Massage machine

Abstract

To provide a massage machine which has a simple structure and is capable of pressing a wide range of the body of a treated person.SOLUTION: A massage unit treating the body of a treated person has: a base member; a plurality of pressing parts disposed on the base member; a treater disposed on the base member and treating the body of the treated person; a pressing part actuator driving the pressing part. The plurality of pressing parts have: a pair of upper pressing members pressing a left side part and a right side part of the upper part of the body of the treated person, and a pair of lower pressing members pressing a left side part and a right side part of the lower part below the upper part of the body of the treated person.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a massage machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-70382 discloses a configuration in which an airbag disposed on a mat is used to treat the body of a person lying on the mat. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-70382 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The massage machine described in JP 2001-70382 A requires many airbags to treat a wide area of ​​the user's body, which makes the massage machine's configuration complicated. Also, since the configuration requires air to be sent to many airbags, the piping becomes complicated and the amount of air supplied may become large.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a massage machine that has a simple configuration and is capable of applying pressure to a wide area of ​​the body of a person to be treated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above object, the massage machine of the present invention includes a base member and a plurality of pressing sections disposed on the base member and pressing against the back side of the user. The plurality of pressing sections include a first pressing section that presses against the upper back side of the upper part of the user's body, and a second pressing section that is disposed below the first pressing section and on at least one of the left and right sides of the back side of the user. The massage machine also includes a mat having massage units disposed therein, the first pressing section pressing against the upper back side of the user, and the second pressing section pressing against the lower right or left side of the back side of the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The massage machine according to the present invention has a simple configuration and is capable of applying pressure to a wide area of ​​the body of the person to be treated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a massage machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the massage machine taken along line II-II. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the massage unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the piping of the pressing portion actuator. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the massage machine and the body of a user when the body of the user is in a first position. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the massage machine and the body Bd of the user when the body of the user is in a second position. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a timing chart showing an operating state of a pressing portion actuator. [Figure 8] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the massage machine and the body of the user when the body of the user is in a third position. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the massage machine and the body of the user when the body of the user is in a fourth position. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a timing chart showing an operating state of a pressing portion actuator. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a massage machine according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a front view of the massage machine A according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the massage machine A taken along line II-II. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the massage unit 100. In the following description, the head side of a user lying on the massage machine A is referred to as "upper U," and the leg side is referred to as "lower D." Furthermore, "right R" and "left L" are defined based on the user lying supine on the massage machine A. Furthermore, "extending along" a predetermined direction includes not only extending in a strict predetermined direction, but also extending in a direction tilted at an angle of less than 45° relative to the strict direction. Furthermore, in this specification, unless otherwise specified, the user's body Bd refers to the user's upper body. Furthermore, the direction when viewing the mat of the massage machine A from the front is defined as "forward F."

[0010] <Massage machine A> As shown in Fig. 1, the massage machine A kneads and relaxes the body of a user lying supine on top of it (hereinafter referred to as "treatment"). As shown in Fig. 1, the massage machine A has a massage unit 100 and a mat 200. The mat 200 is, for example, rectangular in plan view. However, the shape is not limited to this, and a wide variety of shapes, such as an oval or polygonal shape, can be used as long as the user can lie down on the body Bd.

[0011] The mat 200 has a body support section 201 in the center. The body support section 201 is an area in the center of the short side of the mat 200 and along the longitudinal direction of the mat 200. The person to be treated can lie down on the body support section 201. The mat 200 also has a pillow section 202 above the body support section 201 in a direction U that supports the head of the person to be treated.

[0012] Furthermore, the mat 200 has side treatment sections 203 on the left and right of the body holding section 201 that press against the sides of the user's body (see FIG. 2). The side treatment sections 203 are sections where the front surface of the mat 200 bulges forward F, and the side treatment sections 203 house the pressing sections 20 of the massage unit 100, which will be described later.

[0013] <Massage Unit 100> Next, the massage unit 100 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the massage unit 100 has a base member 10, a pressing portion 20, a pressing portion actuator 30, treatment elements 40, and a control portion 50. The control mechanism of the massage unit 100 is housed inside a mat 200.

[0014] <Control unit 50> 3, the control unit 50 controls the massage unit 100. The control unit 50 has a processing unit 51 and a storage unit 52. The processing unit 51 includes an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU or an MPU. The processing unit 51 controls the massage unit 100 based on the processing result.

