Electronic moxibustion device and electronic moxibustion system

Abstract

To provide an electronic moxibustion device capable of increasing flexibility of use by allowing a user to constantly acquire moxibustion effects even when moxibustion is interrupted and to constantly easily fix an electric heating unit with certain strength when the moxibustion is restarted.SOLUTION: An electronic moxibustion device 2 comprises a rechargeable electric heating unit 4 including a heat source for generating heat by energization, and a moxibustion material holding body 10 for holding a moxibustion material (a moxa) and being stuck to a skin surface, where the electric heating unit 4 and the moxibustion material holding body 10 are detachably attached via a non-adhesive structure. The moxibustion material holding body 10 includes a connecting member with a cylindrical moxibustion material storage part, the electric heating unit 4 includes, on the bottom surface thereof, a storage recess part for storing the moxibustion material storage part, and when the electric heating unit 4 is rotated in a state where a protrusion formed on the moxibustion material storage part and a recess formed on the storage recess part are fitted together, the electric heating unit 4 is fixedly connected to the moxibustion material holding body 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic moxibustion device and an electronic moxibustion system including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Moxibustion is used to improve blood circulation and relieve fatigue and muscle fatigue by applying thermal stimulation to specific points called acupuncture points, which changes the physiological state through the effect of far infrared rays. A common method is to burn moxa refined from mugwort leaves and place it directly on the skin. The oil in the glandular hairs of mugwort contains a large amount of a compound called sioner, which is thought to play a role in enhancing the medicinal effect in addition to the thermal stimulation. However, moxibustion using burning moxa materials such as mugwort makes it difficult to control the temperature, resulting in temperature variations in the treatment area, and problems such as burns and moxibustion marks remaining.

[0003] To address this problem, various electronic (electrical) moxibustion devices have been developed that use heat generated by current flow, making it easy to regulate the temperature. Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic moxibustion device equipped with a small sheathed heater and a temperature regulation mechanism using a shutter. An adhesive sheet with release paper is fixed to the bottom of this moxibustion device, and it is used by operating a switch button after it is adhered and fixed to a specified part of the skin with the adhesive sheet. The adhesive sheet contains aromatic or medicinal ingredients.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a rechargeable portable electronic moxibustion device that uses electric heat to vaporize moxibustion liquid such as mugwort extract and apply it to the affected area. The temperature can be set to three levels by operating a switch button, and each temperature information is displayed on an LCD display, with an LED indicating whether the heat is on or off. An attachment pad is fixed to the bottom of the device, and it is used by adhering it to a designated part of the skin. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4448561 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2017-515646 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, conventional electronic moxibustion devices use an adhesive sheet to attach the electric heating unit to the treatment area, so when temporarily stopping moxibustion and going out, the entire device must be removed from the body. This is because the bulkiness of the electric heating unit causes unnatural swelling of clothing. If the moxibustion device is attached to the same area and used again, the adhesive strength may weaken and the device may fall off.

[0007] However, it has been confirmed that the moxibustion effect of this kind of moxa etc. continues for a long time even after the heating by electricity is stopped. From this viewpoint, when the above-mentioned conventional technology is considered, if the moxibustion is temporarily interrupted, the moxibustion effect is also interrupted, and the moxibustion effect is left useless. It is conceivable that the electric heating unit is detachably attached to the adhesive sheet via an adhesive material, and when the moxibustion is temporarily interrupted, the adhesive sheet that holds the moxibustion material or its efficacy is left on the human body, and only the electric heating unit is removed. However, even in this case, the adhesive strength is reduced and the electric heating unit may fall off. In addition, since the positioning of the adhesive sheet and the electric heating unit is performed visually, for example, when the electric heating unit is re-fixed at a part near the back of the shoulder, the appropriate positional relationship (oppositeness) between the heat source of the electric heating unit and the moxibustion material is easily shifted, and in that case, the moxibustion effect is reduced. The operation of re-fixing is also troublesome and bothersome. In other words, the above-mentioned conventional technology does not assume a situation where the moxibustion is interrupted due to a temporary outing, etc., and it can be said that the degree of freedom of use in daily activities is low. There are also electronic moxibustion devices on the market that have an electric heating unit fixed to the skin surface via an adhesive sticker containing mugwort ingredients, but the moxibustion effect is not satisfactory because the ingredients in the sticker are thin due to their composition.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and its main object is to provide an electronic moxibustion device and an electronic moxibustion system equipped with the same, which can constantly obtain the moxibustion effect even if moxibustion is interrupted, and which can easily fix the electric heating unit with a constant strength when moxibustion is resumed, thereby increasing the flexibility of use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the electronic moxibustion device (2) of the present invention comprises an electric heating unit (4, 5) having a heat source (40) that generates heat when electricity is passed through it, and a moxibustion material holder (10) that holds a moxibustion material (8) and is attached to the skin surface, and is an electronic moxibustion device (2) that heats the moxibustion material (8) using the electric heating unit (4, 5), and is characterized in that the electric heating unit (4, 5) and the moxibustion material holder (10) are attached and detached freely via a non-adhesive structure.

