Massage machine

Abstract

To provide a massage machine which suppresses the amount of movement to the rear side of the massage machine when reclining a backrest part.SOLUTION: The massage machine includes a base portion 2, a seat portion 3 provided on the base portion 2, a backrest portion 4 that is located behind the seat portion 3, is provided so as to be tiltable while being supported by a rotation fulcrum 431 with respect to the base portion 2, and supports a treatment element that performs a massage on a person to be treated by moving while pressing the body of the person to be treated, an actuator that generates a driving force for tilting and erecting at least the backrest portion 4, a driving force transmission portion that transmits the driving force of the actuator to the backrest portion 4, and a slide mechanism S that can shift the rotation fulcrum in a forward direction as the backrest portion 4 is tilted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a chair-type massage machine having a seat and a reclining backrest. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been chair-type massage machines, such as that described in Patent Document 1. In chair-type massage machines, the backrest is provided so as to be reclined. When the backrest is tilted, the backrest falls backward of the massage machine. Therefore, in an installation situation where a wall or pillar is located behind the massage machine, it is necessary to install the massage machine away from the wall or pillar by a distance corresponding to the backward falling of the backrest, which places restrictions on the installation position of the massage machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6204715 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a massage machine that suppresses the amount of rearward movement of the massage machine when the backrest is reclined. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention is a massage machine comprising a base, a seat provided on the base, a backrest located behind the seat and tiltable while supported by a pivotal fulcrum relative to the base, supporting a treatment element that moves while applying pressure against the body of the person being treated to provide treatment to the person, an actuator that generates a driving force to tilt and stand at least the backrest, a driving force transmission unit that transmits the driving force of the actuator to the backrest, and a slide mechanism that can shift the pivotal fulcrum forward as the backrest is tilted.

[0006] According to this configuration, the backrest can be tilted while being shifted forward by the slide mechanism that shifts the pivot point forward, thereby reducing the amount of rearward movement of the tilting backrest.

[0007] The slide mechanism may also include a guide portion provided on the seat portion so as to extend in the front-to-rear direction, and a guided portion provided on the backrest portion so as to move along the guide portion.

[0008] According to this configuration, the forward displacement caused by the tilting of the backrest portion can be achieved by two elements, the guiding portion and the guided portion.

[0009] The guide portion may be a rail fixed to the seat portion, the guided portion may be a roller that rotates along the rail, and the rail may have a shape that is curved in the up-down direction relative to the front-to-back direction.

[0010] According to this configuration, the forward shift caused by the tilting of the backrest portion can be achieved by a combination of rails and rollers, which is a general configuration.

[0011] The device also includes a detection unit that detects a physical quantity that changes in response to the tilting of the backrest, and a control unit, wherein the front end of the backrest is positioned below the seat when tilted, and at this time the treatment applicator is positioned below the seat and can administer treatment to the buttocks or thighs of the person being treated, and the control unit can restrict the movement of the treatment applicator to the front end when the detection unit detects the physical quantity corresponding to a state in which the tilted state of the backrest is such that the treatment applicator cannot administer treatment to the buttocks or thighs of the person being treated via the seat.

[0012] According to this configuration, when the backrest is tilted in a state in which the treatment element cannot treat the buttocks or thighs of the person being treated through the seat, the movement of the treatment element to the front end of the backrest, where no treatment effect on the buttocks or thighs is produced, allows for efficient treatment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, the amount of rearward movement of the tilting backrest can be reduced, thereby suppressing the amount of rearward movement of the massage machine when the backrest is reclined. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a right side view of a massage machine (with an exterior member removed, the same applies hereinafter) according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the backrest is in an upright position. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a right side view showing a reclined state of the backrest of the massage machine. [Figure 3] 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the massage machine, showing the combination of the guide part and the guided part on the right side of the massage machine, with the backrest part in an upright position. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the massage machine, showing the combination of the guiding part and the guided part on the right side of the massage machine, corresponding to the tilted state of the backrest part. FIG. [Figure 5]This is a vertical cross-sectional view (viewed from the left side of the massage machine) of the combination of the guiding part and the guided part on the left side as seen from the person being treated, with the backrest part of the massage machine in an upright position. [Figure 6] 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view (viewed from the left side of the massage machine) of the combined portion of the guiding portion and the guided portion on the left side as seen from the user, with the backrest of the massage machine in a reclined state. FIG. [Figure 7] 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating control of the movement range of the treatment heads in the massage machine. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Next, a description will be given of a massage machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the following, directions are expressed as the "rear" side of the massage machine 1 where the backrest 4 is provided, and the opposite side as the "front." The rear side may also be expressed as the "back side" and the front side as the "front side." Furthermore, left and right are defined based on the massage machine 1, that is, as seen from the perspective of the person being treated while sitting on the massage machine 1. When no distinction is made between left and right, the left and right direction is also expressed as the "width direction."

