JP2004261392A - Machine and method for massage - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a machine and method for massage by which a person to be massaged can be massaged in a, so-called, body friendly manner in which no reaction works against stimuli in the body of the person while the person is unconscious of it. <P>SOLUTION: In the method, a preparatory massaging action including back muscle stretching and rubbing action is performed in an area to be massaged of the person to be massaged so as to relieve the stiffness of the whole body. When the massaging action to all finger-pressure therapy performing spots in individual areas to be massaged is finished, a stiffness relieving action is performed in all areas to be massaged. In addition, when the massaging action to all finger-pressure therapy performing spots in all areas to be massaged is finished, a stiffness relieving massage is performed on the whole body of the person. Consequently, no reaction works to stimulation in the body of the person while the person is unconscious of it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a massage machine and a massage method, and more specifically, to a massage machine and a massage method for performing acupressure treatment on the shoulder, back, and waist of a user sitting on a chair-type massage machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The chair-type body is provided with a plurality of treatment elements called kneading balls on the backrest portion, and the treatment elements are vibrated or moved on a circular or elliptical orbit in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the body of the user. As a result, massage machines that perform a massage operation on a user are widely used.
[0003]
In such a massage machine, the user can control the position and movement of the treatment element by himself / herself to treat a part with stiffness, and also perform treatment automatically by a pre-programmed procedure. Is also possible. However, when performing treatment automatically, it is necessary for the massage machine to determine which part of the user should be treated.
[0004]
Under such circumstances, for example, the invention of Patent Document 1 has been proposed. This patent document 1 includes a living body sensor attached to the body of a user to detect relaxation state detecting elements such as pulse, body temperature, and skin electrical resistance, and performs a medical treatment based on a detection result of the sensor. I have to.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-6-209
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the conventional massage machine as described above, the optimal treatment is not always performed on a portion that requires treatment based on the detection result of the biological sensor, and a massage machine that can perform more appropriate treatment is desired. I have.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its main object to provide a massage machine and a massage method capable of performing more appropriate treatment based on the detection result of a biological sensor. For that purpose, it is another object of the present invention to provide a massage machine and a massage method in which a treatment element (massaging ball) performs an operation different from the conventional one.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first invention is a sensor for detecting biological information of a user and a massage machine that performs a massage operation by operating a treatment element based on a detection value of the sensor. Means for estimating the position of the treatment target region to be treated on the shoulder, the back and / or the waist, and the position of the acupressure point in each treatment target region; Means for determining the stiffness of each of the treatment target areas based on the detection value of the sensor when performing a massage operation, and performing a preliminary massage operation on each acupressure point in each of the treatment target areas Means for determining the stiffness of each acupressure point based on the detection value of the sensor, Characterized by comprising a means for performing a massage operation for each acupressure point based on the re feeling.
[0009]
In such a massage machine of the first invention, a preliminary massage operation is performed on the treatment target area, and the position of the treatment target area to be treated on the shoulder, the back, and / or the waist, and the inside of each treatment target area The position of the acupressure point is estimated, and the feeling of stiffness of each treatment target area is determined based on the detection value of the biosensor when a preliminary massage operation is performed on each treatment target area, and within each treatment target area The stiffness of each acupressure point is determined based on the detection value of the sensor when the preliminary massage operation is performed for each acupressure point, the stiffness determined for each treatment target area, and the stiffness in each treatment target area A massage operation is performed for each acupressure point based on the stiffness determined for each acupressure point.
[0010]
Further, in the second invention, in the first invention, when the determination result of the feeling of stiffness when performing a preliminary massage operation on each acupressure point in each treatment target area is a predetermined result, It is characterized in that a massage operation that is stronger than a massage operation determined based on a determination result of a feeling of stiffness when a preliminary massage operation is performed on each treatment target region is performed.
[0011]
In such a massage machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, if the determination result of the feeling of stiffness when the preliminary massage operation is performed for each acupressure point in each treatment target area is a predetermined result, A massage operation that is stronger than the massage operation determined based on the determination result of the feeling of stiffness when the preliminary massage operation is performed on the treatment target region including the acupressure point is performed.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensor for detecting biological information of a user and a massage machine for performing a massage operation by operating a treatment element based on a detection value of the sensor. Means for performing a preliminary massage operation with a gentler operation of the treatment element based on the detected value, and a detection value of the sensor when the preliminary massage operation is performed for each treatment area And means for performing a massage operation based on the detected stiffness based on the detected stiffness.
[0013]
In the massage machine according to the third aspect of the invention, the preliminary massage operation is performed on the treatment target area with a gentler operation of the treatment element based on the detection value of the biological sensor, and the preliminary massage operation is performed on each treatment area. On the other hand, the stiffness of each treatment target area is determined based on the detection value of the sensor when the preliminary massage operation is performed, and the massage operation is performed based on the detected stiffness.