[0010] According to the electronic moxibustion device of the present invention, even if moxibustion is temporarily interrupted due to going out or the like and then resumed, the electric heating unit can be removed and only the moxibustion material holder can be left on the body, and the clothing required for going out is not bulky. The electric heating unit can be easily reattached to the moxibustion material holder, and the reattachment can be performed with a constant strength regardless of the number of times it has been removed.

[0011] In addition, in the above electronic moxibustion device (2), the moxa material holder (10) may be configured to have a moxa material exposure hole (20a) for exposing the moxa material (8) to the skin surface, a flexible sheet (20) to be attached to the skin surface, and a connecting member (22) fixed to the surface side of the flexible sheet (20) and having a cylindrical moxa material storage section (22a) communicating with the moxa material exposure hole (20a), and a recess (4g) and a protrusion (22c) that fits into the recess (4g) are formed relatively between the electric heating unit (4, 5) and the connecting member (22), and the electric heating unit (4, 5) is fixed to the moxa material holder (10) by rotating the electric heating unit (4, 5) with the recess (4g) and the protrusion (22c) fitted into each other. In this way, the electric heating unit can be fixed to the moxa material holder by a simple operation of rotating the electric heating unit after fitting the recess and the protrusion, and the electronic moxibustion device can be easily assembled. The electric heating unit can also be easily removed after the moxa material holder is attached to the skin surface.

[0012] In the electronic moxibustion device (2), the connecting member (22) is provided with a flange (22b) for fixing to the flexible sheet (20), the electric heating unit (4, 5) is formed with a storage recess (4f) for storing the moxa material storage section (22a), and a plurality of protrusions (22c) are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the moxa material storage section (22a). The accommodation recess (4f) may be configured to have recesses (4g) formed in a number corresponding to the number of protrusions (22c), and to have anti-detachment portions (4h) connected to the recesses (4g) to prevent the protrusions (22c) from coming off after the electric heating unit (4, 5) is rotated. This makes it possible to obtain a stable fixed state after the electric heating unit is fixed to the moxa material holder, and to prevent the electric heating unit from accidentally falling off.

[0013] In addition, in the electronic moxibustion device (2) described above, the retaining portion (4h) may be configured to have a small protrusion (4i) formed thereon to restrict the natural reverse rotation of the electric heating unit (4, 5) after rotation. This allows the user to easily feel the completion of fixing the electric heating unit to the moxibustion material holder.

[0014] In addition, the electronic moxibustion device (2) may be configured so that the part of the moxibustion material (8) other than the side facing the skin surface is covered with a thin metal sheet (26) with good thermal conductivity. This can prevent the moxa material, such as moxa, from crumbling and can effectively transmit heat from the heat source to the moxa material.

[0015] In addition, the electronic moxibustion device (2) may be configured such that the electric heating unit (4, 5) can change the heating temperature in multiple stages and the change in each stage of the heating temperature can be visually confirmed by color. This allows the user to easily know the current set temperature and to easily check the set temperature even if the user forgets the set temperature.

[0016] In addition, the electronic moxibustion device (2) may be configured so that the electric heating unit (4, 5) irradiates infrared rays toward the skin surface. In this way, a thermal effect of infrared rays can be obtained at the same time as the moxibustion effect.

[0017] In addition, the electronic moxibustion device (2) may be configured so that the electric heating unit (4, 5) irradiates blue or red light toward the skin surface. In this way, in addition to the moxibustion effect, the effect of blue or red light, which is said to be good for the skin, can be obtained at the same time.

[0018] In the electronic moxibustion device (2) of the present invention, the electric heating unit (4, 5) may be configured to include a battery (42) for supplying electricity to the heat source (40) and a control circuit section (44) for controlling the supply of electricity. This allows the heating temperature of the moxibustion material to be controlled with high precision.

[0019] The electronic moxibustion system (7) of the present invention is characterized by comprising an electronic moxibustion device (2) and a charger (6) for charging the battery (42).

[0020] According to the electronic moxibustion system of the present invention, the electric heating unit can be configured without wires for electricity supply, making it easy to handle and move while attached to the human body.

[0021] In addition, in the electronic moxibustion system (7), the charger (6) may be configured to charge wirelessly. This eliminates the need to align the electric heating unit with the charger, improving usability and making it easier to waterproof the electric heating unit.