[0016] The massage machine 1 of this embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 1 (note that in each drawing, exterior components such as covers are not shown, but the internal mechanism is shown). This massage machine 1 is a chair-type massage machine (massage chair). This massage machine 1 mainly comprises a base 2 placed on the floor of the installation location, a seat 3 provided on the base 2, a backrest 4 located behind the seat 3, and a treatment unit 5 which is a unit provided with treatment elements 51. This massage machine 1 also comprises armrests and an ottoman, similar to conventional massage machines. Only the frame 91 of the armrests is shown, and only the cover 92 of the ottoman is shown.

[0017] The base 2 of this embodiment includes a lower frame 21, an upper frame 22, and upper and lower connecting frames 23. The lower frame 21 is a frame that is disposed close to and parallel to the floor surface of the installation location. The lower frame 21 is a rectangular frame-like structure in plan or bottom view, combining a portion that extends in the front-to-rear direction and a portion that extends in the width direction, each of which is shaped like a straight rod.

[0018] The upper frame 22 is a frame disposed above the lower frame 21. The upper frame 22 is a combination of an upper frame portion 221 extending in the front-to-rear direction and a horizontal frame portion 222 extending in the width direction, each of which has a straight rod shape. The portion extending in the width direction is provided only at the front so as not to interfere with the reclining backrest portion 4. The upper frame portion 221 is positioned so as to overlap the portion of the lower frame 21 extending in the front-to-rear direction in a plan view or a bottom view. The upper frame portion 221 is positioned higher at the front than at the rear relative to the floor surface and the lower frame 21, and is inclined upward at a certain angle toward the front.

[0019] The vertical connecting frame 23 is a frame that extends in the vertical direction so as to connect the lower frame 21 and the upper frame 22. One vertical connecting frame 23 is provided at the front and two at the rear. The front one and the one closer to the front of the rear are straight rod-shaped, while the one closer to the rear has a straight rod-shaped lower portion and a curved upper portion to match the inclination of the upper frame 22. The frames configured as described above are combined to form the base 2 in the shape of a three-dimensional frame. The vertical connecting frame 23 is provided with wheels 24 that are used when moving the massage machine 1. The wheels 24 protrude rearward from the rear end of the vertical connecting frame 23 closer to the rear, and come into contact with the floor only when in use. The wheels 24 may also be provided at the rear end of the lower frame 21.

[0020] The seat 3 is a portion equipped with a cushion member that contacts the buttocks and thighs of the user when seated via an exterior member. The frame 31, which is the illustrated portion of the seat 3, supports the cushion member and is movable back and forth along the upper frame 221 of the upper frame 22 of the base 2. Therefore, the seat 3 moves back and forth along the upper frame 221. As described above, the upper frame 221 is inclined upward at the front, and therefore moves along the shape of the upper frame 221 as shown in FIG. 1 (rearward position) and FIG. 2 (forward position). When the seat 3 moves forward, a portion of the seat 3 is positioned forward of the front end of the upper frame 221. The seat 3 and backrest 4 are linked by a first arm 723 and a second arm 724 (described later). A space 3U is provided below the seat 3 to accommodate the front end of the tilted backrest 4 and the treatment unit 5 that has moved to the front end. This space 3U is a space surrounded by the base 2 formed in the shape of a three-dimensional frame as described above and the seat 3 positioned above the base 2.

