Electric moxibustion device and control method

Abstract

To improve safety and improve body sensory effects of hot moxibustion treatment.SOLUTION: An electric moxibustion device 1 includes a contact part 11 coming into contact with a human body, a heater 106 for heating the contact part 11, and a control part 10 for controlling the heater 106 such that heating to a first temperature corresponding to a set temperature of an operation mode and heating to a second temperature higher than the first temperature are repeated in each of a plurality of operation modes with different set temperatures. The control part 10 controls the heater 106 in such a manner that as the set temperature of the operation mode becomes higher, the heating time at the second temperature becomes shorter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric moxibustion device and a control method.

Background Art

[0002] Moxibustion treatment is a method that has been used since ancient times as a treatment for relieving stiffness or pain. In recent years, electric moxibustion devices have been developed so that such moxibustion treatment can be easily performed without using fire. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electric moxibustion device including a heater and a moxibustion point portion that is heated by the heater and has a detachable cap, and performing moxibustion treatment by heating a mugwort sheet disposed between the moxibustion point portion and the cap attached to the moxibustion point portion with the moxibustion point portion in contact with the human body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the electric moxibustion device as described above, even if the contact portion that is heated by the heater and contacts the human body is heated at a constant temperature, if the contact portion continues to be in contact with the human body, the user gets used to the heat and it becomes difficult to feel the therapeutic effect. Further, in the electric moxibustion device as described above, further improvement in safety is required.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an electric moxibustion device and a control method capable of improving safety and the sensory effect of moxibustion treatment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an electric moxibustion device according to the present invention is an electric moxibustion device that contacts the human body and performs moxibustion treatment, and includes a contact portion that contacts the human body, a heater that heats the contact portion, and in each of a plurality of operation modes having different set temperatures, a first temperature corresponding to the set temperature of the operation mode and heating at a second temperature higher than the first temperature are repeated, and a control unit that controls the heater, wherein the control unit controls the heater so that the heating time at the second temperature becomes shorter as the operation mode with a higher set temperature.

[0007] Further, a control method according to the present invention is a control method for an electric moxibustion device that includes a contact portion that contacts the human body and a heater that heats the contact portion and performs moxibustion treatment, and in each of a plurality of operation modes having different set temperatures, the heater is controlled so that heating at a first temperature corresponding to the set temperature of the operation mode and heating at a second temperature higher than the first temperature are repeated, and the heater is controlled so that the heating time at the second temperature becomes shorter as the operation mode with a higher set temperature.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the electric moxibustion device and the control method of the present invention, it is possible to improve safety and the sensory effect of moxibustion treatment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 3C

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electric moxibustion device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electric moxibustion device 1 according to the present embodiment abuts on a human body through a mugwort sheet attached to the human body and performs moxibustion treatment by heating the mugwort sheet. The mugwort sheet is, for example, a circular sheet with mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) or the like applied to the central part. A mixture of, for example, mugwort and a highly volatile aromatic substance may be applied to the mugwort sheet.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the electric moxibustion device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 10, a contact portion 11, a heater 106, and a thermistor 107.

[0013] The contact portion 11 is made of a metal such as stainless steel and is heated by the heater 106. When the electric moxibustion device 1 is used, the electric moxibustion device 1 is placed on the mugwort sheet so that the contact portion 11 abuts on the human body through the mugwort sheet attached to the human body.

[0014] The heater 106 heats the contact portion 11 according to the control of the control unit 10.

[0015] The thermistor 107 measures the temperature of the heater 106 and outputs the measurement result to the control unit 10.

[0016] Based on the measurement result of the thermistor 107, the control unit 10 controls the heater 106 so that the temperature of the heater 106 becomes a predetermined temperature.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the electric moxibustion device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the electric moxibustion device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a lower case 101 and an upper case 102. The lower case 101 and the upper case 102 are connected via an intermediate ring 103 to constitute the main body of the electric moxibustion device 1.

[0019] A recess 101a is formed in the lower case 101 on the side opposite to the side connected to the upper case 102. In the recess 101a of the lower case 101, a heat buffer material 104, a magnet 105, a heater 106, and a contact portion 11 are arranged in this order from the lower case 101 side.

[0020] The heat buffer material 104 reduces the influence of the temperature of the heater 106 on the main body side.

[0021] The magnet 105 is used to stably place the electric moxibustion device 1 on the mugwort sheet. A magnet sheet or a metal sheet is arranged on the mugwort sheet. The magnet 105 is arranged so as to attract the magnet sheet or the metal sheet arranged on the mugwort sheet. By doing so, the electric moxibustion device 1 can be stably placed on the mugwort sheet attached to the human body.

[0022] The heater 106 heats the contact portion 11 made of a metal such as stainless steel. A thermistor 107 is arranged on the heater 106.

[0023] The upper case 102 is provided with a through hole 102a, and an operation button 108 for receiving an operation input by the user is disposed in the through hole 102a. By pressing the operation button 108, for example, the on / off of the operation of the electric moxibustion device 1 is switched. Further, although details will be described later, the electric moxibustion device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of operation modes, and by pressing the operation button 108, for example, the operation mode is switched.