[0022] In addition, the electronic moxibustion system (7) may be configured so that the charger (6) can charge an even number of electric heating units (4, 5) at the same time. This allows moxibustion to be performed on multiple acupoints at the same time, and also allows moxibustion to be performed on symmetrical areas on the left and right sides of the human body at the same time. Also, by replacing the electric heating units and charging them alternately with the charger, it becomes possible to perform moxibustion on the same acupoint for a long time. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, the moxibustion effect can be constantly obtained even if moxibustion is interrupted, and when moxibustion is resumed, the electric heating unit can be easily fixed with a constant strength at all times, thereby increasing the flexibility of use. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic moxibustion device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a charger that is a part of an electronic moxibustion system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing in detail the configuration of the charger shown in FIG. 2, in which (a) is a perspective view with one electric heating unit removed, and (b) is a perspective view of the removed electric heating unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the moxa material holder in the electronic moxa device shown in FIG. 1, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a rear view. [Diagram 5] 5 is an exploded perspective view of the moxa holder shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the electric heating unit in the electronic moxibustion device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the electronic moxibustion device shown in FIG. 1 is used. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the essential parts showing the fixing operation of the electric heating unit to the moxa material holder of the electronic moxibustion device shown in FIG. 1, where (a) is a diagram showing the state before engagement, (b) is a diagram showing the engaged state, and (c) is a diagram showing the state after the electric heating unit has been rotated and fixed. [Figure 9] 2 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the fitting configuration between the moxa material holder and the electric heating unit of the electronic moxa device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the electronic moxibustion device shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 7 is a view equivalent to FIG. 6 in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a control block diagram of an electronic moxibustion device in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] [First embodiment] A first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. Figure 1 shows an electronic moxibustion device 2 according to this embodiment. The electronic moxibustion device 2 is an electronic moxibustion device that includes a top-shaped electric heating unit 4 equipped with a heat source (described later) that generates heat when electricity is applied, and a moxa material holder 10 that holds a moxa material (described later) and is attached to the skin surface, and heats the moxa material with the electric heating unit 4. The electric heating unit 4 and the moxa material holder 10 are provided so as to be freely attached and detached via a non-adhesive structure described later.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 2, the electronic moxibustion system 7 according to this embodiment includes the electronic moxibustion device 2 shown in Fig. 1 and a charger 6 for charging a battery (described later) built into the electric heating unit 4. The charger 6 is configured to be able to charge two (an even number) electric heating units 4, 5 simultaneously.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows one of the electric heating units 4 removed from the charger 6 for use. The charger 6 includes a charger body 6a having an oval outer shape, two charging pits 6b for accommodating the electric heating units 4 and 5, and a USB cable 12. The power supply terminals 14a and 14b are exposed on the side of the charging pit 6b, and two protrusions 6c extending in the vertical direction are formed beside the power supply terminals 14a and 14b. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the power receiving terminals 16a and 16b that come into contact with the power supply terminals 14a and 14b are exposed on the side of the electric heating unit 4, and two guide grooves 4d that fit into the protrusions 6c are formed on both sides.

[0029] When the electric heating unit 4 is accommodated in the charging pit 6b, the electric heating unit 4 is pinched with fingers and slightly inserted into the charging pit 6b while aligning the orientation, and the electric heating unit 4 is attracted by a magnet (not shown) provided inside the bottom surface of the charging pit 6b with the guide grooves 4d fitted into the protrusions 6c, and is accommodated in a predetermined position where the power supply terminals 14a, 14b and the power receiving terminals 16a, 16b are in contact with each other. In this embodiment, the orientation of the electric heating unit 4 is aligned by aligning the orientation of the alphabet A printed on the surface of the switch button 4b, which serves as an operating member for controlling the energization of the electric heating unit 4. The alphabet B is printed on the electric heating unit 5, and in addition to the orientation, the printed indications are different between the electric heating units 4 and 5 to distinguish the charging state.

[0030] The electric heating units 4 and 5 have the same configuration, with only the printed markings on the switch buttons 4b and 5b being different, and the reference numerals also correspond. The printed markings are not intended to be limited to alphabetical characters. The electric heating units 4 and 5 have the same configuration and are used in the same way, so in the following, unless otherwise necessary, only the electric heating unit 4 will be described as a representative.

[0031] 2 and 3, reference numeral 6d denotes a chamfer formed at a radially opposing portion to facilitate removal of the electric heating unit 4. When the plug of the USB cable 12 is inserted into a USB port (not shown), a red indicator lamp 18 lights up, allowing confirmation (visual confirmation) of power supply to the charger 6. The top surface of the charger main body 6a is covered with a removable transparent cover (not shown), but this cover is not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3(b), the electric heating unit 4 includes a plastic housing 4a, a push-type switch button 4b formed in the center of the top surface of the housing 4a for controlling the flow of electricity, an annular indicator 4c for indicating gradual changes in the heating temperature, the above-mentioned power supply terminals 14a, 14b, and a guide groove 4d.

