Massage machine

Abstract

To provide a massage machine which enables a user to feel a more suitable rocking motion.SOLUTION: A massage machine includes a body 22, a seating portion 200 that supports the buttocks, a moving member 21 that is fixed to the seating portion 200 and movably supports the seating portion 200 with respect to the body 22, a drive unit 222 that reciprocates the moving member 21, and a control unit 9. The moving member 21 is supported so as to be freely reciprocated with respect to the body 22. Push-up portions 202 that push up a user are provided at least on the left and right sides of a seating surface 201 of the seating portion 200, The control unit 9 performs control such that the reciprocating operation of reciprocating the seating portion 200 by the drive unit 222 and the push-up operation of independently pushing up the push-up portions 202 on the left and right sides are interlocked.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-22892 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) filed by the present applicant discloses a technique for rocking a seat body by using an air cell or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-22892 Summary of the Invention

[0004] There is a demand for massage machines that can perform special movements to relax the user, such as 1 / f fluctuations, where the spectral density is inversely proportional to the frequency.

[0005] In this regard, Patent Document 1 has a problem in that when switching the air cells to perform a reciprocating motion, an impact is applied to the body due to inertia at the timing when the direction of the rocking changes from left to right. This impact may prevent the user from feeling relaxed, even if a movement such as 1 / f fluctuation is performed. Therefore, the object of the present disclosure is to provide a massage machine that allows the user to experience a more comfortable rocking motion.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the massage machine comprises a main body, a seating section that supports the buttocks, a movable member that is fixed to the seating section and supports the seating section so that it can move relative to the main body, a drive section that moves the movable member back and forth, and a control section, wherein the movable member is supported so that it can move back and forth freely relative to the main body, and the seating surface of the seating section has push-up sections on at least the left and right sides that push up the user, and the control section controls the reciprocating action of the drive section to move the seating section back and forth and the push-up action of pushing up the push-up sections independently on the left and right sides so as to be linked.

[0007] Further details will be described in the following embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front perspective view of a massage machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a massage machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the massage machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the posture of the massage machine. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the seat massage unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the seat massage unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2(a) is a plan view of the moving member, and FIG. 2(b) is a front view of the moving member. [Figure 8] 1A is a plan view of the main body, and FIG. 1B is a front view of the main body. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which a user is seated on the seat portion of the massage machine. [Figure 10] This is a front view of a state in which the rocking action of the seat massage unit and the pushing-up action of the push-up member are combined, where (a) is a diagram showing the action of moving the seat to the right, and (b) is a diagram showing the action of moving the seat to the left. [Figure 11]Graphs showing the air supply flow rate per unit time to the air cells when the seating portion is being moved, where (a) is a graph of the air supply flow rate to the driving air cell 222, and (b) is a graph of the air supply flow rate to the boost portion 202. [Figure 12] 10 is a graph showing the flow rate of air supplied to the driving air cell 222 per unit time at times T3 and T4. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the number of times and the stop position P when the seat is moved left and right multiple times by the rocking action of the seat massage unit. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the probability that the seat will not stop at the maximum left or right position due to the rocking action of the seat massage unit during a massage course. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a side view of a seat massage unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <1. Massager Overview>

[0010] (1) A massage machine according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body, a seating section that supports the buttocks, a movable member that is fixed to the seating section and supports the seating section so that it can move relative to the main body, a drive section that moves the movable member back and forth, and a control section. The movable member is supported so that it can move back and forth freely relative to the main body, and the seating surface of the seating section has push-up sections on at least the left and right sides that push up the user, and the control section controls the drive section to link the reciprocating action of moving the seating section back and forth with the push-up action of pushing up the push-up sections independently on the left and right sides.

[0011] Because the seat is attached to the moving member, driving the drive unit allows the moving member to reciprocate, thereby moving the seat. By linking this movement with the push-up action of the push-up unit, the impact on the user's body due to inertia at the timing when the forward and backward movements switch is reduced, allowing the user to experience a more comfortable rocking motion.

[0012] (2) Preferably, the booster comprises an air cell, and the air cell expands to push up the user, thereby allowing the air cell to act as a cushion and absorb shocks that are applied to the user's body by inertia.

[0013] (3) Preferably, the drive unit includes a plurality of air cells, the moving member has a contact portion that contacts the plurality of air cells, the plurality of air cells are provided in pairs on either side of the contact portion, and the reciprocating movement of the moving member is achieved by moving the contact portion relative to the main body portion by expanding and contracting the pair of air cells. In this way, by expanding and contracting the air cells, the contact portion can be moved relative to the main body portion, and the seating portion can be reciprocated.

[0014] (4) Preferably, the plurality of air cells are provided in pairs so as to sandwich at least the contact portion in the left-right direction, thereby allowing the seat portion to reciprocate in the left-right direction.

[0015] (5) Preferably, the control unit can change the air supply flow rate per unit time output to the air cell of the drive unit, and includes controlling the air supply flow rate so that the curve representing the time change in the air supply flow rate during forward and / or backward movement of the seat unit has an upwardly convex shape. This allows the seat unit to start and end at a gentle speed, making the rocking motion more suitable.