[0014]
Further, a fourth invention provides a massage machine for performing a massage operation by operating a treatment element capable of moving a circular or elliptical trajectory in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to a body of a user, A massage operation for reciprocating on a trajectory convex to the body of the user.
[0015]
In the massage machine according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the massager performs the massage operation by reciprocating on the orbit that is convex with respect to the body of the user in the circular or elliptical orbit.
[0016]
Further, a fifth invention provides a massage machine which performs a massage operation by operating a treatment element capable of moving a circle or an elliptical trajectory in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the body of a user, wherein the treatment element is moved to the circular or elliptical trajectory. A massage operation for reciprocating on a concave orbit with respect to the body of the user.
[0017]
In the massage machine according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the massager performs the massage operation by reciprocating on the orbit that is concave with respect to the body of the user in the circular or elliptical orbit.
[0018]
Further, a sixth invention provides a massage machine which performs a massage operation by operating a treatment element capable of moving in a circle or an elliptical trajectory in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the body of a user. And a massage operation for reciprocating on a trajectory convex to the body of the user, and moving the treatment element on a trajectory concave to the body of the user in the circular or elliptical trajectory. The reciprocating massage operation is selectively performed.
[0019]
In the massage machine according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the massager performs the massage operation by reciprocating on a trajectory that is convex or concave with respect to the body of the user in a circular or elliptical trajectory.
[0020]
Still further, the seventh invention is a method for causing a sensor for detecting biological information of a user and a massage machine for performing a massage operation by operating a treatment element based on a detection value of the sensor to perform massage, A preliminary massage operation is performed on the treatment target region of the shoulder, the back, and / or the waist with a gentler operation of the treatment element based on a detection value of the sensor based on the detected value of the sensor. The position of the treatment target area to be treated on the back and / or waist, and the position of the acupressure point in each treatment target area, and the sensor is used when a preliminary massage operation is performed on each treatment target area The stiffness of each of the treatment target areas is determined based on the detected value of the treatment target area. The preliminary massage operation is performed by the operation of the treatment element, and the feeling of stiffness of each acupressure point is determined based on the detection value of the sensor, and the feeling of stiffness determined for each of the treatment target areas and the inside of each treatment target area. A massage operation is performed for each acupressure point based on the stiffness determined for each acupressure point.
[0021]
In the massage method according to the seventh aspect of the invention, the treatment element for the shoulder, back, and / or waist to be treated is prepared with a gentler operation of the treatment element than the operation of the treatment element based on the detection value of the sensor. A massaging operation is performed to estimate the positions of the treatment target areas to be treated on the shoulder, the back and / or the waist, and the positions of the acupressure points in each treatment target area. The stiffness of each treatment target area is determined based on the detection value of the sensor when the operation is performed, and is gentler than the operation of the treatment element based on the sensor detection value for each acupressure point in each treatment target area. The preliminary massage operation is performed by the operation of the treatment element, and the stiffness of each acupressure point is determined based on the detection value of the sensor, and the stiffness determined for each treatment target area and each acupressure in each treatment target area. In terms of points Massage operation is performed for each acupressure point based on the determination has been stiffness feeling.
[0022]
An eighth invention is a method for causing a massager to perform a massage operation by performing a massage operation by operating a treatment element based on a detection value of the sensor and a sensor for detecting biological information of the user, Part, back and / or waist to perform a preliminary massage operation with a gentler operation of the treatment element than the operation of the treatment element based on the detection value of the sensor for the treatment target area to be treated, shoulder, The position of the treatment target region to be treated on the back and / or the waist, and the position of the acupressure point in each treatment target region are estimated, and the preliminary massage operation is performed on each of the treatment target regions. Based on the detected value, the feeling of stiffness of each of the treatment target areas is determined, and for each acupressure point in each of the treatment target areas, the treatment that is gentler than the operation of the treatment element based on the detection value of the sensor is performed. Let the child perform a preliminary massage operation and determine the stiffness of each acupressure point based on the detection value of the sensor, and the stiffness determined with respect to each treatment target area and each stiffness within each treatment target area The massage operation for each acupressure point is performed based on the feeling of stiffness determined with respect to the acupressure point, and when the massage operation for each acupressure point in the individual treatment target area is completed, the unraveling operation of the entire treatment target area is performed. When a massage operation for each acupressure point in each of the treatment target areas is completed, a relaxing operation of a region including each of the treatment target areas is performed.
[0023]
In the massage method according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the treatment element to be treated on the shoulder, the back, and / or the waist is preliminarily prepared by a gentler operation of the treatment element based on the detected value of the sensor. A massaging operation is performed to estimate the positions of the treatment target areas to be treated on the shoulder, the back and / or the waist, and the positions of the acupressure points in each treatment target area. The stiffness of each treatment target area is determined based on the detection value of the sensor when the operation is performed, and is gentler than the operation of the treatment element based on the sensor detection value for each acupressure point in each treatment target area. The preliminary massage operation is performed by the operation of the treatment element, and the stiffness of each acupressure point is determined based on the detection value of the sensor, and the stiffness determined for each treatment target area and each acupressure in each treatment target area. In terms of points The massage operation for each acupressure point is performed based on the determined stiffness, and when the massage operation for each acupressure point in the individual treatment target area is completed, the whole treatment target area is unraveled, When the massage operation for each acupressure point in each treatment target region is completed, the unraveling operation of the region including each treatment target region is performed.