[0015] The storage unit 52 includes a semiconductor memory such as a ROM or RAM, a portable memory element such as a flash memory, or a storage medium such as a hard disk, or is a circuit to which a memory element or a storage medium is connected.

[0016] In the control unit 50, the processing unit 51 may be configured to perform calculations using a single circuit, or may be configured to use a general-purpose calculation circuit and read and execute a control program stored in the memory unit 52.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 50 is connected to the pressing unit actuator 30. Also connected to the control unit 50 is an operation unit 60 that accepts operations by the user or the operator. The operation unit 60 has a display unit 61 and an input unit 62. The display unit 61 includes a display device for displaying the operating status of the massage unit 100. Examples of the display device include a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. Also, the control unit 50 may be configured to notify information by turning on or off an LED or the like.

[0018] The input unit 62 includes an input device that accepts input from the user or the operator. Examples of the input device include a push button, a slide button, a volume switch, etc. Alternatively, the above-mentioned touch panel that is attached to the surface of the display unit 61 and accepts input by touch may be used.

[0019] <Base member 10 and pressing portion 20> 1, the base member 10 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The base member 10 is disposed inside the mat 200 so that its longitudinal and lateral directions coincide with those of the mat 200. The base member 10 is disposed on the upper U side of the mat 200, i.e., shifted toward the pillow portion 202 side.

[0020] The pressing portion 20 is disposed on the base member 10. More specifically, the pressing portion 20 is disposed on the upper surface of the base member 10. The pressing portion 20 is a member made of a material capable of pressing the body Bd of the user, and in this embodiment, the pressing portion 20 has a pair of upper pressing members 21 and a pair of lower pressing members 22.

[0021] The pressing portion 20 is housed inside the side treatment portion 203 (see FIG. 2). The upper pressing member 21 and the lower pressing member 22 operate inside the side treatment portion 203 to treat the body Bd of the user. Therefore, in the following description of the massage unit 100, when the pressing portion 20 housed in the side treatment portion 203 treats the body Bd of the user, it may be referred to as the pressing portion 20 treating the body Bd of the user.

[0022] The pair of upper pressing members 21 are arranged so as to be able to press the left and right sides of the upper part of the body Bd of the user. That is, the pair of upper pressing members 21 are arranged apart on the left and right sides on the upper part of the base member 10. Where necessary, the pair of upper pressing members 21 are shown distinguished as a left upper pressing member 21L and a right upper pressing member 21R.

[0023] In the massage unit 100 of this embodiment, the left upper pressing member 21L presses the left shoulder SdL of the patient's body Bd to the right R, and the right upper pressing member 21R presses the right shoulder SdR of the patient's body Bd to the left L.

[0024] The pair of lower pressing members 22 are arranged so as to be able to press left and right parts of the body Bd of the user that are lower than the parts pressed by the pair of upper pressing members 21. The pair of lower pressing members 22 are arranged separately on the left and right below the pair of upper pressing members 21 of the base member 10. Where necessary, the pair of lower pressing members 22 are shown distinguished from each other as a left lower pressing member 22L and a right lower pressing member 22R.

[0025] In the massage unit 100 of this embodiment, the left lower pressing member 22L presses the left waist WaL of the patient's body Bd to the right R, and the right lower pressing member 22R presses the right waist WaR of the patient's body Bd to the left L.

[0026] That is, in the massage unit 100 according to this embodiment, the pair of upper pressing members 21 press the shoulders Sd of the body Bd of the user. The pair of lower pressing members 22 press the waist Wa of the body Bd of the user. However, this is not limited to this. The pair of upper pressing members 21 may be arranged to press the arms or armpits, for example. The pair of lower pressing members 22 may be arranged to press the flanks or buttocks, for example.

[0027] The pressing portion 20 will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 2, in the massage unit 100 according to this embodiment, the upper pressing member 21 has an inflation / deflation member 211, which is a bag (so-called airbag) that can be repeatedly inflated and deflated by filling and discharging air.

[0028] The upper pressing member 21R has two expansion / contraction members 211. The two expansion / contraction members 211 are partially glued together. Therefore, when air is filled into the two expansion / contraction members 211, the two expansion / contraction members 211 expand in a fan shape with the glued part as the center. This causes the expansion / contraction members 211 of the upper pressing member 21 to move in a direction intersecting with the upper surface of the base member 10. This movement allows the expansion / contraction members 211 to press the shoulders Sd of the body Bd of the user in a direction along the upper surface of the base member 10. The same is true for the upper pressing member 21L.

