Massage device

Abstract

This prevents the treatment device from getting caught on the sheet. [Solution] The massage device comprises a seat 12, a backrest, and a treatment drive unit. The seat has a support 31 and a seat (first seat 41). The seat is attached to the support 31. The backrest has a guide rail 20. The treatment drive unit has a treatment element 21. The treatment drive unit is positioned on the guide rail 20 in a manner that allows it to move relative to the guide rail 20. A portion of the guide rail 20 is located below the seat. The seat is suspended between a first portion 311 and a second portion 312 of the support 31. The seat has one side (first side 411) which is the end on the backrest side. One side of the seat is oblique to the longitudinal direction (fourth direction D4) of the guide rail 20 in a plan view.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a massage device, and more particularly to a massage device including a seat portion and a backrest portion.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a chair-type massage machine. This chair-type massage machine includes a seat portion, a backrest portion, and a single long guide rail that guides and moves a treatment element from the backrest portion to the seat portion. A lower portion that extends further downward than the lower end of the backrest portion of the long guide rail is located on the back side of the seat portion.

[0003] Moreover, the chair-type massage machine of Patent Document 1 includes a seat cushion material and a back cushion material. The seat cushion material and the back cushion material are configured by filling cotton or non-woven fabric in an outer cover. The treatment element of Patent Document 1 touches the human body from below the seat cushion material or the back cushion material.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in a chair-type massage machine (massage device) such as that of Patent Document 1, when the treatment element moves from the back to the seat, the treatment element may get caught on the seat cushion material or the like.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a massage device capable of suppressing the treatment element from getting caught on the seat.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A massage device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a seat, a backrest, and a treatment drive unit. The seat has a support and a seat. The seat is attached to the support. The backrest has a guide rail. The treatment drive unit has a treatment element. The treatment drive unit is positioned on the guide rail so as to be movable relative to the guide rail. A portion of the guide rail is located below the seat. The support has a first portion and a second portion that face each other in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction which is vertical. The seat is stretched between the first portion and the second portion of the support. The seat has one side which is the end on the backrest side. The one side of the seat is oblique to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail in a plan view from the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to prevent the treatment device from getting caught on the sheet. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a massage device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the massage device described above, with the outer casing removed. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the seat frame and back frame of the massage device described above. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a side view showing one state of the guide rails of the massage device described above. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side view showing another configuration of the guide rails of the same massage device. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a side view showing yet another state of the guide rails of the same massage device. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state of a treatment drive unit included in the same massage device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view showing another state of the treatment drive unit included in the same massage device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view showing a guide rail and a back board included in the same massage device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a seat portion included in the same massage device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a seat portion included in the same massage device. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a second sheet and a third sheet included in the same massage device. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a fixed part included in the same massage device. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an attachment portion included in the same massage device. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a back cover portion included in the same massage device. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of an armrest portion included in the same massage device. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is another schematic diagram for explaining the operation of an armrest portion included in the same massage device. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram for explaining the attachment method of an armrest portion included in the same massage device. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram for explaining the attachment method of an armrest portion included in the same massage device. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing a state of the same massage device. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing another state of the same massage device. [Figure 23]Figure 23 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the above-described massage device. [Figure 24] Figure 24 is a schematic diagram showing the display screen displayed by the above-described massage device. [Figure 25] Figure 25 is another schematic diagram showing the display screen displayed by the above-described massage device. [Figure 26] Figure 26 is an explanatory diagram of the current path when the pump drive circuit provided in the above-described massage device is in the first switching state. [Figure 27] Figure 27 is an explanatory diagram of the current path when the pump drive circuit provided in the above-described massage device is in the second switching state. [Figure 28] Figure 28 is an explanatory diagram of the drive voltage of the pump provided in the above-described massage device. [Figure 29] Figure 29 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above-described massage device. [Figure 30] Figure 30 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the first sheet provided in the massage device according to the modified example. [Figure 31] Figure 31 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the first sheet provided in the massage device according to another modified example.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, common elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions of common elements may be omitted. Note that the following embodiments and modified examples are only a part of various embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, the following embodiments and modified examples can be variously modified according to design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Also, it is possible to appropriately combine the configurations of the embodiments and modified examples.

[0011] The figures described herein are schematic diagrams, and the ratios of the size and thickness of each component in each figure do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios. Furthermore, the arrows indicating directions in the drawings are examples only and are not intended to specify the direction in which the massage device 1 is used. Also, the arrows indicating directions in the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent actual objects.

[0012] (Embodiment) (1) Overview First, an overview of the massage device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 2 and Figures 10 to 11.

[0013] The massage device 1 (see Figure 1) provides treatment (or therapy) to the body of the person (user) using the massage device 1. In this embodiment, "treatment" means performing massage on the person's body, such as kneading, tapping, pressing, rubbing, or stroking.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the massage device 1 comprises a seat 12, a backrest 11, and a treatment drive unit 2 (see Figure 2). The seat 12 has a seat portion 4 (see Figure 10) on which the person using the massage device 1 sits. In this embodiment, the massage device 1 is a massage chair in which the backrest 11 tilts (reclines) relative to the seat 12.

[0015] In this embodiment, the state in which a person is seated on the seat portion 4 is assumed to be a state in which the person's buttocks are resting on the seat portion 4 and the person's back is facing the backrest portion 11. In this embodiment, when a user uses the massage device 1, it is assumed that the user is seated on the seat portion 4 while leaning against the backrest portion 11. Here, the state in which a person is seated on the seat portion 4 includes, for example, a state in which a person is seated on the seat portion 4 via an outer covering or the like. In other words, the state in which a person is seated on the seat portion 4 includes a state in which the person's buttocks are resting on the seat portion 4 via an outer covering or the like. The outer covering may include cushioning material, a cover that covers the cushioning material, etc.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the backrest portion 11 has a guide rail 20. A portion of the guide rail 20 is located below the seat portion 4 (see Figure 11).

[0017] The treatment drive unit 2 has multiple (four in the example in Figure 2) treatment elements 21. The treatment drive unit 2 is positioned on the guide rail 20 in a manner that allows it to move relative to the guide rail 20.

[0018] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the seat portion 12 has a support portion 31 and a seat portion 4. The seat portion 4 is attached to the support portion 31. The support portion 31 has a first portion 311 and a second portion 312 that face each other in a second direction D2 perpendicular to a first direction D1 (see Figure 4), which is the vertical direction.

[0019] The seat section 4 has a first seat 41 (seat). The first seat 41 is placed between the first part 311 and the second part 312 of the support section 31. The first seat 41 has a first side 411 (one side) which is the end of the backrest section 11 (see Figure 2).

[0020] As shown in Figure 11, one side 411 of the first sheet 41 is oblique to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20 when viewed from the first direction D1 in a plan view. During treatment by the massage device 1, the treatment element 21 moves along the longitudinal direction.

[0021] In the massage device 1 of this embodiment, when the treatment element 21 moves from the backrest 11 side to the seat 12 side, the treatment element 21 may come into contact with the first seat 41. Here, "the treatment element 21 may come into contact with the first seat 41" includes the treatment element 21 coming into contact with the first seat 41 via other sheets and outer coverings, such as the second seat 42 and the third seat 43.

[0022] The first sheet 41 is, for example, made of tarpaulin fabric. The material of the first sheet 41 includes polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In the massage device 1 of this embodiment, the main role of the first sheet 41 is to support the user's weight, and the first sheet 41 has relatively high tensile strength and does not stretch easily. Because the tensile strength of the first sheet 41 is relatively high, there is a possibility that the treatment element 21 may get caught on the edge (first side 411) of the first sheet 41, for example.

[0023] In this embodiment of the massage device 1, the first side 411 of the first seat 41, which is the end on the backrest side 11, is oblique to the length direction of the guide rail 20. This prevents the treatment element 21 from getting caught on the first side 411 of the first seat 41, thereby preventing the first seat 41 from tearing or the treatment element 21 (or the treatment drive unit 2) from malfunctioning.

[0024] (2) Details The detailed configuration of the massage device 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 28.

[0025] In the following, the up, down, left, right, front, and back directions (up, down, left, right, front, and back in Figure 4) when the massage device 1 is installed on a horizontal surface will be described as up, down, left, right, front, and back. The up, down, left, right, and front, and back directions are all orthogonal to each other. In this embodiment, the up, down direction will be described as the first direction D1 (see Figure 4), the left, right direction as the second direction D2 (see Figure 11), and the front, back direction as the third direction D3 (see Figure 4). Note that the orientation in which the massage device 1 is installed is not limited to the above orientations. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20 provided by the massage device 1 will be described as the fourth direction D4, and the protruding direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20, will be described as the fifth direction D5.

[0026] In this disclosure, "orthogonal (perpendicular)" includes not only a state where the angle between two objects is exactly 90 degrees, but also a state where the two objects intersect within a certain range of difference. In other words, the angle between two orthogonal objects falls within a certain range of difference from 90 degrees (for example, 10 degrees or less). That is, "orthogonal" in this disclosure includes cases where the angle between two objects is between 80 degrees and 100 degrees. Similarly, "parallel" in this disclosure includes not only a state where two objects do not intersect exactly, but also a state where two objects are aligned within a certain range of difference. For example, "parallel" in this disclosure includes a state where the inclination of one object relative to the other is 10 degrees or less. That is, "parallel" in this disclosure includes cases where the angle between one object and the other is between -10 degrees and 10 degrees.

[0027] (2.1) Configuration of the massage device The massage device 1 of this embodiment includes a treatment unit that treats multiple parts of the human body, including a first and second body part. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the massage device 1 includes a seat 12, a backrest 11, an ottoman 15, and a treatment drive unit 2 (see Figure 2). The seat 12 has a seat portion 4 (see Figure 10) on which the person using the massage device 1 sits. The massage device 1 of this embodiment is a massage chair in which the backrest 11 tilts (reclines) relative to the seat 12.

[0028] The massage device 1 further comprises a pair of left and right thigh treatment sections 14, a pair of left and right armrest sections 16, a pair of left and right side cover sections 18, a foot cover section 19, a back cover section 17 (see Figure 19), and a fixing component X1 (see Figure 3). In the following description, each of the left and right thigh treatment sections 14 may be simply referred to as "thigh treatment section 14." Similarly, each of the left and right armrest sections 16 may be simply referred to as "armrest section 16." Furthermore, each of the left and right side cover sections 18 may be simply referred to as "side cover section 18."

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 23, the massage device 1 further comprises a power supply unit 100, an operating unit 13, a first airbag 51, a second airbag 52, a third airbag 53, a fourth airbag 54, a fifth airbag 55, a sixth airbag 56, a seventh airbag 57, an eighth airbag 58, a ninth airbag 59, an airbag drive unit 7, a backrest drive unit 8, an ottoman drive unit 150, a memory unit 62, and a control unit 61. In this embodiment, each of the first airbags 51 to the seventh airbags 57 is a pair of left and right airbags, but each of the pair of first airbags 51 to the pair of seventh airbags 57 may simply be referred to as "first airbag 51," "second airbag 52," "third airbag 53," "fourth airbag 54," "fifth airbag 55," "sixth airbag 56," and "seventh airbag 57." Furthermore, the eighth airbag 58 and the ninth airbag 59 are a pair of airbags corresponding to the user's right and left legs, respectively (i.e., a total of four airbags), but each of the four eighth airbags 58 and the four ninth airbags 59 may simply be referred to as "eighth airbag 58" and "ninth airbag 59." Also, each of the (pair) first airbags 51 to (pair) seventh airbags 57, the four eighth airbags 58, and the four ninth airbags 59 may simply be referred to as "airbag 50."

[0030] (2.2) Composition of the backrest As shown in Figure 1, the backrest portion 11 is the part that the user's back faces when the massage device 1 is used by a person. When using the massage device 1, the user sits on the seat portion 4 with their back leaning against the backrest portion 11.

[0031] The backrest 11 is tiltable relative to the seat 12. The backrest 11 (or guide rail 20) is tiltable between a first tilt position (first position) and a second tilt position (second position). The second tilt position is a position in which the backrest 11 is tilted further back than the first tilt position. In this embodiment, the first tilt position is the default position of the backrest 11 (chair position), and the second tilt position is the position in which it is tilted to its maximum extent (full recline position). In this embodiment, the third tilt position (third position) between the first and second tilt positions is the massage position, which is the base position when the massage device 1 performs treatment on the human body. In this embodiment, "backward tilt" means that the backrest 11 tilts from the first tilt position toward the second tilt position. Furthermore, "forward tilt" means that the backrest 11 tilts from the second tilt position towards the first tilt position. In other words, the first tilt position is the position where the backrest 11 (or guide rail 20) is tilted most forward, and the second tilt position is the position where the backrest 11 (or guide rail 20) is tilted most backward.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the backrest portion 11 includes a back frame 200 (see Figure 3), a backboard 111 (see Figure 2), and a pair of left and right shoulder wall portions 112 (see Figure 2).