[0016] (6) Preferably, the control unit controls the drive unit so that the reciprocating motion fluctuates in such a way that the spectral density is inversely proportional to the frequency, thereby providing a 1 / f fluctuating rocking motion to the user.

[0017] (7) Preferably, the control unit controls the pushing-up motion of the pushing unit to fluctuate in such a way that the spectral density is inversely proportional to the frequency, thereby enabling the user to perform a 1 / f fluctuating swinging motion in the pushing-up direction.

[0018] (8) Preferably, the control unit includes a control unit that controls the expansion of one side of the plurality of air cells in the left-right direction and the lifting operation of the other side of the lifting unit in the left-right direction in conjunction with each other, so that the impact of inertia that the user receives when the seat moves to the other side can be relieved by the lifting operation of the other side.

[0019] (9) Preferably, the control unit is capable of changing the air supply flow rate per unit time output to the air cell of the drive unit, and includes controlling the air supply flow rate so that the curve representing the time change in the air supply flow rate becomes convex upward during forward and / or backward movement of the seat, and controlling the push-up operation to be performed in the section where the slope of the curve is negative. This reduces the impact of inertia on the user during forward and / or backward movement of the seat, and enables the push-up operation to be performed in accordance with the timing of the impact.

[0020] <2. Examples of massage machines> The overall configuration of a massager 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of the massager 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the massager 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of the massager 1. Fig. 4 is a side view illustrating the posture of the massager 1. The concept of direction used in the following explanation is the same as the concept of direction as seen from the perspective of a user seated on the massage machine 1 shown in Figure 1, and other cases will be explained as appropriate.

[0021] 1 to 4, a massage machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention mainly comprises a seat 2 on which a user sits, a backrest 3 on which the user leans and which is provided at the rear of the seat 2 so as to be reclined, a footrest 4 provided at the front of the seat 2 so as to be able to swing up and down and which supports the user's lower legs, a pillow 5 provided on the upper front surface of the backrest 3 to support the user's head and / or neck, armrests 6 on both the left and right sides of the seat 2, and sidewalls 7 on both the left and right sides of the backrest 3. The seat 2, backrest 3, footrest 4, pillow 5, armrests 6, and sidewalls 7 function as body support sections that support the user's body. Each of the body support sections 2 to 7 is provided with a massage section using air cells 20 (described later) that massages the user's body. The massage machine 1 also has a massage unit 8 as a massage section that performs kneading massage and / or tapping massage on the backrest section 3, a control section 9 that controls each operation of the massage machine 1, and a controller 10 that allows the user to perform various operations.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, the backrest 3 is configured to be reclined forward and backward relative to the seat 2 by a first actuator 11 provided below the seat 2, and can be changed from an upright position to a reclined position in which the backrest surface is approximately horizontal (see Figure 4). The armrests 6 are configured to move backward in conjunction with the reclining of the backrest 3, and to move forward in conjunction with the upright position of the backrest 3. The footrest 4 is configured to be swingable up and down relative to the seat 2 by a second actuator 12 provided below the seat 2, and can be changed from a hanging position to a raised position in which the lower legs are supported with the knees extended (see Figure 4).

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the backrest 3 is composed of a rigid back frame 3a, guide rails 18 that guide the up and down movement of the massage unit 8, which is a massage unit attached to the back frame 3a, and a cover member 3c that covers the back frame 3a. The back frame 3a is composed of metal and / or resin members. The back frame 3a has an opening 3b formed in the center of the left and right sides that opens in the front-to-back direction, and is generally gate-shaped in front view. The cover member 3c covers the opening 3b from the front. The treatment heads 81 of the massage unit 8 protrude forward from the opening 3b, allowing the user's torso to be massaged from behind through the cover member 3c.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, below the seat 2, there are provided an air supply / exhaust device 13 having a pump 13a and a valve 13b for supplying and exhausting air to and from each air cell 20, and the control unit 9 described above. The air cells 20 are used for the massage units a1 to a6 and the drive air cell 222, which can press against the user by supplying and exhausting air. The control unit 9 has a programmable microcomputer and the like, and controls the operation of the first actuator 11, the second actuator 12, the massage units (8, a1 to a6), the drive air cell 222, and the air supply / exhaust device 13. The control unit 9 is electrically connected to a controller 10 and a memory unit 50. The massage machine 1 operates the massage units (8, a1 to a6) according to a predetermined program (massage course) stored in the memory unit 50, and various massage actions are performed when the user operates the controller 10.

[0025] The massage sections a1 to a6 are a head massage section a1, a shoulder massage section a2, an arm massage section a3, a buttock massage section a4, a leg massage section a5, and a foot massage section a6, respectively. The head massage units a1 are paired massage units provided on the front surface of the pillow unit 5, facing the back of the head and / or neck. The shoulder massage units a2 are massage units provided on the inner surface of the side wall unit 7 to hold or massage the front and / or sides of the shoulders or upper arms. The arm massage units a3 are massage units provided on the armrest unit 6 in the vertical direction of the hands and forearms. The buttock massage units a4 are massage units provided on the seat unit 2 to massage the user's buttocks and / or thighs from below (back).

