Heating assembly having improved heat transfer performance

Abstract

A heating assembly having improved heat transfer performance is disclosed. The heating assembly having improved heat transfer performance, according to one aspect of the present invention, and providing a thermal massage effect while applying pressure to a user may comprise: a heating unit; a body part having a first insertion recess into which the heating unit is inserted; a support part supporting one side or both sides in the axial direction of the body part so that the body part is rotatable; and a power supply unit for supplying current to the heating unit, wherein a first inclination facing the inside in the radial direction along the axial direction can be formed on the inner surface of the first insertion recess and / or the outer surface of the heating unit.

Description

Heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating assembly, and more specifically, to a heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance.

[0002] In the past, a heat therapy device that moves along the body and improves blood circulation through heat stimulation of the painful area was widely used to alleviate acute or chronic pain in the muscles and nerve tissues of the spine caused by continuing to work in an improper posture for a long time or becoming habitual in such a posture for a long period, and to improve blood circulation in the body or relieve momentary muscle stiffness.

[0003] Conventional thermal therapy devices used for such heat therapy perform massage by moving a thermal electrode along the length of the user's body. This thermal electrode is configured to rotate while massaging the user's body during the process of repeatedly moving back and forth over the entire movement path. This configuration is intended to allow the thermal electrode to rotate naturally due to friction with the cover, as failure to rotate would maximize friction between the thermal electrode and the cover, potentially causing the cover to wear out quickly.

[0004] In the conventional method, to heat a rotating heating element, a non-rotating heating element connected to a power source is inserted inside the heating element, and the heating element is configured to be spaced apart from the heating element so that the rotating heating element can rotate relative to the non-rotating heating element.

[0005] However, as the heating ceramic and the heating element were spaced apart from each other, the heat generated from the heating element was not transferred smoothly, which resulted in a problem where the effect of the heat therapy was reduced.

[0006] Therefore, improvements in these areas are necessary.

[0007] (Patent Document 1) Korean Published Patent Application No. 2002-0039608 (Published May 27, 2002)

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems, and the objective of the present invention is to provide a heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance in which a heating element is inserted inside a body part that pressurizes the user's body, and the body part and the heating element are positioned in close contact with each other.

[0009] 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.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a heating assembly that provides a thermal massage effect while applying pressure to a user is provided, wherein the heating assembly comprises a heating element, a body portion having a first insertion groove into which the heating element is inserted, a support portion that supports one or both sides of the body portion in the axial direction so that the body portion can rotate, and a power supply portion that supplies current to the heating element, wherein at least one surface of the inner surface of the first insertion groove or the outer surface of the heating element has an inclination formed along the axial direction toward the radially inward direction, thereby providing a heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance.

[0011] At this time, the heating element may include a heat transfer member disposed in contact with the inner surface of the first insertion groove.

[0012] At this time, a first slope is formed on the inner surface of the first insertion groove along the axial direction toward the radially inward side, and a second slope is formed on the outer surface of the heating part along the axial direction toward the radially inward side.

[0013] At this time, the first slope and the second slope can be formed identically to each other.

[0014] At this time, the second slope can be formed to be larger than the first slope.

[0015] At this time, the heat transfer member includes a plurality of heat transfer frames arranged opposite each other along a radial direction centered on the heating element, and the plurality of heat transfer frames can be pressed by the inner surface of the first insertion groove so as to reduce the spacing between the plurality of heat transfer frames during the process of being inserted into the first insertion groove.

[0016] At this time, the first insertion groove is formed to extend from one side in the axial direction of the body part to the other side, and the heating part can be inserted into the first insertion groove in a direction from one side in the axial direction to the other side.

[0017] At this time, the body portion may be provided with a fixing member that fixes the axial position of the heating portion.

[0018] At this time, the above-mentioned fixing member can be positioned in a direction from the other side in the axial direction toward one side to fix the heating element.

[0019] At this time, the above-mentioned fixing member can fix the heating element by a screw fastening method.

[0020] At this time, the fixing force of the above fixing member may be formed in a direction from one side of the axial direction of the heating part toward the other side.

[0021] At this time, a partition member is provided on the other side of the body portion to close the other side in the axial direction of the first insertion groove, and the fixing member can fix the heating portion by penetrating the partition member in a direction from the other side in the axial direction toward one side.

[0022] At this time, the heating element includes a heater member and a holder member in which the heater member is fixedly positioned, and the heat transfer member can be inserted into the first insertion groove while coupled to the holder member.