[0029] In the massage unit 100 according to this embodiment, each of the upper pressing members 21L and 21R has two expansion / contraction members 211, but this is not limited thereto. As long as the upper pressing member 21L has a shape that has a surface that moves along the flat surface when expanded while being placed on the flat surface, it may be formed of a single expansion / contraction member. Alternatively, the upper pressing member 21L may have three or more expansion / contraction members.

[0030] The lower pressing members 22L, 22R have the same configuration as the upper pressing members 21L, 21R. That is, the lower pressing members 22L, 22R have an expansion / contraction member 221 that expands and contracts by filling and discharging air. In the massage unit 100 of this embodiment, the number of expansion / contraction members 221 is also two, the same as the upper pressing members 21L, 21R.

[0031] <Pressing section actuator 30> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the piping section 32 of the pressing section actuator 30. FIG. 4 also shows the expansion / contraction member 211 of the upper pressing member 21 and the expansion / contraction member 221 of the lower pressing member 22. Also, in FIG. 4, dashed lines indicate control signals sent from the control unit 50 to each solenoid valve. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pressing section actuator 30 has a pump 31, a piping section 32, an upper-use switching valve 33, a lower-use switching valve 34, an upper-use solenoid valve 35, and a lower-use solenoid valve 36. The pump 31 is a device for supplying air and is an example of an air supply section. The pump 31 may be any device other than a pump as long as it is capable of supplying air.

[0032] In the massage machine A, the pump 31 is disposed inside the mat 200. As shown in FIG. 1, the pump 31 is disposed at the end of the mat 200 on the lower D side. By disposing the pump 31 in this manner, it is possible to keep the pump 31 away from the head of the user. This makes it difficult for the operating sound, vibration, etc. of the pump 31 to reach the ears of the user. Although the pump 31 is disposed inside the mat 200, it may also be disposed outside the mat 200.

[0033] The piping unit 32 is a pipe that supplies air from the pump 31. The piping unit 32 supplies air independently to each expansion / contraction member 211 of the upper pressing member 21 and each expansion / contraction member 221 of the lower pressing member 22. Flexible tubes such as silicone tubes can be widely used as the piping unit 32. By using such flexible tubes, the tubes are less likely to break even if a crushing force acts on them. This allows air to be supplied to the pressing unit 20 stably for a long period of time.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, the discharge port of the pump 31 is connected to branch pipes 320, and an upper solenoid valve 35 and a lower solenoid valve 36 are connected to each of the branch pipes 320. The upper solenoid valve 35 and the lower solenoid valve 36 are each connected to the control unit 50 (see Figs. 3 and 4). The upper solenoid valve 35 and the lower solenoid valve 36 are opened and closed based on instructions from the control unit 50.

[0035] The outlet side of the upper solenoid valve 35 is connected to the upper switching valve 33. The outlet side of the lower solenoid valve 36 is connected to the lower switching valve 34. The upper switching valve 33 and the lower switching valve 34 are connected to the control unit 50. The upper switching valve 33 and the lower switching valve 34 operate based on instructions from the control unit 50.

[0036] The upper switching valve 33 is connected to an upper left pipe 321L and an upper right pipe 321R. The upper left pipe 321L connects the upper switching valve 33 to the left upper pressing member 21L. The upper right pipe 321R connects the upper switching valve 33 to the right upper pressing member 21R. The upper switching valve 33 is provided with an input section (not shown), and air supplied from the upper solenoid valve 35 is supplied to the input section. By switching the upper switching valve 33, air supplied to the input section is supplied to the upper left pipe 321L or the upper right pipe 321R. Furthermore, by switching the upper switching valve 33, air supplied to the input section can be supplied to both the upper left pipe 321L and the upper right pipe 321R.

[0037] The lower-side switching valve 34 is connected to a lower-left piping 322L and a lower-right piping 322R. The lower-left piping 322L connects the lower-side switching valve 34 and the left-side lower pressing member 22L. The lower-right piping 322R connects the lower-side switching valve 34 and the right-side lower pressing member 22R. The lower-side switching valve 34 is provided with an input port (not shown), and air supplied from the lower-side solenoid valve 36 is supplied to the input port. By switching the lower-side switching valve 34, air supplied to the input port is supplied to the lower-left piping 322L or the lower-right piping 322R. Furthermore, by switching the lower-side switching valve 34, air supplied to the input port can be supplied to both the lower-left piping 322L and the lower-right piping 322R.

