Thermotherapy device

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a thermotherapy device. A thermotherapy device according to one aspect of the present invention may comprise: a main body; at least one ceramic protruding to the outside of the main body and supported by the main body; a heating unit for heating the ceramic; and a control unit for controlling the heating unit so that the ceramic is heated to an input temperature and a user is not burned by the ceramic heated to the input temperature.

Description

Heat therapy device

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal therapy device.

[0002] Traditionally, thermotherapy devices that apply heat stimulation to the painful area are widely used to alleviate acute or chronic pain in the muscle and nerve tissues of the spine caused by working in an improper posture for a long time or becoming habitual over a long period, as well as to improve blood circulation or relieve momentary muscle stiffness.

[0003] However, conventional heat therapy devices have sometimes caused skin burns by delivering excessive heat to the user.

[0004] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the objective of the present invention is to provide a thermal therapy device configured to prevent burns.

[0005] The problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the description below.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a thermal therapy device is provided, comprising: a main body; at least one ceramic element protruding outwardly from the main body and supported by the main body; a heating unit for heating the ceramic element; and a control unit for controlling the heating unit so that the ceramic element is heated to an input temperature and so that a user does not suffer burns from the ceramic element heated to the input temperature.

[0007] At this time, the control unit can control the heating unit so that the ceramic continuously maintains the input temperature after reaching the input temperature.

[0008] Meanwhile, the control unit can control the heating unit so that when the transfer temperature exceeds the appropriate temperature for thermal treatment, a first temperature change process of heating the ceramic to the input temperature during a first temperature change time, a first isothermal process of maintaining the ceramic at the input temperature during a first isothermal time after the first temperature change process, and a third temperature change process of lowering the ceramic to a first temperature lower than the input temperature during a second temperature change time after the first isothermal process are carried out.

[0009] At this time, the first temperature is higher than the transfer temperature corresponding to the input temperature, and the transfer temperature may be the temperature of the heat transferred from the ceramic heated to the input temperature to the user's skin.

[0010] Meanwhile, the first isothermal time may be the time taken from the time of exposure to heat transferred from the ceramic heated to the input temperature to the user's skin until a skin burn occurs.

[0011] At this time, the first isothermal time can be derived based on skin burn experiment data representing the relationship between the temperature of the heat source and the time of skin burn occurrence from the time of exposure to the heat source.

[0012] Meanwhile, the control unit can control the heating unit so that the ceramic continuously maintains the first temperature after the second temperature change process.

[0013] Meanwhile, the control unit can control the heating unit to perform a second isothermal process of maintaining the ceramic at the first temperature during a second isothermal time after the second isothermal process, and a third isothermal process of raising the ceramic to the input temperature during a third isothermal time after the second isothermal process.

[0014] At this time, the control unit can control the heating unit so that the first isothermal process, the second variable temperature process, and the second to third variable temperature processes proceed repeatedly in one cycle.

[0015] Meanwhile, the first isothermal time may be longer than the second isothermal time.

[0016] Meanwhile, the control unit can control the heating unit so that a third temperature change process is carried out to raise the ceramic to the input temperature during the third temperature change time after the second temperature change process.

[0017] At this time, the control unit can control the heating unit so that the first isothermal process, the second variable temperature process, and the third variable temperature process proceed repeatedly in one cycle.

[0018] At this time, the second temperature change time may be longer than the third temperature change time.

[0019] Meanwhile, the control unit can control the heating unit to perform a second isothermal process of maintaining the ceramic at the first temperature during a second isothermal time after the second isothermal process, a third isothermal process of raising the ceramic to a second temperature lower than the input temperature and higher than the first temperature during a third isothermal time after the second isothermal process, a third isothermal process of maintaining the ceramic at the second temperature during a third isothermal time after the third isothermal process, and a fourth isothermal process of raising the ceramic to the input temperature during a fourth isothermal time after the third isothermal process.

[0020] According to the above configuration, a thermal therapy device according to one aspect of the present invention can effectively prevent skin burns to a user by controlling a heating unit so that the ceramic element is heated to an input temperature and so that the user does not suffer burns from the ceramic element heated to the input temperature.

[0021] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the configuration of the invention described in the detailed description or claims of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a thermal therapy device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing operating modes according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of skin burn test data.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first control method of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second control method of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a third control method of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a fourth control method of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining a fifth control method of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. To clearly explain the present invention, parts unrelated to the description in the drawings have been omitted, and the same reference numerals have been used throughout the specification for identical or similar components.

[0031] The words and terms used in this specification and claims are not limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the invention in accordance with the principles by which the inventor defines terms and concepts to best describe his invention.

[0032] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings correspond to preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all technical ideas of the present invention; thus, various equivalents and modifications that may replace such configurations may exist at the time of filing the present invention.

