Massage machine for handle and massage system

Abstract

To provide a massage machine for a handle that can relieve fatigue of a driver effectively.SOLUTION: A massage machine 17 for a handle includes: a body part 23 having an attaching surface 22 to be attached to a handle 14 of a vehicle 11; an insertion part 24 provided in the body part 23, into which a hand 13 of a driver 12 of the vehicle 11 is inserted; and a pressure application part 25 provided in the insertion part 24 for giving a massage to the hand 13 inserted into the insertion part 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering wheel massager and a massage system to be mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a driver of a vehicle becomes tired after driving for a long period of time. As a device for recovering from such fatigue, an electric power steering device as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, has been known. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4984918 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the electric power steering device described above, the steering wheel is swung to relieve the fatigue of the driver's arms while driving. Therefore, the steering wheel cannot be swung too much. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of relieving the driver's fatigue. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Below, various aspects of a handle massager and a massage system for solving the above problems will be described. [Aspect 1] A steering wheel massager comprising: a main body having an attachment portion for attachment to a vehicle steering wheel; an insertion portion provided on the main body into which the driver of the vehicle inserts his / her hands; and a massage portion provided on the insertion portion for massaging the hands inserted into the insertion portion.

[0006] According to the above configuration, when the driver inserts his / her hands into the insertion portion, the massage portion can massage the hands, thereby effectively relieving the driver of fatigue. [Aspect 2] The massager for a handlebar according to [Aspect 1], characterized in that the massage section is a pressure section that applies pressure to the hand by inflating an airbag.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the acupuncture points on the hands can be pressed by the airbag, so that the driver can recover from fatigue more effectively. [Aspect 3] A massage system comprising a steering wheel massager as described in [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2] and a control unit that controls the operation of the steering wheel massager, wherein the control unit allows the operation of the steering wheel massager when conditions based on the driving state of the vehicle are met, and prohibits the operation of the steering wheel massager when the conditions are not met.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the handle massager can be driven at an appropriate timing. [Aspect 4] The massage system described in [Aspect 3] is characterized in that it is equipped with an alarm unit, and the control unit causes the alarm unit to notify the driver to urge them to satisfy the condition if the condition is not satisfied.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the driver can be prompted to satisfy the above conditions. [Aspect 5] The massage system described in [Aspect 4] is characterized in that it comprises an information acquisition unit that acquires biometric information of the driver and an input unit, and when the control unit determines that a hand massage is necessary based on the biometric information acquired by the information acquisition unit, it notifies the driver via the notification unit to prompt the driver to input from the input unit whether or not to perform the massage.

[0010] According to the above configuration, a massage can be suggested to the driver at an appropriate timing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present invention has the effect of effectively relieving the driver of fatigue. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a rear view of a handle with a handle massager attached, in one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the massage system. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a massage processing routine. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a rear view of a handle to which a handle massager is attached in a modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. <Vehicle 11> As shown in Fig. 1, vehicle 11 is configured to be able to switch between an automatic driving mode in which the vehicle is driven automatically and a manual driving mode in which the vehicle is driven by a driver 12. The driving mode of vehicle 11 is switched by operating an operation button (not shown) or the like. Vehicle 11 is equipped with a steering wheel 14 that is gripped and operated by the hand 13 of driver 12 for manual driving. Steering wheel 14 has a generally rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction.

[0014] The vehicle 11 is equipped with a steer-by-wire steering device. The steer-by-wire system is a system that controls tires using electrical signals without mechanically connecting the steering wheel 14 and the tires. In this system, the operating angle of the steering wheel 14 is converted into an electrical signal by a sensor, and the tire steering angle is controlled through the ECU 15 (see Figure 3).

[0015] Therefore, in the autonomous driving mode of the vehicle 11, the steering wheel 14 and the tires are electrically disconnected, so that the tire steering angle can be changed to turn the vehicle 11 right or left without changing the operation angle of the steering wheel 14, and the steering wheel 14 is fixed, for example, in a position where the vehicle 11 travels straight. The vehicle 11 is also equipped with a massage system 16 that massages the hands 13 of the driver 12.

[0016] <Massage System 16> As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the massage system 16 includes a handle massager 17 attached to the handle 14, a control unit 18 that controls the operation of the handle massager 17, an input unit 19, a display unit 20 as an example of an alarm unit, and a heart rate sensor 21 as an example of an information acquisition unit.

[0017] The handle massager 17 includes a pair of main body portions 23 having mounting surfaces 22 as an example of a mounting portion for mounting to the handle 14 of the vehicle 11, an insertion portion 24, and a pressure applying portion 25 as an example of a massage portion.