[0023] At this time, a coupling member may be provided in either the heat transfer member or the holder member, and a corresponding coupling member that is coupled to the coupling member may be provided in the other member.

[0024] At this time, the heat transfer member includes a plurality of heat transfer frames arranged opposite each other along a radial direction centered on the heating element, and one of the plurality of heat transfer frames may be provided with a fixing rib to which a fixing member is fixed.

[0025] At this time, the outer surface of the heat transfer member may be provided with a support curved surface with a constant distance along the radial direction and a support plane with a varying distance along the radial direction.

[0026] At this time, a second slope is formed on the outer surface of the heat transfer member along the axial direction toward the radial inner side, and the second slope may be formed on at least one of the support curved surface and the support plane.

[0027] At this time, the body portion is provided with a second insertion groove into which the power supply portion is inserted, and a power terminal for supplying current to the heating portion may be inserted and arranged in the second insertion groove.

[0028] According to the above configuration, a heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance according to one aspect of the present invention has a heating element and a heat transfer element inserted into a first insertion groove formed in a body portion, wherein a first inclination is formed in the first insertion groove along the axial direction and radially inward, so that when the heating element and the heat transfer element are inserted into the first insertion groove, the heating element and the heat transfer element can be placed in close contact with each other while being pressed radially inward along the first inclination, and furthermore, as the heating element and the heat transfer element are pressed radially inward by the inner surface of the first insertion groove, the heat transfer performance can be improved by placing the heat transfer element and the first insertion groove in close contact with each other.

[0029] 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.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled state of a heating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the disassembled state of a heating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a heating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which a heating part and a heat transfer part are assembled in a heating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the assembled state of a heating part and a heat transfer part provided in a heating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating the assembled state of a heating part and a heat transfer part provided in a heating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the disassembled state of a heating element provided in a heating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a thermal massage device including a heating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] 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 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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 concepts of the present invention; thus, various equivalents and modifications that may replace such configurations may exist at the time of filing the present invention.

[0041] 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.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled state of a heating assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the disassembled state of a heating assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a heating assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the a direction refers to the axial direction, and the r direction refers to the radial direction. To clearly explain the present invention, parts unrelated to the explanation are omitted from the drawings.

[0043] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance according to one embodiment of the present invention is a heating assembly (40) that provides a thermal massage effect while applying pressure to a user, wherein the heating assembly (40) comprises a heating member (100), a body part (200) having a first insertion groove (210) into which the heating member (100) is inserted, a support part (300) that supports one or both sides in the axial direction (a) of the body part (200) so that the body part (200) can rotate, and a power supply part (400) that supplies current to the heating member (100), and at least one surface of the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210) or the outer surface of the heating member (100) has a slope formed along the axial direction (a) toward the radial direction (r) inward.

[0044] The heating element (100) may include a heater member (110) to be described later. For example, a PTC heater may be used as the heater member (110), but it is not necessarily limited thereto. Any configuration capable of generating heat by supplying current may include a heating wire, a lamp, or various heating elements.

[0045] As described above, a first insertion groove (210) into which a heating element (100) is inserted is formed in the body portion (200). That is, the heating element (100) and the body portion (200) are arranged in contact with each other, and heat generated through the heating element (100) is transferred to the body portion (200) by conduction, thereby improving heat transfer performance.

[0046] At this time, the support member (300) supports the body member (200) so that it can rotate during the thermal massage process, and the support member (300) may support only one side in the axial direction (a) of the body member (200) or support both sides in the axial direction (a). For example, the support member (300) may be a bushing and may be connected to a support arm (21) provided in the base member (20) to be described later, so that the body member (200) can rotately support it.

[0047] Additionally, the power supply unit (400) is configured to supply current to the heating unit (100), and since the heating unit (100) is arranged to rotate together with the body unit (200), the power supply unit (400) can supply current while rotating together with the heating unit (100).

[0048] At this time, a slope is formed on at least one surface of the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210) or the outer surface of the heating part (100) inwardly along the axial direction (a) in the radial direction (r). That is, when a slope is formed on at least one surface of the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210) or the outer surface of the heating part (100), the heating part (100) comes into close contact with the body part (200) during the process of inserting the heating part (100) into the first insertion groove (210), thereby improving heat transfer performance. For example, the first slope (Θ1) may be formed only on the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210). For another example, the second slope (Θ2) may be formed only on the outer surface of the heating part (100). For yet another example, the first slope (Θ1) may be formed on the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210), and the second slope (Θ2) may be formed on the outer surface of the heating part (100).