[0038] When exhausting air from the expansion / contraction member 211 of the upper pressing member 21 and the expansion / contraction member 221 of the lower pressing member 22, the air may be released to the atmosphere, or air may be forcibly sucked in using an air intake device.

[0039] The massage unit 100 of this embodiment uses a pressing unit 20 having an expansion / contraction member that repeatedly expands and contracts using air pressure, and a pressing unit actuator 30 having a pump 31 that supplies air to the pressing unit 20. However, this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the pressing unit 20 may have a pressing member to which a cushion or other buffer material is attached, and a pressing unit actuator may be used that moves the pressing member toward and away from the body Bd of the user. In this case, the pressing unit actuator may be configured to move the pressing unit using electricity from an electric motor or the like, or may be configured to move the pressing unit using air pressure from a pneumatic cylinder or the like.

[0040] The fixed positions of the upper pressing member 21 and the lower pressing member 22 may be changeable on the base member 10. With such a configuration, it is possible to provide appropriate treatment to recipients of different heights, shoulder widths, abdominal circumferences, etc. Furthermore, even for the same recipient, by changing the pressing member, it is possible to adjust the treatment area, thereby improving convenience for the recipient.

[0041] <Treatment child 40> The treatment element 40 is disposed on the base member 10. The treatment element 40 is a protrusion projecting forward F from the base member 10. The treatment element 40 is fixed to the base member 10. More specifically, the treatment element 40 is disposed inside or in the vicinity of a quadrangle having vertices defined by the left-side upper pressing member 21L, the right-side upper pressing member 21R, the left-side lower pressing member 22L, and the right-side lower pressing member 22R (the quadrangle area is referred to as area Rc1). When the user lies supine on the mat 200 of the massage machine A, the treatment element 40 treats the back of the user's body Bd. For this reason, the tip of the treatment element 40 is curved to an extent that it can appropriately treat the user's body Bd.

[0042] In the massage unit 100 of this embodiment, the treatment element 40 has an upper treatment element 41 arranged between the upper pressing member 21L on the left side and the upper pressing member 21R on the right side, and a lower treatment element 42 arranged between the lower pressing member 22L on the left side and the lower pressing member 22R on the right side.

[0043] By arranging them in this way, it becomes possible to treat an appropriate position on the back of the body Bd of the user. The treatment element 40 may be detachable. Furthermore, the position of the treatment element 40 on the base member 10 may be changeable. In this way, it is possible to treat a desired position on the body Bd of the user.

[0044] Furthermore, treatment elements 40 of different shapes may be prepared and replaced according to the treatment method. Examples of treatment elements 40 of different shapes include treatment elements 40 with different curvatures of the curved surface at the tip, or treatment elements 40 formed in a ridged shape. When ridged treatment elements 40 are used, they may be arranged to extend vertically or horizontally. Treatment elements 40 of other shapes may also be used. Furthermore, the treatment elements 40 themselves may move relative to the base member 10. In this case, the treatment elements 40 may perform actions such as kneading or tapping. Furthermore, they may move in a direction intersecting the direction in which the body Bd of the treatment recipient is moved by the pressing unit 20, for example, vertically. In this case, it is preferable that the treatment elements 40 operate in synchronization with the pressing unit 20.

[0045] The massage machine A according to this embodiment has the configuration described above.

[0046] <About the operation of massager A> Next, the treatment of the body Bd of the user by the massage machine A will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the massage machine A and the body Bd of the user when the body Bd of the user is at a first position St1 rotated in one direction from the initial position St0. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the massage machine A and the body Bd of the user when the body Bd of the user is at a second position St2 rotated in the other direction from the initial position St0. Fig. 7 is a timing chart showing the operating state of the pressing unit actuator 30.

[0047] 5 and 6, the pressure acting on the body Bd of the user when moving toward the first position St1 is designated as F1. The pressure acting on the body Bd of the user when moving toward the second position St2 is designated as F2. Note that in FIGS. 5 and 6, the initial position St0 indicated by the two-dot chain line is the position of the body Bd of the user before treatment.

[0048] 5 and 6, before treatment, the center of the body Bd of the user is placed at the center of the massage machine A (initial position St0). At this time, the treatment elements 40 press the center of the body Bd of the user. Then, by operating the operating part 60, the massage unit 100 is operated.