[0026] The footrest 4 has a bottom wall 4a that faces the back of the user's lower legs, side walls 4b that extend forward from both left and right ends of the bottom wall 4a, and a central wall 4c that extends forward from the center of the left and right sides of the bottom wall 4a. In this embodiment, the footrest 4 is shaped to support the legs and feet as a whole, but this is not limiting and the footrest 4 may be configured as separate parts. The leg massage units a5 are provided on the upper side of the inner surface of the side wall 4b to massage the outer surface of the lower leg, and the foot massage units a6 are provided on the lower side of the inner surface of the side wall 4b and on the lower side of the outer surface of the central wall 4c to massage the user's feet.

[0027] [Seat massage unit] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a seat massage unit 2A according to one embodiment of the present invention. The seat 2 is provided with the seat massage unit 2A for performing a rocking motion on the buttocks. The rocking motion is an operation for continuously moving the buttocks of a user seated on the seat 2 up and down and / or left and right, and refers to the reciprocating motion of the seat 2 in the up and down and / or left and right directions. The rocking motion is performed at a predetermined speed. The predetermined speed is, for example, a so-called 1 / f speed, in which the spectral density fluctuates inversely proportional to the frequency. 1 / f refers to a speed that combines regular and irregular speeds (in other words, unpredictable changes and movements that exist in nature), also known as 1 / f fluctuation. This provides a comfortable rocking motion to the user seated on the seat 2. The predetermined speed may alternatively be a constant speed. This provides the user with a sense of stability due to a constant rhythm.

[0028] The sense of tempo in 1 / f may be fast or slow. The sense of tempo here refers to the reciprocating movement of the seat 2 (one set of right to left and left to right) as one cycle. More specifically, one cycle is defined as a movement (first movement) in which the seat 2 moves rightward, then leftward, and returns to the neutral position, based on a state in which the seat 2 is positioned in the center (neutral position), and a movement (second movement) in which the seat 2 moves leftward, then rightward, and returns to the neutral position, based on the neutral position of the seat 2. Here, 1 / f can be realized by changing the speed of the first movement and the second movement. Also, 1 / f can be realized by changing the speed in the first period and the second period.

[0029] The speed can be changed by having the control unit 9 control the air intake / exhaust device 13 and change the air intake flow rate per unit time output to the drive air cell 222, which is the drive unit. It is possible to set the tempo so that 1 / f occurs once per cycle, or so that 1 / f occurs three times per cycle. By changing the number of times it occurs per cycle (changing the tempo), it is possible to achieve a 1 / f with a faster or slower tempo, even with the same 1 / f. In this way, it is possible to add variety to the 1 / f.

[0030] By using the drive air cell 222 in the drive section, a more relaxed movement can be achieved compared to when a motor is used in the drive section of the seat massage unit 2A. More specifically, when a motor is used in the drive section, if the motor rotation speed becomes slow, the motor may stop due to insufficient torque, and the rocking action of the seat massage unit 2A may stop. Therefore, by using the drive air cell 222, a relaxed rocking action that relaxes the user can be achieved.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of the seat massage unit 2A, and Fig. 6 is an exploded front perspective view of the seat massage unit 2A. Fig. 7(a) is a plan view of the moving member, and Fig. 7(b) is a front view of the moving member. Fig. 8(a) is a plan view of the main body, and Fig. 8(b) is a front view of the main body.

[0032] [Seat massage unit configuration] 5 and 6, the seat massage unit 2A includes a cushion portion 203, a seating portion 200, a moving member 21, and a main body portion 22. The cushion portion 203, the seating portion 200, the moving member 21, and the main body portion 22 are stacked in that order from the main body of the massage machine 1 toward the user seated on the seat portion 2. In other words, they are stacked so that the seating portion 200 is located below the cushion portion 203, the moving member 21 is located below the seating portion 200, and the main body portion 22 is located below the moving member 21. Note that the cushion portion 203 is omitted in FIG. 6.

[0033] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the seating section 200 supports the buttocks of a user seated on the seat section 2. A cushion member 203 is provided on the seating surface 201 on which the user of the seating section 200 sits to provide a comfortable sitting experience. The cushion member 203 has a pair of left and right push-up sections 202 inside that push up the buttocks of the user in the vertical direction. Here, the left side of the push-up section 202 is referred to as push-up section 202L, and the right side is referred to as push-up section 202R.

[0034] Preferably, the push-up portion 202 is, for example, the buttocks massage portion a4. The push-up portion 202 is an air cell 20 that expands and contracts by supplying and discharging air, and is an example of a pressing member that presses the user's buttocks by supplying and discharging air. As a result, the push-up portion 202 can be used to press up the user's buttocks against the seating portion 200 during the rocking motion. However, the push-up portion 202 is not limited to this, and may be a mechanical push-up mechanism or may be provided separately from the buttocks massage portion a4.

[0035] The left and right push-up sections 202L, 202R can be expanded and contracted independently. This allows the expansion and contraction of the push-up sections 202L, 202R to be combined with the rocking action using the driving air cells 222, thereby realizing various rocking actions that link the movement of the seating section 200 with the expansion and contraction of the push-up sections 202. The operating patterns of the rocking action will be described later.