[0033] The back frame 200 has a frame-like shape. Furthermore, the back frame 200 has an arc shape when viewed from the left or right in a plan view. More specifically, the back frame 200 has an arc shape that is bent downwards and convex when viewed from the left or right in a plan view. The back frame 200 includes a guide rail 20, a first connecting portion 204, a second connecting portion 205, a mounting portion 26, and a pair of connecting plates 27.

[0034] The first connecting section 204 connects the first end 201 of the first rail 20A (described later) and the first end 201 of the second rail 20B (described later). The first connecting section 204 is aligned in the left-right direction. The second connecting section 205 connects the second end 202 of the first rail 20A (described later) and the second end 202 of the second rail 20B (described later). The second connecting section 205 is aligned in the left-right direction.

[0035] The mounting portion 26 is fixed to the first connecting portion 204. The mounting portion 26 includes a base plate 261, a pair of mounting plates 262, and a support plate 264 (see Figure 15).

[0036] The substrate 261 has a plate-like shape. The direction normal to the main surface of the substrate 261 is aligned with the longitudinal direction (fourth direction D4) of the guide rail 20. The substrate 261 is attached to the front end of the first connecting portion 204 such that the main surface of the substrate 261 faces the front end of the first connecting portion 204 in the front-rear direction.

[0037] The pair of mounting plates 262 are plate-shaped. The normal direction of the main surface of the mounting plates 262 is along the left-right direction (second direction D2). The pair of mounting plates 262 face each other in the left-right direction. The pair of mounting plates 262 are spaced apart and parallel. The pair of mounting plates 262 protrude forward from both ends of the base plate 261 in the left-right direction. The backrest drive unit 8 (see Figure 4) is attached to the pair of mounting plates 262.

[0038] The support plate 264 has a plate-like shape. The normal direction of the main surface of the support plate 264 is aligned with the projection direction (fifth direction D5). The support plate 264 protrudes rearward from the lower end of the substrate 261.

[0039] The pair of connecting plates 27 are arranged facing each other in the left-right direction. One of the pair of connecting plates 27 is fixed to the first rail 20A, and the other of the pair of connecting plates 27 is fixed to the second rail 20B. The pair of connecting plates 27 are connected to a pair of rear legs 304 of the seat frame 3 of the seat 12, so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis Ax2.

[0040] The treatment drive unit 2 is positioned on the guide rail 20 in a manner that allows it to move relative to the guide rail 20. As shown in Figure 11, the guide rail 20 has a first rail 20A and a second rail 20B that face each other in the left-right direction (second direction D2). The first rail 20A and the second rail 20B are spaced apart and parallel to each other. In a plan view from above, the longitudinal directions of the first rail 20A and the second rail 20B are aligned with the front-rear direction (third direction D3). In other words, in a plan view from above, the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20 is aligned with the front-rear direction. The longitudinal directions of the first rail 20A, the second rail 20B, and the guide rail 20 are parallel. In this embodiment, the longitudinal directions of the first rail 20A, the second rail 20B, and the guide rail 20 are referred to as the fourth direction D4.

[0041] The first end (one end) of the treatment drive unit 2 in the left-right direction is attached to the first rail 20A. The second end (the other end) of the treatment drive unit 2 in the left-right direction is attached to the second rail 20B. In other words, the treatment drive unit 2 is positioned between the first rail 20A and the second rail 20B.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, the guide rail 20 is connected to the seat frame 3 of the seat 12 via a pair of connecting plates 27. The guide rail 20 is positioned to be tiltable relative to the seat frame 3 of the seat 12. In this embodiment, the guide rail 20 is tiltable relative to the seat frame 3 of the seat 12 with rotation axis Ax2 as the center of rotation. By tilting the guide rail 20 relative to the seat frame 3 of the seat 12, the backrest 11 tilts relative to the seat 12.

[0043] The rotation axis Ax2 is an axis aligned with the second direction D2. The rotation axis Ax2 is located at the rear end of the seat frame 3 of the seat portion 12 and is located behind the main portion of the seat portion 4 (see Figure 11).

[0044] Figures 4 to 6 show how the guide rail 20 tilts relative to the seat frame 3 of the seat 12. More specifically, Figure 4 shows the case where the guide rail 20 is in the first tilt position (chair position), Figure 5 shows the case where the guide rail 20 is in the third position (massage position), and Figure 6 shows the case where the guide rail 20 is in the second position (full recline position).

[0045] The first rail 20A has a first end 201, which is the end on the seat 12 side (or seat frame 3 side) in the longitudinal direction (fourth direction D4) of the first rail 20A, and a second end 202 (see Figure 5 or Figure 6), which is the end on the opposite side in the fourth direction D4. In Figures 4 to 6, the second rail 20B is hidden by the first rail 20A and is therefore not shown, but the second rail 20B also has a first end 201 and a second end 202, similar to the first rail 20A. The first end 201 is located below the second end 202. The first end 201 of the first rail 20A and the first end 201 of the second rail 20B are the first end 201 of the guide rail 20, and the second end 202 of the first rail 20A and the second end 202 of the second rail 20B are the second end 202 of the guide rail 20. In other words, the guide rail 20 has a first end 201 which is the end on the seat portion 12 side in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20, and a second end 202 which is the end on the opposite side of the first end 201 in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20.

[0046] Furthermore, each of the first rail 20A and the second rail 20B further includes a rack 203 (see Figure 3). The rack 203, together with the pinion gear of the moving mechanism of the treatment drive unit 2 (described later), constitutes at least a part of the rack and pinion mechanism.

[0047] The shapes of the first rail 20A and the second rail 20B in this embodiment are aligned in the vertical direction when viewed from the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the shapes of the first rail 20A and the second rail 20B are arc-shaped when viewed from the left-to-right direction. In other words, the shape of the guide rail 20 in this embodiment is arc-shaped when viewed from the left-to-right direction. More specifically, the shape of the guide rail 20 is an arc that is bent downwards and convex when viewed from the left-to-right direction.

[0048] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, a portion of the guide rail 20 in this embodiment is located below the seat portion 4 (see Figure 10). Furthermore, the first end 201 of the guide rail 20 is displaced upward as the backrest portion 11 (or guide rail 20) tilts backward. Therefore, for example, when the first massage element 21A is located below the seat portion 4, in other words, when the first massage element 21A is in front of the rotation axis Ax2, the first massage element 21A is displaced upward as the guide rail 20 tilts backward. This makes it possible to improve the massage force on the buttocks or thighs of a person when the backrest portion 11 is tilted backward.

[0049] As shown in Figure 2, the backboard 111 is positioned in front of the guide rail 20 (i.e., in front of a portion of the back frame 200) so as to cover the guide rail 20. The backboard 111 is in contact with the user's back via an outer shell or the like.

[0050] As shown in Figure 9, the backboard 111 has a back surface 1111. In a plan view from the left and right directions, the backboard 111 and the guide rail 20 are non-parallel. More specifically, the distance between the guide rail 20 and the backboard 111 in the protruding direction (fifth direction D5) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (fourth direction D4) of the guide rail 20 increases as you move from the second end 202 (rear end or upper end) of the guide rail 20 towards the first end 201 (front end or lower end). In other words, the distance between the guide rail 20 and the backboard 111 in the fifth direction D5 increases as you move closer to the seat 12.

[0051] In Figure 9, the interval SP1 is the distance between the guide rail 20 and the back surface 1111 of the backboard 111 at a first measurement position in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20. The interval SP2 is the distance between the guide rail 20 and the back surface 1111 of the backboard 111 at a second measurement position in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20. The second measurement position is a measurement position closer to the first end 201 compared to the first measurement position. The interval SP2 at the second measurement position is greater than the interval SP1 at the first measurement position.

[0052] According to the massage device 1 of this embodiment, when the treatment drive unit 2 moves from a position corresponding to, for example, the shoulder (e.g., first body part) (first treatment area) to a position corresponding to the buttocks (e.g., second body part) (second treatment position), the treatment drive unit 2 moves further away from the backboard 111 as it approaches the second treatment position. This reduces the possibility that the treatment element 21 may come into contact with a body part such as the waist (e.g., third body part), causing discomfort such as pain to the user.

[0053] As shown in Figure 2, the pair of left and right shoulder wall portions 112 protrude forward from both ends of the backboard 111 in the left-right direction. The shoulder wall portions 112 are formed from the upper ends of the backboard 111 in the left-right direction to a predetermined position. The shoulder wall portions 112 are positioned to conceal the user's face and shoulders when viewed from the left-right direction. The shape of the shoulder wall portions 112 is plate-like. The pair of left and right shoulder wall portions 112 face each other in the left-right direction.

[0054] (2.3) Configuration of the backrest drive unit The backrest drive unit 8 tilts the backrest 11 based on control by the control unit 61. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the backrest drive unit 8 is connected to the back frame 200 of the backrest 11 and the seat frame 3 of the seat 12 in a manner that allows it to rotate relative to both the back frame 200 of the backrest 11 and the seat frame 3 of the seat 12.

[0055] The backrest drive unit 8 has a base portion 80 and a movable portion 81.

[0056] The base portion 80 has a prismatic shape. However, the base portion 80 may also be cylindrical. The end portion 801 (lower end portion) of the base portion 80 in the longitudinal direction is attached to a pair of mounting plates 307 of the seat frame 3 in a manner that allows it to rotate relative to the pair of mounting plates 307.

[0057] The movable part 81 is attached to the base 80 in such a way that it can move along the length of the base 80. The mounting part 811 of the movable part 81 is attached to a pair of mounting plates 262 of the mounting part 26 of the back frame 200 in such a way that the movable part 81 can rotate relative to the mounting part 26 of the back frame 200.

[0058] Here, the base 80 has a motor (not shown) for sliding the movable part 81 along the base 80. The motor operates based on control by the control unit 61. As the movable part 81, which is connected to the mounting part 26 of the back frame 200, slides, the base 80 rotates relative to the pair of mounting plates 307. Also, as the movable part 81 slides, the movable part 81 rotates relative to the pair of mounting plates 262. In other words, as the movable part 81 slides, the backrest 11 tilts relative to the seat 12.

[0059] The base portion 80 of this embodiment includes a first limiter and a second limiter, which are not shown. The first limiter is provided near the upper end of the movable range of the movable portion 81, and the second limiter is provided near the lower end of the movable range of the movable portion 81. When the first limiter detects the movable portion 81, the movable portion 81 will not move any further towards the upper end of the base portion 80, regardless of the control by the control unit 61. Similarly, when the second limiter detects the movable portion 81, the movable portion 81 will not move any further towards the lower end of the base portion 80, regardless of the control by the control unit 61.

[0060] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the backrest drive unit 8 tilts the backrest 11 relative to the seat 12 by performing a rotational movement relative to the seat frame 3 and a sliding movement of the movable part 81 relative to the base 80. In the massage device 1 of this embodiment, the first end 201 of the guide rail 20 is located below the seat 4 (see Figure 10), and the treatment drive unit 2 can move down to below the seat 4, so the configurations that can be placed in the space below the seat 4 are limited. In this embodiment, the backrest drive unit 8 tilts the backrest 11 by the sliding movement of the movable part 81 relative to the base 80. As a result, the backrest drive unit 8 of this embodiment occupies less space and can be placed below the seat 4 compared to a backrest drive unit that tilts the backrest by changing its overall length.

[0061] (2.4) Configuration of the treatment drive unit The treatment drive unit 2 operates based on control by the control unit 61. The treatment drive unit 2 provides treatment to the user. In other words, the treatment drive unit 2 is the treatment unit of the massage device 1.

[0062] The treatment drive unit 2 is positioned on the guide rail 20 of the backrest 11 in a manner that allows it to move relative to the guide rail 20. More specifically, the treatment drive unit 2 is attached to the guide rail 20 in a manner that allows it to slide along the length of the guide rail 20. This allows the treatment drive unit 2 to perform treatment on a relatively wide area of ​​the user, such as from the neck to the thighs.

[0063] As shown in Figures 2 and 7-8, the treatment drive unit 2 has a base 22 (see Figure 7 or 8) and a pair of arms 23 (see Figure 2).

[0064] The pair of arms 23 face each other in the left-right direction (second direction D2), which is perpendicular to the vertical direction (first direction D1). The arms 23 are attached to the base 22. The pair of arms 23 move along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20 in accordance with the movement of the base 22 along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20. In addition, the pair of arms 23 in this embodiment can move toward and away from each other in the left-right direction (second direction D2).