[0033] The structure of the moxa material holder 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4(a) is a view of the moxa material holder 10 before use, as seen from its front side, and Fig. 4(b) is a view of the moxa material holder 10 as seen from its back side. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the moxa material holder 10. The moxa material holder 10 includes a porous or mesh-like soft sheet 20 having a moxa material exposure hole 20a for exposing the moxa 8 to the skin surface, which is attached to the skin surface, and a connecting member 22 having a tubular (here, cylindrical) moxa material accommodating portion 22a that is fixed to the front side 20b of the soft sheet 20 and communicates with the moxa material exposure hole 20a. The connecting member 22 is made of plastic that is harder than the soft sheet 20, and includes a flange 22b for adhesively fixing the moxa material to the soft sheet 20. The flange 22b is formed integrally with the moxa material accommodating portion 22a. A plurality of convex portions 22c that protrude radially outward are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction at the upper end of the moxa material accommodating portion 22a. In this embodiment, three protrusions 22c are formed at intervals of 120°. Note that in Fig. 4(a) and other figures, the porous or meshed portions of flexible sheet 20 are omitted for ease of viewing.

[0034] The structure of the moxa material holder 10 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 5. The moxa 8 is stored in the moxa material storage section 22a while being solidified into a cylindrical shape and covered with a collar 24 to prevent the periphery from collapsing. The moxa 8 is covered with a thin metal sheet with good thermal conductivity, here an aluminum sheet 26, except for the side facing the skin surface. The aluminum sheet 26 is composed of a cylindrical part 26a and a flange-shaped fixing piece 26b, which are stored in the moxa material storage section 22a, and the moxa 8 is stored in the cylindrical part 26a via the aluminum sheet 26. The moxa material holder 10 and the aluminum sheet 26 are fixed to the surface 20b of the flexible sheet 20 via a double-sided adhesive sheet 28. The fixing piece 26b of the aluminum sheet 26 is adhesively fixed to the adhesive area 28a on the surface side of the double-sided adhesive sheet 28, and the outer part of the flange 22b of the connecting member 22 except for the part corresponding to the fixing piece 26b of the aluminum sheet 26 is adhesively fixed to the remaining adhesive area 28b.

[0035] The side of the moxa 8 exposed to the skin surface on the back side of the flexible sheet 20 is covered with a thin sheet 30 like a fiber filter that is adhesively fixed to the back side of the flexible sheet 20. The imaginary circle 30a indicates the area facing the moxa material exposure hole 20a, and the thin sheet 30 has an area larger than the moxa material exposure hole 20a and is stably adhesively fixed. This prevents the moxa 8 from falling off, and allows the medicinal effect of the moxa 8 to penetrate the skin surface and release the aroma.

[0036] The flexible sheet 20 has a petal shape so that it can flexibly follow and deform to irregular curved surfaces such as the surface of the shoulder (skin surface) and be attached to the body. This shape makes it difficult to peel off, and the electronic moxibustion device 2 can be moved while attached to the body. The shape of the flexible sheet 20 is not limited to this, and it may be a tortoise shell shape or the like as long as it can flexibly follow and deform to irregular curved surfaces. An adhesive layer 32 (see FIG. 9) is formed on the back surface 20c of the flexible sheet 20, and in the unused state, the adhesive layer 32 is covered with a release paper 34 of the same shape as the flexible sheet 20. The release paper 34 has a through hole 34a with the same diameter as the moxa material exposure hole 20a. A release paper piece 36 of a different color from the release paper 34 is interposed in a part of the back surface 20c of the flexible sheet 20 so that the release paper 34 can be easily peeled off.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a view of the electric heating unit 4 seen from the bottom side. A cylindrical storage recess 4f is formed on the bottom surface 4e, which is the connecting side of the electric heating unit 4, to accommodate the cylindrical moxa material storage portion 22a of the connecting member 22. Around the storage recess 4f, recesses 4g protruding radially outward are formed in the number corresponding to the protrusions 22c, and the recesses 4g are connected in the clockwise direction in the figure to prevent the protrusions 22c from coming off after the electric heating unit 4 is rotated. The fitting configuration of the recesses 4g and the protrusions 22c may be reversed. That is, it is sufficient that the recesses 4g and the protrusions 22c that fit therein are formed relatively between the electric heating unit 4 and the connecting member 22, and the electric heating unit 4 is fixed to the moxa material holder 10 by rotating the electric heating unit 4 with the recesses 4g and the protrusions 22c fitted thereto.