[0049] At this time, a first slope (Θ1) is formed on the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210) along the axial direction (a) toward the radial direction (r) inward. That is, in order for the heat generated through the heating element (100) to be effectively transferred to the body part (200), it is desirable that the heat be transferred by conduction, and for this purpose, it is important to configure the heating element (100) and the body part (200) so that they can be placed in close contact with each other.

[0050] Accordingly, as described above, when a first inclination (Θ1) is formed in the first insertion groove (210) along the axial direction (a) toward the radial direction (r) inward, when the heating element (100) is inserted into the first insertion groove (210), the heating element (100) and the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210) are placed in close contact with each other during the process in which the heating element (100) is pressed toward the radial direction (r) inward by the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210), thereby improving heat transfer performance.

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the heating element (100) may include a heat transfer member (130) disposed in contact with the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210).

[0052] This heat transfer member (130) is configured so that heat generated through the heating element (100) is transferred to the first insertion groove (210). For example, it may be made of aluminum, but is not necessarily limited thereto; any material that can smoothly transfer heat generated through the heating element (100) to the first insertion groove (210) may be used.

[0053] In addition, for the heat transfer performance to be improved, it is important that the outer surface of the heat transfer member (130) and the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210) are placed in close contact. As described above, since a first inclination (Θ1) is formed on the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210) along the axial direction (a) and toward the radial direction (r), a second inclination (Θ2) can be formed on the outer surface of the heat transfer member (130) provided in the heating unit (100) along the axial direction (a) and toward the radial direction (r), and through this, the outer surface of the heat transfer member (130) and the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210) are placed in close contact, thereby improving the heat transfer performance.

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first slope (Θ1) and the second slope (Θ2) can be formed identically. That is, since the first slope (Θ1) and the second slope (Θ2) are formed identically, when the heat transfer member (130) is inserted into the first insertion groove (210), the outer surface of the heat transfer member (130) comes into close contact with the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210), thereby improving heat transfer performance. In addition, since there is no interference between the outer surface of the heat transfer member (130) and the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210), stable assembly becomes possible.

[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the second slope (Θ2) can be formed larger than the first slope (Θ1). That is, since the second slope (Θ2) is formed smaller than the first slope (Θ1), during the process of inserting the heat transfer member (130) into the first insertion groove (210), the outer surface of the heat transfer member (130) is pressed inward in the radial direction (r) by the first insertion groove (210), and as a result, the heat transfer member (130) is partially deformed, and the outer surface of the heat transfer member (130) comes into closer contact with the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210), thereby improving the heat transfer performance.

[0056] At this time, the heat transfer member (130) may be formed of aluminum material so that, during the process of inserting the heat transfer member (130) into the first insertion groove (210), the outer surface of the heat transfer member (130) may be partially deformed as it is pressed inward in the radial direction (r) by the first insertion groove (210).

[0057] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled state of a heating member and a heat transfer member provided in a heating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the assembled state of a heating member and a heat transfer member provided in a heating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating the assembled state of a heating member and a heat transfer member provided in a heating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, the heat transfer member (130) includes a plurality of heat transfer frames (131) arranged opposite each other along the radial direction (r) centered on the heating member (100), and the plurality of heat transfer frames (131) can be pressed by the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210) so that the spacing between the plurality of heat transfer frames (131) is reduced during the process of being inserted into the first insertion groove (210).

[0059] That is, as described above, the outer surface of the heat transfer member (130) is configured to be pressed inward in the radial direction (r) by the first insertion groove (210) during the process of inserting the heat transfer member (130) into the first insertion groove (210). When the heat transfer member (130) is composed of a plurality of heat transfer frames (131) arranged in mutually opposite directions along the radial direction (r) centered on the heating part (100), the spacing between the plurality of heat transfer frames (131) is reduced during the process of inserting the plurality of heat transfer frames (131) into the first insertion groove (210), and thereby the plurality of heat transfer frames (131) are placed in close contact with the heating part (100), allowing the heat generated in the heating part (100) to be smoothly transferred to the plurality of heat transfer frames (131).

[0060] Additionally, during the process of inserting a plurality of heat transfer frames (131) into the first insertion groove (210), the outer surface of the heat transfer frame (131) is partially deformed as it is pressed inward in the radial direction (r) by the first insertion groove (210), so that it can be placed in close contact with the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210).

