 and 104). Thereby, it is possible to emit light in the vicinity of the curved peripheral edges 101a to 104a of the panels on the front side in the extending direction.

[0068] That is, as shown also in FIGS. 7 and 10(D), light emission 200 along the front edges in the extending direction of the panels 101 to 104 is obtained. Since the form of a flower is obtained by the plurality of panels 101 to 104, the light emission along the front edges in the extending direction of the panels 101 to 104 becomes light emission like a flower as a whole. Further, on the inner surfaces of the panels 101 to 104, by irradiating light toward the rear side in the extending direction, light can easily reach the eyes or the body of the user seated on the massager 1. As a result, the user can easily visually recognize the light or can visually recognize the light irradiated to the body.

[0069] Each of the light emitting elements 61 to 64 irradiates light from the side behind the inner surfaces 101b to 104b which are light emitting surfaces. Therefore, light that is once reflected by the light reflector 93 (light reflecting surface) and then transmitted through the inner surfaces 101b to 104b becomes more dominant than the light that is directly transmitted through the inner surfaces 101b to 104b which are light emitting surfaces from the light emitting element 61. That is, the inner surfaces 101b to 104b emit light by reflecting the light irradiated to the light reflecting surface. As a result, even when a point light source such as an LED is used, surface-like light emission is obtained on the inner surfaces 101b to 104b, which is preferable.

[0070] Since the light-emitting element 61 is disposed above the first massage unit a1, it emits light from the portion above the first massage unit a1. Further, since the light-emitting element 63 is disposed in front of the second massage unit a2, it emits light from the portion in front of the second massage unit a2. Therefore, the light-emitting elements 61 and 63 can emit light without being obstructed by the massage units a1 and a2, and the light can reach the user's eyes.

[0071] Since each of the light-emitting elements 61 to 64 is provided on the movable panels 101 to 104, the position of the light can also be varied by moving the panels 101 to 104 while the light-emitting elements 61 to 64 are emitting light. Further, by repeatedly moving the panels 101 to 104 while emitting light, a visual effect such that the petals (panels) move can be given to the user or the like.

[0072] Hereinafter, the control of the massage machine 1 by the control unit 9 will be described. The control unit 9 can control the light emission of the light source 60 (light-emitting elements 61 to 64) and the operation of the wall unit 100 (panels 101 to 104) in addition to the control of the massage operation.

[0073] FIG. 9(A) shows an example of the operation unit 13 used in relation to the control by the control unit 9. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 13 is attached to the upper part of the first massage unit a1. The operation unit 13 includes, for example, a touch panel display 13A and a physical operation unit 13B. The touch panel display 13A displays an operation screen and receives a touch operation by the user. The physical operation unit 13B includes one or a plurality of physical buttons 13B-1, 13B-2, 13B-3, and 13B-4.

[0074] The physical operation unit 13B includes, for example, buttons 13B-1 and 13B-2 for moving the panels 101 to 104. The buttons 13B-1 and 13B-2 are for adjusting the left-right position of the panels 101 to 104 to an arbitrary position desired by the user.

[0075] The buttons 13B-1 and 13B-2 for moving the panels 101 to 104 include, for example, a button 13B-1 for opening the panels 101 to 104 (petals) and a button 13B-2 for closing the panels 101 to 104 (petals).

[0076] During the pressing operation of the button 13B-1, the air cells constituting the drive mechanisms 51 and 52 continue to expand, and the panels 101 to 104 move outward in the left-right direction, increasing the left-right interval. When the pressing operation of the button 13B-1 stops, the air cell maintains its expanded state at that time, and the left-right positions of the panels 101 to 104 are determined. Also, during the pressing operation of the button 13B-2, the air cells constituting the drive mechanisms 51 and 52 continue to contract, and the panels 101 to 104 move inward in the left-right direction, narrowing the left-right interval. When the pressing operation of the button 13B-2 stops, the air cell maintains its state at that time, and the left-right positions of the panels 101 to 104 are determined. Therefore, the user can adjust the opening degree of the panels 101 to 104 to a desired position by appropriately operating the buttons 13B-1 and 13B-2.