[0038] With reference to Figs. 7 and 8, the operation of connecting the electric heating unit 4 to the moxa material holder 10 will be described at one fitting site. As shown in Fig. 7, the electronic moxa device 2 according to this embodiment is attached to the acupressure points on the left and right shoulders to reduce stiff shoulders, for example. As described above, the charger 6 can charge the two electric heating units 4 and 5 simultaneously, which has the advantage that symmetrical left and right parts of the human body, such as the shoulders, both arms, and both legs, can be treated (moxibustion) simultaneously. Fig. 7 shows an example in which the electronic moxa device 2 is fixed to the back of the left and right shoulders. On the right shoulder, the electronic moxa device 2 in which the moxa material holder 10 and the electric heating unit 5 are previously connected together is shown in a state in which the release paper 34 of the moxa material holder 10 is peeled off and the electronic moxa device 2 is attached. On the left shoulder, the electronic moxa device 2 is attached in the same manner as on the right shoulder, and then the electric heating unit 4 is removed for a temporary outing, etc., and then reattached to the moxa material holder 10.

[0039] When one electronic moxibustion device 2 is used to treat only one acupoint, if the battery of the electric heating unit 4 runs out, you can continue treatment by replacing it with the other charged electric heating unit 5 remaining in the charger 6. Alternate charging allows for long-term moxibustion.

[0040] As described above, the moxa holder 10 is attached to the back of the left shoulder, so it is difficult to visually align the fitting parts of the electric heating unit 4 and the moxa holder 10. In this case, the bottom surface 4e of the electric heating unit 4 held in the left hand is roughly placed against the moxa holder 22a of the moxa holder 10, and the electric heating unit 4 is rotated slightly in both directions, so that the convex part 22c of the moxa holder 22a fits immediately into the concave part 4g of the electric heating unit 4.

[0041] Fig. 8(a) shows the state where the convex part 22c of the moxa material storage part 22a faces the concave part 4g of the electric heating unit 4. When the electric heating unit 4 held in the left hand is pressed in the direction of the arrow (towards the moxa material storage part 22a), the convex part 22c enters the concave part 4g as shown in Fig. 8(b). At this time, the user can easily recognize that the convex part 22c is engaged with the concave part 4g because the sense of the electric heating unit 4 moving is transmitted to the hand. After that, when the electric heating unit 4 is rotated clockwise (in the direction of the arrow), the convex part 22c is positioned at the retaining part 4h as shown in Fig. 8(c), and the connection (fixing) of the electric heating unit 4 to the moxa material holder 10 is completed.

[0042] The retaining portion 4h is formed with a small protrusion 4i that restricts the natural reverse rotation of the electric heating unit 4 after rotation. When the convex portion 22c passes over the small protrusion 4i with the rotation of the electric heating unit 4, the retaining portion 4h and / or the convex portion 22c are elastically deformed, and the convex portion 22c is fixed in position to the retaining portion 4h by snap-fit. In this case, the snap-fit ​​feeling is transmitted to the hand, so the user can easily recognize that the electric heating unit 4 has been fixed to the moxa material holder 10. Since the wall 4g-1 exists on the opposite side of the retaining portion 4h of the recess 4g, the electric heating unit 4 can only rotate in one direction. In this embodiment, the electric heating unit 4 is fixed by rotating in the clockwise direction, but it may be fixed by rotating in the counterclockwise direction. Furthermore, the retaining portion 4h may be provided on both sides of the recess 4g so that it can be fixed regardless of the direction of rotation.

[0043] The snap-fit ​​electric heating unit 4 is firmly fixed to the moxa material holder 10 during moxibustion, but can be easily removed with a slight rotating force when removing it. Therefore, when going out temporarily, it is possible to remove only the electric heating unit 4 and leave only the moxa material holder 10 on the body, and enjoy the effects of the moxa 8, which is said to have a long-lasting effect, without interruption. The height of the connecting member 22 from the surface of the moxa material holder 10, i.e., the surface 20b of the flexible sheet 20, is at most about 3 mm, so when you temporarily stop moxibustion and go out, even if you are wearing light clothing, there is almost no swelling of your clothes due to the moxa material holder 10 remaining on your body.

[0044] In the case of the adhesive fixing method, the adhesive strength (fixing strength) decreases every time it is peeled off, but with the fitting configuration of this embodiment, the fixing strength of the electric heating unit 4 to the moxa material holder 10 can always be constant regardless of the number of times the moxa treatment is interrupted. Since the configuration allows easy fitting when the positions of the recess 4g and the protrusion 22c are aligned, even in areas that are difficult to see, as long as they are within reach, they can be aligned by simply placing them on the surface, and then they can be easily connected with a simple operation. It goes without saying that fitting is easy in areas on the front side of the body that are easy to see.