[0065] The arm 23 has a first portion 231 and a second portion 232. The first portion 231 and the second portion 232 form an L-shape. The tip of the first portion 231 is provided with a first treatment element 21A, and the tip of the second portion 232 is provided with a second treatment element 21B. In other words, each of the pair of arms 23 has a first treatment element 21A and a second treatment element 21B. In other words, the treatment drive unit 2 has a first treatment element 21A and a second treatment element 21B. The first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B treat multiple parts of the human body.

[0066] This allows for an expansion of the treatment area (or massage area) along the length of the guide rail 20. Furthermore, because the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B can expand the treatment area along the length of the guide rail 20, it is possible to suppress the lengthening of the guide rail 20, thereby making the massage device 1 more compact.

[0067] In the following explanation, when the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B are not distinguished, they may each be simply referred to as "treatment element 21".

[0068] In the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20, the first treatment element 21A is positioned closer to the first end 201 than the second treatment element 21B. In other words, the positions of the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B are different in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20. This allows for a wider treatment range (or massage range) along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20. Furthermore, because the treatment range along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20 can be widened by the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B, it is possible to suppress the length of the guide rail 20, thereby making the massage device 1 more compact.

[0069] Furthermore, when the first treatment element 21A is located below the seat portion 4 and the backrest portion 11 is in the first tilted position, the second treatment element 21B is located above the first treatment element 21A. When the first treatment element 21A is located below the seat portion 4 and the backrest portion 11 is in the second position, the first treatment element 21A is located above the second treatment element 21B. In other words, the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B in this embodiment are displaced according to the degree of tilt (reclining) of the backrest portion 11 (or guide rail 20). In particular, when the first treatment element 21A is located below the seat portion 4, the positions of the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B in the vertical direction can be displaced according to the degree of tilt of the backrest portion 11.

[0070] By the way, increasing the number of treatment points has the advantage of widening the treatment area, but there are concerns that the pressure will be dispersed and the massage force will decrease.

[0071] In this embodiment, the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B are displaced according to the degree of tilt (reclining) of the backrest 11 (or guide rail 20). In particular, when the first treatment element 21A is located below the seat 4, the positions of the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B in the vertical direction can be displaced according to the degree of tilt of the backrest 11. This makes it possible to change how the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B are applied to the human body, thereby improving the massage force.

[0072] Furthermore, the first and second treatment devices 21A and 21B of this embodiment have rubber massage balls at the parts that come into contact with the human body. In other words, the first and second treatment devices 21A and 21B have massage balls. For example, the material of the massage balls is natural rubber (NR). In the treatment device 21 of this embodiment, the massage balls elastically deform when they come into contact with the human body, allowing for more comfortable treatment. In this embodiment, the massage balls (or treatment device 21) come into contact with the human body via a cloth or the like.

[0073] In this embodiment, the hardness of the massage balls of the first massage element 21A is higher than that of the massage balls of the second massage element 21B. In other words, the massage balls of the first massage element 21A are less prone to elastic deformation than those of the second massage element 21B. As a result, the contact area during treatment is smaller for the massage balls of the first massage element 21A compared to those of the second massage element 21B, and the massage force of the first massage element 21A can be further improved.

[0074] In this embodiment, the "hardness" of the rubber is an index indicating how easily (or how difficultly) the rubber deforms when a predetermined force is applied to it. For example, when measured using a Type A durometer, the hardness of the first treatment element 21A is 60±5 degrees, and the hardness of the second treatment element 21B is 38±5 degrees.

[0075] Furthermore, the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B of this embodiment further include a heater 101 (see Figures 7 and 8). The heater 101 is located inside the massage ball. The heater 101 generates heat under the control of the control unit 61. As a result, the massage device 1 of this embodiment can perform a warming massage using the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B.

[0076] The base 22 is the part of the treatment drive unit 2 that is attached to the guide rail 20. For example, the base 22 includes a movement mechanism that enables movement along the guide rail 20, and a drive mechanism that operates a pair of arms 23.

[0077] The moving mechanism includes a motor and a pinion gear (not shown). The pinion gear of the moving mechanism, together with the rack 203 of the guide rail 20, constitutes at least part of a rack and pinion mechanism. The pinion gear is positioned to mesh with the rack 203 of the guide rail 20 and rotates due to the rotational force of the motor. As the pinion gear, positioned to mesh with the rack 203, rotates, the base 22 of the treatment drive unit 2 moves along the guide rail 20. As the treatment drive unit 2 moves along the guide rail 20, the position of the treatment drive unit 2 in the vertical and longitudinal directions is displaced.

[0078] The treatment drive unit 2 of this embodiment has a drive mechanism that allows adjustment of the protrusion amount of the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B in the protrusion direction (fifth direction D5) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (fourth direction D4) of the guide rail 20. Furthermore, the treatment drive unit 2 can operate a pair of arms 23 to move away from each other in the left-right direction. In other words, the treatment element 21 can perform treatment operations that involve a protruding motion. The protruding motion is the movement of the treatment element 21 away from its reference position in the protruding direction (fifth direction D5), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (fourth direction D4) of the guide rail 20. For example, if the position of the second treatment element 21B in Figure 7 is the reference position of the second treatment element 21B, and the second treatment element 21B performs a protruding motion, then, as shown in Figure 8, the second treatment element 21B moves away from its reference position in the protruding direction (fifth direction D5). Furthermore, for example, if the position of the first treatment element 21A in Figure 8 is the reference position of the first treatment element 21A, and the first treatment element 21A performs a protruding motion, then, as shown in Figure 7, the first treatment element 21A will move away from the reference position in the protruding direction. The treatment drive unit 2 can adjust the amount of protrusion of the treatment element 21 in the protruding direction based on the control unit 61.

[0079] Here, the "projection direction" is the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal and lateral directions of the guide rail 20. When the longitudinal direction (fourth direction D4) of the guide rail 20 is parallel to the vertical direction (first direction D1), the projection direction is parallel to the front-to-back direction (third direction D3), and when the projection movement is performed, the treatment element 21 is displaced forward from the reference position. The "projection amount" is the amount of displacement in the projection direction between the treatment element 21 at the reference position and the treatment element 21 at the position after projection.

[0080] In this embodiment, the protruding direction is defined as the fifth direction D5. That is, in the massage device 1 of this embodiment, the treatment element 21 is movable in three directions: the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20 (fourth direction D4), the left-right direction (second direction D2), and the protruding direction (fifth direction D5). The second direction D2, the fourth direction D4, and the fifth direction D5 are orthogonal to each other. In other words, the treatment element 21 is movable in three directions: the up-down direction (first direction D1), the left-right direction (second direction D2), and the front-back direction (third direction D3).

[0081] Furthermore, the treatment drive unit 2 of this embodiment further includes a pressure sensor that detects the pressure applied to the treatment element 21. The treatment drive unit 2 outputs an electrical signal (pressure information) corresponding to the pressure detected by the pressure sensor to the control unit 61.

[0082] According to the massage device 1 of this embodiment, since the protrusion amount of the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B can be adjusted, the massage force can be adjusted for each body part, enabling more precise and comfortable treatment.

[0083] (2.5) Seat structure As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the seat portion 12 includes a seat frame 3, a support portion 31, a seat portion 4, and a belt 121. As described above, the seat frame 3 is connected to the back frame 200 (or guide rail 20) of the backrest portion 11. In other words, the seat portion 12 is connected to the backrest portion 11.

[0084] As shown in Figure 3, the shape of the seat frame 3 is U-shaped with an open rear end when viewed from above. The seat frame 3 has a pair of first beams 302, a first connecting part 301, a pair of front legs 303, a pair of rear legs 304, a pair of bases 305, a second connecting part 306, a pair of mounting plates 307, and a pair of second beams 308.

[0085] The shape of the first beam section 302 is rod-shaped. The longitudinal direction of the first beam section 302 is along the front-to-back direction (third direction D3). The pair of first beam sections 302 face each other in the left-to-right direction (second direction D2) with the pair of second beam sections 308 in between. The pair of first beam sections 302 are spaced apart and parallel to each other.

[0086] The shape of the first connecting portion 301 is that of a rectangular parallelepiped. The longitudinal direction of the first connecting portion 301 is aligned with the left-right direction (second direction D). The first connecting portion 301 connects the front ends of a pair of first beam portions 302.

[0087] The shape of the front leg portion 303 is that of a rectangular parallelepiped. The longitudinal direction of the front leg portion 303 is along the vertical direction (first direction D1). The pair of front leg portions 303 face each other in the left-right direction. The pair of front leg portions 303 are spaced apart and parallel. The pair of front leg portions 303 project downward from the front ends of the pair of first beam portions 302.

[0088] The shape of the rear leg portion 304 is that of a rectangular parallelepiped. The longitudinal direction of the rear leg portion 304 is aligned with the vertical direction. The pair of rear leg portions 304 face each other in the left-right direction. The pair of rear leg portions 304 are spaced apart and parallel. The pair of rear leg portions 304 project downward from the rear ends of the pair of first beam portions 302. The pair of front leg portions 303 and the pair of rear leg portions 304 face each other in the front-rear direction. Also, the pair of front leg portions 303 and the pair of rear leg portions 304 are spaced apart and parallel.

[0089] The base portion 305 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The longitudinal direction of the base portion 305 is aligned with the front-to-back direction. The pair of base portions 305 face each other in the left-to-right direction. The pair of base portions 305 are spaced apart and parallel. The base portion 305 connects the lower end of the front leg portion 303 and the lower end of the rear leg portion 304.

[0090] The shape of the second connecting portion 306 is that of a rectangular parallelepiped. The longitudinal direction of the second connecting portion 306 is aligned with the left-right direction. The second connecting portion 306 connects the front ends of the pair of base portions 305.

[0091] A pair of mounting plates 307 are fixed to the second connecting portion 306. The mounting plates 307 are plate-shaped. The normal direction of the main surface of the mounting plates 307 is aligned with the left-right direction. The pair of mounting plates 307 face each other in the left-right direction. The pair of mounting plates 307 are spaced apart and parallel. The backrest drive unit 8 (see Figure 4) is attached to the pair of mounting plates 307.

[0092] The shape of the second beam section 308 is a rectangular parallelepiped. The longitudinal direction of the second beam section 308 is along the front-to-back direction (third direction D3). The pair of second beam sections 308 face each other in the left-to-right direction (second direction D2). The pair of first beam sections 302 are spaced apart and parallel. The pair of second beam sections 308 are positioned so as to be sandwiched between the pair of first beam sections 302. The pair of second beam sections 308 are connected to the first connecting section 301 and the pair of first beam sections 302.

[0093] The support portion 31 is positioned at the upper end of the seat frame 3 (more specifically, on the pair of second beam portions 308 and the first connecting portion 301). The support portion 31 has a first portion 311, a second portion 312, and a third portion 313. In other words, the seat 12 of this embodiment has a first portion 311, a second portion 312, and a third portion 313. The first portion 311 and the second portion 312 face each other in a second direction D2 that is perpendicular to a first direction D1 which is vertical. The first portion 311 is positioned on one of the pair of second beam portions 308 of the seat frame 3, and the second portion 312 is positioned on the other of the pair of second beam portions 308. The third portion 313 connects the first portion 311 and the second portion 312 along the second direction D2. More specifically, the third portion 313 connects the front end of the first portion 311 and the front end of the second portion 312 along the second direction D2. In other words, the shape of the support portion 31 is U-shaped with an open rear end when viewed from above.

[0094] The third portion 313 has a pair of recesses 314 aligned in the second direction D2. The pair of recesses 314 are formed in the third direction D3, which is perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, extending from one end (first end) to the other end (second end) of the third portion 313. The pair of recesses 314 are the parts on which the user's thighs rest, via the outer skin or the like. This makes it easier to determine the position of the user's thighs and improves the stability of the user's seated posture. In addition, because the parts on which the thighs rest are recessed, the treatment element 21 comes closer to the thighs, thereby improving the massage force.

[0095] In this embodiment, the pair of recesses 314 are inclined upward as they move away from the backrest 11. In other words, the pair of recesses 314 are inclined upward as they approach the first end (front end). This helps to suppress the human body from sliding forward during massage, and further improves the stability of the user's seated posture.

[0096] The seat portion 4 is suspended between the first portion 311 and the second portion 312 of the support portion 31. In this embodiment, both ends of the seat portion 4 in the left-right direction (second direction D2) are attached to a pair of second beam portions 308 of the seat frame 3. However, one end of the seat portion 4 in the left-right direction may be attached to the first portion 311 of the support portion 31, and the other end of the seat portion 4 in the left-right direction may be attached to the second portion 312 of the support portion 31. In other words, the seat portion 4 may be directly attached to the support portion 31, or it may be indirectly attached to the support portion 31 by being attached to the seat frame 3. To put it another way, the seat portion 4 only needs to be fixed to the seat frame 3 or the support portion 31.