[0024] In the space between the lower case 101 and the intermediate ring 103, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 109, a power supply 110, and a PCB 111 are arranged in this order from the lower case 101 side.

[0025] The PCBs 109 and 111 are control circuit boards. Various circuits for operating the electric moxibustion device 1 are mounted on the PCBs 109 and 111. For example, circuits constituting the control unit 10 are mounted on the PCBs 109 and 111. Further, a circuit for detecting the pressing of the operation button 108 is arranged on the PCBs 109 and 111, for example.

[0026] The power supply 110 supplies power to various circuits mounted on the PCBs 109 and 111 and the heater 106 and the like.

[0027] Next, the operation of the electric moxibustion device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described centering on the control of the heater 106 by the control unit 10.

[0028] As described above, the electric moxibustion device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of operation modes. Each of the plurality of operation modes has a different set temperature during moxibustion treatment. Hereinafter, the electric moxibustion device 1 is assumed to include, as a plurality of operation modes, a first operation mode, a second operation mode having a higher set temperature for moxibustion treatment than the first operation mode, and a third operation mode having a higher set temperature for moxibustion treatment than the second operation mode.

[0029] In each of a plurality of operation modes with different set temperatures, the control unit 10 controls the heater 106 so that heating at a normal treatment temperature (first temperature) corresponding to the set temperature of the operation mode and heating at a high treatment temperature (second temperature) higher than the normal treatment temperature are repeated.

[0030] FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of the temperature change of the heater 106 in the first operation mode. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of the temperature change of the heater 106 in the second operation mode. FIG. 3C is a diagram showing an example of the temperature change of the heater 106 in the third operation mode.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3A, in the first operation mode, the control unit 10 controls the heater 106 so that the normal treatment temperature becomes about 39° C. and the high treatment temperature becomes about 45° C. Here, in the first operation mode, the control unit 10 controls the heater 106 so that heating at the normal treatment temperature for about 1 minute and heating at the high treatment temperature for about 30 seconds are repeated.

[0032] Also, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the second operation mode, the control unit 10 controls the heater 106 so that the normal treatment temperature becomes about 42° C., which is higher than that in the first operation mode, and the high treatment temperature becomes about 50° C. Here, in the second operation mode, the control unit 10 controls the heater 106 so that heating at the normal treatment temperature for about 1 minute and heating at the high treatment temperature for about 20 seconds are repeated.

[0033] Also, as shown in FIG. 3C, in the third operation mode, the control unit 10 controls the heater 106 so that the normal treatment temperature becomes about 45° C., which is higher than that in the second operation mode, and the high treatment temperature becomes about 54° C. Here, in the third operation mode, the control unit 10 controls the heater 106 so that heating at the normal treatment temperature for about 1 minute and heating at the high treatment temperature for about 10 seconds are repeated.

[0034] As described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C, in the present embodiment, the control unit 10 controls the heater 106 so that heating at a normal treatment temperature (first temperature) corresponding to the set temperature of the operation mode and a high treatment temperature (second temperature) higher than the normal treatment temperature is repeated in each of a plurality of operation modes (first operation mode, second operation mode, and third operation mode) having different set temperatures. Then, the control unit 10 controls the heater 106 so that the heating time at the high treatment temperature becomes shorter as the operation mode has a higher set temperature. Note that the normal treatment temperature, the high treatment temperature, the period of heating at the normal treatment temperature, and the period of heating at the high treatment temperature in FIGS. 3A to 3C are merely examples and are not limited thereto.

[0035] In this way, by repeating heating at the normal treatment temperature and the high treatment temperature in each operation mode, it is possible to prevent the user from getting used to the heat even if the user continues to bring the electric moxibustion device 1 into contact. Therefore, the physical sensation effect of moxibustion treatment can be enhanced.

[0036] Further, by repeating heating at the normal treatment temperature and the high treatment temperature in each operation mode, safety can be improved. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the possibility of burns according to the temperature and the contact time at that temperature. As shown in FIG. 4, generally, even at a relatively high temperature, if the contact time is short, the possibility of burns is low. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, by shortening the heating period at the high treatment temperature as the operation mode has a higher set temperature, safety can be improved. Therefore, according to the electric moxibustion device 1 according to the present embodiment, safety can be improved and the physical sensation effect of moxibustion treatment can be improved. Further, by shortening the heating period at the high treatment temperature as the operation mode has a higher set temperature, for example, power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case where the heating period at the high treatment temperature is constant in each operation mode.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram for more detailed explanation of the heater 106 temperature control by the control unit 10. Here, the heater temperature is about 4°C higher than the treatment temperature on the surface of the moss sheet. In FIG. 5, the temperature control in the second operation mode will be described as an example. That is, the control unit 10 will be described as controlling the heater 106 so that the normal treatment temperature of about 42°C (the heater temperature is about 46°C) and the high treatment temperature of about 50°C (the heater temperature is about 54°C) are repeated.