[0061] As shown in FIG. 3, the first insertion groove (210) is formed to extend from one side in the axial direction (a) of the body part (200) toward the other side, and the heating part (100) can be inserted into the first insertion groove (210) in the direction from one side in the axial direction (a) toward the other side.

[0062] That is, the first insertion groove (210) is formed to extend from one side in the axial direction (a) toward the other side, and the heating element (100) is pressed inward in the radial direction (r) during the process of being inserted into the first insertion groove (210) in the direction from one side in the axial direction (a) toward the other side.

[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the body portion (200) may be provided with a fixing member (230) that fixes the axial (a) position of the heating portion (100). At this time, the fixing member (230) can fix the axial (a) position of the heat transfer member (130). For example, the fixing member (230) can fix the axial (a) position of the heat transfer member (130) while penetrating the support portion (300).

[0064] That is, with the heat transfer member (130) provided in the heating element (100), the heat transfer member (130) is inserted from one side in the axial direction (a) to the other side of the first insertion groove (210), and with the other side in the axial direction (a) of the heat transfer member (130) inserted in this manner supported by the partition member (220), the axial position (a) of the heat transfer member (130) is fixed using the fixing member (230). By configuring it in this way, it is possible to prevent the heat transfer member (130) from arbitrarily deviating to one side in the axial direction (a).

[0065] As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing member (230) can be positioned in a direction from the other side in the axial direction (a) toward one side to fix the heating member (100).

[0066] At this time, the fixing member (230) can fix the heating element (100) by a screw fastening method.

[0067] This fixing member (230) may include a body with a screw thread and a head that is positioned on the other side of the body in the axial direction (a) and extends outward in the radial direction (r). With the fixing member (230) positioned on the other side of the partition member (220) in the axial direction (a), the screw thread formed on the body of the fixing member (230) is connected through the partition member (220) so that it is exposed to one side of the partition member (220) in the axial direction (a). By fixing the heat transfer member (130) exposed to one side of the partition member (220) in the axial direction (a) in this manner, the heat transfer member (130) can be fixed in a screw-fastening manner, thereby preventing the heat transfer member (130) from arbitrarily detaching to one side of the axial direction (a).

[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the fixing force of the fixing member (230) can be formed in a direction from one side to the other side in the axial direction (a) of the heat transfer member (130).

[0069] As described above, the fixing member (230) may include a body with screw threads and a head that is positioned on the other side of the body in the axial direction (a) and extends outward in the radial direction (r). The operator rotates the head using a separate tool while the fixing member (230) is positioned on the other side of the partition member (220) in the axial direction (a). In this process, the screw threads formed on the body of the fixing member (230) are connected through the partition member (220) so that they are exposed on one side of the partition member (220) in the axial direction (a). Additionally, the fixing member (230) exposed on one side of the partition member (220) in the axial direction (a) secures the heat transfer member (130) by a screw fastening method, and is configured so that the fixing force of the fixing member (230) is formed in a direction from one side of the heat transfer member (130) in the axial direction (a) toward the other side.

[0070] That is, when the user rotates the head using a separate tool, the heat transfer member (130) is configured to move and be fixed in a direction from one side in the axial direction (a) to the other side by means of the screw threads of the body. As described above, the operator applies a force to push one side of the heat transfer member (130) so that the heating part (100) is inserted from one side in the axial direction (a) to the other side of the first insertion groove (210). However, if the force is applied only to one side in the axial direction (a) of the heating part (100), there is a risk that the part to which this force is applied will be damaged. Accordingly, the fixing member (230) exposed on one side of the axial direction (a) of the bulkhead member (220) fixes the axial direction (a) position of the heat transfer member (130) by a screw fastening method, and during the assembly process, if the fixing force of the fixing member (230) is formed in a direction from one side of the axial direction (a) of the heat transfer member (130) toward the other side, this fixing force acts as a pulling force toward the other side of the heat transfer member (130), thereby allowing the heat transfer member (130) to move from one side of the axial direction (a) toward the other side, and consequently, the magnitude of the force applied by the worker to one side of the axial direction (a) of the heating member (100) is reduced, thereby preventing damage to the heating member (100) and improving ease of assembly.

[0071] At this time, a partition member (220) is provided on the other side of the body part (200) to close the other side in the axial direction (a) of the first insertion groove (210), and a fixing member (230) can fix the heating part (100) by penetrating the partition member (220) in a direction toward one side from the other side in the axial direction (a).