[0097] As shown in Figure 12, the seat section 4 has a first sheet 41, a second sheet 42, a third sheet 43, and a fourth sheet 44. In this embodiment, the first sheet 41, the second sheet 42, the third sheet 43, and the fourth sheet 44 are placed between the first part 311 and the second part 312 of the support section 31. The first sheet 41, the second sheet 42, the third sheet 43, and the fourth sheet 44 are stacked in the vertical direction. The first sheet 41, the second sheet 42, the third sheet 43, and the fourth sheet 44 are arranged in the order of fourth sheet 44, first sheet 41, second sheet 42, and third sheet 43 from top to bottom. In other words, the second sheet 42 and the third sheet 43 are positioned between the first sheet 41 and the guide rail 20 of the backrest section 11.

[0098] As shown in Figure 11, the first sheet 41 has a first side 411 which is the end (rear end) on the backrest 11 side (rear side). The first sheet 41 also has a second side 412 which is a different side from the first side 411 and is the end on the backrest 11 side. Furthermore, the first sheet 41 also has a protrusion 413.

[0099] The first side 411 of the first sheet 41 is oblique to the longitudinal direction (fourth direction D4) of the guide rail 20 in a plan view from the first direction D1. Here, "the first side 411 is oblique to the fourth direction D4 in a plan view from the first direction D1" means "the first side 411 and the fourth direction D4 are not perpendicular in a plan view from the first direction D1." In this embodiment, the first side 411 is curved, and in a plan view from the first direction D1, the tangent line at the intersection of the first side 411 is oblique to the fourth direction D4. The first side 411 may also be a straight line.

[0100] The second side 412 of the first sheet 41 is oblique to the longitudinal direction (fourth direction D4) of the guide rail 20 in a plan view from the first direction D1. Here, "the second side 412 is oblique to the fourth direction D4 in a plan view from the first direction D1" means "the second side 412 and the fourth direction D4 are not perpendicular in a plan view from the first direction D1." In this embodiment, the second side 412 is curved, and in a plan view from the first direction D1, the tangent line at the intersection of the second side 412 is oblique to the fourth direction D4. The second side 412 may also be a straight line.

[0101] In Figure 11, the pair of tracks Ax1 represent the trajectories of the pair of first treatment devices 21A as they slide along the guide rail 20. In this embodiment, the pair of tracks Ax1 are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20. In this embodiment, in a plan view from the vertical direction (first direction D1), the first side 411 and the second side 412 intersect with the pair of tracks Ax1. More specifically, in a plan view from the first direction D1, the first side 411 is oblique to one of the pair of tracks Ax1, and the second side 412 is oblique to the other of the pair of tracks Ax1.

[0102] Here, "in a plan view from the first direction D1, the first side 411 is oblique to one of the pair of tracks Ax1" means "in a plan view from the first direction D1, the first side 411 and one of the pair of tracks Ax1 are not perpendicular." In this embodiment, the first side 411 is a curve, and in a plan view from the first direction D1, the tangent at the intersection of the first side 411 is oblique to one of the pair of tracks Ax1. Similarly, "in a plan view from the first direction D1, the second side 412 is oblique to the other of the pair of tracks Ax1" means "in a plan view from the first direction D1, the second side 412 and the other of the pair of tracks Ax1 are not perpendicular." In this embodiment, the second side 412 is a curve, and in a plan view from the first direction D1, the tangent at the intersection of the second side 412 is oblique to the other of the pair of tracks Ax1.

[0103] Here, in a plan view from the first direction D1, the intersection angle α2 (the acute angle) between the first side 411 and one of the pair of tracks Ax1 is not a right angle. Preferably, the intersection angle α2 is 20° or more and less than 70°. More preferably, the intersection angle α2 is 30° or more and less than 60°, and even more preferably, 40° or more and less than 50°. Similarly, in a plan view from the first direction D1, the intersection angle α3 (the acute angle) between the second side 412 and the other of the pair of tracks Ax1 is not a right angle. Preferably, the intersection angle α3 is 20° or more and less than 70°. More preferably, the intersection angle α3 is 30° or more and less than 60°, and even more preferably, 40° or more and less than 50°. In this embodiment, the intersection angles α2 and α3 are (approximately) the same. However, the intersection angles α2 and α3 may be different angles.

[0104] In the massage device 1 of this embodiment, when the treatment element 21 moves from the backrest 11 side to the seat 12 side, the treatment element 21 may come into contact with the first seat 41. Here, "the treatment element 21 may come into contact with the first seat 41" includes the treatment element 21 coming into contact with the first seat 41 via other sheets and outer coverings, such as the second seat 42 and the third seat 43. The first seat 41 is, for example, made of tarpaulin fabric. The material of the first seat 41 includes polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In the massage device 1 of this embodiment, the main role of the first seat 41 is to support the user's weight, and the first seat 41 has relatively high tensile strength and does not stretch easily. Because the tensile strength of the first seat 41 is relatively high, there is a possibility that the treatment element 21 may get caught on the edge (first side 411) of the first seat 41.

[0105] In this embodiment of the massage device 1, the first side 411 and the second side 412 of the first seat 41, which are the ends on the backrest side 11, are oblique to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20. This prevents the treatment element 21 from getting caught on the first side 411 and the second side 412 of the first seat 41, thereby preventing the first seat 41 from tearing or the treatment element 21 (or the treatment drive unit 2) from malfunctioning.

[0106] Furthermore, in the massage device 1 of this embodiment, the first side 411 and the second side 412 of the first sheet 41 are covered by the third sheet 43 and do not come into direct contact with the treatment element 21. This further suppresses the treatment element 21 from getting caught on the first side 411 and the second side 412 of the first sheet 41, and further suppresses the occurrence of tearing of the first sheet 41 or failure of the treatment element 21 (or treatment drive unit 2).

[0107] Furthermore, the first sheet 41 in this embodiment is sewn into a sheet separate from the first sheet 41. More specifically, in the first sheet 41 of this embodiment, the first side 411 and the second side 412 are sewn into a sheet separate from the first sheet 41. For example, the first side 411 and the second side 412 of the first sheet 41 are sewn into at least one of the second sheet 42 and the fourth sheet 44. In this embodiment, the first side 411 and the second side 412 of the first sheet 41 are sewn into the second sheet 42. This further reduces the likelihood of the treatment device 21 getting caught on the edge of the first sheet 41.

[0108] In this embodiment, the first side 411 and the second side 412 form at least a part of the protrusion 413 (see Figure 11). The protrusion 413 is attached to the belt 121. Here, the attachment of the protrusion 413 to the belt 121 includes cases where the protrusion 413 is attached to the belt 121 via the second seat 42 or the third seat 43, etc. The protrusion 413 is the uppermost part of the first seat 41 when the backrest 11 is in the first tilted position.

[0109] The material of the second sheet 42 includes polypropylene, nylon, or polyester. In this embodiment, the material of the second sheet 42 includes nylon. In other words, the second sheet 42 is a cloth. As shown in Figure 13, the second sheet 42 has warp threads 421 and weft threads (not shown).

[0110] The material of the third sheet 43 includes polypropylene, nylon, or polyester. In this embodiment, the material of the third sheet 43 includes nylon. In other words, the third sheet 43 is a cloth. The third sheet 43 has warp threads 431 and weft threads (not shown).

[0111] As shown in Figure 13, in this embodiment, the third sheet 43 is arranged such that the warp threads 431 of the third sheet 43 intersect with the warp threads 421 of the second sheet 42. In other words, in a plan view from the vertical direction (first direction D1), the warp threads 421 of the second sheet 42 and the warp threads 431 of the third sheet 43 intersect. Here, in a plan view from the first direction D1, the intersection angle α1 (the intersection angle on the acute side) between the warp threads 421 (first warp thread) and warp thread 431 (second warp thread) is preferably 45° or more. More preferably, the intersection angle α1 is 70° or more. In this embodiment, the warp threads 421 of the second sheet 42 and the warp threads 431 of the third sheet 43 are orthogonal.

[0112] In this embodiment, the third sheet 43 is in direct contact with the treatment element 21. In the massage device 1 of this embodiment, the second sheet 42 and the third sheet 43 are arranged so that the warp threads 421 of the second sheet 42 and the warp threads 431 of the third sheet 43 intersect, thereby reducing the frictional resistance between the second sheet 42 and the third sheet 43. This improves the sliding between the second sheet 42 and the third sheet 43, suppresses the sound of the fabrics rubbing together, and prevents the third sheet 43 from tearing. In other words, the massage device 1 of this embodiment improves the durability of the third sheet 43.

[0113] Furthermore, the third sheet 43 in this embodiment is more slack than the second sheet 42. In other words, the third sheet 43 is more slack than the second sheet 42. This allows for further improvement in the durability of the third sheet 43 and the treatment drive unit 2.

[0114] The material of the fourth sheet 44 includes polypropylene, nylon, or polyester. In this embodiment, the material of the fourth sheet 44 includes nylon. In other words, the fourth sheet 44 is a cloth.

[0115] The belt 121 is a belt that runs along the length of the guide rail 20. The material of the belt 121 includes polypropylene, nylon, or polyester. In this embodiment, the material of the belt 121 includes polyester. In this embodiment, one end (front end) of the belt 121 is fixed to the first connecting portion 301 (front end) of the seat frame 3. The other end (rear end) of the belt 121 is fixed to the second connecting portion 205 of the back frame 200 of the backrest portion 11. In other words, the belt 121 is a belt that is positioned higher as it approaches the second connecting portion 205 of the back frame 200 from the front end of the seat frame 3. In this embodiment, the belt 121 is positioned below the seat portion 4 so as to suspend the seat portion 4. Because the belt 121 is positioned below the seat portion 4, the backrest portion 11 side of the seat portion 4 is supported, preventing the body from sinking in, and also preventing the seat portion 4 from stretching, thereby improving the load-bearing capacity of the seat portion 12 (or seat portion 4). Furthermore, if sufficient strength (load-bearing capacity) can be obtained from the seat portion 4, the front end of the belt 121 does not need to be fixed to the seat frame 3.

[0116] (2.6) Ottoman configuration As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ottoman 15 is positioned in front of the seat 12. The ottoman 15 supports the user's lower limbs. The upper end of the ottoman 15 is supported by the seat 12 in a rotatable manner. The ottoman 15 rotates relative to the seat 12 around its upper end in response to the operation of the ottoman drive unit 150 (see Figure 23). The axis of rotation of the ottoman 15 is aligned in the left-right direction. The ottoman drive unit 150 rotates the ottoman 15 based on control by the control unit 61. As a result, the ottoman 15 rotates so that its tip rises upward (see Figure 22).

[0117] (2.7) Airbag configuration Each of the multiple airbags 50 is connected to a pump 72 (see Figure 23) via a solenoid valve and air hose (not shown). The airbags 50 inflate and deflate by the supply and exhaust of air. In this embodiment, each of the multiple airbags 50 is plate-shaped when not inflated. The airbags 50 perform a medical procedure on the user by inflating and deflating. The material of the airbags 50 includes polyethylene.

[0118] As shown in Figure 2, the multiple airbags 50 are positioned at various locations on the massage device 1 so as to face the human body via an outer shell or the like. As described above, the multiple airbags 50 include the first airbag 51, the second airbag 52, the third airbag 53, the fourth airbag 54, the fifth airbag 55, the sixth airbag 56, the seventh airbag 57, the eighth airbag 58, and the ninth airbag 59.

[0119] The first airbag 51, the second airbag 52, and the third airbag 53 are positioned to perform therapeutic actions on the user's shoulder and upper arm area. The first airbag 51 is located on the backboard 111. The first airbag 51 is located opposite the user's scapula. The second airbag 52 is located on the backboard 111. The second airbag 52 is located opposite the user's underside upper arm area. The third airbag 53 is located on the outside of the backboard 111 in the left-right direction. The third airbag 53 is located opposite the user's shoulder and the front of their upper arm area.

[0120] The fourth airbag 54 and the fifth airbag 55 are positioned to allow for therapeutic actions to be performed on the user's forearm. The fourth airbag 54 is located in the elbow rest 16. The fourth airbag 54 is located opposite the user's front forearm. The fifth airbag 55 is located in the elbow rest 16. The fifth airbag 55 is located opposite the user's back forearm.

[0121] The sixth airbag 56 and the seventh airbag 57 are positioned to allow for treatment of the user's thigh area. As will be described later, the sixth airbag 56 and the seventh airbag 57 are included in the thigh treatment section 14. The sixth airbag 56 and the seventh airbag 57 are located on the outside of the seat section 4 (or seat portion 12) in the left-right direction. The sixth airbag 56 is positioned rearward relative to the seventh airbag 57.