[0049] When treatment begins, the control unit 50 turns on the pump 31 of the pressing unit actuator 30 (time t1 in FIG. 7). At the same time t1, the control unit 50 opens the upper electromagnetic valve 35 and operates the upper switching valve 33 so that air is supplied to the upper left piping 321L. This causes air to be supplied to the left upper pressing member 21L, causing the expansion / contraction member 211 of the left upper pressing member 21L to expand. As a result, the left shoulder SdL of the patient's body Bd is pressed to the right R with a pressing force F1 by the left upper pressing member 21L (see FIG. 5).

[0050] Furthermore, at the same time t1, the control unit 50 opens the lower electromagnetic valve 36 and operates the lower switching valve 34 so that air is supplied to the lower right piping 322R. As a result, air is supplied to the right lower pressing member 22R, and the expansion / contraction member 221 of the right lower pressing member 22R expands. As a result, the right lower waist WaR of the body Bd of the user is pressed to the left L with a pressing force F1 by the right lower pressing member 22R (see FIG. 5).

[0051] By the operation of the massage unit 100 as described above, the body Bd of the user rotates forward F, that is, counterclockwise CCW when viewed from the front of the mat 200, and moves to the first position St1 (see FIG. 5). As the body Bd of the user rotates, the upper treatment elements 41 move the upper part of the body Bd to the left L relative to the user. The lower treatment elements 42 move the lower part of the body Bd to the right R relative to the user. To explain in more detail, the upper treatment elements 41 move the shoulders Sd of the body Bd of the user to the left L. Furthermore, the lower treatment elements 42 move the waist Wa of the body Bd of the user to the right R.

[0052] Then, after the body Bd of the user reaches the first position St1, at time t2, the control unit 50 operates the upper switching valve 33 to supply air to the upper right-side piping 321R. This supplies air to the right-side upper pressing member 21R, causing the expansion / contraction member 211 of the right-side upper pressing member 21R to expand. As a result, the right shoulder SdR of the user's body Bd is pressed to the left L with a pressing force F2 by the right-side upper pressing member 21R (see FIG. 6).

[0053] When the upper switching valve 33 is switched to supply air to the upper right piping 321R, air is discharged from the expansion / contraction member 211 of the left upper pressing member 21L. As a result, the expansion / contraction member 211 of the left upper pressing member 21L contracts, and the pressing force F1 acting on the left shoulder SdL is removed.

[0054] At the same time t2, the control unit 50 operates the lower switching valve 34 to supply air to the lower left piping 322L. This causes air to be supplied to the left lower pressing member 22L, and the inflation / deflation member 221 of the left lower pressing member 22L expands. As a result, the left lower waist WaL of the body Bd of the user is pressed to the right R with a pressing force F2 by the left lower pressing member 22L (see FIG. 6).

[0055] When the lower switching valve 34 is switched to supply air to the lower left piping 322L, air is discharged from the expansion / contraction member 221 of the right lower pressing member 22R. As a result, the expansion / contraction member 221 of the right lower pressing member 22R contracts, and the pressing force F1 acting on the right waist region WaR is removed.

[0056] By the operation of the massage unit 100 as described above, the body Bd of the user rotates forward F, that is, in the clockwise direction CW when viewed from the front of the mat 200, and moves to the second position St2 (see FIG. 6). As a result, the upper treatment elements 41 move the upper part of the body Bd of the user relatively to the right R. The lower treatment elements 42 move the lower part of the body Bd of the user relatively to the left L. More specifically, the upper treatment elements 41 move the shoulders Sd of the body Bd of the user relatively to the right R. Furthermore, the lower treatment elements 42 move the waist Wa of the body Bd of the user relatively to the left L.

[0057] The control unit 50 instructs the pressing unit actuator 30 to repeat the above-mentioned operation, thereby rotating the body Bd of the user in a clockwise direction CW or counterclockwise direction CCW between the first position St1 and the second position St2. As a result, the upper treatment element 41 moves back and forth across the shoulders Sd of the body Bd of the user. Similarly, the lower treatment element 42 moves back and forth across the waist Wa of the body Bd of the user. As a result, in the massage machine A, the treatment elements 40 can treat the shoulders Sd and waist Wa of the body Bd of the user.