[0072] As described above, since the first insertion groove (210) is formed to extend from one side in the axial direction (a) toward the other side, the heating member (100) is inserted in the direction from one side in the axial direction (a) toward the other side of the first insertion groove (210), and a partition member (220) that closes the other side in the axial direction (a) of the first insertion groove (210) is provided on the other side of the body part (200) to support the other side in the axial direction (a) of the heating member (100), thereby allowing the heating member (100) to be assembled in an accurate position.

[0073] Additionally, when the heating element (100) is inserted into the first insertion groove (210), it is pressed inward in the radial direction (r). If the degree of pressure applied by the first insertion groove (210) is excessive, there may be a problem of the heating element (100) being damaged. However, as described above, if the partition member (220) is configured to support the other side of the heating element (100) in the axial direction (a), the degree of pressure applied by the first insertion groove (210) to the heating element (100) can be maintained at a constant level, thereby preventing damage to the heating element (100).

[0074] At this time, it is preferable to determine the position of the partition member (220) by considering the degree of pressure applied during the process of inserting the heating member (100) into the first insertion groove (210).

[0075] That is, since the first insertion groove (210) is formed to extend from one side in the axial direction (a) toward the other side, the heating member (100) is inserted in the direction from one side in the axial direction (a) toward the other side of the first insertion groove (210), and a partition member (220) that closes the other side in the axial direction (a) of the first insertion groove (210) is provided on the other side of the body part (200) to support the other side in the axial direction (a) of the heating member (100), thereby allowing the heating member (100) to be assembled in an accurate position.

[0076] Additionally, when the heating element (100) is inserted into the first insertion groove (210), it is pressed inward in the radial direction (r). If the degree of pressure applied by the first insertion groove (210) is excessive, there may be a problem of the heating element (100) being damaged. However, as described above, if the partition member (220) is configured to support the other side of the heating element (100) in the axial direction (a), the degree of pressure applied by the first insertion groove (210) to the heating element (100) can be maintained at a constant level, thereby preventing damage to the heating element (100).

[0077] At this time, it is preferable to determine the position of the partition member (220) by considering the degree of pressure applied during the process of inserting the heating member (100) into the first insertion groove (210).

[0078] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a heat transfer member (130) is inserted into a first insertion groove (210) in a direction from one side in the axial direction (a) to the other side, and a fixing member (230) for fixing the axial direction (a) position of the heat transfer member (130) may be provided in the partition member (220). That is, with the heat transfer member (130) provided in the heating unit (100), the heat transfer member (130) is inserted from one side in the axial direction (a) to the other side of the first insertion groove (210), and while the other side in the axial direction (a) of the heat transfer member (130) inserted in this way is supported by the partition member (220), the axial direction (a) position of the heat transfer member (130) is fixed using the fixing member (230). By configuring it in this way, it is possible to prevent the heat transfer member (130) from arbitrarily moving out of the axial direction (a) to one side.

[0079] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the disassembled state of a heating element provided in a heating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the heating element (100) includes a heater member (110) and a holder member (120) in which the heater member (110) is fixedly positioned, and a heat transfer member (130) can be inserted into a first insertion groove (210) while coupled to the holder member (120).

[0081] The heater member (110) may include a PTC heater (111) and a pair of electrodes (112), and the pair of electrodes (112) may include a first electrode (112a) and a second electrode (112b). At this time, the PTC heater (111) may have a square cross-section or a circular cross-section, but is not necessarily limited thereto and may be formed in various shapes.

[0082] Additionally, an insulating plate (113) may be provided in the heating unit (100). That is, the current supplied through the power supply unit (400) moves sequentially through the first electrode (112a), the PTC heater (111), and the second electrode (112b), and an insulating plate (113) is provided on the outer side in the radial direction (r) of the heating unit (100) to prevent this current from moving through the body unit (200).

[0083] In addition, the heater member (110) can be fixedly positioned on the holder member (120), and the heat transfer member (130) is coupled to the holder member (120) and then inserted into the first insertion groove (210) to improve workability.

[0084] As illustrated in FIG. 2, either the heat transfer member (130) or the holder member (120) may be provided with a coupling member (CP), and the other member may be provided with a corresponding coupling member (CCP) that is coupled to the coupling member (CP). At this time, the coupling member (CP) may be a coupling projection (130a) and the corresponding coupling member (CCP) may be a coupling groove (121), but is not necessarily limited thereto, and any configuration can be used as long as the heat transfer member (130) and the holder member (120) can be mutually fixed.