[0122] The eighth airbag 58 and the ninth airbag 59 are positioned to perform therapeutic actions on the user's lower limbs. More specifically, the eighth airbag 58 is positioned to perform therapeutic actions on the user's lower leg. The ninth airbag 59 is positioned to perform therapeutic actions on the user's foot. The eighth airbag 58 and the ninth airbag 59 are installed on the ottoman 15. The eighth airbag 58 is positioned closer to the seat 12 than the ninth airbag 59. The eighth airbag 58 is positioned to sandwich the user's right and left lower legs from the left and right directions. The ninth airbag 59 is positioned to sandwich the user's right and left feet from the left and right directions.

[0123] (2.8) Composition of the treatment area for the thigh As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pair of thigh treatment sections 14 face each other in the left-right direction (second direction D2). The pair of thigh treatment sections 14 are provided on the sides of the seat section 4 in the left-right direction perpendicular to the up-down direction (first direction D1). When the sixth airbag 56 and the seventh airbag 57 included in the thigh treatment section 14 are not inflated, the shape of the thigh treatment section 14 is plate-like.

[0124] The thigh treatment unit 14 operates to sandwich the thighs of a person sitting on the seat unit 4 between itself and the seat unit 4. More specifically, the thigh treatment unit 14 can tilt towards the seat unit 4 from its default position, which is upright relative to the seat unit 4. In other words, by tilting towards the seat unit 4, the thigh treatment unit 14 operates to press the user's thighs towards the seat unit 4. When the user's thighs are being treated from below by the first treatment element 21A, the thigh treatment unit 14 prevents the user's thighs from moving upward, thereby improving the massage force around the thighs.

[0125] The thigh treatment section 14 of this embodiment has a sixth airbag 56 and a seventh airbag 57. More specifically, the thigh treatment section 14 of this embodiment performs treatment by sandwiching the user's thigh between the sixth airbag 56 and the seventh airbag 57 and the seat section 4. With the massage device 1 of this embodiment, treatment can be performed on the user's thigh from above and below, thus providing a more comfortable treatment.

[0126] (2.9) Configuration of fixed parts As shown in Figure 3, the fixing component X1 is attached to the left front leg portion 303 of the seat frame 3. As shown in Figure 14, the fixing component X1 is a component that secures components X3 such as power cables, signal cables, or hoses provided by the massage device 1.

[0127] The fixing part X1 has a first plate portion X11, a second plate portion X12, a third plate portion X13, and a fourth plate portion X14. The first plate portion X11, the second plate portion X12, the third plate portion X13, and the fourth plate portion X14 are plate-shaped. In this embodiment of the fixing part X1, the first plate portion X11, the second plate portion X12, the third plate portion X13, and the fourth plate portion X14 are integrally formed.

[0128] The first plate portion X11 and the second plate portion X12 are attached to the front leg portion 303 of the seat frame 3 so as to face the left front leg portion 303. In the example shown in Figure 3, the fixing component X1 is attached to the front leg portion 303 with the rear surface of the first plate portion X11 in contact with the front surface of the front leg portion 303 and the left surface of the second plate portion X12 in contact with the right surface of the front leg portion 303. The first plate portion X11 has a through hole X111. Fastening components such as screws are passed through the through hole X111, and the fixing component X1 is fixed to the front leg portion 303 by the fastening components.

[0129] The second plate portion X12 protrudes rearward from the right end of the first plate portion X11. The third plate portion X13 protrudes diagonally rearward to the right from the rear end of the second plate portion X12. The fourth plate portion X14 is positioned to be continuous with the right end of the third plate portion X13. The third plate portion X13 and the fourth plate portion X14 form a T shape when viewed from above or below.

[0130] The fourth plate portion X14 has a plurality of (two in the example of Figure 14) first recesses X141 and a second recess X142. The second recess X142 is formed so as to be sandwiched between the two first recesses X141. The first recesses X141 are recessed inward in the fourth plate portion X14 in the vertical direction. The second recess X142 is recessed inward in the fourth plate portion X14 in the direction normal to the main surface of the fourth plate portion X14. The first recesses X141 function as positioning parts for the cable band X2 that fastens the fourth plate portion X14 and the part X3. The second recess X142 also functions as a positioning part for the cable band X2 that fastens the part X3 fastened together with the fourth plate portion X14 and other parts X3.

[0131] In other words, the fixing component X1 of this embodiment can be attached to the seat frame 3 and can group multiple components X3 together. This allows multiple components X3 to be efficiently grouped together in the space of the seat portion 4 of the seat 12. In this embodiment, the multiple components X3 are power cables, signal cables, or hoses that pass between the seat 12 and the ottoman 15.

[0132] (2.10) Structure of the armrest As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the (left and right) elbow rests 16 support the user's forearms, including the elbows. The elbow rests 16 are positioned outside the shoulder wall 112 and the side cover 18.

[0133] As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the elbow rest 16 has a first hook 161. The shape of the first hook 161 is L-shaped when viewed from above. The first hook 161 protrudes inward from the elbow rest 16 and further protrudes rearward. The first hook 161 corresponds to the second hook 113 of the shoulder wall 112. The shape of the second hook 113 is L-shaped when viewed from above. The second hook 113 protrudes outward from the shoulder wall 112 and further protrudes upward.

[0134] For example, when an employee is attaching the armrest 16 to the main body (backrest 11 and seat 12, etc.), they align the first hook 161 and the second hook 113 and lower the armrest 16 from above toward the side cover 18. As the employee lowers the armrest 16 from above, they ensure that the first hook 161 catches on the second hook 113. Then, the employee slides the armrest 16 backward, and the armrest 16 is attached to the main body. Furthermore, the employee secures the armrest 16 and the side cover 18 with fasteners such as screws.

[0135] Thus, because the massage device 1 of this embodiment has a first hook 161 and a second hook 113 that correspond to each other, it is easy for an operator to attach the armrest 16 to the main body. In other words, the assembly of the armrest 16 can be simplified with the massage device 1.

[0136] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 22, in the massage device 1, when the backrest 11 is in the second tilt position (full recline position), the inclined surface 162 of the armrest 16 and the inclined surface 114 of the shoulder wall 112 become approximately parallel to the mounting surface. As a result, when the massage device 1 is fully reclined, the upper end of the massage device 1 becomes approximately horizontal, resulting in a superior design.

[0137] (2.11) Configuration of the side cover As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the side cover portion 18 is positioned outside the seat portion 12 in the left-right direction. As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the side cover portion 18 has a main body portion 180 inside the outer shell or similar. The main body portion 180 is attached to the seat frame 3. Support components 33 are attached to the front leg portions 303 of the seat frame 3. The main body portion 180 has a guide hole 181. The main body portion 180 is attached to the seat frame 3 by passing a connecting component 32 through the guide hole 181 and then attaching the connecting component 32 to the first beam portion 302 of the seat frame 3. Since the guide hole 181 is an elongated hole, the main body portion 180 is slidably attached to the seat frame 3.

[0138] Furthermore, the main body 180 is attached to the guide rail 20 by a connecting shaft 183 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis Ax3. The main body 180 is also connected to the armrest 16 by fastening components such as screws.

[0139] Since the main body 180 is attached to the guide rail 20, when the guide rail 20 tilts, the main body 180 also tilts. When the guide rail 20 tilts, the main body 180 is pulled towards the guide rail 20 in the direction of the tilt. Here, the tilt of the main body 180 is limited because it is also attached to the seat frame 3 by the connecting part 32. The main body 180 tilts while sliding along the longitudinal direction of the guide hole 181. As a result, the amount of tilt of the guide rail 20 and the amount of tilt of the main body 180 are different, and the amount of tilt of the main body 180 is smaller than the amount of tilt of the guide rail 20.

[0140] Since the main body 180 and the armrest 16 are fixed together, the main body 180 and the armrest 16 slide and tilt as a single unit. In other words, when the backrest 11 tilts, the armrest 16 does not tilt as much as the backrest 11. For example, if the backrest 11 tilts 40°, the armrest 16 tilts 23°. As a result, even when the backrest 11 tilts, the position (angle) of the user's elbow (forearm) does not change significantly, which has the advantage of making it easier for the user's elbow to remain stable.

[0141] Furthermore, although the amount of tilt of the armrest portion 16 in this embodiment is smaller than that of the backrest portion 11, it tilts in conjunction with the backrest portion 11. As a result, the armrest portion 16 and the shoulder wall portion 112 tilt in conjunction, so that the armrest portion 16 is always positioned outside the shoulder wall portion 112. As a result, in a plan view from the left or right direction, even when the backrest portion 11 tilts, there is no gap between the armrest portion 16 and the shoulder wall portion 112.

[0142] (2.12) Structure of the back cover As shown in Figure 19, the back cover portion 17 is positioned below the backrest portion 11 and behind the seat portion 12. The back cover portion 17 is attached to the back frame 200 (see Figure 3). As shown in Figure 16, the back cover portion 17 has an elongated hole 171 that runs in the left-right direction. The back cover portion 17 also has a pair of left and right first mounting pieces 172 and a pair of left and right second mounting pieces 173.

[0143] For example, when an employee attempts to attach the back cover portion 17 to the back frame 200, they pass the support plate 264 (see Figure 15) of the mounting portion 26 of the back frame 200 through the elongated hole 171 of the back cover portion 17. This causes the back cover portion 17 to hook onto the back frame 200, and one end of the back cover portion 17 is supported by the back frame 200. The employee then supports the back cover portion 17, which is hooked onto the support plate 264, from below with one hand, for example, and passes screws through the first mounting piece 172 and the second mounting piece 173 to fix the back cover portion 17 to the back frame 200.

[0144] According to the massage device 1 of this embodiment, by passing the support plate 264 of the mounting portion 26 of the back frame 200 through the elongated hole 171 of the back cover portion 17, the back cover portion 17 becomes hooked onto the back frame 200, which has the advantage of making it easy to attach the back cover portion 17 to the back frame 200.

[0145] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 21 and 22, the back cover portion 17 faces the foot cover portion 19 in the vertical direction. The foot cover portion 19 covers a pair of base portions 305 (see Figure 3) of the seat frame 3.

[0146] The main surface 174 of the back cover portion 17 is a curved surface that moves away from the mounting surface of the massage device 1 as it approaches the rear end. Similarly, the main surface 191 of the foot cover portion 19 is a slope that moves closer to the mounting surface of the massage device 1 as it approaches the rear end. As a result, the gap between the main surface 174 of the back cover portion 17 and the main surface 191 of the foot cover portion 19 increases as they approach each other's rear ends.

[0147] (2.13) Power supply unit configuration The power supply unit 100 is electrically connected to, for example, a commercial power supply (not shown). The power supply unit 100 converts the AC voltage supplied from the commercial power supply into a DC voltage. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 100 converts the AC 100V voltage supplied from the commercial power supply into a DC 24V voltage. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 100 outputs the DC 24V voltage to the airbag drive unit 7, the backrest drive unit 8, and the ottoman drive unit 150, etc. The power supply unit 100 may also have a function to convert the AC 100V voltage supplied from the commercial power supply into a voltage of less than DC 24V, or a function to convert the DC 24V voltage converted by the power supply unit 100 into a voltage of less than DC 24V.

[0148] Furthermore, in the massage device 1 of this embodiment, the treatment drive unit 2 is driven by AC 100V supplied from the commercial power supply. In other words, the massage device 1 of this embodiment has a hybrid power supply structure in which the drive voltage differs depending on the configuration. This makes it possible to reduce the current flowing from the power supply unit 100 and to reduce the diameter of the power cable connected to the power supply unit 100.

[0149] (2.14) Configuration of the control panel As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the control unit 13 of this embodiment is provided on the right armrest 16 so as to protrude upward from the right armrest 16. The control unit 13 accepts operations such as setting (or selecting) a course, setting (or selecting) an intensity level, adjusting the treatment motion, setting each function on / off, and adjusting the tilt amount (tilt angle) of the backrest 11.

[0150] In this embodiment, "course" refers to a course of massage (treatment) performed by the massage device 1, and refers to a set of treatment actions performed in a predetermined order (treatment order). The massage device 1 in this embodiment executes a course selected by the user from among several courses. The multiple courses include courses such as a stroking course, a kneading course, acupressure pain course, and a stretching course. Each course is associated with a treatment order, treatment area, intensity of treatment actions, and treatment method. "Treatment method" refers to a method (or type) of treatment such as kneading, vertical kneading, acupressure (pressure), stretching, stroking, or loosening. In this embodiment, the series of massages included in a course may be called a "course massage".