[0045] Since the moxa 8 is stored in the cylindrical moxa material storage section 22a, which is one of the non-adhesive structures (fitted joint structures), the moxa 8 can be compressed into a thick lump, and the action and efficacy of the moxa 8 can be fully exerted compared to a method in which the moxa component is contained in an adhesive sheet. That is, in this embodiment, the advantages of the non-adhesive structure and the improvement of the action and efficacy of the moxa 8 are both achieved.

[0046] In Fig. 8, the reference numeral 38 denotes a heating plate that covers the upper surface of the storage recess 4f, and the heating plate 38 is heated by a heater 40 as a heat source described later. As shown in Fig. 9, when the electric heating unit 4 is connected to the moxa holder 10, the heating plate 38 and the aluminum sheet 26, which has good thermal conductivity, are close to or in contact with each other, and the heat from the heater 40 is well transmitted to the moxa 8. In Fig. 9, the internal structure of the electric heating unit 4 is omitted, except for the heating plate 38.

[0047] The control configuration of the electric heating unit 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The electric heating unit 4 includes a heater 40 as a heat source inside a housing 4a, a battery 42 that energizes the heater 40, a control circuit 44 that controls the energization, the switch button 4b, a temperature sensor 46 for monitoring the heating temperature, and the like. The control circuit 44 is a microcomputer that includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O interface, and the like. The battery 42 is charged by a charger 6 via power receiving terminals 16a and 16b.

[0048] In this embodiment, the electronic moxibustion device 2 has a configuration that changes the heating temperature in multiple stages. Specifically, the electric heating unit 4 can be set to any of three set temperatures, and each set temperature is stored in advance in the ROM of the control circuit section 44. When the switch button 4b is pressed and held for about 2 seconds, the control circuit section 44 turns on the power to the electric heating unit 4, electricity is applied to the heater 40, and the blue first temperature lamp 48a on the annular indicator 4c lights up. When the first temperature lamp 48a lights up, the first temperature is a mild low temperature (e.g., 42°C), and the control circuit section 44 performs control (e.g., on / off control) to maintain the first temperature based on information from the temperature sensor 46. The user can easily check the current set temperature by looking at the color of the annular indicator 4c.

[0049] When the switch button 4b is pressed again (second time), the second temperature lamp 48b lights up and the color of the annular indicator 4c changes to yellow. The second temperature is a medium temperature (for example, 50°C). The control circuit unit 44 performs control (for example, on / off control) to maintain the second temperature based on the information from the temperature sensor 46. When the switch button 4b is pressed again (third time), the third temperature lamp 48c lights up and the color of the annular indicator 4c changes to orange. The third temperature is a scorching temperature (for example, 55°C). The control circuit unit 44 performs control (for example, on / off control) to maintain the third temperature based on the information from the temperature sensor 46. When the switch button 4b is pressed and held for about 2 seconds from each of the above power-on states, the power is turned off and the annular indicator 4c goes out. As described above, the electric heating unit 4 has a configuration that allows the change in each stage of the heating temperature to be visually recognized by color. The color-coded annular indicator 4c that distinguishes the above three stages of temperature change is merely an example.

[0050] When the electric heating unit 4 with no remaining battery power is placed in the charging pit 6b of the charger 6, the annular indicator 4c lights up in red to indicate the start of charging, and when charging is complete, it lights up in blue for a specified period of time and then goes out. Therefore, when the annular indicators 4c and 5c of the electric heating units 4 and 5 set in the charger 6 are off, this indicates that charging is complete.

[0051] In the case of a type where the set temperature or the charging state is displayed by characters on the display, it is impossible to check it without looking at the display, but in this embodiment, it is distinguished by color, so it can be easily checked from a distance. For example, when the electronic moxa device 2 is attached to the back, the current set temperature cannot be visually confirmed, but in this embodiment, the ring-shaped indicator 4c is displayed by color, so that the set temperature can be easily confirmed in the mirror even when the electronic moxa device 2 is attached to the back.

[0052] The basic method of using the electronic moxibustion device 2 is to connect and fix the electric heating unit 4 to the moxa material holder 10, press the switch button 4b to set the desired temperature, locate the acupoint, peel off the release paper 34 from the moxa material holder 10, and attach it to the acupoint.

[0053] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Parts that are the same as or can be considered the same as those in the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals, and the above-mentioned structural and functional explanations will be omitted as appropriate (the same applies to the other embodiments described below).