[0021] The backrest 4 is tiltably supported by at least one pivot fulcrum 431 (which is provided on the roller 43 in this embodiment, and corresponds to the radial center of the roller 43) relative to the base 2. The backrest 4 tilts relative to the base 2 by rotating around the pivot fulcrum 431. In other words, the pivot fulcrum 431 is a fulcrum that functions to tilt the backrest 4 in the massage machine 1 by rotating the backrest 4. In this embodiment, the roller 43 itself is configured to rotate, but the pivot fulcrum 431 can be configured in a different way as long as it can perform the above function. The backrest 4 is also rotatably supported by the link unit 6, but this support part does not serve as a reference for tilting (does not perform the above function), and therefore does not correspond to the above-mentioned pivot fulcrum. As shown in FIG. 2, the front end of the backrest 4 (corresponding to the area 4F in FIG. 7) is located in a space 3U secured below the seat 3 when the backrest 4 is tilted. At this time, the treatment elements 51 are located below the seat 3, enabling treatment of the buttocks and / or thighs of the user. Specifically, the backrest 4 mainly comprises a roughly rectangular main frame 41, two of which are arranged parallel to each other in the width direction, extend rearward from the seat 3, and are connected in the width direction at their front and rear ends. Detailed descriptions of the backrest 4 (the rack 42 and rollers 43 will be described later) will be omitted. The main frame 41 is provided with a rack 42 having multiple teeth formed along its longitudinal direction. A pinion (not shown) of the treatment unit 5 engages with the rack 42. The pinion is provided on a rotary shaft that drives the treatment unit 5. The combination of the rack 42 and pinion allows the treatment unit 5 to move along the longitudinal direction of the main frame 41 (the setting and control of the movement range of the treatment unit 5 will be described later). Therefore, the main frame 41 guides the movement of the treatment unit 5 in the longitudinal direction of the main frame 41. The backrest 4 supports the treatment elements 51 via the treatment unit 5, which is a unit in which the treatment elements 51 are incorporated.

[0022] A cylindrical roller 43 is attached to the side of the front end of the backrest 4 so as to protrude in the width direction and be rotatable about its radial center. In this embodiment, the roller 43 is attached via a bracket 44 fixed to the side of the main frame 41. The roller 43 constitutes part of a slide mechanism S, which will be described later. A link unit 6 is rotatably connected to the backrest 4 above the portion where the roller 43 is provided.

[0023] Here, the link unit 6 is a straight rod-shaped member, with its base end connected to the upper frame 22 of the base 2 (base end connection portion 61) and its tip end connected to the side surface of the backrest 4 (tip connection portion 62). In this embodiment, the connection is via a bracket 45 fixed to the side of the main frame 41. A second arm 724 of the drive force transmission unit 72 is connected to the longitudinal middle of the link unit 6 (intermediate connection portion 63). A drive force including a front-rear component is input from this second arm 724 to the link unit 6 to tilt and erect the backrest 4. Each of the three connection portions 61 to 63 of the link unit 6 is rotatable around the axis of a rotation shaft extending in the width direction. Therefore, the connection angle with the connection object is configured to change at each of the connection portions 61 to 63. The straight rod-shaped link unit 6 itself rotates around the base end connection portion 61, which is connected to the upper frame 22 of the base 2. As shown in FIG. 1, when the backrest 4 is upright, the link 6 is raised in the longitudinal direction. When the backrest 4 is tilted, as shown in FIG. 2, the link 6 is tilted in the longitudinal direction so that the tip end is positioned forward of the base end. Between the upright and tilted states of the backrest 4, the tip connection 62 between the backrest 4 and the link 6 moves along a rotation trajectory centered on the base connection 61. The rotation range of the link 6 is set to a range that does not hinder the forward movement of the backrest 4 by the slide mechanism S. The position of the link 6 is changed by the driving force input from the second arm 724, and the driving force is transmitted from the link 6 to the backrest 4 via transmission inside the link 6 (from the intermediate connection 63 to the tip connection 62). As a result, the position of the backrest 4 changes between the upright state and the tilted state.

[0024] In this embodiment, the second arm 724 is not directly connected to the backrest 4 but is connected to the link unit 6. That is, the second arm 724 does not move the backrest 4 directly but indirectly via the link unit 6. This allows the second arm 724 and the link unit 6 to be moved without interfering with an exterior material (not shown) such as synthetic leather in an internal space surrounded by the exterior material. Furthermore, because the second arm 724 indirectly moves the backrest 4 via the link unit 6, the massage machine 1 can increase the amount of tilting movement of the backrest 4 as an output relative to the amount of extension / contraction movement of the actuator 71 (described later) as an input. That is, the massage machine 1 of this embodiment can tilt the backrest 4 with little power. Furthermore, by indirectly moving the backrest 4 via the link unit 6, the tilting direction of the backrest 4 can be regulated.

