Massage mechanism and massage device

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application are a massage mechanism and a massage device, relating to the technical field of smart homes. The massage mechanism mainly comprises: a housing, at least part of a region of the housing being configured to deform during massage; and a capsule member, the capsule member being located in the housing. The capsule member comprises a filling cavity, the filling cavity being configured to fill a medium, so as to change the degree of deformation of the housing during massage.

Description

A massage mechanism and massage equipment

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202422974525.7, filed on December 3, 2024, entitled "A Massage Mechanism and Massage Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of smart home technology, and in particular to a massage mechanism and massage device. Background Technology

[0003] With the improvement of living standards, massage equipment is being used more and more widely in daily life. In massage equipment, the massage mechanism is a structure that comes into direct contact with the human body. The controller in the main unit controls the power system to drive the massage mechanism to move according to preset movement rules, thereby applying force to the human body and achieving a massage effect.

[0004] The inventors realized that the tactile sensation of a massage device has a direct impact on the massage experience.

[0005] Application content

[0006] In view of this, this application provides a massage mechanism and massage device.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application mainly provides the following technical solutions:

[0008] On one hand, this application provides a massage facility, comprising:

[0009] The outer casing (100) has at least a portion of its area designed to deform during massage;

[0010] A sac-like element (200) is located inside the housing (100). The sac-like element (200) includes a filling cavity (201) for filling a medium to change the degree of deformation of the housing (100) during massage.

[0011] On the other hand, this application provides a massage device, which includes at least one massage mechanism (10) of any one of the above, and a device body (20).

[0012] The massage mechanism and massage device proposed in this application can provide a flexible touch by making at least a portion of the outer shell deformable. By adjusting the medium filling the cavity, different degrees of internal support can be provided to the outer shell. When the support force is greater, the outer shell is difficult to be deformed by external force, i.e., it has a harder touch. When the support force is less, the outer shell is loose and easily deformed by external force, i.e., it has a softer touch. Thus, the hardness of the outer shell can be adjusted during massage according to the user's needs by changing the support force of the medium, thereby achieving tactile adjustment according to human needs and providing a more diversified massage experience. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 schematically illustrates the contact between the massage device and the human body;

[0014] Figure 2 schematically shows a structural diagram of the massage device from a first-view perspective;

[0015] Figure 3 schematically shows a structural diagram of the massage device from a second perspective;

[0016] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of part of the structure of the massage device;

[0017] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of a portion of the massage device;

[0018] Figure 6 schematically shows an exploded structural diagram of the massage mechanism;

[0019] Figure 7 schematically shows a partial cross-sectional view of the massage mechanism;

[0020] Figure 8 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the massage mechanism from a first perspective;

[0021] Figure 9 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the massage mechanism from a second perspective;

[0022] Figure 10 schematically shows an exploded structure diagram of the massage mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by this application to achieve the intended purpose, the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, describes the specific implementation, structure, features, and effects of a massage mechanism proposed in this application.

[0024] On the one hand, as shown in Figures 1-10, this application embodiment provides a massage mechanism (10), including:

[0025] The outer casing (100) has at least a portion of its area designed to deform during massage;

[0026] A sac-like element (200) is located inside the housing (100). The sac-like element (200) includes a filling cavity (201) for filling a medium to change the degree of deformation of the housing (100) during massage.