[0033] In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to describe the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should not be understood as precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0034] The statement that a component is "in front," "rear," "upper," or "lower" of another component includes, unless there are special circumstances, not only being positioned "in front," "rear," "upper," or "lower" in direct contact with the other component, but also cases where another component is positioned in between. Furthermore, the statement that a component is "connected" to another component includes, unless there are special circumstances, not only being directly connected to each other, but also being indirectly connected to each other.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a thermal therapy device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the thermal therapy device (10) may include a main body (100), a ceramic element (200), a heating unit (300), a vibration unit (400), an input unit (500), and a control unit (600). The thermal therapy device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided with a massage function by including a vibration unit (400).

[0036] The main body (100) is a structure that supports the ceramic (200), the heating unit (300), the vibration unit (400), etc. The main body (100) may be formed in a form in which a plurality of members are interconnected. For example, the main body (100) may include a shell (110) and a ceramic coupling member (130). In this case, other members other than the ceramic coupling member (130) may be coupled to the shell (110). Also, the shell (110) may be formed in a form in which a plurality of members are coupled.

[0037] The main body (100) can be manufactured in a shape that facilitates the user from receiving heat therapy and, furthermore, massage. For example, the main body (100) can be manufactured in a shape suitable for the body part of the user that is the target of heat therapy or massage.

[0038] The ceramic member (200) is supported on the main body (100). The ceramic member (200) may be formed to protrude outward from the main body (100). At least one ceramic member (200) may be mounted on the main body (100).

[0039] For example, a portion of the ceramic (200) may penetrate the shell (110) and be exposed to the outside, while the remainder of the ceramic (200) may be coupled to the shell (110) by a ceramic coupling member (130) on the inside of the shell (110) of the main body (100). However, such coupling method or mounting method between the ceramic (200) and the main body (100) is merely an example, and the ceramic may be coupled to or mounted to the main body in various known ways.

[0040] The ceramic (200) can provide various functionalities such as far-infrared radiation, immune system enhancement, or electromagnetic wave blocking. The ceramic (200) can be made of a material with excellent thermal conductivity so as to effectively transfer heat provided by the heating unit (300) to the body.

[0041] The ceramic (200) is not particularly limited in its shape, but it is preferable that the end in contact with the body be spherical so that when it vibrates by the vibrating part (400), the end in contact with the body can vibrate evenly on the body.

[0042] The heating unit (300) heats the ceramic (200) by providing heat.

[0043] The heating unit (300) is a device that converts electrical energy into thermal energy and is thermally connected to the ceramic (200). For example, the heating unit (300) may be a heating wire or a PTC heater.

[0044] The vibration unit (400) is mounted on the main body (100). The vibration provided by the vibration unit (400) can be transmitted to the body through the ceramic element (200) mounted on the main body (100). The vibration transmitted to the body massages a specific part of the body.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vibrating part (400) may include a first vibrator (410) that vibrates in the longitudinal direction of the main body (100) and a second vibrator (420) that vibrates in the width direction of the main body (100).

[0046] The first vibrator (410) may include a first motor (411) and a first eccentric rotating member (413). When the first eccentric rotating member (413), which is eccentrically coupled to the rotation axis of the first motor (411), rotates, the main body (100) may vibrate in the longitudinal direction.

[0047] The second vibrator (420) may include a second motor (421) and a second eccentric rotating member (423). When the second eccentric rotating member (423), which is eccentrically coupled to the rotation axis of the second motor (421), rotates, the main body (100) may vibrate in the width direction.

[0048] The input unit (500) is configured to input the temperature and operating mode of the ceramic (200) desired by the user. Hereinafter, the temperature of the ceramic (200) input into the input unit (500) is referred to as the input temperature, and the operating mode of the heating unit (300) and the vibration unit (400) input into the input unit (500) is referred to as the input operating mode.

[0049] The user can select and input one of the multiple configured operating modes.

[0050] Each selectable operating mode has a set operating time for the heating unit (300) and the vibration unit (400), so when a user inputs a desired operating mode through the input unit (500), the heating unit (300) and the vibration unit (400) operate according to the operating time set for the input operating mode. Here, the operating mode input to the input unit (500) is referred to as the input operating mode.

[0051] For example, the input unit (500) may be a known input device such as a keypad, keyboard, or touch screen.

[0052] The user can input the desired operating mode and the temperature of the ceramic (200) using the key buttons of the keypad or the keys of the keyboard, or the UI of the touch screen.

[0053] For example, the keypad-type input unit (500) may be equipped with key buttons that identifiablely display multiple operating modes that can be selected by the user. At this time, the user can input a desired operating mode by selecting one of the key buttons corresponding to the operating modes.

[0054] For example, the keypad-type input unit (500) may be equipped with key buttons that identifiablely display multiple temperatures that the user can select. In this case, the user can input the desired temperature of the ceramic (200) by selecting one of the key buttons corresponding to the temperatures. Alternatively, the user can directly input the temperature of the ceramic (200) through the keys of the keyboard.

[0055] The input unit (500) is connected to the control unit (600) via a wired or wireless connection. Information input through the input unit (500) is transmitted to the control unit (600).