[0151] In this embodiment, the "strength level" refers to the strength level of the therapeutic action performed by the massage device 1. The strength of the therapeutic action performed by the massage device 1 changes according to the strength level. In other words, the strength level is a level relating to the strength of the therapeutic action by the therapeutic drive unit 2, and a level relating to the strength of the therapeutic action by the multiple airbags 50. For example, the higher the strength level, the greater the pressure applied to the human body, and the lower the strength level, the less pressure applied to the human body. For example, in the massage device 1, the higher the strength level, the greater the protrusion amount of the therapeutic element 21, and the lower the strength level, the smaller the protrusion amount of the therapeutic element 21. In this embodiment, the higher the strength level, the stronger the average strength of the multiple therapeutic actions included in the course. On the other hand, the lower the strength level, the weaker the average strength of the multiple therapeutic actions included in the course.

[0152] In the massage device 1 of this embodiment, the intensity level can be set to any of several levels. The operation unit 13 accepts an operation to set the intensity level to any of several levels, including a predetermined level.

[0153] In this embodiment, the predetermined level is the level with the weakest intensity of the treatment action among multiple levels. As a result, since the predetermined level is the level with the weakest intensity of the treatment action among multiple levels, the protruding movement of the treatment element 21 will not be performed when the intensity of the treatment action is reduced to the weakest level, which has the advantage of making it easy for the user to adjust the intensity of the treatment action.

[0154] The operation unit 13 of this embodiment has a touch panel display 131 (see Figure 1). The touch panel display 131 displays and accepts operations related to various settings, such as setting (or selecting) a course, setting (or selecting) an intensity level, adjusting massage operations, and setting each function to be on or off. When the operation unit 13 accepts an operation, it outputs an operation signal corresponding to the accepted operation to the control unit 61. In the following description, the operation signal that the operation unit 13 outputs to the control unit 61 may be simply referred to as the "operation signal".

[0155] As shown in Figure 24, the touch panel display 131 displays display screen ST0. Display screen ST0 includes display screens ST1 and ST2. Display screen ST1 is also an operation screen. Button B1 is located on display screen ST1. Button B1 is a button that accepts the operation of selecting one course from several courses. For example, when button B1 is tapped (operated), a display screen or menu for selecting a course is displayed on the touch panel display 131.

[0156] Display screen ST2 also serves as the operation screen. Display screen ST2 includes display area R1, display area R2, and display area R3.

[0157] Display area R1 contains image G1 showing the human body and image G2 showing the current treatment area.

[0158] Display areas R2 and R3 contain multiple buttons for performing operations related to the treatment being performed.

[0159] The display area R2 contains buttons B2, B3, B4, and image G3. Buttons B2 and B3 accept operations to set the intensity level. For example, tapping button B2 sets the intensity level to a higher level than the current intensity level. Tapping button B3 sets the intensity level to a lower level than the current intensity level. Image G3 is an image showing the current (set) intensity level. In this embodiment, there are five levels, from the 1st level to the 5th level. The intensity of the treatment increases in the order of 5th level, 4th level, 3rd level, 2nd level, and 1st level. In this embodiment, the 1st level is a predetermined level. Image G3 in Figure 24 shows that the intensity level is the 3rd level.

[0160] Furthermore, the operation unit 13 of this embodiment accepts operations to set the intensity level, whether a treatment operation is being performed or not.

[0161] Button B4 is a button for operating the multiple massage functions of the massage device 1 of this embodiment. When button B4 is tapped, the touch panel display 131 displays display screen ST3, as shown in Figure 25. In this embodiment, display screen ST3 is displayed in place of display screen ST2.

[0162] The display screen ST3 accepts the operation to switch the tapping massage function on / off, the operation to switch the warming massage function on / off (i.e., the operation to switch the heater 101 on / off), and the operation to switch the buttock massage function on / off. Here, the "buttock massage function" is a function that performs treatment on the second area. In this embodiment, the second area is the area of ​​the human body that includes at least a part of the buttocks and thighs.

[0163] Button B6 is located on the display screen ST3. Button B6 is a button that accepts the operation to switch the buttock massage function on or off. In other words, the operation unit 13 accepts the operation to turn the treatment action on or off for the second area. In this embodiment, the operation unit 13 accepts the operation to set the treatment action on or off for the second area, regardless of whether the treatment action is being performed or not. In this embodiment, the setting in which the treatment action on the second area is on is referred to as the "first setting," and the setting in which the treatment action on the second area is off is referred to as the "second setting."

[0164] Furthermore, a button B5 is located on display screen ST3. Button B5 is used to close display screen ST3 or to transition from display screen ST3 to another display screen such as display screen ST2. In this embodiment, when button B5 is tapped, display screen ST3 is closed and display screen ST2 is displayed in its place.

[0165] (2.15) Airbag drive unit configuration As shown in Figure 23, the airbag drive unit 7 includes a pump drive circuit 71 and a pump 72. The airbag drive unit 7 also includes a plurality of solenoid valves (not shown). The plurality of solenoid valves are connected to the pump 72. The plurality of solenoid valves correspond one-to-one with the first airbag 51 to the ninth airbag 59. Each of the plurality of solenoid valves is connected to the corresponding airbag 50 by an air hose (not shown).

[0166] Pump 72 is, for example, a diaphragm pump. Pump 72 transfers air by reciprocating a diaphragm with a motor L1 (see Figure 26) that is located within the pump 72. Motor L1 is driven by a drive voltage output from the pump drive circuit 71.

[0167] The pump drive circuit 71 outputs a drive voltage to the motor L1 of the pump 72 based on the control of the control unit 61, thereby driving the motor L1.

[0168] As shown in Figures 26 and 27, the pump drive circuit 71 has a full-bridge circuit in which the first switching element Q1, the second switching element Q2, the third switching element Q3, and the fourth switching element Q4 are bridged together. In the full-bridge circuit of the pump drive circuit 71, the first switching element Q1 and the second switching element Q2 are connected in series, and the third switching element Q3 and the fourth switching element Q4 are connected in series. Furthermore, the connection point of the first switching element Q1 and the second switching element Q2 is electrically connected to the connection point of the third switching element Q3 and the fourth switching element Q4 via the motor L1 of the pump 72. In addition, the first switching element Q1 and the third switching element Q3 are connected to the power supply unit 100, and the second switching element Q2 and the fourth switching element Q4 are connected to ground.

[0169] In the pump drive circuit 71 of this embodiment, the full-bridge circuit is controlled to alternate between a first switching state and a second switching state. The first switching state is when the first switching element Q1 is on (conducting), the second switching element Q2 is off (non-conducting), the third switching element Q3 is off, and the fourth switching element Q4 is on. As shown in Figure 26, when the full-bridge circuit is controlled to the first switching state, current I1 flows in the following order: power supply unit 100 - first switching element Q1 - motor L1 - fourth switching element Q4 - ground.

[0170] The second switching state is when the first switching element Q1 is off, the second switching element Q2 is on, the third switching element Q3 is on, and the fourth switching element Q4 is off. As shown in Figure 27, when the full bridge circuit is controlled to the second switching state, current I2 flows in the following order: power supply 100 - third switching element Q3 - motor L1 - second switching element Q2 - ground.

[0171] The full-bridge circuit is controlled to alternate between a first switching state and a second switching state, thereby supplying a rectangular wave drive voltage, as shown in Figure 28, to the motor L1 of the pump 72.

[0172] As described above, the airbag drive unit 7 of this embodiment has a pump drive circuit 71, which allows the pump 72 to be operated using the DC voltage supplied from the power supply unit 100.

[0173] (2.16) Configuration of the memory unit The storage unit 62 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). In this embodiment, the storage unit 62 stores control information necessary for the control unit 61 to control the treatment operations performed by the treatment unit. In the following description, the control information stored in the storage unit 62 may be simply referred to as "control information".

[0174] The control information in this embodiment includes a control table for each course. In the following description, the control table may be simply referred to as the "table." The table in this embodiment contains information that associates the selected course, the intensity level setting, the treatment sequence, the treatment area, the intensity of the treatment action (for example, the amount of protrusion of the treatment element 21), and the treatment method. However, the form of the table (how the information is combined) may be in other forms. For example, the memory unit 62 may store multiple tables that correspond one-to-one with multiple courses, and each of the multiple tables may contain information that associates the intensity level setting, the treatment sequence, the treatment area, the intensity of the treatment action, and the treatment method.

[0175] (2.17) Configuration of the control unit The control unit 61 primarily consists of, for example, a computer system having one or more processors and memory. The functions of the control unit 61 are realized when the processor of the computer system executes a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be recorded in memory, provided via a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card.

[0176] The control unit 61 controls the operation of each part of the massage device 1 based on the control information stored in the memory unit 62 and the operation signals output from the operation unit 13. More specifically, the control unit 61 controls the operation of the treatment drive unit 2, the airbag drive unit 7, the backrest drive unit 8, and the ottoman drive unit 150 based on the control information and operation signals. The control unit 61 also controls the display of the touch panel display 131 based on the control information and operation signals. Furthermore, the control unit 61 controls the operation of the heater 101 based on the control information and operation signals.

[0177] As described above, the treatment element 21 of this embodiment is movable in three directions: the longitudinal direction (fourth direction D4), the left-right direction (second direction D2), and the protruding direction (fifth direction D5) of the guide rail 20. The control unit 61 of this embodiment can move the treatment element 21 in the three directions of the second direction D2, the fourth direction D4, and the fifth direction D5 by controlling the treatment drive unit 2. Here, "moving the treatment element 21 in three directions" includes not only moving it independently in each of the three directions, but also moving the treatment element 21 so that it traces an arc-shaped trajectory so that it performs a kneading motion. For example, the control unit 61 of this embodiment moves the treatment element 21 so that it traces an arc-shaped trajectory on a virtual plane whose normal direction is along the fifth direction D5 (in other words, on a virtual plane along the second direction D2 and the fourth direction D4).

[0178] The control unit 61 controls multiple treatment operations by the treatment unit based on the treatment sequence defined in the selected course. In other words, the control unit 61 controls multiple treatment operations by the treatment drive unit 2 based on the selected course. In this embodiment, the control unit 61 controls multiple treatment operations by the treatment unit based on a table corresponding to the selected course.

[0179] In this embodiment, depending on the operation signal, some of the multiple treatment operations defined in the course (or table) may be skipped. For example, in this embodiment, if the treatment operation for the second body part is turned on from off by an operation on the operation unit 13 during the execution of the first control (i.e., if it is changed from the second setting to the first setting during the execution of the first control), the control unit 61 executes a second control that is different from the first control. The first control is a control that causes the treatment unit (at least one of the treatment drive unit 2 and the multiple airbags 50) to treat the first body part. The second control is a control that causes the treatment unit to treat a body part other than the first body part. Here, the first and second controls are controls performed by the control unit 61 based on the table. In the definition of the table, the second control is a control that is performed after the first control. Note that the second control is a control that causes the treatment unit to treat a body part that was not treated in the first control, and some of the body parts treated in the first control and some of the body parts treated in the second control may be the same body part.

[0180] In other words, if the massage device 1 of this embodiment changes from the first setting to the second setting during the execution of a course massage, it terminates the first control and executes the second control, skipping a part of the treatment sequence (or control) defined in the table. If the massage device 1 is in the first setting at the start of the course massage and does not change from the first setting to the second setting during the execution of the course massage, it performs the second control based on the treatment sequence defined in the table. Furthermore, if the massage device 1 remains in the second setting during the execution of the course massage, it does not execute the second control defined in the table.

[0181] According to the massage device 1 of this embodiment, if the user requests treatment to a second area while multiple treatment actions included in a course are being performed, the first control is terminated and the second control is executed, thereby treating the area that was not treated in the first control. For example, if the user requests treatment to a second area while multiple treatment actions included in a course are being performed, the massage device 1 of this embodiment terminates treatment to the first area, which is currently being treated, and begins treatment to another area. Here, the other area is, for example, an area between the first and second areas, or the second area itself. In the following description, the area that the user requests treatment to may be referred to as the "specific area." In conventional massage devices, even if the treatment action for a specific area is switched from off to on, it takes time for the treatment to be performed on the specific area. In other words, in conventional massage devices, even if the user takes an active action to request treatment to a specific area, it takes time for the treatment to be performed on the specific area. According to the massage device 1 of this embodiment, for example, by switching the treatment operation for a specific area, which is a second area, from off to on, the first control is terminated and treatment for another area is started. This shortens the time until treatment for the second area begins, allowing the second area to be treated more quickly. In other words, treatment for the area desired by the user can be given priority.

[0182] In this embodiment, the other body part is the second body part. In other words, in the second control by the control unit 61 of this embodiment, the treatment unit treats the second body part. That is, in the massage device 1 of this embodiment, when the user switches the treatment operation for the second body part from off to on, the treatment operation for the second body part is immediately performed. This makes it possible to immediately perform treatment on the body part that the user has indicated they want treated.