[0058] The treatment operation of rotating the body Bd of the treatment recipient back and forth as described above is referred to as the first treatment mode Md1. In the first treatment mode Md1, the body Bd of the treatment recipient moves in the rotational direction, so the treatment elements 40 move in a curved line on the body Bd of the treatment recipient. On the other hand, some treatment recipients prefer the treatment elements 40 to move linearly to provide treatment.

[0059] In preparation for such a case, the massage machine A is operable in a second treatment mode Md2 in which the treatment elements 40 move linearly. Next, the operation of the second treatment mode Md2 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the massage machine A and the body Bd of the user when the body Bd of the user is in the third position St3. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the massage machine A and the body Bd of the user when the body Bd of the user is in the fourth position St4. Fig. 10 is a timing chart showing the operating state of the pressing unit actuator 30.

[0060] When treatment begins, the control unit 50 turns on the pump 31 of the pressing unit actuator 30 (time t3 in FIG. 10). At the same time t3, the control unit 50 opens the upper electromagnetic valve 35 and operates the upper switching valve 33 so that air is supplied to the upper left piping 321L. This causes air to be supplied to the left upper pressing member 21L, causing the expansion / contraction member 211 of the left upper pressing member 21L to expand. As a result, the left shoulder SdL of the body Bd of the user is pressed to the right R with a pressing force F3 by the left upper pressing member 21L (see FIG. 8).

[0061] Furthermore, at the same time t3, the control unit 50 opens the lower electromagnetic valve 36 and operates the lower switching valve 34 so that air is supplied to the lower left piping 322L. As a result, air is supplied to the left lower pressing member 22L, and the inflation / deflation member 221 of the left lower pressing member 22L expands. As a result, the left lower waist WaL of the body Bd of the user is pressed to the right R with a pressing force F3 by the left lower pressing member 22L (see FIG. 8).

[0062] By the operation of the massage unit 100 as described above, the body Bd of the user moves forward F, that is, linearly to the left L when viewing the mat 200 from the front, to the third position St3 (see FIG. 8). As a result, the upper treatment elements 41 move the upper part of the body Bd of the user linearly to the left L. Furthermore, the lower treatment elements 42 move the lower part of the body Bd of the user relatively to the left L. To explain in more detail, the upper treatment elements 41 move the shoulders Sd of the body Bd of the user to the left L. Furthermore, the lower treatment elements 42 move the waist Wa of the body Bd of the user to the left L.

[0063] Then, after the body Bd of the user reaches the third position St3, at time t4, the control unit 50 operates the upper switching valve 33 to supply air to the upper right-side piping 321R. This supplies air to the right-side upper pressing member 21R, causing the expansion / contraction member 211 of the right-side upper pressing member 21R to expand. As a result, the right shoulder SdR of the body Bd of the user is pressed to the left L with a pressing force F4 by the right-side upper pressing member 21R (see FIG. 9).

[0064] At the same time t4, the control unit 50 operates the lower switching valve 34 to supply air to the lower right pipe 322R. This supplies air to the right lower pressing member 22R, causing the expansion / contraction member 221 of the right lower pressing member 22R to expand. As a result, the right lower waist WaR of the body Bd of the user is pressed to the left L with a pressing force F4 by the right lower pressing member 22R (see FIG. 9).

[0065] By the operation of the massage unit 100 as described above, the body Bd of the user moves forward F, that is, linearly to the right R when viewing the mat 200 from the front, to the fourth position St4 (see FIG. 9). As a result, the upper treatment elements 41 move the upper part of the body Bd of the user relatively to the right R. Furthermore, the lower treatment elements 42 move the lower part of the body Bd of the user relatively to the right R. More specifically, the upper treatment elements 41 move the shoulders Sd of the body Bd of the user to the right R. Furthermore, the lower treatment elements 42 move the waist Wa of the body Bd of the user to the right R.

[0066] The control unit 50 instructs the pressing unit actuator 30 to repeat the above-mentioned operation, causing the body Bd of the user to move back and forth linearly between the third position St3 and the fourth position St4. As a result, the upper treatment element 41 moves back and forth linearly in the left-right direction over the shoulders Sd of the user's body Bd. Similarly, the lower treatment element 42 moves back and forth linearly in the left-right direction over the waist Wa of the user's body Bd. As a result, in the massage machine A, the treatment elements 40 can treat the shoulders Sd and waist Wa of the user's body Bd in the second treatment mode Md2, which is different from the first treatment mode Md1.