[0027] The massage mechanism (10) can be used on various massage devices, such as being integrated into a massage chair as a massage component for back massage, leg massage, or neck massage of the human body (30); or, the massage mechanism (10) can be used on targeted small-area massage devices, such as the neck and back massage device shown in Figures 1-4, which includes a main body (20) and an auxiliary belt (50) connected to the main body (20). The main body (20) is located behind the neck of the human body (30). The main body (20) integrates a controller, power supply, motion mechanism, etc. The massage mechanism (10) is connected to the main body (20) and driven by the motion mechanism. The controller controls the motion mechanism to drive the massage mechanism (10) to move regularly according to the massage program, such as moving in circles, striking closer to or further away from the human body (30), or kneading by moving two massage mechanisms (10) relative to or away from each other. The auxiliary strap (50) is connected to the main body of the device (20) and wraps around the front of the human body (30), thereby enabling the main body of the device (20) to be fixed by grasping the auxiliary strap (50). Human-machine interface elements, such as buttons, can also be provided on the auxiliary strap (50). These human-machine interface elements are electrically connected to the controller inside the main body of the device (20), allowing for convenient application of commands to adjust the massage mode, intensity, and the degree of deformation or firmness of the massage mechanism (10) during massage, as proposed in this embodiment. Furthermore, the massage device can also be a massage device for other body parts, possessing other mechanisms, which will not be elaborated upon in this application. Depending on the needs, the main body of the device (20) may have only one massage mechanism (10), or two or more. The main body of the device (20) may also have a massage element with non-adjustable deformation, such as the back massage element (40) shown in Figures 1-4. It is worth noting that the change in the softness or hardness of the outer shell (100) does not refer to a change in the material or properties of the outer shell (100). Rather, it is achieved by providing different degrees of support to the outer shell (100) by the bladder (200), which in turn allows the outer shell (100) to provide different degrees of deformation during massage, thereby providing different tactile sensations to the human body (30) and thus changing the softness or hardness of the outer shell (100).

[0028] The outer casing (100) is used to connect the motion mechanism of the main body (20) of the equipment and to support and accommodate the capsule-shaped component (200). The shape of the outer casing (100) should be designed to better fit the motion mechanism. As shown in Figure 5, a mounting sleeve (610) is connected to the outer casing (100). The motion mechanism includes a mounting base (620), which is embedded in the mounting sleeve (610). The mounting sleeve (610) has a first mounting hole (611), and the mounting base (620) has a screw hole (621). The mounting base (620) and the mounting sleeve (610) can then be fixed with bolts, thereby fixing the outer casing (100) to the motion mechanism or the main body (20). Alternatively, other fixing methods may also be used. The outer shell (100) may completely enclose the capsule (200), or the capsule (200) may be located within the enclosed space provided by the outer shell (100); the outer shell (100) may also only cover a portion of the outer periphery of the capsule (200), such as the outer shell (100) being a semi-open structure or a shell (100) with perforations. The outer shell (100) may be entirely flexible, or only partially flexible with the other part being rigid, and when the outer shell (100) is subjected to force, deformation is mainly achieved through the flexible areas.

[0029] The filling cavity (201) is used to fill a medium, which can be of various types, as long as it can change the degree of deformation of the outer shell during massage. For example, the medium can be a gas, liquid, or other fluid. By providing different amounts of fluid into the filling cavity (201), different degrees of support can be provided to the outer shell (100). The medium can also be solid particles. The expansion or contraction of the solid particles can be controlled by the thermal expansion and contraction effect, thereby achieving different degrees of support for the outer shell (100).

[0030] During the massage, the massage mechanism (10) squeezes the human body (30), and the human body (30) exerts a reaction force on the massage mechanism (10), thus the human body (30) becomes the main body applying external force to the massage mechanism (10). When the support force inside the filling cavity (201) is large, the side wall of the filling cavity (201) tightens. When the outer shell (100) of the massage mechanism (10) is subjected to the reaction force from the human body (30), it is difficult to easily deform by squeezing the filling cavity (201) to contract, thus making the outer shell (100) or the massage mechanism (10) present a harder touch to the human body (30). Conversely, when the support force within the filling cavity (201) is relatively small, the sidewalls of the filling cavity (201) are relaxed. When the outer shell (100) of the massage mechanism (10) is subjected to the reaction force from the human body (30), it can easily deform by squeezing the filling cavity (201) into a local collapse, thereby making the outer shell (100), or the massage mechanism (10), present a softer touch to the human body (30). It can be understood that the touch is not limited to hard and soft, but can be continuously adjusted between soft and hard by continuously adjusting the support force of the medium within the filling cavity (201), and can be continuously and flexibly adjusted according to the needs of the human body (30).