[0018] The pair of main bodies 23 are attached to the front of the left and right ends of the steering wheel 14, which are the portions of the steering wheel 14 that the driver 12 grips with his / her hands 13. Although Fig. 2 shows only the main body 23 at the right end of the steering wheel 14, a main body 23 is also provided at the left end of the steering wheel 14, similar to the right end.

[0019] The main body 23 is shaped like a bottomed box that is open on the outside in the left-right direction. The mounting surface 22 is formed by the rear surface of the main body 23 that faces the front surface of the handle 14. The main body 23 is attached to the front surface of the handle 14 at the mounting surface 22 using, for example, double-sided adhesive tape or adhesive.

[0020] The inside of the main body 23 is an insertion section 24 into which the hand 13 of the driver 12 of the vehicle 11 is inserted from an opening of the main body 23. That is, the insertion section 24 is provided in the main body 23. The insertion section 24 is configured to receive the four fingers, excluding the thumb, of the hand 13 of the driver 12 gripping the steering wheel 14. The insertion section 24 is provided with a pressure applying section 25 that massages the hand 13 inserted into the insertion section 24.

[0021] The pressurizing unit 25 has a pump 26 and an airbag 27 that is inflated by air supplied from the pump 26 and that is deflated by the air being discharged. The pressurizing unit 25 applies pressure to the hand 13 inserted into the insertion unit 24 by inflating the airbag 27. That is, the pressurizing unit 25 massages the hand 13 inserted into the insertion unit 24, for example, by repeatedly inflating and deflating the airbag 27.

[0022] The heartbeat sensor 21 is provided in the insertion portion 24. The heartbeat sensor 21 acquires heartbeat information, which is one piece of biometric information of the driver 12, from the hand 13 inserted into the insertion portion 24. The input portion 19 is used by the driver 12 to input various pieces of information and instructions. The display portion 20 displays various pieces of information and various messages. The input portion 19 and the display portion 20 are configured, for example, by a touch panel.

[0023] The power source for the steering wheel massager 17 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery attached to the main body 23 or an accessory socket of the vehicle 11. <Electrical configuration of massage system 16> 3, the control unit 18 is configured by a computer having a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The ROM stores a massage program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, various messages, various setting data, and the like.

[0024] The heartbeat sensor 21, the input unit 19, and the ECU 15 of the vehicle 11 are electrically connected to an input-side interface (not shown) of the control unit 18. On the other hand, the display unit 20 and the pressure unit 25 are electrically connected to an output-side interface (not shown) of the control unit 18. The control unit 18 determines that the hand 13 of the driver 12 has been inserted into the insertion unit 24 based on a signal output from the heartbeat sensor 21. The control unit 18 determines various states of the vehicle 11, such as the running state of the vehicle 11, through the ECU 15.

[0025] The control unit 18 permits the steering wheel massager 17 to be driven when a condition based on the driving state of the vehicle 11 is satisfied, and prohibits the steering wheel massager 17 from being driven when the condition is not satisfied. The condition is set, for example, that the driving mode of the vehicle 11 is the automatic driving mode.

[0026] <Massage Treatment Routine> Next, the massage processing routine executed by the control unit 18 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 4. The massage processing routine is executed when the hand 13 of the driver 12 is inserted into the insertion portion 24, and is thereafter repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals.

[0027] When the massage processing routine is executed, first, the control unit 18 measures the heart rate per minute of the driver 12 based on the heart rate information of the driver 12 acquired by the heart rate sensor 21, i.e., based on the signal output from the heart rate sensor 21 (step S1). Next, the control unit 18 determines whether or not a massage is required for the driver 12 based on the heart rate of the driver 12 measured in step S1 (step S2).

[0028] The determination criterion for step S2 is, for example, to set the heart rate per minute of driver 12 measured in step S1 to the upper limit (e.g., 100 beats) of the normal heart rate (e.g., 60 to 100 beats) that is the heart rate per minute of a normal adult. If the heart rate per minute of driver 12 is higher than the upper limit of the normal heart rate, it can be assumed that driver 12 is in a state of tension, and therefore the state of tension of driver 12 can be alleviated by providing a massage. For this reason, control unit 18 determines that driver 12 needs a massage when the heart rate per minute of driver 12 exceeds the upper limit of the normal heart rate.

[0029] If the determination result in step S2 is negative, the control unit 18 ends the massage processing routine. If the determination result in step S2 is positive, the control unit 18 causes the display unit 20 to display a message prompting the user to input from the input unit 19 whether or not to perform a massage (step S3). Subsequently, the control unit 18 determines whether or not an input to perform a massage has been made from the input unit 19 (step S4).