[0054] As shown in FIG. 11(a), the electric heating unit 4 in this embodiment has a configuration for irradiating infrared rays toward the skin surface. Specifically, the electric heating unit 4 includes a plurality of far-infrared lamps 50, each of which is made of LEDs arranged in the circumferential direction. The bottom surface 4e of the electric heating unit 4 has circular through-holes 52 corresponding to each far-infrared lamp 50. The flange 22b of the joint member 22 of the moxa material holder 10 has the same number of circular through-holes 54 at positions corresponding to the through-holes 52. As a result, the far-infrared light from each infrared lamp 50 passes through the porous or mesh-like flexible sheet 20 and is irradiated onto the skin surface. As a result, the far-infrared effect can be imparted to the outer periphery of the range in which the far-infrared effect of the moxa 8, such as promoting blood circulation, and the medicinal effect, are active, and the moxa 8's moxibustion effect can be further enhanced. The same number of through-holes communicating with the through-holes 54 may also be formed in the flexible sheet 20.

[0055] In the above configuration, instead of the far-infrared lamp 50, a lamp that irradiates red or blue light may be provided, and the same number of through holes that communicate with the through holes 54 may be formed in the flexible sheet 20. It is presumed that the skin senses visible light, and experimental results have been reported that red light actually speeds up the healing of wounds, and blue light actually prevents the proliferation of bacteria that cause acne. With such a configuration, the moxibustion effect of the moxa 8 can be further enhanced. Also, the electric heating unit 4 may be equipped with an EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) configuration that stimulates muscles by applying electrical stimulation to stimulate them, thereby obtaining a beauty effect in addition to the moxibustion effect of the moxa 8. Also, a vibration source may be installed in the electric heating unit 4 to apply vibration to the skin at the same time as the moxibustion.

[0056] [Third embodiment] The third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. In this embodiment, control during moxibustion is performed by an AI control unit 56 built into the electric heating unit 4. The electric heating unit 4 is equipped with a thermometer / hygrometer 55 in addition to the temperature sensor 46. The AI ​​control unit 56 controls the heating temperature to be optimal for the moxibustion practitioner based on biological information and the like transmitted from a smart watch 58 as a wearable sensor worn by the moxibustion practitioner (user of the electronic moxibustion device 2). The AI ​​control unit 56 is equipped with a voice recognition means.

[0057] The temperature and humidity in the moxibustion room are measured by the thermometer and hygrometer 55, and the blood pressure, pulse, electrocardiogram, blood glucose level, blood oxygen concentration, respiratory rate, etc. of the moxibustion practitioner are measured by the smart watch 58. These measurement data are sequentially transmitted to the AI ​​control unit 56 and stored. For example, if the moxibustion practitioner utters a voice saying "Oh, it feels good" during moxibustion and this is picked up by the microphone 60, the AI ​​control unit 56 associates it with each data at that time and performs machine learning. In addition, the AI ​​control unit 56 periodically or irregularly asks the moxibustion practitioner a question such as "How are you feeling?" via the speaker 62, and associates the moxibustion practitioner's response with each data and performs machine learning. In machine learning, the relationship with the fatigue level and stress level based on the blood oxygen concentration is also taken into consideration. In this way, the AI ​​control unit 56 can control the optimal heating temperature based on the biological information and environmental information of the moxibustion practitioner at the time of the moxibustion based on the prediction data obtained by accumulating machine learning.

[0058] When the moxibustion practitioner utters a negative voice such as "it hurts" or "I feel sick", the AI ​​control unit 56 controls to lower the heating temperature of the heater 40 or to stop the power supply to the heater 40. When the battery level of the electric heating unit 4 approaches zero, the AI ​​control unit 56 may announce this through the speaker 62. The conversation between the AI ​​control unit 56 and the moxibustion practitioner may be carried out through the smartphone of the moxibustion practitioner within the Bluetooth range. The AI ​​control unit 56 may also play music from the smartphone and perform machine learning by associating the comfort felt by the moxibustion practitioner with each data. If the smartwatch 58 is not provided, the AI ​​control unit 56 may control the temperature of the heater 40 based only on the conversation between the moxibustion practitioner and the AI ​​control unit 56.

[0059] In addition to the color of the annular indicator 4c of the electric heating unit 4 indicating the set temperature, a function that changes color in yoga, pilates, or other training modes can be provided, and the breathing or strength can be changed according to the change in color. In this case, if the color is changed using an app installed on a smartphone or tablet, a teacher or instructor can provide guidance to all students at once in a yoga or pilates classroom or in a remote area such as at home. The temperature of the heater 40 can also be changed depending on the training mode using the app. In this way, in addition to the moxibustion effect of the moxa 8, the effect of yoga or other exercise can be obtained at the same time.

[0060] Furthermore, if the electric heating unit 4 is made waterproof, it is possible to take a half-body bath while performing moxibustion in the bathroom or bathtub, and thus it is possible to obtain the moxibustion effect of the moxa 8 as well as the half-body bathing effect of the bath at the same time.