[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention, the same input unit (500) may be used to input the temperature of the ceramic (200) and to input the operating mode for the heating unit (300) and the vibration unit (400). Alternatively, although not illustrated, different input units (500) may be used to input the temperature of the ceramic (200) and to input the operating mode for the heating unit (300) and the vibration unit (400).

[0057] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing operating modes according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there may be three operating modes that a user can select in an embodiment of the present invention. However, although not illustrated, it is understood that one operating mode, two operating modes, or four or more operating modes may be applied to the thermal therapy device (10).

[0058] The three operating modes are named the first operating mode, the second operating mode, and the third operating mode, respectively.

[0059] All first to third operating modes include a first operating time (t1, t1', t1") in which the heating unit (300) and the vibration unit (400) operate together, and a second operating time (t2, t2', t2") in which only the heating unit (300) operates.

[0060] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first operating time (t1, t1', t1") of each operating mode is the same, and the second operating time (t2, t2', t2") of each operating mode is different from each other.

[0061] For example, the first operating time (t1, t1', t1") of the first to third operating modes is the same at 18 minutes. And the second operating time (t2, t2', t2") of the first to third operating modes is different at 57 minutes, 42 minutes, and 72 minutes, respectively.

[0062] For reference, the total operating times (t1+t1', t2+t2', t3+t3') of the first to third operating modes are 75 minutes, 60 minutes, and 90 minutes, respectively.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, a control unit (600) controls a heating unit (300) so that the ceramic (200) is heated to an input temperature and so that the user does not get burned by the ceramic heated to the input temperature.

[0064] In other words, the control unit (600) controls the heating unit (300) so that the ceramic (200) is heated to an input temperature and so that the user does not get burned by the heat provided by the ceramic (200).

[0065] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (600) controls the heating unit (300) according to the input temperature using one of the preset control methods to prevent skin burns to the user.

[0066] In this regard, the heat transfer temperature from the ceramic (200) heated to the input temperature to the user's skin may vary depending on the input temperature.

[0067] Here, the transfer temperature corresponding to the input temperature can be derived as follows.

[0068] The user typically uses the thermal therapy device (10) while wearing clothes. In this case, the heat provided by the ceramic element (200) of the thermal therapy device (10) passes through the clothes worn by the user and is transferred to the user's skin.

[0069] Therefore, the temperature of the heat transferred from the ceramic (200) to the user's skin is relatively lower than the temperature of the heat initially emitted from the ceramic (200). Here, the temperature of the heat initially emitted from the ceramic (200) is equal to the temperature of the ceramic (200).

[0070] The relationship between the temperature of the ceramic (200) and the temperature of heat transferred to the user's skin can be derived through experiments or numerical analysis. In performing experiments or numerical analysis, it is assumed that the user is wearing clothes with specific specifications and specific materials.

[0071] Through such experiments or numerical analysis, the relationship between the temperature of the ceramic (200) and the temperature of heat transferred from the ceramic (200) to the user can be derived.

[0072] For example, as a result of an experiment or numerical analysis, the heat transfer temperature transmitted from the ceramic (200) to the user may be 0.75 times or more and 0.85 times or less the temperature of the ceramic (200). Preferably, the heat transfer temperature transmitted from the ceramic (200) to the user may be 0.8 times the temperature of the ceramic (200). In this case, if the temperature of the ceramic (200) is 60 degrees, the heat transfer temperature transmitted from the ceramic (200) to the skin of the user wearing the clothes becomes 48 degrees. The input temperature and the corresponding transfer temperature may be stored in a storage unit in the form of a table.

[0073] The time it takes for a burn to occur on the user's skin may vary depending on the temperature of the heat transferred from the ceramic (200) to the user's skin. The time it takes for a burn to occur according to the temperature of the transfer can be derived through skin burn experiment data.

[0074] Here, the skin burn experiment is designed to determine the relationship between the temperature of the heat source in contact with the skin and the time it takes for a burn to occur after contact with the heat source.

[0075] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an example of skin burn experiment data, which is skin burn experiment data disclosed in a paper presented at the American Burn Society. However, skin burn experiment data similar to FIG. 3 may be obtained through a separate experiment performed by a manufacturer of the thermal therapy device (10).

[0076] For reference, in Fig. 3, the vertical axis represents the temperature of the heat source in contact with the skin, and the horizontal axis represents the contact time between the heat source and the skin. Also, the curve shown in Fig. 3 is a graph representing the time taken from contact with the heat source until an irreversible burn occurs, depending on the temperature of the heat source.

[0077] Referring to Figure 3, the results of the skin burn experiment show that the lower the temperature of the heat source, the longer the burn occurs.

[0078] For example, if the temperature of the heat source in contact with the skin is 70 degrees, the time to burn may be 1 second; if the temperature of the heat source in contact with the skin is 60 degrees, the time to burn may be 6 seconds; if the temperature of the heat source in contact with the skin is 50 degrees, the time to burn may be 3 minutes; and if the temperature of the heat source in contact with the skin is 45 degrees, the time to burn may be 3 hours.