[0036] 5, 6, and 7, the moving member 21 is disposed below the seating portion 200. The seating portion 200 is fixed to the upper side of the moving member 21. In other words, the moving member 21 and the seating portion 200 can move integrally with respect to the main body portion 22.

[0037] 5, 6, and 8, the main body 22 is a structural part of the massage machine 1, and refers to a structural part that serves as the base of the seat 2. The moving member 21 is disposed on the main body 22 and is supported by the main body 22 so as to be able to freely reciprocate in the left-right direction relative to the main body 22. In other words, the seating portion 200 reciprocates in the left-right direction relative to the main body 22 in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the moving member 21.

[0038] [Configuration of moving parts] The moving member 21 has a moving frame 211. The moving frame 211 has a pair of rail members 212 provided in the front and rear. Here, the front side of the rail member 212 is called rail member 212F, and the rear side is called rail member 212R. The moving frame 211 is made up of rail members 212F, 212R, and a bridge portion 213 connecting the rail members 212F, 212R. The surface of the moving frame 211 facing the seating unit 200 is called the upper surface 211A, and the back side is called the lower surface 211B. The seating unit 200 is fixed to the upper surface 211A side of the moving frame 211.

[0039] Two bridges 213 extend in the front-rear direction, spaced a predetermined distance apart. Here, the left bridge 213 is referred to as bridge 213L, and the right bridge 213R. The left bridge 213L has a contact portion 214. The contact portion 214 is a plate-shaped member extending downward from the underside 211B of the bridge 213L. The right bridge 213R serves to guide the piping that supplies air from the air intake and exhaust device 13 and various wiring from the circuit board so that they do not interfere with the driving air cell 222, which will be described later. Note that the arrangement of the bridges 213 is merely an example and is not limiting. Alternatively, only the bridge 213L may be provided by arranging the piping and wiring in a position that does not interfere with the driving air cell 222.

[0040] Contact members for the moving frame 211 of the main body 22 are provided on the lower surface 211B side of the rail members 212F, 212R. The contact members are members that bring the main body 22 into rolling contact or sliding contact with the moving frame 211, and one example is rollers 216. The rollers 216, whose rotational progression direction is the left-right direction, are arranged on the lower surface 211B side of the rail members 212F, 212R. As one example, a total of four rollers 216 are arranged, one on the left and right of the front rail member 212F and one on the left and right of the rear rail member 212R.

[0041] A side surface 215F is provided in front of the rail member 212F. A side surface 215R is provided behind the rail member 212R. The side surfaces 215F and 215R are provided with elongated holes 217 with their longitudinal directions extending in the left-right direction. As an example, two elongated holes 217 are provided, one on each of the side surfaces 215F and 215R. The elongated holes 217 are an example of a guide portion included in the guide 23. The guide 23 is composed of the elongated holes 217 and a guided portion (for example, a pin 226, described later) that is guided by the guide portion.

[0042] [Main body configuration] The main body 22 has a main body frame 221. The upper surface of the main body frame 221 (the surface on the moving member 21 side) is referred to as the upper surface 221A, and the reverse surface is referred to as the lower surface 221B. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the moving member 21 is supported on the upper surface 221A side of the main body frame 221 so as to be able to reciprocate freely in the left-right direction.

[0043] The lower surface 221B of the main body frame 221 has a support portion 223 that is substantially concave-shaped in a front view. A pair of left and right drive air cells 222, which are drive portions, are provided on the inner surface of the support portion 223 (the direction in which the left and right sides of the support portion 223 face each other). Here, the left side of the drive air cell 222 is referred to as drive air cell 222L, and the right side is referred to as drive air cell 222R. The drive air cells 222L and 222R are provided to sandwich the contact portion 214. As shown in FIG. 9 , by expanding the drive air cell 222L, the contact portion 214 is pressed rightward, and the contact portion 214 can be moved rightward relative to the main body portion 22. Conversely, by expanding the drive air cell 222R, the contact portion 214 is pressed leftward, and the contact portion 214 can be moved leftward relative to the main body portion 22. As a result, the driving air cells 222L, 222R expand and contract, respectively, and the moving member 21 can be moved in the left-right direction relative to the main body 22. At this time, the driving air cell 222 on the opposite side to the expanding side is assumed to be contracted.

[0044] The main body frame 221 has openings 224 on both the left and right sides. Here, the right side of the opening 224 is referred to as opening 224R, and the left side is referred to as opening 224L. The opening 224R is located below the bridge 213R so that it partially overlaps the opening. The opening 224R is provided so that piping from the air intake and exhaust device 13 and various wiring from the circuit board pass through the opening. The opening 224L is located below the bridge 213L so that it partially overlaps the opening. The opening 224L is provided so that the contact portion 214 and the driving air cells 222L, 222R pass through the opening. Preferably, the size of the opening 224L in the left-right direction is approximately equal to the amount of left-right movement of the moving member 21. Furthermore, when the seat 2 is in the neutral position, the contact portion 214 is located approximately in the center of the opening 224L.