[0025] The treatment unit 5 is equipped with treatment elements 51, which are sometimes called "massage balls." The treatment unit 5 generally has a plurality of treatment elements 51 (two apart in the width direction in this embodiment), but is not limited to this and may have only one treatment element 51. The treatment element 51 is a part that performs treatment on the user by moving while applying pressure against the user's body.

[0026] The treatment unit 5 is composed of the treatment elements 51 and a support unit 52 that physically supports the treatment elements 51. The treatment unit 5 is housed in a box-shaped case and contains a lifting motor, a kneading motor, a hitting motor, and a strength motor, all of which are not shown. The treatment unit 5 has a rotating shaft equipped with a pinion that meshes with the rack 42 of the backrest unit 4, and this rotating shaft is rotated by the lifting motor. The driving force of the kneading motor or the hitting motor is transmitted to the support unit 52, thereby realizing the kneading or hitting operation.

[0027] The kneading action is, for example, an action in which a shaft on which an eccentric cam (not shown) is provided in the treatment unit 5 is rotated by a kneading motor, and the rotational action of the eccentric cam is transmitted to the support unit 52, thereby moving the treatment elements 51 three-dimensionally. The tapping action is an action in which the treatment elements 51 reciprocate in a short time in a direction toward the body of the person to be treated.

[0028] The treatment unit 5 may, for example, combine the kneading operation and the tapping operation to simultaneously perform treatment on the user. In addition to the kneading operation and / or the tapping operation, the treatment unit 5 may drive a strong / weak motor to repeatedly press the treatment elements 51 against the user for a certain period of time and then release them.

[0029] The massage machine 1 of this embodiment further includes an actuator 71 that generates a driving force to tilt and stand at least the backrest portion 4, and a driving force transmission unit 72 that transmits the driving force of the actuator 71 to the backrest portion 4. The massage machine 1 also includes a slide mechanism S that can shift the rotation fulcrum 431 forward as the backrest portion 4 tilts.

[0030] The actuator 71 in this embodiment is a linear actuator that outputs a linear driving force. The direction of the driving force is the linear direction, with the extension direction being the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, the actuator 71 is electrically driven, but the driving method (driving principle) is not particularly limited, and it may be hydraulically driven, for example. Even in the case of electrically driven, the driving source of the actuator 71 may be a rotary motor or a linear motor. In order to accommodate the oblique movement of the seat 3 along the upper frame portion 221 of the upper frame 22, the actuator 71 is supported on the base 2 so that its angle can be changed. Specifically, the rear end of the actuator 71 is rotatably supported (pivoted) about a horizontal axis, allowing it to oscillate within a predetermined range in the up-down direction.

[0031] The driving force transmission unit 72 includes an input unit 721 connected to an output unit from which the driving force is extracted in the actuator 71, an intermediate transmission unit 722 that transmits the driving force input from the input unit 721 in the width direction, a first arm 723 connected to both widthwise ends of the interlocking unit and transmitting the driving force to the seat 3, and a second arm 724 connected to the interlocking unit and transmitting the driving force to the backrest 4. Therefore, the driving force of the actuator 71 is transmitted directly to the seat 3 (via the first arm 723) and the backrest 4 (the second arm 724). Therefore, when the actuator 71 is driven, the seat 3 and the backrest 4 move simultaneously. In the configuration of this embodiment, it is easier to set the tilting and standing movements of the backrest 4 to move along a trajectory that is tailored to the purpose of reducing the amount of movement of the backrest toward the rear, compared to, for example, a configuration in which the driving force is indirectly transmitted to the backrest 4 via the seat 3, or a configuration in which the driving force is transmitted inversely.

[0032] In a side view, the first arm 723 and the second arm 724 have a shape in which the lower portion extends vertically and the upper portion extends diagonally via a curved portion. The upper portion of the first arm 723 extends diagonally forward as it extends upward, and the second arm 724 extends diagonally backward as it extends upward. The first arm 723 is rotatably connected to the lower portion of the frame portion of the seat portion 3. The second arm 724 is rotatably connected to the link portion 6 at an intermediate connection portion 63. Both connections are rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the width direction. When the backrest portion 4 is upright, the upper end of the second arm 724 is located higher than the upper end of the first arm 723. The first arm 723 is fixedly connected to the intermediate transmission portion 722. On the other hand, the second arm 724 is rotatably connected. For this reason, the lower part of the second arm 724 is aligned in the vertical direction when the backrest 4 is upright (FIG. 1), but rotates so as to lean backward when the backrest 4 is tilted (FIG. 2). By rotating the second arm 724 to change its posture in this way, the driving force from the actuator 71 can be reliably transmitted to the link part 6, while preventing strain (twisting, distortion, etc.) from occurring on the second arm 724 when the backrest 4 is tilted.