[0031] The massage mechanism and massage device proposed in this application can provide a flexible touch by making at least a portion of the outer shell deformable. By adjusting the medium filling the cavity, different degrees of internal support can be provided to the outer shell. When the support force is greater, the outer shell is difficult to be deformed by external force, i.e., it has a harder touch. When the support force is less, the outer shell is loose and easily deformed by external force, i.e., it has a softer touch. Thus, the hardness of the outer shell can be adjusted during massage according to the user's needs by changing the support force of the medium, thereby achieving tactile adjustment according to human needs and providing a more diversified massage experience.

[0032] Depending on the medium, the method of adjusting the support force in the filling cavity (201) varies. In one embodiment, the medium is gas, such as air. The massage mechanism (10) also includes a delivery pipe (300), which is connected to the bladder (200) and communicates with the filling cavity (201). The delivery pipe (300) is used to input or discharge gas into the filling cavity (201). For example, the main body (20) may also integrate an air pump, and the delivery pipe (300) is used to connect to the air pump. According to the user's instructions, the air pump operates, inputting air into the filling cavity (201) or discharging air through the delivery pipe (300). Alternatively, the main body (20) may also integrate a liquid storage chamber and a peristaltic pump. The liquid storage chamber stores water, and the delivery pipe (300) connects to the liquid storage chamber. The peristaltic pump is connected to the delivery pipe (300), and water is input into the filling cavity (201) or discharged through the forward and reverse rotation of the peristaltic pump.

[0033] In some implementations, the introduction and export of the medium can be omitted, and the support strength can be adjusted through thermal expansion and contraction. For example, the medium may include a thermally expanding material made of a material with a high coefficient of thermal expansion, such as one with a coefficient of thermal expansion of 8 × 10⁻⁶. -6 Materials with a temperature above / ℃, such as alumina, are used. The massage mechanism (10) also includes a heat regulation section connected to the bladder-like member (200), which may be disposed inside the filling cavity (201) and in direct contact with the thermally expanding material. The heat regulation section heats or cools the thermally expanding material, thereby changing the support strength of the medium inside the filling cavity (201) by heating or cooling at least most of the thermally expanding material.

[0034] In one embodiment, the housing (100) includes a rigid region and a flexible region, the rigid region being designed to contact the human body during massage, and the flexible region being designed to deform during massage.

[0035] The rigid region can be a region with a preset contour. For example, taking the neck of the human body (30) where the outer shell (100) contacts the neck as an example, the preset contour should be a contour adapted to the contour of the human neck and the part that needs to be massaged. For example, the rigid region can be the region indicated by arc a in Figure 7, and the preset contour has two relatively gentle transitions of protrusions, so that the corresponding position of the neck can be pressed through the protrusions. The flexible region can be the region indicated by arc b in Figure 7. The flexible region is located around the periphery of the rigid region, such as around the rigid region.

[0036] When the rigid area comes into contact with the human body (30), i.e., when the human body (30) applies an external force to the rigid area, the rigid area does not undergo significant deformation, and the pressure from the external force is released through the deformation of the flexible area. When the supporting force in the capsule (200) is large, the flexible wall of the capsule (200) tightens, and then provides greater supporting force to the rigid area through the contact between the capsule (200) and the rigid area. When the rigid area is subjected to the reaction force of the human body (30), the flexible area does not undergo significant deformation due to the support of the capsule (200), and then provides a harder touch to the human body (30). When the supporting force in the capsule (200) decreases, the flexible wall of the capsule (200) relaxes, and then the supporting force provided to the rigid area through the contact between the capsule (200) and the rigid area will decrease. When the rigid area is subjected to the reaction force of the human body (30), the flexible area will be deformed by the pressure of the rigid area due to the insufficient support of the sac-like component (200). The rigid area will give way and rebound to different degrees according to the magnitude of the external force, thereby providing a softer touch to the human body (30).