[0079] In one embodiment of the present invention, if the transfer temperature corresponding to the input temperature is substituted into the skin burn experiment data of FIG. 3, the burn occurrence time corresponding to the transfer temperature can be derived.

[0080] For example, when the transfer temperature is 70 degrees, the burn occurrence time is 1 second, when the transfer temperature is 60 degrees, the burn occurrence time is 6 seconds, and when the transfer temperature is 50 degrees, the burn occurrence time is 3 minutes.

[0081] For reference, Figure 3 can define a temperature range in which skin burns do not occur even when exposed to a heat source for a long time (hereinafter referred to as the appropriate temperature range for heat therapy).

[0082] The appropriate temperature range for heat therapy can be derived by considering the operating time set in the operating mode of the heat therapy device.

[0083] For example, if the operating time set in the operating mode of the thermal therapy device (10) does not exceed 3 hours, the appropriate temperature range for thermal therapy may be determined to be 45 degrees or less, which is the temperature of the heat source corresponding to the 3-hour burn occurrence time in FIG. 3.

[0084] For example, if the delivery temperature is within the appropriate temperature range for thermotherapy, skin burns do not occur even with prolonged exposure to the temperature. In this case, there is no need to adjust the input temperature corresponding to the delivery temperature.

[0085] At this time, the control unit (600) can control the heating unit by a control method that maintains the ceramic (200) at an input temperature.

[0086] As another example, if the delivery temperature deviates from the appropriate temperature range for hyperthermia treatment, there is a possibility of burns. In this case, it is necessary to adjust the input temperature corresponding to the delivery temperature before the time required for burn occurrence corresponding to the delivery temperature elapses.

[0087] At this time, the control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) by a control method that adjusts the temperature of the ceramic (200) to be lower than the input temperature before an image is generated.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present invention, a transfer temperature corresponding to an input temperature and a control method corresponding to a transfer temperature may be pre-set and stored in a storage unit for each input temperature. Additionally, an image generation time for each input temperature or transfer temperature may be pre-set and stored.

[0089] The control unit (600) controls the heating unit (300) using a control method corresponding to the input temperature.

[0090] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, control methods in which a control unit (600) according to one embodiment of the present invention controls a heating unit (300) so that the user does not get burned are described in detail.

[0091] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first control method of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second control method of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a third control method of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a fourth control method of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a fifth control method of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. For reference, the 0 to 30 degree range on the vertical axis of the graphs shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 8 is illustrated by scaling down the graph.

[0092] First, referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, an input temperature (T11) is input through the input unit (500). For example, the input temperature (T11) is 50 degrees, and the transfer temperature (T11') corresponding to the input temperature (T11) is 41 degrees. At this time, the appropriate temperature range for thermal therapy described above is 45 degrees or less.

[0093] In this case, the delivery temperature (T11') is within the appropriate temperature range for heat therapy, so no burns occur even if the skin is exposed to the delivery temperature (T11') for a long time.

[0094] At this time, the control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) using a first control method that controls the heating unit (300) so that the ceramic (200) continuously maintains the input temperature (T11) after reaching the input temperature (T11). At this time, a known PID control method may be used during the process in which the ceramic (200) continuously maintains the input temperature (T11).

[0095] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above first control method corresponding to an input temperature (T11) of 50 degrees is pre-set and stored in a storage unit (not shown). When 50 degrees is input as the input temperature (T11) to the input unit (500), the control unit (600) controls the heating unit (300) using the first control method corresponding to the input temperature (T11).

[0096] For reference, in FIG. 4, the first temperature change time (t11) until the ceramic (200) is heated to the input temperature (T11) is 12 seconds. And whether the ceramic (200) is heated to the input temperature (T11) is detected by a temperature sensor (not shown), and the control unit (600) receives a detection signal from the temperature sensor and controls the heating unit (300) based on this.

[0097] In one embodiment of the present invention, among the input temperatures that can be entered by a user, all input temperatures whose corresponding transfer temperature is within the appropriate temperature range for thermal treatment can be matched with the first control method and stored in the storage unit in advance.

[0098] When an input temperature corresponding to the transfer temperature is input through the input unit (500) within the appropriate temperature range for thermal treatment, the control unit (600) controls the heating unit (300) using the first control method, thereby preventing skin burns and enabling effective thermal treatment based on the input temperature entered by the user.

[0099] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, an input temperature (T21) is input through the input unit (500). For example, the input temperature (T21) is 60 degrees, and the transfer temperature (T21') corresponding to the input temperature (T21) is 48 degrees. At this time, the appropriate temperature range for thermal therapy described above is 45 degrees or less.

[0100] In this case, the transfer temperature (T21') is outside the appropriate temperature range for heat therapy, so skin burns may occur if exposed to heat corresponding to the transfer temperature (T21') for a certain period of time.

[0101] At this time, the control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) using the following second control method to adjust the temperature of the ceramic (200) heated to an input temperature (T21) corresponding to a transfer temperature (T21') that is outside the appropriate temperature range for thermal treatment.