[0033] The slide mechanism S is provided across the seat portion 3 and the backrest portion 4. The slide mechanism S comprises a guide portion S1 extending in the front-to-rear direction on the seat portion 3, which moves forward and backward relative to the base portion 2, and a guided portion S2, which is provided on the backrest portion 4 and moves along the guide portion S1. A pair of guide portion S1 and guided portion S2 is provided on the left and right sides. Since the guide portion S1 is provided on the seat portion 3, the entire slide mechanism S1 moves forward as the seat portion 3 moves forward. In this embodiment, the guide portion S1 is a rail 32 fixed to the seat portion 3, and the guided portion S2 is a roller 43 (a rotating wheel or a wheel) that rotates along the rail 32. This roller 43 is the portion of the backrest portion 4 that has a pivot point 431 for tilting and standing up. In this embodiment, the backrest portion 4 is supported on the base portion 2 side at two points: the roller 43 and the link portion 6.

[0034] The rail 32 has a vertical cross-sectional shape that is "["-shaped (or "C"), having a vertical portion attached to the seat 3 and horizontal portions extending laterally from both the upper and lower ends of the vertical portion. The roller 43 rotates while abutting against at least the lower horizontal portion. The roller 43 moves along the inner surface of the rail 32 between the rear position shown in FIG. 5 (when the backrest 4 is upright) and the forward position shown in FIG. 6 (when the backrest 4 is reclined). The rail 32 is not fixedly attached to the base 2, but is attached to the seat 3, which moves back and forth relative to the base 2. Therefore, even if the dimension of the rail 32 in the front-to-rear direction is small, the range of movement of the roller 43 within the massage machine 1 can be increased by the amount of movement of the seat 3. This allows the rail 32 to be shortened.

[0035] The front and rear ends of the rail 32 are open. However, both or one of the front and rear ends may be closed. The opening between the lateral portions opens inward in the width direction. The rail 32 has an arc-like shape in a side view, curved vertically relative to the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, the rail 32 has an arc-like shape curved at a constant curvature. The curve is convex downward. Because of this shape of the rail 32, the roller 43 provided on the backrest portion 4 is positioned higher than the midpoint between the front and rear, in accordance with the shape of the rail 32, when positioned forward. As the roller 43 moves in this manner, the front end of the backrest portion 4 can be positioned higher and closer to the seat portion 3, allowing the treatment element 51 to be operated at a position closer to the buttocks and thighs of the patient, thereby improving the treatment effect on the buttocks and / or thighs (especially the backsides thereof). The rail 32 may also have a straight shape in a side view, not curved vertically.

[0036] In this embodiment, in response to the provision of the slide mechanism S as described above, the slide mechanism S, which shifts the pivot point 431 forward, allows the backrest 4 to tilt while being shifted forward. As a result, the amount of rearward movement of the tilting backrest 4 can be reduced by the amount of forward movement. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the seat 3 moves so as to jut out forward at the same time as the backrest 4 tilts. This also reduces the amount of rearward movement of the backrest 4. Furthermore, because the slide mechanism S can "gain" the distance the backrest 4 moves forward, the dimension of the base 2 in the front-to-rear direction can be reduced.

[0037] In addition, in this embodiment, the forward shift caused by the tilting of the backrest 4 is achieved by two elements: the guiding section S1 and the guided section S2. This allows for a simpler and less expensive configuration than when a link mechanism is used to achieve the same operation as the slide mechanism S. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the forward shift caused by the tilting of the backrest 4 can be achieved by combining the rail 32 and roller 43, which are a common configuration and have an easily manufacturable shape.

[0038] Next, the massage machine 1 of this embodiment includes a detection unit 8 that detects a physical quantity that changes in response to the tilt of the backrest unit 4, and a control unit (not shown). In this embodiment, the detection unit 8 is a sensor that is provided in the actuator 71 itself and detects the movement amount of the output unit as the physical quantity. There is an approximately one-to-one correlation between the movement amount of the output unit and the tilt angle of the backrest unit 4. In this embodiment, the control unit is a general control unit that controls the entire massage machine 1, but this is not limited to this, and the control unit may be a dedicated control unit that is provided separately from the general control unit and exclusively controls the movement of the treatment elements 51.