[0183] As described above, in this embodiment, the second area is the area of ​​the human body that includes at least a part of the buttocks and thighs. In other words, in the massage device 1 of this embodiment, if the user desires treatment on the area that includes at least a part of the buttocks and thighs, and switches the buttock massage function from off to on, treatment on the area that includes at least a part of the buttocks and thighs can be performed preferentially.

[0184] More specifically, the table for the selected course includes multiple blocks. Each block includes information about multiple treatment actions. For example, in the table of this embodiment, a block primarily for treating the arms (e.g., a first control for treating a first area) is followed by a block primarily for treating the legs, and then a block primarily for treating the buttocks (e.g., a second control for treating a second area). If the treatment action for the buttocks is turned on from off by an operation on the operation unit 13 while the block primarily for treating the arms is being executed, the control unit 61 terminates the control defined in the block primarily for treating the arms (first control), and without performing the control defined in the block primarily for treating the legs, executes the control defined in the block primarily for treating the buttocks (second control).

[0185] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the treatment operation for the second body part is turned on from off by an operation on the operation unit 13 during the execution of the first control, the control unit 61 terminates the first control and performs movement control. As described above, the treatment drive unit 2 is movable along the longitudinal direction (fourth direction D4) of the guide rail 20. The control unit 61 moves the treatment drive unit 2 along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20 by performing movement control. More specifically, the control unit 61 moves the treatment drive unit 2 from the first treatment position (first position) to the second treatment position (second position). The first treatment position is the position corresponding to the first body part, and the second treatment position is the position corresponding to a body part other than the first body part. In this embodiment, the other body part is the second body part, and the second treatment position is the position corresponding to the second body part. Then, the control unit 61 in this embodiment performs the second control after performing movement control.

[0186] In other words, if the treatment operation for the second body part is turned on from off by an operation on the operation unit 13 during the execution of the first control, the control unit 61 terminates the first control, moves the treatment drive unit 2 from the first treatment position to the second treatment position, and then executes the second control. The first treatment position is the position corresponding to the first body part, and the second treatment position is the position corresponding to the second body part. In this embodiment, the other body part is the second body part, and the second treatment position is the position corresponding to the second body part.

[0187] Here, "position corresponding to the first site" refers to a position on the guide rail 20 of the treatment drive unit 2 (or base 22) where at least one of the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B can perform treatment on the first site. Similarly, "position corresponding to the second site" refers to a position on the guide rail 20 of the treatment drive unit 2 (or base 22) where at least one of the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B can perform treatment on the second site. In this embodiment, the first and second positions are defined in a table for each treatment site (or each treatment sequence).

[0188] In this embodiment, the second treatment position is located on the first end side of the guide rail 20 compared to the first treatment position. Also, when the backrest 11 is in the first tilt position, the second treatment position is lower than the first treatment position. Furthermore, the second treatment position is further forward than the first treatment position. For example, when the treatment drive unit 2 is in the second treatment position, the first treatment element 21A is located below the seat 4. For example, when the treatment drive unit 2 is in the first treatment position, the first treatment element 21A is not located below the seat 4.

[0189] The control unit 61 controls the amount of protrusion of the treatment element 21 to increase the amount of protrusion of the treatment element 21 when the pressure applied to the treatment element 21 is lower than the target pressure, so that the pressure applied to the treatment element 21 becomes the target pressure. Conversely, the control unit 61 controls the amount of protrusion of the treatment element 21 to decrease the amount of protrusion of the treatment element 21 when the pressure applied to the treatment element 21 is higher than the target pressure, so that the pressure applied to the treatment element 21 becomes the target pressure.

[0190] In this embodiment, the target pressure is predetermined and included in the control information. Depending on the setting of the target pressure, when the treatment drive unit 2 moves from the first treatment position to the second treatment position, the treatment element 21 can perform treatment on a third area (another area) between the first and second areas.

[0191] For example, the target pressure may be set to a pressure such that the treatment element 21 lightly touches the third area. This allows the treatment element 21 to stretch the third area, such as the back, as the treatment drive unit 2 moves from the first treatment position to the second treatment position.

[0192] Furthermore, the target pressure may be set to a pressure such that, for example, the treatment element 21 does not come into contact with the third area. This reduces the possibility that the treatment element 21 may come into contact with the third area and cause pain or other discomfort to the user when the treatment drive unit 2 moves from the first treatment position to the second treatment position.

[0193] In other words, when the treatment drive unit 2 moves from the first treatment position to the second treatment position, the control unit 61 adjusts the amount of protrusion of the treatment element 21 so that the pressure applied to the treatment element 21 becomes the target pressure, thereby enabling treatment to be performed on a third area between the first and second areas, or preventing the treatment element 21 from coming into contact with the third area.

[0194] As described above, the treatment drive unit 2 can adjust the amount of protrusion of the treatment element 21 in the protrusion direction (fifth direction D5). The treatment drive unit 2 also has a pressure sensor that detects the pressure applied to the treatment element 21 and outputs an electrical signal (pressure information) to the control unit 61. In this embodiment, the control unit 61 adjusts the amount of protrusion of the treatment element 21 based on the pressure information so that the pressure applied to the treatment element 21 becomes the target pressure during movement control. In other words, when the treatment drive unit 2 is moved from the first treatment position (first position) to the second treatment position (second position), the control unit 61 adjusts the amount of protrusion of the treatment element 21 so that the pressure applied to the treatment element 21 becomes the target pressure.

[0195] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the operation unit 13 receives an operation to set the intensity level to a predetermined level, the control unit 61 controls the multiple treatment operations performed by the treatment drive unit 2 so that the treatment element 21 does not protrude in at least some of the multiple treatment operations based on the selected course.

[0196] Incidentally, users of massage devices with adjustable tip protrusion may feel that the massage is too strong and may attempt to reduce the intensity. Upon receiving this request, the massage device will reduce the tip's protrusion. However, some users may still feel that the massage is too strong even after the tip's protrusion has been reduced.

[0197] In the massage device 1 of this embodiment, when the operation unit 13 receives an operation to set the intensity level to a predetermined level, the control unit 61 controls the treatment element 21 so that it does not protrude. In other words, in the massage device 1 of this embodiment, the range of intensity of the treatment is expanded by setting the amount of protrusion of the treatment element 21 to zero when adjusting (or setting) the intensity level. As a result, in at least some of the treatment actions among the multiple treatment actions, the user's body will not be pushed out by the treatment element 21, and the user will not feel that the treatment is too strong.

[0198] Furthermore, in the massage device 1 of this embodiment, the user does not need to switch the protrusion of the treatment element 21 on or off, but can reduce the amount of protrusion of the treatment element 21 to zero by adjusting (or setting) the intensity level of the treatment. As a result, the massage device 1 of this embodiment can give the user a positive impression that it has a wide range of adjustment for the intensity level of the treatment, or that it is easy to adjust the intensity level of the treatment.

[0199] Furthermore, the control unit 61 of this embodiment controls multiple treatment operations performed by the treatment drive unit 2 according to a table that associates the intensity level setting with the selected course.

[0200] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 61 controls the multiple treatment operations performed by the treatment drive unit 2 so that the treatment element 21 does not protrude in all of the treatment operations among the multiple treatment operations based on the selected course when the intensity level is set to a predetermined level. As a result, in all of the multiple treatment operations, the user's body is not pushed out by the treatment element 21 during treatment, and the user's feeling that the treatment is too strong is further reduced.

[0201] As described above, the control unit 61 controls the operation of the heater 101 based on control information and operation signals. When the thermal massage function is turned on, the control unit 61 controls the heating of the heater 101 of the treatment drive unit 2. Furthermore, the control unit 61 may change the temperature of the heater 101 according to the selected course. This makes it possible to perform thermal massage at a temperature appropriate for each course.

[0202] Furthermore, among the various courses of this embodiment, there is a course that includes a "gentle pressing" treatment action. In the "gentle pressing" treatment action, the control unit 61 temporarily pauses the operation of the treatment element 21 for a few seconds and controls the treatment element 21 to press firmly against the user's body. In this embodiment, there are three pause times (pressure times) for the "gentle pressing" action: 4 seconds, 8 seconds, or 12 seconds. The "gentle pressing" treatment action can be more effectively used to relax the body when combined with thermal massage.

[0203] As described above, the control unit 61 controls the operation of the backrest drive unit 8 based on control information and operation signals. For example, the control unit 61 may vary the amount of tilt (or tilt angle) of the backrest 11 depending on the selected course. This allows treatment to be performed with a tilt angle suitable for each course.

[0204] Furthermore, when the control unit 61 tilts the backrest 11 according to the selected course, it does not tilt the backrest 11 to the second tilt position (full recline position). This prevents the backrest 11 from being tilted to an angle unintended by the user. The control unit 61 also controls the backrest 11 to the second tilt position when it receives a predetermined operation from the operation unit 13 to tilt the backrest 11 to the second tilt position.

[0205] Furthermore, the control unit 61 performs sensorless control in controlling the backrest drive unit 8, that is, in controlling the tilt of the backrest 11. The control unit 61 stores the current position (or tilt angle) of the movable part 81 of the backrest drive unit 8 in a memory such as RAM that the control unit 61 has. Then, the control unit 61 calculates the amount of tilt (or tilt angle) of the backrest 11 based on the movement speed and movement time of the movable part 81. As a result, the control unit 61 can perform sensorless control of tilting the backrest 11, and the massage device 1 can reduce costs by not using sensors.

[0206] Furthermore, when the control unit 61 moves the treatment drive unit 2 along the guide rail 20, it determines the position of the treatment drive unit 2 based on detection signals from multiple sensors provided on the guide rail 20. Here, the multiple sensors are arranged in a line along the length of the guide rail 20. In this embodiment, the detection accuracy in the length of the guide rail 20 differs between the upper sensors, which are located at positions corresponding to the upper body of the human body, and the lower sensors, which are located at positions corresponding to the lower body of the human body. The upper sensors have higher detection accuracy (higher resolution) compared to the lower sensors. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of treatment for the upper body, which requires more precise control than the lower body.

[0207] (2.18) Others Massage device 1 comes with an instruction manual that describes how to use massage device 1. The instruction manual includes a QR code. By scanning the QR code with a smartphone or other device, the OSS (Open Source Software) document can be displayed on the device's screen.

[0208] (3) Operation of the control unit Next, the operation of the massage device 1 (or control unit 61) will be described with reference to Figure 29.

[0209] The flowchart shown in Figure 29 illustrates the process when the massage device 1 performs multiple treatment actions based on a course.

[0210] First, the massage device 1 receives a selection operation to select a course via the control unit 13 (step S1). Then, the massage device 1 receives a start operation for the course massage via the control unit 13 (step S2) and starts the course massage (step S3).

[0211] During the execution of a course massage, the massage device 1 determines at a predetermined timing whether the setting has been changed from the second setting to the first setting by an operation on the control unit 13 (step S4). If the massage device 1 determines that the setting has been changed from the second setting to the first setting (step S4: No), it performs the process in step S8. On the other hand, if the massage device 1 determines that the setting has been changed from the second setting to the first setting (step S4: Yes), it terminates the first control for performing a treatment operation on the first area (step S5). Then, the massage device 1 performs movement control to move the treatment element 21 from the first treatment position to the second treatment position (step S6), and executes the second control for performing a treatment operation on the second area (step S7). When performing movement control, the massage device 1 adjusts the amount of protrusion of the treatment element 21 so that the pressure applied to the treatment element 21 becomes the target pressure.

[0212] Next, the massage device 1 determines whether the course has finished or not (step S8). If the massage device 1 determines that the course has not finished, that is, that there are incomplete treatment actions among the series of treatment actions defined on the table, it continues the course massage according to the table (step S9) and performs the process in step S4 at a predetermined timing. On the other hand, if the massage device 1 determines that the course has finished (step S8: Yes), it terminates the series of processes shown in Figure 29.

[0213] By performing the series of processes shown in Figure 29, the massage device 1 can prioritize treatment on the area desired by the user.

[0214] Note that the flowchart shown in Figure 29 is merely an example, and the order of processes may be changed as appropriate, or processes may be added or deleted as appropriate.

[0215] (4) Variations The following lists some modifications of the above embodiment.