[0045] Side surfaces 225 are provided at the front and rear of the main body frame 221. Here, the front side of the side surface 225 is referred to as 225F, and the rear side is referred to as 225R. Pins 226 that fit into the elongated holes 217 of the side surfaces 215F, 215R are provided on the side surfaces 225F, 225R, respectively. The pins 226 are an example of guided portions included in the guide 23. In this embodiment, a total of four pins 226 are provided on each of the side surfaces 225F, 225R, two on each side.

[0046] [Guide Structure] 5 and 6, the movable member 21 is placed on the main body 22 with the side surfaces 215F, 215R of the movable member 21 facing outward from the side surfaces 225F, 225R of the main body 22. In other words, the movable member 21 is placed on top of the main body 22 with the long hole 217 facing outward and the side surfaces 225F, 225R of the main body 22 facing inward. In this manner, the long hole 217 and the pin 226 provided on the side surfaces 225F, 225R fit together as the guide 23.

[0047] The length of the pin 226 (the length in the direction extending outward in the front-rear direction from the side surfaces 225F, 225R) is equal to or greater than the thickness of the elongated hole 217 of the moving member 21. Therefore, the moving member 21 can move within the range of the elongated hole 217 by the pin 226 provided in the main body 22. That is, the moving member 21 moves along the elongated hole 217 by the pin 226 included in the guide 23. In other words, the direction of reciprocation of the moving member 21 can be regulated by the guide 23 (the pin 226 and the elongated hole 217). As a result, when the moving member 21 reciprocates in the left-right direction, the moving member 21 can move in the longitudinal direction until the pin 226 contacts the left-right longitudinal ends of the elongated hole 217. That is, the guide 23, which is composed of the elongated hole 217 and the pin 226, guides the reciprocation of the moving member 21 in the left-right direction.

[0048] [Roller configuration] When the movable member 21 is placed on top of the main body 22, the rollers 216 provided on the lower surface 211B side of the movable frame 211 of the movable member 21 come into contact with the upper surface 221A of the main body frame 221 of the main body 22. The rollers 216 are in rolling contact or sliding contact with the upper surface 221A of the main body frame 221. This makes it possible to reduce the hindrance of movement caused by the gravitational load generated between the movable member 21 and the main body 22.

[0049] The rollers 216 are provided so that the moving member 21 is in rolling contact or sliding contact with the main body part 22. Therefore, as another example, the rollers 216 may be provided on the upper surface 221A of the main body frame 221 of the main body part 22 instead of on the moving member 21. As yet another example, the rollers 216 may be provided separately and distributed on the lower surface 211B of the moving frame 211 of the moving member 21 and the upper surface 221A of the main body frame 221 of the main body part 22.

[0050] When the moving member 21 is placed on top of the main body 22, the outer surfaces of the front and rear side surfaces 225F, 225R of the main body 22 come into contact with the inner surfaces of the front and rear side surfaces 215F, 215R of the moving member 21. Since the main body 22 is a structural part of the massage machine 1, its position is fixed relative to the massage machine 1. Therefore, the moving member 21 is not allowed to move in the front-rear direction.

[0051] The upper surface 221A of the main body frame 221 of the main body portion 22 has a contact area 227 for the roller 216. The roller 26 reciprocates on the contact area 227 while making rolling contact or sliding contact therewith, thereby allowing the moving member 21 to reciprocate.

[0052] [Shaking motion] Fig. 9 is a front view of a user seated on the seat 2 of the massage machine 1. Fig. 10 is a front view of a state in which the rocking action of the seat massage unit 2A and the action of the push-up member 202 are combined, where (a) is a diagram showing the action of moving the seat 200 to the right, and (b) is a diagram showing the action of moving the seat 200 to the left.

[0053] The position in Figure 9 is the neutral position of the seat massage unit 2A. Referring to Figure 10, when one of the driving air cells 222L, 222R (for example, driving air cell 222L) is inflated, the driving air cell 222L inflates to the right, with the support portion 223 receiving the reaction force, and presses the contact portion 214. The moving member 21 moves rightward from the neutral position as the contact portion 214 receives the rightward pressing force (see Figure 10(a)).

[0054] The control unit 9 expands the driving air cell 222L for a predetermined time, moves the moving member 21, and then contracts the driving air cell 222L. Subsequently, when the other air cell (for example, the driving air cell 222R) expands, the driving air cell 222R expands leftward, with the support portion 223 receiving the reaction force, and presses the contact portion 214. As the contact portion 214 receives the leftward pressing force, the moving member 21 moves leftward from its current position (see FIG. 10(b)). By repeating the above operation, left-right forces are repeatedly applied to the moving member 21, and as shown in FIG. 10, the moving member 21, which is arranged on top of the main body portion 22, repeats leftward movement (a) and rightward movement (b) relative to the main body portion 22 within the range of the longitudinal length of the elongated hole 217.

[0055] When returning the moving member 21 to the neutral position, both the driving air cells 222L, 222R are inflated by the same predetermined amount. As a result, the contact portion 214 is pressed from both the left and right sides, and the moving member 21 stops at a position where the left and right pressing forces are balanced. This position is the neutral position. In this way, the moving member 21 can be returned to the neutral position. In this way, the seat massage unit 2A can perform a rocking action in the left and right directions on the buttocks of the user seated on the seat 2.