[0030] If the determination result of step S4 is negative, the control unit 18 determines whether or not an instruction not to perform a massage has been input from the input unit 19 (step S5). If the determination result of step S5 is negative, the control unit 18 shifts the processing to step S3. If the determination result of step S5 is positive, the control unit 18 ends the massage processing routine.

[0031] If the determination result of step S4 is a positive determination, the control unit 18 determines whether or not the driving mode of the vehicle 11 is the autonomous driving mode (step S6). That is, the control unit 18 determines whether or not a condition that the driving mode of the vehicle 11 is the autonomous driving mode is satisfied, as an example of a condition based on the traveling state of the vehicle 11. If the determination result of step S6 is a negative determination, the control unit 18 causes the display unit 20 to display a message indicating that the driving mode of the vehicle 11 will be switched to the autonomous driving mode (step S7).

[0032] That is, when the condition that the driving mode of the vehicle 11 is the automatic driving mode is not satisfied, the control unit 18 causes the display unit 20 to display a message indicating that the driving mode of the vehicle 11 will be switched to the automatic driving mode to prompt the satisfaction of the condition. That is, when the condition that the driving mode of the vehicle 11 is the automatic driving mode is not satisfied, the control unit 18 prohibits the driving of the pressure applying unit 25 of the steering wheel massager 17.

[0033] Thereafter, the control unit 18 proceeds to step S6. If the determination result of step S6 is affirmative, the control unit 18 drives the pressure applying unit 25 of the handle massager 17 (step S8). Thereafter, the control unit 18 ends the massage processing routine.

[0034] <Operation of the embodiment> When the driving mode of the vehicle 11 is manual driving mode, the driver 12 inserts his / her hand 13 into the insertion portion 24 of the steering wheel massager 17. At this time, if the driver 12 is in a tense state, for example, and the driver's heart rate per minute is higher than the normal heart rate, a screen for selecting whether or not to receive a massage is displayed on the touch panel. When the driver 12 selects to receive a massage on the touch panel, a message is displayed on the touch panel indicating that the driving mode of the vehicle 11 will be switched to automatic driving mode.

[0035] When the driver 12 operates an operation button (not shown) to switch the driving mode of the vehicle 11 from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode, the pump 26 of the pressure applying unit 25 of the steering wheel massager 17 is driven. Then, the airbag 27 is inflated, and the airbag 27 applies pressure to the hands 13 of the driver 12. At the same time, the airbag 27 also presses the acupuncture points on the hands 13 of the driver 12. This provides an appropriate massage to the hands 13 of the driver 12, relieving tension in the driver 12 and effectively recovering from fatigue.

[0036] <Effects of the embodiment> According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects are achieved. (1) The steering wheel massager 17 includes a main body 23 having an attachment surface 22 for attachment to the steering wheel 14 of the vehicle 11, an insertion section 24 provided on the main body 23 and into which the hand 13 of the driver 12 of the vehicle 11 is inserted, and a pressure section 25 provided on the insertion section 24 and pressurizing the hand 13 inserted into the insertion section 24 by inflating an airbag 27.

[0037] According to the above configuration, when the driver 12 inserts the hand 13 into the insertion portion 24, the pressure from the airbag 27 presses the acupuncture points on the hand 13, thereby massaging the hand 13. Therefore, the driver 12 can effectively recover from fatigue.

[0038] (2) The massage system 16 includes a steering wheel massager 17 and a control unit 18 that controls the operation of the steering wheel massager 17. The control unit 18 permits the operation of the steering wheel massager 17 when the condition that the driving mode of the vehicle 11 is the autonomous driving mode is satisfied, and prohibits the operation of the steering wheel massager 17 when the condition is not satisfied.

[0039] According to the above configuration, the handle massager 17 can be driven at an appropriate timing. (3) The massage system 16 includes a display unit 20. When the condition that the driving mode of the vehicle 11 is the autonomous driving mode is not met, the control unit 18 notifies the driver 12 by causing the display unit 20 to display a message urging the driver 12 to meet the condition.

[0040] According to the above configuration, the driver 12 can be prompted to satisfy the above conditions. (4) Massage system 16 includes a heart rate sensor 21 that acquires heart rate information of driver 12, and an input unit 19. When control unit 18 determines that a massage of hand 13 is necessary based on the heart rate information acquired by heart rate sensor 21, control unit 18 notifies driver 12 by displaying on display unit 20 a message prompting driver 12 to input via input unit 19 whether or not to perform a massage.