[0102] More specifically, the control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) by a second control method comprising a first temperature change process of heating the ceramic (200) to an input temperature (T21) during a first temperature change time (t21), a first isothermal process of maintaining the ceramic (200) at the input temperature (T21) during a first isothermal time (t22) after the first temperature change process, and a second temperature change process of lowering the ceramic (200) to a first temperature (T22) lower than the input temperature (T21) during a second temperature change time (t22) after the first isothermal process.

[0103] For reference, in FIG. 5, the input temperature (T21) is 60 degrees, the transfer temperature (T21') corresponding to the input temperature (T21) is 48 degrees, the first temperature (T22) is 50 degrees, the first transfer temperature (T22') corresponding to the first temperature (T22) is 41 degrees, the first temperature change time (t21) is 14 seconds, the first isothermal time (t22) is 12 seconds, and the second temperature change time (t23) is 10 seconds.

[0104] Here, the first isothermal time (t22) is the time taken from the time of exposure to heat transferred from the ceramic (200) heated to the input temperature (T21) to the time until skin burn occurs.

[0105] The first isothermal time (t22) is the burn occurrence time that is matched by applying the transfer temperature (T21') corresponding to the input temperature (T21) to the skin burn experiment data as shown in FIG. 3.

[0106] For example, when the input temperature (T21) is 60 degrees as shown in FIG. 5 and the transfer temperature (T21') corresponding to the input temperature (T21) is 48 degrees as shown in FIG. 5, the transfer temperature (T21') of 48 degrees is substituted into the skin burn experiment data of FIG. 3, and the matching burn occurrence time is 14 minutes. At this time, the burn occurrence time of 14 minutes becomes the first isothermal time (t22).

[0107] For example, in the second temperature change process, the heating of the ceramic (200) by the heating unit (300) is stopped, and the ceramic (200) naturally cools down, so that the temperature of the ceramic (200) can be lowered to the first temperature (T22).

[0108] As another example, a cooling unit (not shown) may be used to lower the ceramic (200) to a first temperature (T22) during the second temperature change process. For instance, the cooling unit may be a known cooling device, such as a heat exchanger or a heat pump using a heat medium. The control unit (600) can control the cooling unit during the second temperature change process to rapidly lower the ceramic (200) to a first temperature (T22').

[0109] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (600) can prevent skin burns caused by heat transmitted from the ceramic (200) by maintaining the ceramic (200) at the input temperature (T21) during a first isothermal time (t22), which is the burn occurrence time for a transfer temperature (T21') corresponding to the input temperature (T21), through a second control method, and then lowering the ceramic (200) to a first temperature (T22) lower than the input temperature (T21).

[0110] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) so that the ceramic (200) continuously maintains the first temperature after the second temperature change process. In other words, the second control method further includes a process of continuously maintaining the ceramic (200) at the first temperature after the second temperature change process.

[0111] Here, the first transfer temperature corresponding to the first temperature is within the appropriate temperature range for thermotherapy. For example, referring to FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 5, the first temperature (T22) is 50 degrees, and the first transfer temperature (T22') corresponding to the first temperature (T22) is 41 degrees. At this time, the first transfer temperature (T22') is within the appropriate temperature range for thermotherapy.

[0112] In this case, even if the ceramic (200) maintains a first temperature (T22) of 50 degrees, skin burns do not occur.

[0113] Furthermore, the first temperature (T22) may be lower than the input temperature (T21) and higher than the transfer temperature (T21') corresponding to the input temperature (T21). For example, referring to FIG. 5, the first temperature (T22) is 50 degrees, the input temperature (T21) is 60 degrees, and the transfer temperature (T21') corresponding to the input temperature (T21) is 48 degrees. At this time, the first temperature (T22) is lower than the input temperature (T21) and higher than the transfer temperature (T21') corresponding to the input temperature (T21).

[0114] In this case, since the first temperature (T22) is higher than the transfer temperature (T21') corresponding to the input temperature (T21), the heat treatment is not performed at a very low temperature and can be performed at an appropriate temperature.

[0115] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above second control method corresponding to an input temperature (T21) of 60 degrees may be pre-set and stored in a storage unit (not shown). When 60 degrees is input as an input temperature (T21) to the input unit (500), the control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) using the second control method corresponding to the input temperature (T21) of 60 degrees.

[0116] In one embodiment of the present invention, among the input temperatures that can be entered by a user, input temperatures for which the corresponding transfer temperature falls outside the appropriate temperature range for thermotherapy can be matched with a second control method and stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown).

[0117] When an input temperature that is outside the appropriate temperature range for thermal treatment is input through the input unit (500), the control unit (600) controls the heating unit (300) by the second control method, thereby preventing skin burns and enabling effective thermal treatment based on the input temperature entered by the user.

[0118] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the control unit (600) controls the heating unit (300) and the vibration unit (400) so that the heating unit (300) and the vibration unit (400) operate for an operating time set in the input operating mode.

[0119] As explained above, the operating time set in the input operating mode includes a first operating time (t1, t2, t3) and a second operating time (t1', t2', t3').