[0037] The rigid and flexible regions of the outer shell (100) can be achieved through the material of the outer shell (100). For example, the rigid region can be made of harder rubber, while the flexible region can be made of softer silicone. Alternatively, the rigid and flexible regions can be made of the same material, with the rigid region being thicker than the flexible region. In some embodiments, an external structure can be added for support to fix the shape of the rigid region. Examples will be given later. However, it is understood that the flexible region is only more deformable than the rigid region, but it still has a fixed contour in its natural state, or when it is not subjected to external force, that is, it also has a certain degree of support and rigidity.

[0038] In one embodiment, the massage mechanism further includes a heating element (400) located between the bladder (200) and the housing (100), the heating element (400) being used at least to heat the housing (100).

[0039] The heating element (400) generates heat, which is then transferred to the human body (30) through the outer shell (100). The heating element (400) is electrically connected to the controller inside the main body (20) of the device, and can then provide different temperature experiences to the human body (30) according to the selected massage mode. A temperature sensing element can also be covered on the outer shell (100) to obtain the temperature of the outer shell (100) in real time and perform precise closed-loop temperature regulation.

[0040] The heating element (400) can take many forms. For example, in one embodiment, the heating element (400) may consist only of a heating element (410). The heating element (410) can be a heating film or a flexible heating sheet. The heating element (410) covers the inner surface of the outer shell (100) to heat the outer shell (100). The area of ​​the outer shell (100) used to house the heating element (410) can be a rigid area with a preset contour, thereby preventing the heating element (410) from deforming along with the outer shell (100) and causing a short circuit.

[0041] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the heating assembly (400) includes a heating element (410) and a heating support (420), with the heating element (410) connected to the heating support (420), and the heating support (420) connected to the outer casing (100). The heating support (420) supports the heating element (410) to protect its shape and prevent deformation that could cause short circuits. The heating support (420) is thermally conductive and may be made of copper; the heat from the heating element (410) is then transferred to the outer casing (100) through the heating support (420).

[0042] The heating support (420) can have various contour shapes. In one embodiment, the housing (100) includes a rigid region with a preset contour. For example, if the housing (100) is used to contact the neck of the human body (30), the preset contour should be a contour adapted to the contour of the human neck and the area to be massaged. For example, the rigid region can be the area indicated by arc a in Figure 7, and the preset contour has two relatively gentle protrusions, which can then focus on pressing the corresponding position of the neck. The heating support (420) is adapted to the contour of the rigid region and covers the inner surface of the rigid region (201). On the one hand, the heating support (420) has a preset contour, which allows the entire housing (100) to be flexible, such as being made of silicone with uniform thickness. The housing (100) is held in the preset contour by the support of the heating support (420), and then continuously provides targeted massage to the human body (30). On the other hand, the heating support (420) is adapted to the contour of the rigid area, so that the heating support (420) is connected to the surface of the rigid area, thereby increasing the efficiency of heat transfer and improving the heating effect.

[0043] In one embodiment, the housing (100) includes a contact (110) and a support (120), the contact (110) being used to contact a human body (30), the contact (110) being detachably connected to the support (120), and a capsule (200) being located between the contact (110) and the support (120).

[0044] The contact element (110) is used to contact the human body (30). The contact element (110) is a force-bearing deformable part, while the support (120) can be rigid. The capsule (200) provides different levels of support to the contact element (110) through different degrees of expansion, thereby providing different levels of softness and hardness to the human body (30). The middle parts of the contact element (110) and the support (120) are far apart from each other, but their edges are connected, thereby providing space for the capsule (200). The contact element (110) can be entirely flexible, such as being made entirely of silicone. After the contact element (110) is connected to the support (120), the overall relative position of the contact element (110) and the support (120) will remain unchanged. Taking gas as an example, when the gas inside the capsule (200) increases, the flexible wall of the capsule (200) tightens, thereby providing greater support force to the contact element (110). When the contact element (110) is subjected to external force, the external force is less able to resist the supporting force of the capsule (200), resulting in a harder feel to the contact element (110). When the gas inside the capsule (200) decreases, the flexible wall of the capsule (200) relaxes, thereby reducing the supporting force provided to the contact element (110). When the contact element (110) is subjected to external force, the external force is more easily deformed by the deformation of the capsule (200), resulting in a softer feel to the contact element (110). The contact element (110) is detachably connected to the bracket (120) to allow for replacement of the contact element (110) and the capsule (200) as needed, such as for cleaning or maintenance. It is not necessary to disassemble the entire massage mechanism (10) from the main body (20), thus enabling partial disassembly and assembly, and facilitating easy disassembly and assembly.