[0041] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suggest a massage to the driver 12 at an appropriate time. <Example of change> The above embodiment can be modified as follows: Furthermore, the above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the steering wheel massager 17 may be modified from a pair of main bodies 23 into which the driver's 12's left and right hands 13 are inserted, to a single main body 30 into which both hands 13 of the driver 12 are inserted. The main body 30 is box-shaped with an open bottom. The mounting surface 22 is formed by the front surface of the main body 30 that faces the rear surface of the steering wheel 14. The main body 30 is attached to the rear surface of the steering wheel 14 at the mounting surface 22 with, for example, double-sided adhesive tape or adhesive. The driver's 12's hands 13 are inserted side by side in the left-right direction into the insertion portions 24 of the main body 30. In this case, all fingers of both hands 13 of the driver 12 are inserted into the insertion portions 24 of the main body 30.

[0043] The handle massager 17 may be attached to the handle 14 in advance at the attachment portion. Any of a heating unit that performs a massage by heat, a cooling unit that performs a massage by cooling, a vibration unit that performs a massage by vibration, and an air blowing unit that performs a massage by blowing air may be used as the massage unit instead of the pressure applying unit 25. Alternatively, the massage unit may be configured by appropriately combining two or more of the pressure applying unit 25, the heating unit, the cooling unit, the vibration unit, and the air blowing unit.

[0044] The control unit 18 may be incorporated into the ECU 15. Instead of the display unit 20, a speaker or the like that notifies messages by voice may be used as the notification unit.

[0045] The condition based on the traveling state of the vehicle 11 is not limited to the driving mode of the vehicle 11 being the autonomous driving mode, but may be, for example, that the speed of the vehicle 11 is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed (for example, 30 km / h).

[0046] The biological information of the driver 12 is not limited to heart rate information of the driver 12, but may also include information on the amount of hand sweat of the driver 12, temperature information on the hands 13 of the driver 12, etc. In this case, a hand sweat sensor that detects the sweat state of the hands 13 or a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the hands 13 is used as the information acquisition unit instead of the heart rate sensor 21. For example, by providing the main body 23 with a heater for warming the hands 13 or a fan for blowing air onto the hands 13, it is possible to warm the hands 13 with the heater when the temperature of the hands 13 is below a predetermined temperature, or to blow air onto the hands 13 from the fan to suppress hand sweat when the amount of hand sweat is above a predetermined level.

[0047] The main body 23 may be made of a hard material or a flexible material. The main body 23 may be configured to be detachably attached to the handle 14. In this case, a hook-and-loop fastener, for example, may be used as an attachment portion for detachably attaching the main body 23 to the handle 14.

[0048] The steering wheel massager 17 may be configured to be driven by an input operation from the input unit 19 by the driver 12 while the vehicle 11 is stopped, for example. The input unit 19 may be provided in the insertion unit 24.

[0049] The main body 23 may be provided with a moisturizing portion that keeps the insertion portion 24 moist. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 11...Vehicle 12...Driver 13...Hands 14...Handle 15...ECU 16...Massage system 17...Handle massager 18...Control unit 19...Input section 20...Display unit as an example of a notification unit 21...Heartbeat sensor as an example of an information acquisition unit 22...Mounting surface as an example of a mounting portion 23,30...Main body 24...insertion section 25...Compression unit as an example of a massage unit 26...Pump 27...Airbag

Claims

1. a main body having an attachment portion for attachment to a steering wheel of a vehicle; an insertion portion provided on the main body portion into which a driver's hand of the vehicle is inserted; a massage unit provided in the insertion unit to massage the hand inserted into the insertion unit; A handle massager equipped with:

2. 2. The massager for a handlebar according to claim 1, wherein the massage unit is a pressure unit that applies pressure to the hands by inflating an airbag.

3. The handle massager according to claim 1 or 2, a control unit for controlling the driving of the handle massager; A massage system comprising: The control unit permits the steering wheel massager to be driven when a condition based on the vehicle's driving state is satisfied, and prohibits the steering wheel massager from being driven when the condition is not satisfied.

4. Equipped with a notification unit, 4. The massage system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit, when the condition is not satisfied, causes the notification unit to notify the driver to urge the driver to satisfy the condition.

5. An information acquisition unit that acquires biometric information of the driver and an input unit, The massage system of claim 4, wherein when the control unit determines that a hand massage is necessary based on the biometric information acquired by the information acquisition unit, the control unit notifies the driver via the notification unit to prompt the driver to input from the input unit whether or not to perform the massage.

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