[0039] As described above, the front end of the backrest 4 is located below the seat 3 when the backrest 4 is tilted. When the detection unit 8 detects a physical amount corresponding to a state in which the tilted state of the backrest 4 means that the treatment element 51 cannot treat the buttocks and / or thighs of the user via the seat 3, the control unit restricts the movement of the treatment element 51 to the front end. In other words, when the detection unit 8 detects a physical amount corresponding to a state in which the tilted state of the backrest 4 means that the treatment element 51 cannot treat the buttocks and / or thighs of the user via the seat 3, the control unit prohibits the movement of the treatment element 51 to the front end. The range indicated by symbol 4F in Figure 7 is roughly the range corresponding to the front end where the treatment element 51 is positioned when treating the buttocks and / or thighs, and the range indicated by symbol 4B is roughly the range (normal massage range) where the treatment element 51 is positioned when treating areas other than the buttocks and / or thighs (neck, shoulders, back, waist, etc.).

[0040] By performing such control, when the backrest portion 4 is inclined in an upright position (Figures 1 and 7) or a position close to it and the treatment element 51 cannot treat the buttocks and / or thighs of the person being treated via the seat portion 3 (i.e., when the treatment element 51 is positioned at the front end of the backrest portion 4 but is positioned away from the buttocks and / or thighs of the person being treated), by prohibiting the treatment element 51 from moving to the front end of the backrest portion 4 where no treatment effect on the buttocks and / or thighs will be produced, the treatment element 51 can be positioned without moving out of the effective treatment range of the backrest portion 4, thereby enabling efficient treatment.

[0041] Furthermore, the control unit does not restrict (prohibit) the movement of the treatment elements 51 to the front end as long as the tilted state of the backrest 4 allows the treatment elements 51 to treat the buttocks and / or thighs of the user via the seat 3. For example, if the user selects treatment content for the buttocks and / or thighs (including the thighs), the control unit tilts the backrest 4 and moves the treatment elements 51 to the front end. The control unit tilts the backrest so that treatment can be performed on the buttocks or thighs. As a result, the massage machine 1 tilts the backrest 4 as appropriate, allowing the treatment elements 51 to move to the front end and move them to the treatment area, allowing the user to perform treatment at the area desired.

[0042] According to the massage machine 1 of this embodiment configured as described above, the amount of backward movement of the tilting backrest part 4 can be reduced. Therefore, the amount of backward movement of the massage machine 1 when reclining the backrest part 4 can be suppressed. Therefore, even if there are walls or pillars around, the amount of free space to be secured behind the massage machine 1 can be reduced, so that restrictions on the installation location of the massage machine 1 can be reduced.

[0043] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0044] For example, in the above embodiment, the guide portion S1 is provided on the seat portion 3 that moves back and forth. However, this is not limited to this, and the guide portion S1 may be provided on the base portion 2 that is fixedly provided.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the guided portion S2 is a roller 43 that rotates relative to the rail 32, which is the guiding portion S1. However, this is not limited to this, and the chair may be configured to include a slider portion (not shown) that moves back and forth by sliding without rotation. In this case, the rotation fulcrum 431 is provided on the slider portion, and this slider portion supports the backrest portion 4. The rail of the sliding mechanism S having such a sliding portion may be linear in side view. That is, the vertical portion attached to the seat portion 3 may be rectangular, and the slider portion may be rectangular in shape to correspond to the shape of this rail. The rail of the sliding mechanism having such a rectangular vertical portion is arranged parallel to the seat surface (i.e., horizontal) or with the front side facing upward. Even in the configuration including the slider portion, the rail may be curved in the vertical direction relative to the front-to-back direction and have an arc shape in side view, as in the above embodiment. In this case, the slider portion is shaped to be able to move along the curved rail. Furthermore, the slider portion may be cylindrical, for example, and the shape of the slider portion is not particularly limited.

[0046] Although the rail and roller combination is the same as in the previous embodiment, the guide section S1 may be a roller and the guided section S2 may be a rail, in the opposite manner to the previous embodiment. In this case, a rotation fulcrum 431 is provided on the rail (not shown), and the rail is configured to support the backrest section 4.