[0067] As described above, by operating the massage unit 100, the pressing portion actuator 30 can provide treatment to a wide area of ​​the user's body Bd. The massage machine A of this embodiment can implement a first treatment mode Md1 in which treatment is provided while rotating the user's body Bd back and forth, and a second treatment mode Md2 in which treatment is provided while moving the user's body Bd back and forth linearly, but the treatment modes are not limited to these. For example, the first treatment mode Md1 and the second treatment mode Md2 may be combined, or pulsed air may be supplied to each of the upper pressing member 21 and the lower pressing member 22 to add a massage effect. Furthermore, complex operating modes may be employed to provide different treatments.

[0068] When adding such a treatment mode, for example, a memory card, wireless communication, or the like may be used to update the program for executing the operation mode.

[0069] Second Embodiment FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a massage machine B of the second embodiment. The massage machine B shown in FIG. 11 is a chair-type massage machine. The massage machine B has a massage unit 100b similar to the massage unit 100 of the first embodiment. The massage unit 100b has substantially the same configuration as the massage unit 100, except that it has a shape that allows it to be attached to the massage machine B. Therefore, each part of the massage unit 100b has substantially the same configuration as the massage unit 100 and performs the same operation. Therefore, a detailed description of the massage unit 100b will be omitted.

[0070] Massage machine B has a chair-shaped body support section 300. It has a seat section 301, a backrest section 302, armrest sections 303, and a leg treatment section 304. Seat section 301 supports the buttocks and thighs of the person to be treated. Backrest section 302 is disposed behind seat section 301 and stands higher than seat section 301.

[0071] The arms of the user seated on the seat 301 are placed on the armrests 303. The armrests 303 are arranged in pairs on the left and right sides of the seat 301. The armrests 303 may have arm treatment sections for treating the user's arms, i.e., forearms, wrists, and fingers. The foot treatment section 304 is arranged in front of the seat 301 and hangs down below the seat 301. The foot treatment section 304 is configured so that the lower end portion of the foot treatment section 304 can rotate around the upper end of the foot treatment section 304 as a fulcrum. The foot treatment section 304 may be able to treat both the left and right calves and feet.

[0072] The massage machine B has a massage unit 100b. The massage unit 100b is disposed inside the backrest 302. In the massage machine B, the massage unit 100b is operated in the first treatment mode Md1 or the second treatment mode Md2, thereby allowing treatment to be given to the body of a person seated on the massage machine B. When treatment is given using the massage unit 100b in the massage machine B, the treatment may be given with the backrest 302 in an upright position, or with the upper part of the backrest 302 tilted backward in a reclined position.

[0073] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the configurations and combinations thereof in the embodiments are merely examples, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications of the configurations are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[0074] An example of a massage unit 100 (100b) according to the present invention provides a treatment to the body Bd of a user. The massage unit 100 includes a base member 10, a plurality of pressing units 20 arranged on the base member 10, treatment elements 40 arranged on the base member 10 for providing a treatment to the body Bd of the user, and a pressing unit actuator 30 for driving the pressing units 20. The plurality of pressing units 20 include a pair of upper pressing members 21L and 21R that press the left and right upper portions of the body Bd of the user, respectively, and a pair of lower pressing members 22R and 22L that press the left and right lower portions of the body Bd that are below the upper portions of the body Bd of the user, respectively.

[0075] With this configuration, it is possible to treat a wide range of the recipient's body Bd simply by controlling the operation of the pressing unit actuator 30. A massage unit 100 (100b) with a simple configuration can treat a wide range of the recipient's body Bd. Furthermore, since the pressing unit actuator 30 performs a simple operation of pressing the sides of the recipient's body Bd, it is possible to move the recipient in complex operation modes and perform treatment. This makes it possible to perform more complex treatments. Furthermore, since treatment is performed with simple operations, it is possible to easily create new treatment modes. Note that the recipient or user may be able to create their own treatment modes using an operation unit or the like.

[0076] In the above configuration, at least one of the pair of upper pressing members 21L, 21R and the pair of lower pressing members 22L, 22R can be repeatedly inflated and deflated with air. The pressing unit actuator 30 has an air supply unit (pump 31) that supplies air. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately control the pressing unit actuator 30 simply by adjusting the air flow rate and pressure.