[0045] The contact (110) and the bracket (120) can have various detachable connection methods. The following example, using the structure of the bracket (120) as an example, illustrates this:

[0046] As shown in Figures 5-6, the bracket (120) is an integral structure, such as an approximately hollow semi-ellipsoid. The contact (110) and the bracket (120) can be embedded, such as by opening a groove on the bracket (120) and the edge of the contact (110) being elastically embedded in the groove; or, it can be connected by bonding, bolting, hanging, or covering.

[0047] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the housing (100) further includes a clamping member for clamping the edge of the contact (110), and the contact (110) is detachably connected to the bracket (120) via the clamping member. Using a clamping member avoids the problem of the contact (110) being flexible and difficult to connect; it also achieves continuous clamping and fixing of the edge, making the fixation more stable; furthermore, it makes the contact (110) easy to disassemble and replace, and less likely to cause structural damage to the contact (110), such as eliminating the need for drilling connections.

[0048] As shown in Figures 8-10, the clamping member includes a first inner support (130) and a second inner support (140). The first inner support (130) and the second inner support (140) are connected and clamp the edge of the contact member (110). The second inner support (140) is connected to the support (120), thereby fixing the contact member (110) to the support (120) and restricting the capsule (200) therebetween.

[0049] The first inner support (130) and the second inner support (140) can simply be a frame structure that can be embedded in the edge of the support (120), that is, it can be an approximately elliptical frame that only serves to hold the edge of the contact (110); or, the first inner support (130) and the second inner support (140) can also be solid, that is, the first inner support (130) covers the side of the support (120) opposite to the bladder (200), and the second inner support (140) covers the side of the first inner support (130) opposite to the bladder (200). Then, without changing the shape of the contact (110) and the support (120), the setting of the first inner support (130) and the second inner support (140) reduces the space where the bladder (200) is located. Thus, under the premise of satisfying the soft and hard adjustment of the outer shell (100), the size of the bladder (200) can be reduced, and the time occupied by the inflation and deflation of the bladder (200) can be reduced.

[0050] In some embodiments, the edge of the contact (110) may be provided with a boss or recess that is adapted to the edge of the first inner bracket (130) and the second inner bracket (140). The boss structure of the first inner bracket (130) and the second inner bracket (140) are embedded in the recess of the contact (110), and the boss structure of the contact (110) is embedded in the recess of the first inner bracket (130) and the second inner bracket (140), thereby achieving a tighter fit between them and preventing the contact (110) from slipping off.

[0051] The connection between the first inner support (130) and the second inner support (140) can be achieved by bolt connection. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 8, two first sleeves (141) can be provided on one side of the second inner support (140) opposite to the first inner support (130). A second mounting hole is provided at the center of the first sleeve (141). Two studs (131) are provided on the first inner support (130) corresponding to the first sleeve (141). The studs (131) are inserted into the first sleeve (141). The bolt passes through the second mounting hole and is screwed onto the stud (131) to achieve limiting and fixing, and to make the first inner support (130) and the second inner support (140) detachable. Two second sleeves (142) are provided on one side of the second inner support (140) opposite to the support (120). The support (120) is provided with a plug-in post (121) corresponding to the second sleeve (142). The second inner support (140) is also provided with a first snap-fit ​​connector (143), and the support (120) is also provided with a second snap-fit ​​connector (122). The plug-in post (121) is inserted into the second sleeve (142), and the first snap-fit ​​connector (143) and the second snap-fit ​​connector (122) are snapped together to realize the detachable connection between the second inner support (140) and the support (120).