[0061] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims and the technical ideas described in the specification and drawings. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the charger 6 is configured to be capable of simultaneously charging two electric heating units 4, 5, but it may be configured to be capable of simultaneously charging one unit, or to be capable of simultaneously charging three or more units. In addition, the charging method is exemplified as a wire contact method, but it may be a wireless (non-contact) charging method using electromagnetic induction. In addition, the power is turned on and off by the switch button 4b, but the AI ​​control unit 56 may automatically turn the power on and off by recognizing the voice of the moxibustion practitioner.

[0062] In each of the above embodiments, the electric heating units 4, 5 are exemplified as being rechargeable, but it may be configured such that, for example, one power source supplies power directly to each of the multiple electric heating units 4 via a thin flexible cable. In addition, as a non-adhesive configuration, a magnet may be provided on the electric heating units 4, 5 side and a magnetic body on the connecting member 22 side, and they may be attracted and fixed by magnetic force. By molding the fitting and connecting structure between the electric heating units 4, 5 and the connecting member 22 from plastic as in each of the above embodiments, it is possible to achieve lower costs than with magnets. In addition, in each of the above embodiments, moxa grass 8 is exemplified as the moxa material, but it may also be a moxa material whose main purpose is its aroma.

[0063] Furthermore, the configurations described in the above embodiments can be applied in any combination between the embodiments as long as they are not mutually contradictory. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 2. Electronic moxibustion device 4, 5 Electric heating unit 4a, 5a housing 4b, 5b switch button 4c, 5c Annular indicator 4f Recessed part 4g Concave 4h Locking part 4i small protrusion 6 charger 6a charger body 6b Charging pit 7. Electronic Moxibustion System 8. Moxa (moxibustion material) 10 Moxibustion material holder 12 USB cable 14a, 14b Power supply terminals 16a, 16b Power receiving terminal 20 Flexible Sheet 20a Moxibustion material exposure hole 22 Connecting members 22a Moxa material storage section 22c Convex 22b flange 26 Metal Sheet 28 Double-sided adhesive sheet 38 Heating plate 40 Heater (heat source) 42 Battery 44 Control circuit section 46 Temperature Sensor 50 Far-infrared lamp 56 AI control section 58 Smartwatch 60 Microphones 62 speakers

Claims

1. an electric heating unit having a heat source that generates heat when electricity is applied; A moxa material holder that holds a moxa material and is attached to the skin surface, An electronic moxibustion device that heats the moxibustion material by the electric heating unit, An electronic moxibustion device, characterized in that the electric heating unit and the moxibustion material holder are detachably attached via a non-adhesive structure.

2. The moxa material holder has a moxa material exposure hole for exposing the moxa material to the skin surface, and is provided with a flexible sheet attached to the skin surface, and a connecting member fixed to the surface side of the flexible sheet and having a cylindrical moxa material storage portion communicating with the moxa material exposure hole, The electronic moxibustion device described in claim 1, characterized in that a recess and a protrusion that fits into the recess are relatively formed between the electric heating unit and the connecting member, and the electric heating unit is fixed to the moxibustion material holder by rotating the electric heating unit with the recess and the protrusion fitted together.

3. the coupling member includes a flange for fastening to the flexible sheet; The electric heating unit is provided with a receiving recess for receiving the moxa material receiving portion, A plurality of the protrusions are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the moxa material storage portion, The electronic moxibustion device described in claim 2, characterized in that the accommodating recess has a number of recesses corresponding to the number of protrusions, and a slip-out prevention portion is formed connected to the recess to prevent the protrusions from falling out after the electric heating unit is rotated.

4. 4. The electronic moxibustion device according to claim 3, wherein the retaining portion is formed with a small protrusion for restricting natural reverse rotation of the electric heating unit after rotation.

5. 3. The electronic moxibustion device according to claim 2, wherein the part of the moxibustion material other than the part facing the skin surface is covered with a thin metal sheet having good thermal conductivity.

6. 2. The electronic moxibustion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric heating unit is configured to change the heating temperature in multiple stages and is configured so that the changes in each stage of the heating temperature can be visually confirmed by changing the color.

7. 2. The electronic moxibustion device according to claim 1, wherein the electric heating unit is configured to irradiate infrared rays toward the skin surface.

8. 2. The electronic moxibustion device according to claim 1, wherein the electric heating unit is configured to irradiate blue or red light toward the skin surface.

9. 9. The electronic moxibustion device according to claim 1, wherein the electric heating unit comprises a battery for supplying electricity to the heat source, and a control circuit for controlling the supply of electricity.

10. 10. An electronic moxibustion system comprising: the electronic moxibustion device according to claim 9; and a charger for charging the battery.

11. The electronic moxibustion system according to claim 10, characterized in that the charger is configured to charge wirelessly.

12. The electronic moxibustion system according to claim 10, characterized in that the charger is configured to be able to charge an even number of the electric heating units simultaneously.

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