[0077] The position adjustment of the panels 101 to 104 may be performed to adjust the positions of the panels 101 to 104 according to the body size, or may be performed to adjust the positions of the massage parts a1 and a2. The position adjustment of the panels 101 to 104 is possible both when the massage operation is being executed and when the massage operation is not being executed.

[0078] The button 13B-3 is a button for starting the massage operation. The button 13B-3 is, for example, a button for starting a full-body massage course program. The button 13B-4 is an emergency stop button and can immediately stop the operation of the massage machine 1.

[0079] Button 13B-5 is a power button for turning the massager 1 ON / OFF. When operating Button 13B-5 in the OFF state, the massager 1 turns ON and starts up. As an example, in the OFF state, the massager 1 shall be in an initial state where the left-right intervals of panels 101 to 104 are narrow as shown in Fig. 10(A). In this state, when turning on the power of the massager 1, the control unit 9 automatically widens (e.g., maximizes) the left-right intervals of panels 101 to 104. Thereby, it becomes easier for the user to sit on the massager 1. The user sitting on the massager 1 can operate Buttons 13B-1 and 13B-2 to adjust panels 101 to 104 to the desired width (e.g., a width suitable for the body shape). Also, by operating Buttons 13B-1 and 13B-2, the positions of massage parts a1 and a2 can be adjusted.

[0080] When the user operates the power button 13B-5, the massager 1 turns off. Also, the control unit 9 may automatically turn off the power of the massager 1 by means of a timer or the like. When the power is turned off by operating Button 13B-5 or the like, prior to turning off the power, the massager 1 returns to its initial state (initial posture). The return to the initial state is, for example, to set the left-right intervals of the widened panels 101 to 104 to the intervals as shown in Fig. 10(A) (e.g., the state where the left-right intervals are minimum). Thereby, when the massager 1 is not in use, the massager 1 can be made compact. Note that the return to the initial state may also include raising the reclining part 3 that has fallen and / or returning the footrest that has rotated forward to the rear. When the return to the initial state is performed, the control unit 9 turns off the power of the massager 1.

[0081] In the touch panel display 13A, operations that can also be performed by the physical operation unit 13B can be carried out, and other operations can also be performed. For example, on the touch panel display 13A, an operation of selecting a course other than the full-body massage course can be performed. The course is, for example, a massage course, and by executing a massage program stored in advance in the storage unit 14, a massage operation aiming at a predetermined massage effect is automatically executed. During the massage operation, the light-emitting elements 61 to 64 may emit light and / or the panels 101 to 104 may operate. Also, the course may not involve a massage operation. For example, the course may be one in which the light-emitting elements 61 to 64 emit light and / or the panels 101 to 104 operate without involving a massage operation. Further, on the touch panel display 13A, a desired massage operation (for example, a single massage operation such as kneading / tapping) desired by the user can be selected and executed.

[0082] The control unit 9 can change the light of the light-emitting elements 61 to 64 in association with the massage operation by the massage machine (for example, the massage operation in the massage course). FIG. 9(B) shows examples of the icons 301, 302, 303 of the massage courses that can be selected by the touch panel display 13A. The icon 301 is for selecting and executing the sleep induction course. The sleep induction course is a course that promotes the user's sleep. The icon 302 is for selecting and executing the awakening course. The awakening course is a course that promotes the user's awakening. The icon 303 is for selecting and executing the relaxation course.

[0083] In the sleep induction course, for example, a gentle massage operation that promotes sleep is executed, and the light-emitting elements 61 to 64 are controlled to gradually dim the light intensity in order to promote sleep. Also, in the sleep induction course, the light-emitting elements 61 to 64 are controlled to emit a warm color such as orange light bulb color. Also, in the sleep induction course, the light-emitting elements may be slowly blinked.

[0084] In the awakening course, for example, a relatively strong massage operation is performed to promote awakening, and light emitting elements 61 to 64 are controlled to gradually increase the brightness of the light in order to promote awakening. Also, in the awakening course, light emitting elements 61 to 64 are controlled to emit cool-colored light such as white or blue. In the awakening course, the light emitting elements may be rapidly blinked.