[0085] The heat transfer member (130) may be provided with a coupling projection (130a), and the holder member (120) may be provided with a coupling groove (121) into which the coupling projection (130a) is inserted, and assembly can be simply performed by inserting the coupling projection (130a) of the heat transfer member (130) into the coupling groove (121) of the holder member (120). At this time, it is also possible to configure the heat transfer member (130) to have a coupling groove and the holder member (120) to have a coupling projection.

[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the heat transfer member (130) includes a plurality of heat transfer frames (131) arranged opposite each other along the radial direction (r) centered on the heat source (100), and one of the plurality of heat transfer frames (131) may be provided with a fixing rib (131a) to which a fixing member (230) is fixed.

[0087] In this way, when a plurality of heat transfer frames (131) are arranged facing each other along the radial direction (r) centered on the heating part (100), during the process of inserting the plurality of heat transfer frames (131) from one side to the other in the axial direction (a) of the first insertion groove (210), the plurality of heat transfer frames (131) are pressed inward in the radial direction (r) and come into close contact with the heating part (100), thereby improving heat transfer performance.

[0088] At this time, the axial position (a) of a plurality of heat transfer frames (131) can be fixed through the aforementioned holder member (120). When configured in this way, even if only one of the plurality of heat transfer frames (131) is fixed by the fixing member (230), the axial position (a) of all heat transfer frames (131) is fixed, and even if the fixing force of the fixing member (230) is applied to one of the heat transfer frames (131), the fixing force is applied from one side of the axial direction (a) to the other side of all heat transfer frames (131), and they can be pressed by the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210).

[0089] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the outer surface of the heat transfer member (130) may be provided with a support curved surface (130b) that maintains a constant distance along the radial direction (r) and a support plane (130c) that varies in distance along the radial direction (r). By configuring it in this way, not only can the heat transfer member (130) be prevented from being misassembled, but the relative rotation of the heat transfer member (130) can also be prevented when the body part (200) rotates, thereby allowing the heat transfer member (130) to rotate together with the body part (200), which improves heat transfer performance and prevents the generation of operating noise.

[0090] At this time, the support plane (130c) is not limited to a perfect plane parallel to the ground, but may be a curved surface having a certain curvature formed, but with a curvature different from that of the support curved surface (130b).

[0091] As illustrated in FIG. 5, a second slope (Θ2) is formed on the outer surface of the heat transfer member (130) along the axial direction (a) toward the radial direction (r) inward, and the second slope (Θ2) can be formed on at least one of the support curved surface (130b) and the support plane (130c). That is, the second slope (Θ2) is formed only on the support curved surface (130b) and the support plane (130c) is formed parallel to the axial direction (a), or the second slope (Θ2) is formed only on the support plane (130c) and the support curved surface (130b) is formed parallel to the axial direction (a), or the second slope (Θ2) is formed on both the support curved surface (130b) and the support plane (130c). By configuring it in this way, the outer surface of the heat transfer member (130) and the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210) are placed in close contact, thereby improving heat transfer performance.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 3, the body portion (200) is provided with a second insertion groove (240) into which a power supply portion (400) is inserted, and a power terminal (410) that supplies current to a heating portion (100) may be inserted and disposed in the second insertion groove (240).

[0093] That is, the body part (200) is configured such that a first insertion groove (210) and a second insertion groove (240) are sequentially arranged in a direction from one side to the other in the axial direction (a), and a heating part (100) is inserted and arranged in the first insertion groove (210), and a power supply part (400) that supplies current to the heating part (100) is arranged in the second insertion groove (240), thereby enabling modularization.

[0094] At this time, a power terminal (410) that supplies current to the heating unit (100) may be inserted and disposed in the power supply unit (400). This power terminal (410) is configured to receive current from the outside and is fixed in a non-rotating state for power connection with the outside. That is, the power supply unit (400) is configured to deliver the current supplied from the power terminal (410) fixed in a non-rotating state to the heating unit (100) which rotates together with the body unit (200). For example, the power supply unit (400) may include a snap ring in which one side in the axial direction (a) is fixed in a non-rotating state and the other side in the axial direction (a) is arranged to rotate.