[0047] In addition, the rail 32 in the above embodiment has an arc-shaped shape in side view, but is not limited to this, and may have a shape that extends linearly or a curved shape with multiple curvatures.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the actuator 71 outputs a linear driving force, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be an actuator (such as an electric motor) that outputs a rotational driving force. In this case, the direction in which the driving force acts in the driving force transmission unit 72 can be appropriately changed.

[0049] Furthermore, the driving force transmission unit 72 in the above embodiment includes a first arm 723 that transmits the driving force of the actuator 71 to the seat 3, and a second arm 724 that transmits the driving force to the backrest 4. However, the means for transmitting the driving force of the actuator 71 to the seat 3 or the backrest 4 is not particularly limited, and various means such as a link mechanism can be employed. However, employing the arms 723, 724 as in the above embodiment is advantageous in that it simplifies the configuration and makes it more compact.

[0050] In the above embodiment, when the backrest 4 is tilted, the seat 3 and the backrest 4 are configured to move simultaneously in conjunction with each other, but a time lag may be provided between the two movements. When a time lag is provided, the order in which they move does not matter. Furthermore, the time required for each of the seat 3 and the backrest 4 to move may be different.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the object of detection by the detection unit 8 was the amount of movement of the output part of the actuator 71, but it may be any physical quantity that changes in response to the tilting of the backrest part 4, and the physical quantity may be, for example, the tilting angle of the backrest part 4 or the second arm 724, or the movement distance related to the insertion of the backrest part 4 into the space 3U below the seat part 3.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the detection unit 8 is provided to detect a physical quantity that changes in response to the tilting of the backrest 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, it is also possible to restrict (prohibit) the movement of the treatment elements 51 to the front end on the condition that the person to be treated selects the buttocks or thighs as the treatment area using a remote control or an operation unit provided on the main body of the massage machine 1. In this case, the control unit detects from the operation status of the remote control or the like (without relying on the detection unit 8) that the tilted state of the backrest 4 is such that the treatment elements 51 cannot treat the buttocks or thighs of the person to be treated via the seat 3, and in this case restricts (prohibits) the movement of the treatment elements 51 to the front end. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 massage machine 2 base 3 Seat 32 Rail 4 Backrest 4F: Area corresponding to the front end of the backrest 43 Laura 431 Pivot point 5 Treatment Department 51 Treatment child 6 Link section 71 Actuator 72 Driving force transmission section 8. Detection unit S slide mechanism S1 Guidance section (rail) S2 Guided part (roller)

Claims

1. A base and a seat portion provided on the base portion; a backrest portion located behind the seat portion, supported at a pivot point relative to the base portion and tiltable, and supporting a treatment element that performs treatment on the user by moving while pressing against the user's body; an actuator that generates a driving force to tilt and stand at least the backrest portion; a driving force transmission unit that transmits the driving force of the actuator to the backrest unit; a slide mechanism that can shift the pivot point forward as the backrest portion is tilted; A massage machine equipped with:

2. The slide mechanism includes a guide portion provided on the seat portion so as to extend in the front-rear direction; A guided portion provided on the backrest portion and moving along the guiding portion; The massager of claim 1 .

3. the guiding portion is a rail fixed to the seat portion, and the guided portion is a roller that rotates along the rail, The massage machine according to claim 2 , wherein the rail has a shape curved in the up-down direction relative to the front-rear direction.

4. A control unit is provided, The front end of the backrest is located below the seat when the user is reclined, and at this time, the treatment element is located below the seat so that treatment can be performed on the buttocks or thighs of the user. A massage machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit detects that the tilted state of the backrest portion means that the treatment element cannot treat the buttocks or thighs of the person being treated through the seat portion, and in this case, restricts the movement of the treatment element toward the front end.

5. a detection unit that detects a physical quantity that changes in response to the tilting of the backrest portion; The front end of the backrest is located below the seat when the user is reclined, and at this time, the treatment element is located below the seat so that treatment can be performed on the buttocks or thighs of the user. The massage machine of claim 4, wherein the control unit restricts movement of the treatment applicator toward the front end when the detection unit detects a physical quantity corresponding to a state in which the tilted state of the backrest portion means that the treatment applicator cannot apply treatment to the buttocks or thighs of the person being treated via the seat portion.

6. The front end of the backrest is located below the seat when the user is reclined, and at this time, the treatment element is located below the seat so that treatment can be performed on the buttocks or thighs of the user. The massage machine according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit tilts the backrest when the buttocks or thighs are massaged.

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