[0056] The control unit 9 can control the operation of the push-up units 202L, 202R (massage unit a4) to be linked to the rocking action. As shown in FIG. 10(a), the control unit 9 drives the push-up unit 202R in linkage with the action of moving the seating unit 200 to the right by the driving air cell 222L. Also, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the control unit 9 drives the push-up unit 202L in linkage with the action of moving the seating unit 200 to the left by the driving air cell 222R. That is, the expansion of one side of the driving air cell 222 in the left-right direction and the push-up action of the other side of the push-up unit 202 in the left-right direction are linked. In this way, the impact caused by inertia on the user due to the movement of the other side of the seating unit 200 can be relieved by the push-up action of the other side of the push-up unit 202.

[0057] More specifically, when the seating portion 200 is moved to the right by the expansion of one side (for example, the driving air cell 222L) of the driving air cell 222 in the left-right direction, the user receives a force from the seating portion 200 that moves the user to the right. The control unit 9 drives the driving air cell 222L for a predetermined time, and when the movement of the seating portion 200 is completed, the movement of the seating portion 200 stops. At this time, due to the law of inertia, the user receives a force (inertial force) that tries to continue moving to the right. As a result, the user receives an impact due to inertia every time the movement of the seating portion 200 to one side is completed, which prevents the user from relaxing by the rocking motion.

[0058] Therefore, in conjunction with the completion of the movement of the seating section 200 to one side, a push-up operation is performed on the other side in the left-right direction of the push-up section 202 (for example, push-up section 202R). As a result, the user receives an upward and / or upward-left push-up force from the push-up section 202R. In this way, the inertial force due to the completion of the movement of the seating section 200 and the push-up force from the push-up section 202 are combined, the impact on the user is alleviated, and the rocking operation allows the user to feel more relaxed. Note that the linkage between the push-up section 202 and the rocking operation is not limited to this, and a movement that enhances the relaxing effect may be achieved by combining the left-right movement of the seating section 200 and the up-down movement of the push-up section 202.

[0059] [Operation pattern] 11 is a graph showing the air supply flow rate per unit time to the air cells when the seating section 200 is being moved, where (a) is a graph of the air supply flow rate to the driving air cell 222 and (b) is a graph of the air supply flow rate to the push-up section 202. That is, it is a graph of the air supply flow rate to the driving air cell 222 on one side and the push-up section 202 on the other side. In the graph, the horizontal axis represents time T and the vertical axis represents the air supply flow rate. Here, time T0 is the time when the seating section 200 starts to move, and time T2 is the time when the movement of the seating section 200 ends. Time T1 is approximately midway between T0 and T2.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 11(a), when the seating section 200 is moved by the driving air cells 222, the curve representing the change in the air supply flow rate per unit time to the driving air cells 222 is controlled to have an upwardly convex shape, with the peak of the curve occurring at time T1. More specifically, in the section from time T0 to time T1, the air supply flow rate per unit time gradually increases, reaching a maximum at time T1. Then, in the section from time T1 to time T2, the air supply flow rate per unit time gradually decreases, and at time T2, the air supply stops, and the movement of the seating section 200 ends. By gradually changing the air supply flow rate per unit time in this way, the seating section 200 can start and stop moving at a gradual speed, which can reduce the impact on the user compared to when the seating section 20 suddenly starts and stops moving.

[0061] FIG. 12 is a graph showing the air supply flow rate per unit time to the drive air cell 222 at times T3 and T4. By adjusting the time T, it is possible to implement a massage course aimed at activation or relaxation. For example, a massage course aimed at activation may be implemented by regularly operating the drive air cell 222 for time T2 and irregularly mixing in time T3, during which the drive air cell 222 is activated for a time shorter than T2. ​​By doing so, the user may feel as if they are being vigorously shaken due to the inclusion of a faster rocking motion at time T3, thereby revitalizing the body. The movement speed at times T2 and T3 may be controlled to be 1 / f. Furthermore, the 1 / f at T3 may be controlled to be a 1 / f with a faster tempo than the 1 / f at T2. This allows the user's body to be more activated.

[0062] Furthermore, for a massage course aimed at relaxation, the drive air cell 222 may be operated regularly for time T2, and may be operated irregularly for time T4, during which the drive air cell 222 is operated for a time longer than T2. ​​By doing so, the user may feel as if they are being rocked in a cradle due to the inclusion of a slow rocking motion during time T4, which may help relax the body. Here, the movement speed during T2 and T4 may be controlled to be 1 / f. Furthermore, the 1 / f during T4 may be controlled to be 1 / f, which is slower than the 1 / f during T2. By doing so, the user's body may be further relaxed.

[0063] The above is just an example, and various speeds 1 / f and time T of the driving air cell 222 may be combined depending on the purpose of each massage course.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 11(b), the push-up operation by the push-up part 202 starts at time T1. In the section from time T1 to time T2, the air supply flow rate per unit time to the push-up part 202 gradually increases and reaches a maximum at time T2. In the section from time T1 to time T2, the slope of the curve of the driving air cell 222 is negative. In other words, since the moving speed of the seating part 200 is decelerating in this section, an inertial force is acting on the user. Here, by performing the push-up operation of the push-up part 202, the impact due to inertia on the user is alleviated as described above.