[0038] During the period of heating at the normal treatment temperature, when the heater temperature drops below the normal treatment temperature (for example, when it reaches 45°C or lower), the control unit 10 turns on the heater 106, and when the heater temperature exceeds the normal treatment temperature (for example, when it reaches 47°C or higher), the control unit 10 turns off the heater 106. Also, during the period of heating at the high treatment temperature, when the heater temperature drops below the high treatment temperature (for example, when it reaches 53°C or lower), the control unit 10 turns on the heater 106, and when the heater temperature exceeds the high treatment temperature (for example, when it reaches 55°C or higher), the control unit 10 turns off the heater 106. By doing so, during the period of heating at the normal treatment temperature, the heater temperature can be maintained around 46°C, and during the period of heating at the high treatment temperature, the heater temperature can be maintained around 54°C. When the control unit 10 switches the heater temperature from the normal treatment temperature to the high treatment temperature, the heater 106 remains on until the heater temperature reaches the high treatment temperature. Also, when the control unit 10 switches the heater temperature from the high treatment temperature to the normal treatment temperature, the heater 106 remains off until the temperature of the heater 106 reaches the normal treatment temperature.

[0039] Also, the control unit 10 may control the heater 106 by pulse width control. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, during the period of heating at the normal treatment temperature, control such as lengthening the period when the heater 106 is on when the heater temperature is around 53°C and shortening the period when the heater 106 is on when the heater temperature is around 55°C may be performed. By doing so, more precise temperature control of the heater 106 becomes possible.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electric moxibustion device 1 according to the present embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining a control method of the electric moxibustion device 1.

[0041] Based on the operation input via the operation button 108, the control unit 10 determines the operation mode of the electric moxibustion device 1 (step S101).

[0042] Next, the control unit 10 controls the heater 106 so that heating at a normal treatment temperature (first temperature) corresponding to the set temperature of the determined operation mode and a high treatment temperature (second temperature) higher than the normal treatment temperature is repeated (step S102). As described above, the normal treatment temperature and the high treatment temperature differ depending on each operation mode. Therefore, in each of the plurality of operation modes with different set temperatures, the control unit 10 controls the heater 106 so that heating at a normal treatment temperature (first temperature) corresponding to the set temperature of the operation mode and a high treatment temperature (second temperature) higher than the normal treatment temperature is repeated.

[0043] Here, the control unit 10 controls the heater 106 so that the heating time at the high treatment temperature becomes shorter for the operation mode with a higher set temperature.

[0044] As described above, the electric moxibustion device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a contact portion 11 that contacts the human body, a heater 106 that heats the contact portion 11, and a control unit 10. In each of the plurality of operation modes with different set temperatures, the control unit 10 controls the heater 106 so that heating at a normal treatment temperature (first temperature) corresponding to the set temperature of the operation mode and a high treatment temperature (second temperature) higher than the normal treatment temperature is repeated. Here, the control unit 10 controls the heater 106 so that the heating time at the high treatment temperature becomes shorter for the operation mode with a higher set temperature.

[0045] By doing so, even if the user continues to keep the electric moxibustion device 1 in contact, it is possible to prevent the user from getting used to the heat. Also, for operation modes with higher set temperatures, by shortening the period of heating at a higher treatment temperature, it is possible to improve safety. Therefore, according to the electric moxibustion device 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve safety and the perceived effect of moxibustion treatment.

[0046] Although the above-described embodiments have been described as representative examples, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that many changes and substitutions are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, it is possible to combine a plurality of constituent blocks described in the configuration diagrams of the embodiments into one, or to divide one constituent block.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0047] 1 Electric moxibustion device 10 Control unit 11 Contact portion 101 Lower case 102 Upper case 103 Intermediate ring 104 Heat buffer material 105 Magnet 106 Heater 107 Thermistor 108 Operation button 109,111 PCB (Control circuit board) 110 Power supply

Claims

1. An electric moxibustion device that abuts against the human body and performs moxibustion treatment, comprising: a contact portion that abuts against the human body; a heater that heats the contact portion; a control unit that controls the heater such that, in each of a plurality of operation modes having different set temperatures, heating at a first temperature corresponding to the set temperature of the operation mode and at a second temperature higher than the first temperature is repeated; The control unit controls the heater such that the heating time at the second temperature becomes shorter for an operation mode having a higher set temperature. An electric moxibustion device.

2. A control method for an electric moxibustion device that performs moxibustion treatment, the electric moxibustion device comprising a contact portion that abuts against the human body and a heater that heats the contact portion, the method comprising: controlling the heater such that, in each of a plurality of operation modes having different set temperatures, heating at a first temperature corresponding to the set temperature of the operation mode and at a second temperature higher than the first temperature is repeated; controlling the heater such that the heating time at the second temperature becomes shorter for an operation mode having a higher set temperature. A control method.

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