[0077] That is, the treatment mode can be realized with a simple operation. The upper pressing members 21L, 21R may be provided with an inflation / deflation member 211 constituted by a so-called airbag. The inflation / deflation member 211 may be a single member. Alternatively, a plurality of inflation / deflation members 211 may be provided. The lower pressing members 22L, 22R may be provided with an inflation / deflation member 221 constituted by a so-called airbag. The inflation / deflation member 221 may be a single member. Alternatively, a plurality of inflation / deflation members 221 may be provided.

[0078] In the above configuration, the treatment element 40 is disposed within the region Rc1 surrounded by the pair of upper pressing members 21L, 21R and the pair of lower pressing members 22L, 22R. This configuration makes it easy to bring the treatment element 40 into contact with an appropriate position on the body Bd of the treatment recipient when the pressing unit 20 moves the body Bd of the treatment recipient. Therefore, treatment is easy. Furthermore, even if the treatment mode changes, the treatment element 40 can reliably treat the body Bd of the treatment recipient.

[0079] In the above configuration, the treatment elements 40 press against the body Bd of the user and are fixed to the base member 10. Since the treatment elements 40 are fixed to the base member 10, the treatment elements 40 themselves do not need to be operated. This simplifies the configuration of the massage unit 100 (100b). Note that a plurality of treatment elements 40 may be provided on the base member 10. The shape of the treatment elements 40 may be protruding or ridged.

[0080] In the above configuration, the upper pressing member 21 presses the shoulders Sd of the recipient's body Bd from the sides. The lower pressing member 22 presses the waist Wa of the recipient's body Bd from the sides. By doing so, the stiff parts of the recipient's body Bd are pressed, so the recipient is less likely to feel discomfort such as pain. The left upper pressing member 21L presses the left shoulder SdL, and the right upper pressing member 21R presses the right shoulder SdR. The left lower pressing member 22L presses the left waist WaL, and the right lower pressing member 22R presses the right waist WaR.

[0081] An example of a massage machine A according to the present invention includes a massage unit 100 and a mat 200 in which the massage unit 100 is disposed.

[0082] An example of a massage machine B according to the present invention includes a massage unit 100b and a chair-shaped body support section 300 that supports the body Bd of a user. The massage unit 100b is disposed on the body support section 300. [Industrial Applicability]

[0083] The present invention can be used in a massage machine that massages and loosens the body of a person to be treated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] A massage machine 100 massage units 10 Base member 20 Pressing section 21 Upper pressing member 211 Expansion and contraction members 22 Lower pressing member 221 Expansion and contraction members 30 Pressing section actuator 31 Pump 32 Piping section 320 Branch piping 33 Upper switching valve 34 Lower switching valve 35 Upper solenoid valve 36 Lower solenoid valve 40 Treatment child 41 Upper treatment head 42 Lower Treatment 50 control section 51 Processing section 52 Storage section 60 Control section 61 Display section 62 Input section 200 mats 201 Body holding part 202 Pillow part 203 Side Treatment Area

Claims

1. A base member; a plurality of pressing portions disposed on the base member and pressing against the back side of the user; The plurality of pressing portions are A first pressing portion that presses the upper part of the back side of the upper part of the body of the user; A second pressing portion is located below the first pressing portion and is arranged on at least one side of the back surface of the user in the left-right direction, A massage machine having a mat with a massage unit disposed inside, in which the first pressing portion presses the upper part of the back side of the user, and the second pressing portion presses the lower right or left side of the back side of the user.

2. The massage machine according to claim 1, wherein the first pressing portion is disposed near the shoulders of the user, and the second pressing portion is disposed near the waist of the user.

3. The massage machine according to claim 2, wherein the second pressing portion is disposed near the lower back or the buttocks.

4. The massage machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second pressing portion presses against a side surface of the user.

5. The massage machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second pressing portion is independently operable.

6. The massage machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second pressing portion is capable of pressing more outwardly on the user than the first pressing portion.

7. The massage machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first pressing portion presses the vicinity of the center of the person to be treated.

8. The second pressing portion is provided on the left and right sides, 8. The massage machine according to claim 1, further comprising a mat having a massage unit disposed therein, the second pressing portion provided on the right side alternately pressing the lower right side of the user's back, and the second pressing portion provided on the left side alternately pressing the lower left side of the user's back.

9. The massage machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second pressing portion presses the upper part of the back side of the user, and the first pressing portion presses the lower part of the back side of the user.

10. At least one of the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion is capable of repeatedly expanding and contracting with air, 10. The massage machine according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing portion actuator having an air supply portion that drives the pressing portion and supplies air.

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