[0065] After time T2 has passed, one side of the driving air cell 222 begins to contract, and the other side of the driving air cell 222 begins to expand while the supply air flow rate changes in the same way as described above. Also, the push-up portion 202 on the other side begins to contract, and the push-up portion 202 on one side begins to expand at the same timing as described above. By repeating this process, it is possible to perform an operation that combines the reciprocating movement of the seating portion 200 and the push-up movement of the push-up portion 202.

[0066] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the number of times the seating section 200 is moved left and right multiple times by the rocking action of the seat massage unit 2A and the stop position P of the seating section 200 at time T2. The horizontal axis represents the stop position P, and the vertical axis represents the number of movements. P0 is the neutral position. PRMAX is the maximum position to which the seating section 200 can move in the right direction. PLMAX is the maximum position to which the seating section 200 can move in the left direction. In other words, the longitudinal length of the elongated hole 217 is the length from PLMAX to PRMAX, and the seating section 200 can move within this range. In this embodiment, PRMAX and PLMAX are the same value, but this is not limited to this.

[0067] 14 is a diagram showing an example of the probability that the seat 200 will not stop at the left and right maximum positions (PRMAX, PLMAX) due to the rocking action of the seat massage unit 2A during a massage course. The start time of the massage course is t0, and the times at which the probability changes thereafter are t1, t2, t3, t4, ...

[0068] 13, the position where the movement of the seating section 200 ends at time T2 does not have to be a fixed position. For example, to reproduce the movement of 1 / f fluctuation, it is necessary to use a speed that is a mixture of regular and irregular speeds. Therefore, by making the stop position P at a predetermined time T2 irregular, it is possible to make the speed irregular.

[0069] More specifically, when considering a rocking motion in which the seat 200 moves right and left, the seat 200 moves from the neutral position to position PRMAX in the first movement, and moves from position PRMAX to position PLMAX in the second movement. Here, with a predetermined probability (e.g., 50%), the seat 200 moves within a range smaller than PRMAX to PLMAX. That is, if the third and fourth movements fall within the small range, the seat 200 moves to position P3, a distance smaller than PRMAX, in the third movement, and moves from P3 to position P4, a distance smaller than PLMAX, in the fourth movement. Similarly, if the fifth and sixth movements fall within the small range, the seat 200 moves to position P5, a distance smaller than PRMAX, in the fifth movement, and to position P6, a distance smaller than PLMAX, in the sixth movement. Note that the positions in the third and fourth movements may be different from those in the fifth and sixth movements, or may be the same. Subsequently, the seat 200 moves to position PRMAX in the seventh movement, and to position PLMAX in the eighth movement. In this way, the seating section 200 reproduces a 1 / f fluctuation movement that combines regular speeds of movement to PRMAX and PLMAX with irregular speeds of movement to other positions P that occur with a predetermined probability. Note that P3 and P4, and P5 and P6 may be different distances from each other, or may be the same distance.

[0070] Here, it is preferable that the predetermined probability varies according to the progress of the massage course. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the probability varies over a predetermined time t of the massage course. That is, in the section t0 to t1 at the start of the course, the control unit 9 controls the seating portion 200 to stop at a position P that is a distance smaller than the maximum left and right positions (PRMAX, PLMAX) with a probability of 10%. Similarly, in the section t1 to t2, the control unit 9 controls the seating portion 200 to stop at a position P that is a distance smaller than the maximum left and right positions (PRMAX, PLMAX) with a probability of 20% in the section t1 to t2, 30% in the section t2 to t3, and 50% in the section t3 to t4. By doing this, the probability that the rocking motion of the seat massage unit 2A will be a small motion increases as time passes during the massage course. As a result, at the beginning of the massage course, the rocking motion is likely to be large, and the user's body is likely to be moved large. On the other hand, as time passes during the massage course, the probability that the rocking motion will be small increases, and the user's body is likely to be moved small. This allows the user to relax after loosening up the body through massage and rocking motions, and then relaxing into a calm state through the rocking motions.

[0071] Conversely, the probability of the rocking motion being small may be high at the beginning, and the probability of the rocking motion becoming larger as time passes during the massage course. In this way, the rocking motion becomes larger as time passes during the massage course, thereby activating the user's body. These are just some examples, and the predetermined probability may also be increased halfway through and then decreased, or vice versa. The time and the predetermined probability can be set depending on the purpose of the massage course.

[0072] By doing this, the time and speed of the rocking motion can be changed, and the 1 / f fluctuation motion can be reproduced. Also, the motion pattern is an example and is not limited to this. It is also possible to use a massage course designed so that the irregular speed changes at irregular timing rather than based on probability. Note that when performing motion other than 1 / f fluctuation, the stopping position and moving speed can be constant.

[0073] The operation of the push-up unit 202 may also reproduce 1 / f fluctuations. Specifically, the left and right push-up units 202L and 202R are alternately expanded and contracted repeatedly. At this time, the push-up units 202L and 202R are regularly expanded and contracted for a predetermined time and by a predetermined amount. Here, by changing the time and amount of expansion and contraction of the push-up units 202L and 202R with a predetermined probability, 1 / f fluctuations in the up and down direction, which are a combination of regular speeds and irregular speeds that occur with a predetermined probability, are reproduced. The 1 / f fluctuations caused by the push-up unit 202 may be performed by the push-up unit 202 alone, or may be performed in combination with the seat massage unit 2A. The left and right push-up units 202L and 202R may also be driven simultaneously.