[0085] In the relaxation course, a massage operation effective for relaxation is performed, and light emitting elements 61 to 64 are controlled so that a visually effective light for relaxation is irradiated. For example, in the relaxation course, flickering light emission such as the flickering of a candle is performed. For flickering light emission, a light source having a flickering light emission function may be used.

[0086] Note that both courses with a massage operation and those without a massage operation may be set for the courses in which the light is controlled. For example, each of the falling asleep course, the awakening course, and the relaxation course may be set to have a massage operation and not to have a massage operation, so that the user can select a desired course.

[0087] Linking the light of the light emitting elements 61 to 64 with the massage operation may be to cause the light emitting elements 61 to 64 to emit light so as to indicate the content of the massage operation or the part where the massage is being performed. Indicating the content of the massage operation is, for example, to indicate the content of the massage course with light and make the user aware of the content of the massage course. A person receiving a massage should not receive the massage indifferently, but the massage effect is enhanced when receiving the massage while being aware of the content of the massage. Also, a person receiving a massage has a higher massage effect when being aware of the part where the massage is being performed. Therefore, the massage effect can be enhanced by indicating the content or part of the massage operation with light.

[0088] Indicating the content of the massage operation means, for example, indicating by light that the massage operation is a centrifugal method or a centripetal method. The centrifugal method is a massage technique that promotes blood flow from the heart to the extremities of the body, and massage is performed from the part closest to the heart to the part farther away. Therefore, for example, by lighting the light-emitting element 63, the light-emitting element 62, and the light-emitting element 61 in this order in accordance with the change in the position of the massage part, the change from the part closest to the heart to the part farther away can be expressed by light. Also, instead of lighting each light-emitting element as a whole, individual LEDs may be lit from the part closest to the heart to the part farther away. Also, the centripetal method is a massage technique that promotes blood flow from the extremities of the body to the heart, and massage is performed from the part closest to the heart to the part closer to the heart. Therefore, for example, by lighting the light-emitting element 61, the light-emitting element 62, and the light-emitting element 63 in this order in accordance with the change in the position of the massage part, the change from the part farthest from the heart to the part closer to the heart can be expressed by light. Also, instead of lighting up the entire light emitting element, individual LEDs may be lit up in order from the area furthest from the heart to the area approaching the heart.

[0089] To indicate the part being massaged, for example, the light emitting elements 61-64 (or the individual LEDs 70) in the vicinity of the position of the massage parts a1-a5 or the massage unit 8 in operation can be made to emit light. For example, when the massage part a3 is in operation, the light emitting elements 61, 62 (or the individual LEDs 70 therein) can be made to emit light. Also, the intensity or color of the light may be changed according to the strength of the massage.

[0090] In addition, the control unit 9 can change the light of the light emitting elements 61 to 64 for instructions to the user by the massage machine 1. Instructions to the user by the massage machine 1 are, for example, instructions on the way of breathing, and the timing of inhaling / exhaling can be indicated by the light of the light emitting elements 61 to 64. For example, at the timing of inhalation, the lighting / extinguishing of each LED 70 can be controlled so that the position of the emitting light moves toward the user's head, and at the timing of exhalation, the lighting / extinguishing of each LED 70 can be controlled so that the position of the emitting light moves away from the user's head.

[0091] In the touch panel display 13A, the screen shown in FIG. 9(C) is displayed, and an operation of manually adjusting the light intensity (luminance) and its color can be performed.

[0092] The control unit 9 can also cause the light emitting elements 61 to 64 to emit light during non-massage operations when the massage operation by the massage machine is not being performed. By causing the light emitting elements 61 to 64 to emit light during non-massage operations, an effect of promoting sales or an improvement in interior quality can be expected. Also, the massage machine 1 can be used as a lighting device (indirect lighting device). When causing the light emitting elements 61 to 64 to emit light during non-massage operations, it is preferable to move to a state where the panels 101 to 104 are open. Also, by repeating the opening / closing operation of the panels 101 to 104 while causing the light emitting elements 61 to 64 to emit light, the effect of attracting customers or the interior quality is improved.