[0120] The first operating time (t1, t2, t3) is the time during which the heating unit (300) and the vibration unit (400) operate together, and the second operating time (t1', t2', t3') is the time during which only the heating unit (300) operates after the first operating time (t1, t2, t3). For example, when the input operating mode is the first operating mode of FIG. 2, the total operating time set in the input operating mode may be 75 minutes, the first operating time (t1) may be 18 minutes, and the second operating time (t2) may be 57 minutes.

[0121] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first operating time (t1, t2, t3) of the input operating mode is longer than the first temperature change time (t11, t21, t31).

[0122] If the first operating time (t1, t2, t3) of the input operating mode is shorter than the first temperature change time (t11, t21, t31), the massage function is turned off before the ceramic (200) reaches the input temperature entered by the user, so the user cannot receive a massage at the input temperature they want.

[0123] Therefore, if the first operating time (t1, t2, t3) of the input operating mode is longer than the first temperature change time (t11, t21, t31), the ceramic (200) is heated to the input temperature during the first temperature change time (t11, t21, t31), and then the massage function is activated while maintaining the input temperature for a predetermined time. In this case, the user can receive thermal therapy and massage at the same time at the desired input temperature, which is effective.

[0124] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, an input temperature (T31) is input through the input unit (500). For example, the input temperature (T31) is 60 degrees, and the transfer temperature (T31') corresponding to the input temperature (T31) is 48 degrees. At this time, the appropriate temperature range for thermal therapy described above is 45 degrees.

[0125] In this case, the transfer temperature (T31') is outside the appropriate temperature range for heat therapy, so skin burns may occur if exposed to heat corresponding to the transfer temperature (T31') for a certain period of time.

[0126] At this time, the control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) using the same third control method to adjust the temperature of the ceramic (200) heated to an input temperature (T31) corresponding to a transfer temperature (T31') that is outside the appropriate temperature range for thermal treatment.

[0127] More specifically, the control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) by a third control method comprising: a first temperature change process of heating the ceramic (200) to an input temperature (T31) during a first temperature change time (t31); a first isothermal process of maintaining the ceramic (200) at an input temperature (T31) during a first isothermal time (t32) after the first temperature change process; a second temperature change process of lowering the ceramic (200) to a first temperature (T32) lower than the input temperature (T31) during a second temperature change time (t33) after the first isothermal process; a second isothermal process of maintaining the ceramic (200) at a first temperature (T32) during a second isothermal time (t34) after the second temperature change process; and a third temperature change process of raising the ceramic (200) to an input temperature (T31) during a third temperature change time (t35) after the second isothermal process.

[0128] For reference, in FIG. 6, the input temperature (T31) is 60 degrees, the transfer temperature (T31') derived corresponding to the input temperature (T31) is 48 degrees, the first temperature (T32) is 50 degrees, the first transfer temperature (T32') derived corresponding to the first temperature (T32) is 41 degrees, the first temperature change time (t31) is 14 seconds, the first isothermal time (t32) is 12 seconds, the second temperature change time (t33) is 10 seconds, the second isothermal time (t34) is 10 seconds, and the third temperature change time (t35) is 4 seconds.

[0129] In this case, the transfer temperature (T31') of 48 degrees exceeds the appropriate temperature for thermal treatment of 45 degrees. At this time, the control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) by a third control method including a first temperature change process, a first isothermal process, a second temperature change process, a second isothermal process, and a third temperature change process.

[0130] The first isothermal time (t31) is longer than the second isothermal time (t34). If the first isothermal time (t31), which is the time of exposure to a relatively high temperature transfer temperature (T31'), is longer than the second isothermal time (t34), which is the time of exposure to a relatively low temperature transfer temperature (T32'), the user can receive thermotherapy in a relatively high temperature state, thereby enabling effective thermotherapy.

[0131] The second temperature change time (t33) is longer than the third temperature change time (t35). In this case, the second temperature change process, in which the temperature decreases from a high temperature transfer temperature (T31') to a low temperature first transfer temperature (T32'), becomes relatively longer, and the third temperature change process, in which the temperature increases from a low temperature first transfer temperature (T32') to a high temperature transfer temperature (T31'), becomes relatively shorter, so that the user can receive thermotherapy in a relatively high temperature state, thereby enabling effective thermotherapy.

[0132] The control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) so that the first isothermal process, the second variable temperature process, the second isothermal process, and the third variable temperature process are repeatedly carried out in one cycle.

[0133] In one embodiment of the present invention, among the input temperatures that can be entered by a user, input temperatures whose corresponding transfer temperature falls outside the appropriate temperature range for thermal treatment can be matched with a third control method and stored in advance in a storage unit.

[0134] When an input temperature that is outside the appropriate temperature range for thermal treatment is input through the input unit (500), the control unit (600) controls the heating unit (300) by the third control method, thereby preventing skin burns and enabling effective thermal treatment based on the input temperature entered by the user.