[0074] The rocking motion of the seat massage unit 2A may be combined with the reclining motion of the massage sections (8, a1 to a6), the backrest 3, and the rocking motion of the footrest 4. For example, the rocking motion of the seat massage unit 2A may be combined with the arm massage section a3. For example, by moving the seat massage unit 2A to the left while pressing the user's right arm with the arm massage section a3, the body moves to the left while holding the right arm, thereby stretching the right arm. Conversely, by moving the seat massage unit 2A to the right while pressing the user's left arm with the arm massage section a3, the left arm can be stretched. By repeating this process alternately, both of the user's arms can be stretched.

[0075] Alternatively, the backrest 3 may be reclined and the footrest 4 may be raised, and the rocking action of the seat massage unit 2A may be combined. This puts the user in a sleeping position, and the rocking action of the seat massage unit 2A provides a relaxing sensation similar to that of being in a cradle.

[0076] The head massage unit a1 may also be combined with the seat massage unit 2A. By performing a rocking motion with the seat massage unit 2A while the head massage unit a1 holds the user's head, the lower part of the user's body is moved left and right while the head is held, thereby stretching the neck. The shoulder massage unit a2 may also be combined with the seat massage unit 2A. By performing a rocking motion with the seat massage unit 2A while the shoulder massage unit a2 holds the user's shoulders, the lower part of the user's body is moved left and right while the upper part of the body is held, thereby stretching the lower back. The leg massage unit a5 and the foot massage unit a6 may also be combined to support the lower legs, thereby further enhancing the stretching effect on the lower back.

[0077] [Other embodiments] FIG. 15 is a side view of a seat massage unit 2B according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] In this embodiment, the seat massage unit 2A is configured to rock in the left-right direction, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, a seat massage unit 2B may be configured to rock in the front-back direction. The basic configuration is the same as the seat massage unit 2A described above, except that the orientation of the components is changed in the front-back direction and the left-right direction. This allows the user seated on the seat 2 to move in the front-back direction. Furthermore, the front-back movement of the seat 2 moves the user's body forward and backward, allowing them to bend forward or arch their back. Note that the reclining movement of the backrest 3 and massage by the massage units (8, a1 to a6) may be combined.

[0079] <3. Notes> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1: Massage machine 2: Seat part 2A: Seat massage unit 3: Backrest 4: Footrest 5: Pillow part 6: Armrest 7: Side wall 8: Massage unit 9: Control section 13: Air intake and exhaust system 13a: Pump 13b: Valve 21: Moving parts 22: Main body 23: Guide 200: Seating area 201: Seating surface 202: Push-up part 214: Contact part 222: Driving air cell

Claims

1. a main body; a seating portion that supports the buttocks; a moving member fixed to the seating portion and supporting the seating portion movably relative to the main body portion; a drive unit that reciprocates the moving member; a control unit, the moving member is supported so as to be capable of reciprocating relative to the main body, The seating surface of the seating part is provided with at least left and right push-up parts that push up the user, The control unit The massage machine controls the reciprocating action of the driving unit to reciprocate the seating unit and the pushing-up action to independently push up the left and right push-up units so as to be linked together.

2. 2. The massage machine according to claim 1, wherein the lifting portion comprises an air cell, and the air cell is expanded to lift up the user.

3. the drive unit is made up of a plurality of air cells, the moving member has a contact portion that contacts the plurality of air cells, the plurality of air cells are provided in pairs to sandwich the abutment portion, The massage machine according to claim 1 , wherein the reciprocating movement of the moving member is achieved by moving the contact portion relative to the main body portion by expansion and contraction of the pair of the plurality of air cells.

4. The massage machine according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of air cells are provided in pairs so as to sandwich at least the contact portion in the left-right direction.

5. the control unit is capable of changing the supply flow rate of air per unit time output to the air cell of the drive unit, The massage machine according to claim 3, wherein the supply air flow rate is controlled so that a curve representing a change in the supply air flow rate over time during the forward and / or backward movement of the seating portion has an upwardly convex shape.

6. The massage machine according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the drive unit so that the reciprocating motion fluctuates such that the spectral density is inversely proportional to the frequency.

7. The massage machine according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the pushing-up action of the pushing-up unit so that the spectral density fluctuates inversely proportional to the frequency.

8. The massage machine according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit performs the expansion of one side of the plurality of air cells in the left-right direction and the pushing-up operation of the other side of the pushing-up portion in the left-right direction in conjunction with each other.

9. the control unit is capable of changing the supply flow rate of air per unit time output to the air cell of the drive unit, the supply air flow rate is controlled so that a curve representing a time change of the supply air flow rate has an upwardly convex shape during the forward and / or backward movement of the seating portion; The massage machine according to claim 8 , wherein the pushing-up action is controlled to be performed in a section where the slope of the curve is negative.

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