[0216] Functions equivalent to those of the massage device 1 according to the above embodiment may be embodied in a control method, a (computer) program, or a non-temporary recording medium on which a program is recorded. One embodiment of the control method is a control method performed by the massage device 1. The massage device 1 comprises a treatment unit (treatment drive unit 2; a plurality of airbags 50) and an operation unit 13. The treatment unit treats a plurality of parts of the human body, including a first part and a second part. The operation unit 13 receives an operation to turn on or off the treatment operation for the second part. The control method has a control step. In the control step, the treatment unit controls a plurality of treatment operations based on the treatment sequence defined in the selected course. In the control method step, if the treatment operation for the second part is turned on from off by an operation on the operation unit 13 while the treatment unit is performing a first control in which it treats the first part, the first control is terminated and a second control is performed in which the treatment unit treats a part other than the first part. Another embodiment of the control method is a control method performed by the massage device 1. The massage device 1 comprises a treatment drive unit 2 and an operation unit 13. The treatment drive unit 2 has a treatment element 21 and is positioned on the guide rail 20 in a manner that allows it to move relative to the guide rail 20. The treatment element 21 is capable of performing treatment operations that involve a protruding motion. The protruding motion is the movement of the treatment element 21 away from a reference position in the protruding direction (fifth direction D5), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (fourth direction D4) of the guide rail 20. The operation unit 13 receives an operation to set the intensity level of the treatment operation performed by the treatment drive unit 2 to one of a plurality of levels, including a predetermined level. The control method has a control step. In the control step, the operation unit 13 controls a plurality of treatment operations performed by the treatment drive unit 2 based on a selected course. In the control step, when the operation unit 13 receives an operation to set the intensity level to a predetermined level, the operation unit 13 controls the plurality of treatment operations performed by the treatment drive unit 2 so that the treatment element 21 does not perform a protruding motion in at least some of the multiple treatment operations based on the selected course. A program according to one embodiment is a program that causes one or more processors in the massage device 1 to execute the control method described above.

[0217] The implementing entity of the massage device 1 or control method in this disclosure includes a computer system. The computer system mainly consists of a processor and memory as hardware. The function of the implementing entity of the massage device 1 or control method in this disclosure is realized by the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, provided via a telecommunications line, or provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. The processor of the computer system consists of one or more electronic circuits including semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) or large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs). The integrated circuits such as ICs and LSIs referred to here are named differently depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSIs, VLSIs (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSIs (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) that are programmed after the manufacture of LSIs, or logic devices that allow for the reconfiguration of junction relationships or circuit compartments within LSIs, can also be used as processors. Multiple electronic circuits may be integrated onto a single chip or distributed across multiple chips. Multiple chips may be integrated onto a single device or distributed across multiple devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller also consists of one or more electronic circuits, including semiconductor integrated circuits or large-scale integrated circuits.

[0218] In the above embodiment, the case in which the material of the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B is natural rubber was illustrated. However, the material of the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B may be chloroprene rubber (CR).

[0219] In the above embodiment, the case in which the first seat 41 has a protrusion 413 was illustrated, but as shown in Figure 30, the first seat 41 may have a recess 414 instead of a protrusion 413. In other words, the first seat 41 has either a protrusion 413 or a recess 414. When the first seat 41 has a recess 414, the first side 411 and the second side 412 of the first seat 41 form at least a part of the recess 414. Also, when the first seat 41 has a recess 414, the recess 414 is attached to the belt 121. In other words, the protrusion 413 or the recess 414 of the first seat 41 is attached to the belt 121. The recess 414 may be attached to the belt 121 such that it is located at the uppermost position of the first seat 41 when the backrest 11 is in the first tilted position. In other words, the convex portion 413 or concave portion 414 may be attached to the belt 121 such that it is located at the uppermost position of the first seat 41 when the backrest portion 11 is in the first tilted position. Also, as shown in Figure 31, the first seat 41 does not have to have the second side 412 and the convex portion 413 (or concave portion 414).

[0220] In the above embodiment, the predetermined level is exemplified as the level with the weakest intensity of the treatment action among multiple levels (the first level in the above embodiment). However, the predetermined level does not necessarily have to be the level with the weakest intensity of the treatment action among multiple levels. For example, the first and second levels may be the predetermined level, or the first, second, and third levels may be the predetermined level.

[0221] The control unit 61 may, in movement control, control the pair of left and right treatment elements 21 so that they move away from each other, thereby widening the distance between the pair of left and right treatment elements 21 in the left-right direction, or while widening the distance, and then move the treatment drive unit 2 from the first treatment position to the second treatment position. Here, the distance between the pair of left and right treatment elements 21 in the left-right direction is the distance between the pair of first treatment elements 21A and the distance between the pair of second treatment elements 21B. For example, the control unit 61 may, in movement control, widen the distance between the pair of left and right treatment elements 21 so that it is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance, or while widening the distance, and then move the treatment drive unit 2 from the first treatment position to the second treatment position. Furthermore, if the pressure applied to the pair of left and right treatment elements 21 is higher than the target pressure, the control unit 61 may control the distance between the pair of left and right treatment elements 21 so that the pressure applied to the pair of left and right treatment elements 21 becomes the target pressure. This reduces the possibility that the pair of left and right treatment elements 21 may come into contact with the third area when the treatment drive unit 2 moves from the first treatment position to the second treatment position, potentially causing pain or other discomfort to the user.

[0222] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which both the first treatment element 21A and the second treatment element 21B have a heater 101. However, it is also possible that only one of the first treatment element 21A or the second treatment element 21B has a heater 101. In other words, it is possible that the first treatment element 21A has a heater 101 and the second treatment element 21B does not have a heater 101, or that the first treatment element 21A does not have a heater 101 and the second treatment element 21B has a heater 101.

[0223] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the seat portion 4 is suspended between the first portion 311 and the second portion 312 of the support portion 31. However, it is sufficient for the seat portion 12 to have the seat portion 4, and for example, it may be arranged so as to be suspended between a pair of second beam portions 308 of the seat portion frame 3 without going through the support portion 31.

[0224] (Aspect) As is clear from the embodiments and modifications described above, the massage device (1) according to the first embodiment comprises a seat (12), a backrest (11), and a treatment drive unit (2). The seat (12) has a support (31) and a seat (first seat 41). The seat is attached to the support (31). The backrest (11) has a guide rail (20). The treatment drive unit (2) has a treatment element (21). The treatment drive unit (2) is positioned on the guide rail (20) in a manner that allows it to move relative to the guide rail (20). A part of the guide rail (20) is located below the seat. The support (31) has a first part (311) and a second part (312) that face each other in a second direction (D2) perpendicular to a first direction (D1) which is vertical. The seat is suspended between the first portion (311) and the second portion (312) of the support portion (31). The seat has one side (first side 411) which is the end on the backrest portion (11) side. In a plan view from the first direction (D1), the side of the seat is oblique to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail (20).

[0225] According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the treatment device (21) from getting caught on the sheet (first sheet 41).

[0226] In the massage device (1) according to the second embodiment, the seat (first seat 41) further has a second side (412) which is a side other than the first side (411) and is the end on the backrest side (11), and a protrusion (413). The first side (411) and the second side (412) form at least a part of the protrusion (413). The second side (412) is oblique to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail (20) in a plan view.

[0227] In the massage device (1) according to the third embodiment, in the first embodiment, the seat (first seat 41) further has a second side (412) which is a side other than the first side (411) and is the end on the backrest side (11), and a recess (414). The first side (411) and the second side (412) form at least a part of the recess (414). The second side (412) is oblique to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail (20) in a plan view.

[0228] In the massage device (1) according to the fourth embodiment, in the second embodiment, the backrest (11) is tiltable relative to the seat (12) between a first position and a second position. The second position is a position in which the backrest (11) is tilted further back than the first position. The convex portion (413) is the uppermost part of the seat (first seat 41) when the backrest (11) is in the first position.

[0229] In the massage device (1) according to the fifth embodiment, in the second or fourth embodiment, the seat (12) further has a belt (121). The belt (121) is along the longitudinal direction (fourth direction D4) of the guide rail (20). The protrusion (413) is attached to the belt (121).

[0230] In the massage device (1) according to the sixth embodiment, in the third embodiment, the seat (12) further has a belt (121). The belt (121) is along the longitudinal direction (fourth direction D4) of the guide rail (20). The recess (414) is attached to the belt (121).

[0231] In the massage device (1) according to the seventh embodiment, in any of the first to sixth embodiments, the seat is a first seat (41). The seat (12) further comprises a second seat (42) and a third seat (43). The second seat (42) and the third seat (43) are stretched between a first part (311) and a second part (312) of the support (31), and are positioned between the first seat (41) and the guide rail (20). The second seat (42) and the third seat (43) are made of cloth. In a plan view from a first direction (D1), the warp threads (421) of the second seat (42) and the warp threads (431) of the third seat (43) intersect.

[0232] According to this embodiment, the durability of the third sheet (43) can be improved.

[0233] In the massage device (1) according to the eighth embodiment, the third sheet (43) is looser than the second sheet (42) in the seventh embodiment.

[0234] According to this embodiment, the durability of the third sheet (43) can be further improved.

[0235] In the massage device (1) according to the ninth embodiment, in any of the first to eighth embodiments, the support portion (31) further has a third portion (313) connecting the first portion (311) and the second portion (312) along a second direction (D2). The third portion (313) has a pair of recesses (314) aligned in the second direction (D2). The pair of recesses (314) are formed from one end to the other of the third portion (313) in a third direction (D3) perpendicular to both the first direction (D1) and the second direction (D2).

[0236] This embodiment makes it possible to improve the stability of the user's seated posture.

[0237] In the massage device (1) according to the tenth embodiment, in the ninth embodiment, the pair of indentations (314) are inclined upward as they move away from the backrest (11).

[0238] This embodiment makes it possible to further improve the stability of the user's seated posture.

[0239] In the massage device (1) according to the eleventh embodiment, in any of the first to tenth embodiments, the seat (12) further has a seat (second seat 42) separate from the seat (first seat 41). The seat is sewn into the other seat (second seat 42; fourth seat 44).

[0240] According to this embodiment, it is possible to further suppress the treatment device (21) from getting caught on one side (first side 411) of the sheet (first sheet 41).

[0241] Configurations other than those in the first embodiment are not essential to the massage device (1) and can be omitted as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0242] 1 Massage device 11 Backrest 12 Seat 121 belt 2 Treatment drive unit 20 Guide Rails 21 Treatment child 31 Support part 311 Part 1 312 Part 2 313 Part 3 314 Indentation 41. Sheet 1 (Sheet) 411 First side (one side) 412 Second side 413 Convex part 414 recess 42. Second sheet (another sheet) 421 Warp threads 43 Third Seat 431 Warp threads 44. Fourth sheet (another sheet) D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction D3 Third direction D4 Fourth direction (length direction)

Claims

1. A seat having a support part and a seat attached to the support part, A backrest section having guide rails, A treatment drive unit having a treatment element and positioned on the guide rail in a manner that allows it to move relative to the guide rail, Equipped with, A portion of the guide rail is located below the seat, The support portion has a first portion and a second portion that face each other in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction which is vertical, The aforementioned sheet is It is placed between the first part and the second part of the support portion, Having one side which is the end on the backrest side, The aforementioned side of the sheet is oblique to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail in a plan view from the first direction. Massage device.

2. The aforementioned seat further has a second side, which is a side other than the first side and is the end on the backrest side, and a protrusion. The first side and the second side form at least a part of the protrusion, The second side is oblique to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail in the plan view. The massage device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned seat further has a second side, which is a side other than the first side and is the end on the backrest side, and a recess. The first side and the second side form at least a portion of the recess, The second side is oblique to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail in the plan view. The massage device according to claim 1.

4. The backrest portion is tiltable relative to the seat portion between a first position and a second position. The second position is a position in which the backrest is tilted further back than the first position. The aforementioned protrusion is the uppermost part of the seat when the backrest is in the first position. The massage device according to claim 2.

5. The seat portion further has a belt along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, The aforementioned protrusion is attached to the belt, The massage device according to claim 2.

6. The seat portion further has a belt along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, The recess is attached to the belt, The massage device according to claim 3.

7. The aforementioned sheet is the first sheet, The seat portion is spanned between the first portion and the second portion of the support portion, and further comprises a second sheet and a third sheet positioned between the first sheet and the guide rail. The second and third sheets are made of cloth. In the aforementioned plan view, the warp threads of the second sheet and the warp threads of the third sheet intersect. The massage device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The third sheet is more sagging than the second sheet. The massage device according to claim 7.

9. The support portion further has a third portion that connects the first portion and the second portion along the second direction, The third portion has a pair of recesses aligned in the second direction, The pair of recesses are formed in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions, extending from one end to the other of the third portion. A massage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The pair of recesses are inclined upward as they move away from the backrest. The massage device according to claim 9.

11. The aforementioned seat further comprises a seat separate from the aforementioned seat, The aforementioned sheet is sewn into the aforementioned other sheet. A massage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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