[0095] At this time, not only the power terminal (410) but also the bimetal (420) and the temperature sensor (430) can be inserted and disposed in the second insertion groove (240). Since the bimetal (420) is directly inserted and disposed in the second insertion groove (240) of the body part (200), it is possible to directly detect when the body part (200) overheats and cut off the current supply. In addition, since the temperature sensor (430) is directly inserted and disposed in the second insertion groove (240) of the body part (200), the temperature of the body part (200) is accurately detected, enabling rapid temperature control of the body part (200).

[0096] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a thermal massage device including a heating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] As illustrated in FIG. 8, a thermal massage device including a heating assembly (40) with improved heat transfer performance according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a transfer unit (10) for moving the heating assembly (40) that applies pressure to a user in the longitudinal direction, a support unit (20) equipped with a support arm (21) to which the heating assembly (40) is fixedly connected, and a lifting / lowering unit (30) for raising or lowering the support unit (20) in the height direction. A power terminal (410) that supplies current to the heating assembly (40) may be electrically connected to the thermal massage device.

[0098] This thermal massage device can be inserted into a pad that supports the user's body, and while inserted into the pad, the thermal massage device applies pressure to the user's body as it moves along the longitudinal direction (the same direction as the alignment of the user's spine).

[0099] Such pads may be provided in a main body that supports the user's upper body, and an auxiliary part that supports the user's lower body may be connected to the main body. In this case, the main body may be configured to support not only the user's upper body but also the buttocks, and the auxiliary part may be configured to support only the user's legs.

[0100] At this time, the pad may also be provided in the auxiliary part that supports the user's lower body, and it is also possible to configure it so that pads are provided in both the main body and the auxiliary part.

[0101] The main body equipped with a pad may be provided with a separate leg member so that the upper surface of the pad is spaced apart from the ground, thereby allowing the user to receive a massage in a comfortable position.

[0102] These leg members can be manufactured in the shape of a roughly square band. That is, they may include a side frame corresponding to the side of the main body, a lower frame supported on the ground, and a connecting frame connecting the side frame and the lower frame. The above-mentioned frames may be manufactured as a single unit or may be manufactured separately and then combined. Here, the side frame may be manufactured in the shape of a plate, and the lower frame may be manufactured in the shape of a rod.

[0103] A guide groove may be formed in the main body as described above, and a guide projection inserted into this guide groove may be formed in the auxiliary part so that the auxiliary part can be configured to slide. Alternatively, it is also possible to form a guide groove in the auxiliary part and a guide projection in the main body so that the auxiliary part can slide.

[0104] The heating assembly (40) can be placed on each side in the width direction (both sides centered on the user's spine), thereby providing a massage effect by applying pressure to acupoints located on both sides along the user's spine (for example, acupoints along the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian).

[0105] At this time, the transfer unit (10) may be provided with a plate-shaped transfer plate member on which a support member (20) and a lifting / lowering member (30) are arranged, and base ribs may be provided at both ends in the width direction of the transfer plate member. Support rollers may be provided on the base ribs, and these support rollers may be arranged to be movable along guide rails arranged along the length direction. Additionally, the transfer unit (10) may be provided with a transfer drive member that provides a driving force to move the support rollers along the guide rails.

[0106] Additionally, the support arm (21) described above may be arranged to rotate at a certain angle in the support member (20). The lifting / lowering member (30) may be equipped with a lifting / lowering member in the shape of a rack gear and a lifting / lowering driving member in the shape of a pinion gear, and a separate driving motor may be connected to the lifting / lowering driving member so that the lifting / lowering member may be configured to rise or fall according to rotation in one direction or the other.

[0107] As previously described, in a heating assembly (40) with improved heat transfer performance according to one embodiment of the present invention, a heating member (100) is inserted into a first insertion groove (210) formed in a body portion (200), and at least one of the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210) or the outer surface of the heating member (100) has a slope formed along the axial direction (a) toward the radial direction (r) inward, so that when the heating member (100) is inserted into the first insertion groove (210), the heating member (100) is pressed toward the radial direction (r) inward by the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210), thereby improving heat transfer performance by being placed in close contact with the inner surface of the first insertion groove (210).

[0108] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described, 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.