[0135] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 7, an input temperature (T41) is input through the input unit (500). For example, the input temperature (T41) is 60 degrees, and the transfer temperature (T41') corresponding to the input temperature (T41) is 48 degrees. At this time, the appropriate temperature range for thermal therapy described above is 45 degrees.

[0136] In this case, the transfer temperature (T41') is outside the appropriate temperature range for thermal therapy, so skin burns may occur if exposed for a predetermined amount of time. At this time, the control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) using the following fourth control method to adjust the temperature of the ceramic (200) heated to an input temperature (T41) corresponding to the transfer temperature (T41') which is outside the appropriate temperature range for thermal therapy.

[0137] More specifically, the control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) by a fourth control method comprising: a first temperature change process of heating the ceramic (200) to an input temperature (T41) during a first temperature change time (t41); a first isothermal process of maintaining the ceramic (200) at an input temperature (T41) during a first isothermal time (t42) after the first temperature change process; a second temperature change process of lowering the ceramic (200) to a first temperature (T42) lower than the input temperature (T41) during a second temperature change time (t43) after the first isothermal process; and a third temperature change process of raising the ceramic (200) to an input temperature (T41) during a third temperature change time (t45) after the second temperature change process.

[0138] For reference, in FIG. 7, the input temperature (T41) is 60 degrees, the transfer temperature (T41') derived corresponding to the input temperature (T41) is 48 degrees, the first temperature (T42) is 50 degrees, the first transfer temperature (T42') derived corresponding to the first temperature (T42) is 41 degrees, the first temperature change time (t41) is 14 seconds, the first isothermal time (t42) is 12 seconds, the second temperature change time (t43) is 10 seconds, and the third temperature change time (t45) is 4 seconds.

[0139] In this case, the transfer temperature (T41') of 48 degrees exceeds the appropriate temperature for thermal treatment of 45 degrees. At this time, the control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) by a fourth control method including a first temperature change process, a first isothermal process, a second temperature change process, and a third temperature change process.

[0140] This fourth control method is effective because it omits the second isothermal process in which the ceramic (200) included in the previously described third control method is maintained at a first temperature lower than the input temperature, and the logic is simpler compared to the third control method, and the user can receive thermal treatment at a relatively high temperature compared to the third control method.

[0141] In one embodiment of the present invention, among the input temperatures that can be entered by a user, input temperatures whose corresponding transfer temperature falls outside the appropriate temperature range for thermal treatment can be matched with the fourth control method and stored in advance in a storage unit.

[0142] When an input temperature that is outside the appropriate temperature range for thermal treatment is input through the input unit (500), the control unit (600) controls the heating unit (300) using the fourth control method, thereby preventing skin burns and enabling effective thermal treatment based on the input temperature entered by the user.

[0143] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) so that the first isothermal process, the second variable temperature process, and the third variable temperature process are repeatedly carried out in one cycle.

[0144] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 8, an input temperature (T51) is input through the input unit (500). For example, the input temperature (T51) is 60 degrees, and the transfer temperature (T51') corresponding to the input temperature (T51) is 48 degrees. At this time, the appropriate temperature range for thermal therapy described above is 45 degrees.

[0145] In this case, the transfer temperature (T51') is outside the appropriate temperature range for thermal therapy, so skin burns may occur if exposed for a predetermined amount of time. At this time, the control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) using the following fifth control method to adjust the temperature of the ceramic (200) heated to an input temperature (T51) corresponding to the transfer temperature (T51') which is outside the appropriate temperature range for thermal therapy.

[0146] More specifically, the control unit (600) comprises a first temperature change process of heating the ceramic (200) to an input temperature (T51) during a first temperature change time (t51), a first isothermal process of maintaining the ceramic (200) at the input temperature (T51) during a first isothermal time (t52) after the first temperature change process, a second temperature change process of lowering the ceramic (200) to a first temperature (T52) lower than the input temperature (T51) during a second temperature change time (t53) after the first isothermal process, a third temperature change process of raising the ceramic (200) to a second temperature (T53) higher than the first temperature (T52) and lower than the input temperature (T51) during a third temperature change time (t55) after the second temperature change process, and a third isothermal process of maintaining the ceramic (200) at the second temperature (T53) during a third isothermal time (t56) after the third temperature change process. The heating unit (300) can be controlled by a fifth control method including a fourth temperature change process that raises the ceramic (200) to the input temperature (T51) during a fourth temperature change time (t57) after a third isothermal process.

[0147] In summary, the control unit (600) controls the heating unit (300) by a fourth control method including a first temperature change process, a first isothermal process, a second temperature change process, a second isothermal process, a third temperature change process, a third isothermal process, and a fourth temperature change process.