[0052] The bracket (120) is used to connect the motion mechanism in the main body (20) of the device. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the bracket (120) may include a mounting sleeve (610), the motion mechanism includes a mounting base (620), the mounting base (620) is embedded in the mounting sleeve (610), the mounting sleeve (610) is provided with a first mounting hole (611), and the mounting base (620) is provided with a screw hole (621). The mounting base (620) and the mounting sleeve (610) can then be fixed by bolts, thereby fixing the bracket (120) to the motion mechanism or the main body (20). In addition, the mounting sleeve (610) is also provided with a third mounting hole. In the embodiment where the massage mechanism (10) includes a delivery pipe (300), the delivery pipe (300) passes through the third mounting hole and is connected to an air pump or peristaltic pump in the main body (20).

[0053] On the other hand, this application provides a massage device, including at least one massage mechanism (10) of any one of the above, and a device body (20), the device body (20) being connected to the massage mechanism (10).

[0054] There can be two or more massage mechanisms (10). Multiple massage mechanisms (10) can be set on the main body (20) of the device, or different massage mechanisms (10) can be set. Massage components with fixed softness and hardness can also be set, such as back massage components (40) with non-adjustable softness and hardness for massaging the back.

[0055] The massage device includes at least one massage mechanism (10) of any of the above, and the advantages of including any of the above massage mechanisms (10) will not be elaborated here.

[0056] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A massage facility, wherein, The massage mechanism (10) includes: A housing (100), at least a portion of which is designed to deform during massage; A sac-like element (200) is located within the housing (100), the sac-like element (200) including a filling cavity (201) for filling a medium to change the degree of deformation of the housing (100) during massage.

2. The massage mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The medium is gas, and the massage mechanism further includes a delivery pipe (300) connected to the bladder (200). The delivery pipe (300) is used to input or discharge the gas into the filling cavity (201). Alternatively, the medium may include at least one thermally expanding material made of a material with a high coefficient of thermal expansion, and the massage mechanism may further include a heat-regulating part that heats or cools the thermally expanding material.

3. The massage mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The outer shell (100) includes a rigid region and a flexible region, the rigid region being used to contact the human body during massage; At least the flexible region is designed to deform during massage.

4. The massage mechanism according to claim 3, wherein, The flexible region is located at the periphery of the rigid region.

5. The massage mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The massage mechanism also includes: A heating element (400) is located between the capsule (200) and the housing (100), and the heating element (400) is used at least to heat the housing (100).

6. The massage mechanism according to claim 5, wherein, The heating component (400) includes a heating element (410) and a heating support (420). The heating element (410) is connected to the heating support (420), and the heating support (420) is connected to the outer shell (100). The heating support (420) is used to support the heating element (410). The heating support (420) is thermally conductive.

7. The massage mechanism according to claim 6, wherein, The housing (100) includes a rigid region, and the heating support (420) is adapted to the contour of the rigid region to support the rigid region (201).

8. The massage mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The housing (100) includes a contact (110) and a bracket (120), the contact (110) being for contact with a human body, and the contact (110) being detachably connected to the bracket (120).

9. The massage mechanism according to claim 8, wherein, The housing (100) also includes a clamping member for clamping the edge of the contact member (110), the contact member (110) being detachably connected to the bracket (120) via the clamping member.

10. The massage mechanism according to claim 9, wherein, The clamping member includes a first inner support (130) and a second inner support (140), the first inner support (130) and the second inner support (140) are connected and clamp the edge of the contact member (110), and the second inner support (140) is connected to the support (120).

11. A massage device, wherein, It includes at least one massage mechanism (10) according to any one of claims 1-10 above, and a device body (20).

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