[0109] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0110] 10 : Transfer section 20 : Support section

[0111] 21: Support arm 30: Lifting / lowering unit

[0112] 40 : Heating assembly 100 : Heating element

[0113] 110: Heater missing 111: PTC heater

[0114] 112: Electrode 112a: First electrode

[0115] 112b: Second electrode 113: Insulating plate

[0116] 120 : Holder member 121 : Coupling groove

[0117] 130: Heat transfer member 130a: Connecting projection

[0118] 130b: Support surface 130c: Support plane

[0119] 131: Heat transfer frame 131a: Fixed rib

[0120] 200 : Body part 210 : First insertion groove

[0121] 220: Bulkhead member 230: Fixing member

[0122] 240 : Second insertion groove 300 : Support part

[0123] 400: Power supply unit 410: Power terminal

[0124] 420 : Bimetal Θ1 : First inclination

[0125] Θ2 : Second inclination a : Axial direction

[0126] r: Radial direction CP: Coupling

[0127] CCP: Corresponding Coupling

Claims

1. In a heating assembly that provides a thermal massage effect while applying pressure to a user, The above heating assembly is, Heating part; A body part having a first insertion groove into which the above-mentioned heating element is inserted; A support member that supports one or both sides in the axial direction of the body member so that the body member can rotate; and A power supply unit that supplies current to the above-mentioned heating unit; Includes, A heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance, wherein at least one of the inner surface of the first insertion groove or the outer surface of the heating part has a slope formed along the axial direction toward the radially inward.

2. In Paragraph 1, The heating member comprises a heat transfer member disposed in contact with the inner surface of the first insertion groove, thereby improving the heat transfer performance of the heating assembly.

3. In Paragraph 1, A first slope is formed on the inner surface of the first insertion groove, facing radially inward along the axial direction, and A heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance, wherein a second slope is formed on the outer surface of the heating element along the axial direction toward the radial inner side.

4. In Paragraph 3, A heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance in which the first slope and the second slope are mutually formed identically.

5. In Paragraph 3, A heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance in which the second slope is formed to be larger than the first slope.

6. In Paragraph 2, The above heat transfer member includes a plurality of heat transfer frames arranged opposite each other along a radial direction centered on the heating element, and A heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance, wherein a plurality of the heat transfer frames are pressed by the inner surface of the first insertion groove so as to reduce the gap between the plurality of the heat transfer frames during the process of being inserted into the first insertion groove.

7. In Paragraph 1, The first insertion groove is formed to extend from one side in the axial direction of the body part toward the other side, and The above heating element is a heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance that is inserted into the first insertion groove in a direction from one side in the axial direction to the other side.

8. In Paragraph 1, A heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance, wherein the body portion is equipped with a fixing member that fixes the axial position of the heating portion.

9. In Paragraph 8, The above-mentioned fixing member is arranged in a direction from the other side in the axial direction toward one side, thereby fixing the heating member, and is a heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance.

10. In Paragraph 9, The above-mentioned fixing member is a heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance that fixes the heating element by a screw fastening method.

11. In Paragraph 10, A heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance, wherein the fixing force of the above-mentioned fixing member is formed in a direction from one side of the axial direction of the heating part toward the other side.

12. In Paragraph 9, On the other side of the body portion, a partition member is provided to close the other side in the axial direction of the first insertion groove, and The above fixing member is a heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance that fixes the heating element by penetrating the bulkhead member in a direction from the other side in the axial direction toward one side.

13. In Paragraph 2, The heating element comprises a heater member and a holder member in which the heater member is fixedly positioned. The above heat transfer member is a heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance that is inserted into the first insertion groove while coupled to the holder member.

14. In Paragraph 13, A heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance, wherein one of the heat transfer member and the holder member is provided with a coupling member, and the other member is provided with a corresponding coupling member that couples with the coupling member.

15. In Paragraph 14, The above heat transfer member includes a plurality of heat transfer frames arranged opposite each other along a radial direction centered on the heating element, and A heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance, wherein one of the plurality of heat transfer frames is provided with a fixing rib to which a fixing member is fixed.

16. In Paragraph 2, A heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance, wherein the outer surface of the above-mentioned heat transfer member is provided with a support curved surface having a constant distance along the radial direction and a support plane having a varying distance along the radial direction.

17. In Paragraph 16, A second slope is formed on the outer surface of the heat transfer member along the axial direction toward the radially inward side, and The above second slope is a heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance formed on at least one of the above support curved surface and the above support plane.

18. In Paragraph 1, The above body part is provided with a second insertion groove into which the power supply part is inserted, and A heating assembly with improved heat transfer performance, wherein a power terminal for supplying current to the heating part is inserted and disposed in the second insertion groove.

Images