[0148] For reference, in FIG. 8, the input temperature (T51) is 60 degrees, the transfer temperature (T51') derived corresponding to the input temperature (T51) is 48 degrees, the first temperature (T52) is 50 degrees, the first transfer temperature (T52') derived corresponding to the first temperature (T52) is 41 degrees, the second temperature (T3) is 55 degrees, the second transfer temperature (T53') derived corresponding to the second temperature (T53) is 45 degrees, the first temperature change time (t51) is 14 seconds, the first isothermal time (t52) is 12 seconds, the second temperature change time (t53) is 6 seconds, the second isothermal time (t54) is 6 seconds, the third temperature change time (t55) is 4 seconds, the third isothermal time (t56) is 4 seconds, and the fourth temperature change time (t57) is It is 4 seconds.

[0149] In this case, the transfer temperature (T41') of 48 degrees exceeds the appropriate temperature for thermal treatment of 45 degrees. At this time, the control unit (600) controls the heating unit (300) using a fifth control method including a first temperature change process, a first isothermal process, a second temperature change process, a second isothermal process, a third temperature change process, a third isothermal process, and a fourth temperature change process.

[0150] In one embodiment of the present invention, among the input temperatures that can be entered by a user, input temperatures whose corresponding transfer temperature falls outside the appropriate temperature range for thermal treatment can be matched with the fifth control method and stored in advance in a storage unit.

[0151] When an input temperature that is outside the appropriate temperature range for thermal treatment is input through the input unit (500), the control unit (600) controls the heating unit (300) using the fifth control method, thereby preventing skin burns and enabling effective thermal treatment based on the input temperature entered by the user.

[0152] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (600) can control the heating unit (300) so that the first isothermal process, the second variable temperature process, the second isothermal process, the third variable temperature process, the third isothermal process, and the fourth variable temperature process are repeatedly carried out in one cycle.

[0153] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the spirit of the present invention is not limited by the embodiments presented in this specification. Those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention may easily propose other embodiments within the scope of the same spirit by adding, changing, deleting, or adding components, and such are also to be considered to fall within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. Main body; At least one ceramic element protruding outward from the main body and supported by the main body; A heating unit for heating the above ceramic; and A thermal therapy device comprising a control unit that controls the heating unit so that the ceramic element is heated to an input temperature and so that the user does not get burned by the ceramic element heated to the input temperature.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above control unit is, A thermal therapy device that controls the heating unit to continuously maintain the input temperature after the ceramic element reaches the input temperature.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above control unit is, A thermotherapy device that controls the heating unit to perform a first temperature change process of heating the ceramic to the input temperature during a first temperature change time, a first isothermal process of maintaining the ceramic at the input temperature during a first isothermal time after the first temperature change process, and a second temperature change process of lowering the ceramic to a first temperature lower than the input temperature during a second temperature change time after the first isothermal process.

4. In Paragraph 3, The first temperature above is higher than the transfer temperature corresponding to the input temperature, and A heat therapy device in which the above-mentioned transfer temperature is the temperature of heat transferred to the user's skin from the above-mentioned ceramic heated to the above-mentioned input temperature.

5. In Paragraph 3, The above first isothermal time is, A heat therapy device, wherein the time taken from the time of exposure to heat transferred from the ceramic heated to the above input temperature to the user's skin until the occurrence of a skin burn is the burn occurrence time.

6. In Paragraph 5, The above first isothermal time is derived based on skin burn experiment data representing the relationship between the temperature of the heat source and the time of skin burn occurrence from the time of exposure to the heat source.

7. In Paragraph 3, The above control unit is, A thermotherapy device that controls the heating unit so that the ceramic continuously maintains the first temperature after the second temperature change process.

8. In Paragraph 3, The above control unit is, A thermotherapy device that controls the heating unit to proceed with a second isothermal process in which the ceramic is maintained at the first temperature during a second isothermal time after the second isothermal process, and a third isothermal process in which the ceramic is raised to the input temperature during a third isothermal time after the second isothermal process.

9. In Paragraph 8, The above control unit is, A thermotherapy device that controls the heating unit so that the first isothermal process, the second variable temperature process, the second isothermal process, and the third variable temperature process proceed repeatedly in one cycle.

10. In Paragraph 8, A heat therapy device in which the first isothermal time is longer than the second isothermal time.

11. In Paragraph 3, The above control unit is, A thermotherapy device that controls the heating unit to allow a third temperature change process to proceed, in which the ceramic is raised to the input temperature during a third temperature change time after the second temperature change process.

12. In Paragraph 11, The above control unit is, A thermotherapy device that controls the heating unit so that the first isothermal process, the second variable temperature process, and the third variable temperature process proceed repeatedly in one cycle.

13. In Paragraph 8 or Paragraph 11, A heat therapy device in which the second temperature change time is longer than the third temperature change time.

14. In Paragraph 3, The above control unit is, A thermotherapy device that controls the heating unit to perform a second isothermal process of maintaining the ceramic at the first temperature during a second isothermal time after the second isothermal process, a third isothermal process of raising the ceramic to a second temperature lower than the input temperature and higher than the first temperature during a third isothermal time after the second isothermal process, a third isothermal process of maintaining the ceramic at the second temperature during a third isothermal time after the third isothermal process, and a fourth isothermal process of raising the ceramic to the input temperature during a fourth isothermal time after the third isothermal process.

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