[0093] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0094] 1: Massage machine 2: Seat part 2a: Upper surface 3: Backrest part 3a: Front surface 3b: Rear surface 4: Footrest part 7: Leg frame 8: Massage unit 9: Control unit 10: Exhaust and supply device 10a: Pump 10b: Valve 11: First actuator 12: Second actuator 13: Operation unit 13A: Touch panel display 13B: Physical operation unit 13B-1: Button 13B-2: Button 13B-3: Button 13B-4: Button 13B-5: Button 14: Memory unit 50: Driving mechanism 51: First driving mechanism 52: Second driving mechanism 60: Light source 61: Light emitting element 62: Light emitting element 63: Light emitting element 64: Light emitting element 70: LED 71: Substrate 80: Biasing part 81: Biasing part 91: Base 91a: Inner surface 92: Support part 93: Light reflector 95: Space 100: Wall part 101: First panel 101a: Upper edge 101b: Inner surface in the left - right direction 101c: Fulcrum 102: Second panel 102a: Upper edge 102b: Inner surface 103: Third panel 103a: Front edge 103b: Inner surface 103c: Fulcrum 104: Fourth panel 104a: Front edge 104b: Inner surface 104c: Fulcrum 105: Fifth panel 110: First wall portion 120: Second wall portion 130: Third wall portion 140: Hood 143: Main body portion 144: Side panel 200: Light emission 301: Icon 302: Icon 303: Icon B: Body B1: Upper arm B2: Torso L1-A: Left - right interval L1-B: Left - right interval L2-A: Left - right interval L2-B: Left - right interval a1: First massage portion a2: Second massage portion a2-1: Support portion a3: Third massage portion a4: Fourth massage portion a5: Fifth massage portion

Claims

1. a seat portion on which a user sits, a backrest portion against which the user leans, a first wall portion located outside the seat portion in the left - right direction, a second wall portion located outside the backrest in the left - right direction, a light - emitting element that emits light from the inner surfaces in the left - right direction of the first wall portion and the second wall portion respectively, A massage machine comprising the above.

2. a drive mechanism for moving at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion, a control unit for controlling at least the drive of the drive mechanism, further comprising, the movement of the wall portion by the drive mechanism includes movement in the left - right direction, by the movement of the wall portion by the drive mechanism, the left - right position of the inner surface of the wall portion that emits light by the light - emitting element is moved The massage machine according to claim 1.

3. the wall portion is biased inward in the left - right direction by a biasing force of a biasing portion, the drive mechanism moves the wall portion outward in the left - right direction by a driving force that resists the biasing force The massage machine according to claim 2.

4. further comprising a massage portion provided inside the wall portion in the left - right direction, by the movement of the wall portion by the drive mechanism, the left - right position of the massage portion is moved The massage machine according to claim 2 or claim 3.

5. further comprising a first massage portion provided inside the first wall portion in the left - right direction for massaging the arm or hand, the first wall portion extends above the first massage portion, the light - emitting element emits light from the inner surface of the first wall portion at a portion above the first massage portion The massage machine according to claim 1.

6. further comprising a second massage portion provided inside the second wall portion in the left - right direction for massaging the arm or shoulder, the second wall portion extends forward of the second massage portion, the light - emitting element emits light from the inner surface of the second wall portion at a portion in front of the second massage portion The massage machine according to claim 1.

7. the first wall portion extends upward outside the seat portion in the left - right direction, the second wall portion extends forward outside the backrest portion in the left - right direction, inside each of the first wall portion and the second wall portion, a light - reflecting surface facing the inner surface is provided, the light - emitting element is disposed inside each of the first wall portion and the second wall portion on the front side in the extending direction, and is provided to irradiate the light - reflecting surface with light toward the rear side in the extending direction The inner surface emits light when the light irradiated on the light reflecting surface is reflected. The massager according to claim 1.

8. Further comprising at least a control unit that controls the light emitting element, The control unit changes the light from the light emitting element in conjunction with the massage operation by the massager. The massager according to claim 1.

9. Further comprising at least a control unit that controls the light emitting element, The control unit changes the light from the light emitting element for an instruction to the user by the massager. The massager according to claim 1.

10. Further comprising at least a control unit that controls the light emitting element, The control unit causes the light emitting element to emit light during a non-massage operation in which the massage operation by the massager is not being performed. The massager according to claim 1.

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