[0024]
In a ninth aspect, in the massage method according to the eighth aspect, the preliminary massage operation is performed by moving the treatment element on a concave orbit of a circular or elliptical trajectory in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the body of the user. It is a rubbing operation for reciprocating movement.
[0025]
In the massage method according to the ninth aspect, the preliminary massage operation according to the eighth aspect reciprocates the treatment element on the trajectory that is concave in a circular or elliptical trajectory in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the body of the user. This is performed as a moving rubbing operation.
[0026]
In a tenth aspect, in the massage method according to the eighth aspect, the preliminary massage operation is performed by moving the treatment element on a convex orbit of a circular or elliptical trajectory in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the body of the user. It is a loosening operation for reciprocating movement.
[0027]
In the massage method according to the tenth aspect, the preliminary massage operation according to the eighth aspect is such that the treatment element reciprocates on the trajectory of the subject's body in a circular or elliptical trajectory in the front-rear and left-right directions. This is performed as a moving rubbing operation.
[0028]
According to an eleventh aspect, in the massage method according to the eighth aspect, the result of determination of a feeling of stiffness when a preliminary massage operation is performed on each acupressure point in each of the treatment target areas is a predetermined result. In this case, the massage operation is performed stronger than the massage operation determined based on the determination result of the feeling of stiffness when the preliminary massage operation is performed on each of the treatment target areas.
[0029]
In the massage method according to the eleventh aspect, the determination result of the feeling of stiffness when the preliminary massage operation is performed on each acupressure point in each treatment target region according to the eighth aspect is a predetermined result. In this case, a massage operation that is stronger than the massage operation determined based on the determination result of the feeling of stiffness when the preliminary massage operation is performed on the treatment target area including the acupressure point is performed.
[0030]
Still further, a twelfth invention is a method of causing a massage machine to perform a massage, in which a massage operation is performed on a plurality of treatment target regions to be treated, and the massage operation is performed on the plurality of treatment target regions. Then, a massage operation that is gentler than the massage operation is performed on a region including the plurality of treatment target regions.
[0031]
In the massage method of the twelfth aspect, after a massage operation is performed on a plurality of treatment target regions to be treated, a gentler massage operation is performed on a region including these treatment target regions.
[0032]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments.
[0033]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of the massage machine of the present invention. The chair body 10 includes a leg 11, a seat 12, a backrest 13, and a pair of left and right armrests 14. The chair body 10 incorporates a massage mechanism 2 having a plurality of treatment elements (rubbing balls) 21. These treatment elements 21 vibrate, reciprocate backward, or have a circular or elliptical orbit. By moving upward, treatment is performed on the user, specifically, massage.
[0034]
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the chair body 10 as viewed from the back, showing an example of the configuration of the massage mechanism 2. The massage mechanism 2 includes a treatment element driving device 3 for vibrating the treatment element 21 on the back of the backrest 13 of the chair body 10. The treatment element driving device 3 is supported by left and right side frames 15, 15 attached to the back of the backrest 13 so as to be vertically movable. The chair body 10 is provided with a treatment element elevating motor 22, which is transmitted to a screw shaft 23 via a belt type transmission mechanism 20, for example. The screw shaft 23 is screwed into a bearing 24 attached to the treatment element drive device 3, and the drive of the treatment element lifting / lowering motor 22 drives the screw shaft 23 to rotate. Is guided by the side frames 15, 15 and moves up and down.
[0035]
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of the treatment element driving device 3 of the massage machine of the present invention. The treatment element driving device 3 is provided with rollers 43 at two upper and lower portions on both sides thereof, and these rollers 43 are engaged with the side frames 15, 15, and guide the treatment element driving device 3 up and down. Will be done.
[0036]
The treatment element driving device 3 is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 44 supported between the rollers 43, 43 near the lower end, and between the rollers 43, 43 near the upper end is provided for a protruding mechanism 60 described later. The crankshaft 62 is supported by rollers 43 near the upper end via a crankpin 64 and a crank arm 63. As will be described later in detail, by rotating the crankshaft 62 by driving the protruding motor 69, the treatment element driving device 3 can rotate the massage shaft 2 in other words. The treatment element 21 can be moved back and forth, that is, can be moved toward and away from the body of the user.
[0037]
The treatment element driving device 3 is provided with a kneading motor 31. The kneading motor 31 is transmitted to a shaft 34 via, for example, a belt-type power transmission mechanism 32 and a speed change mechanism 33. A pair of left and right eccentric bearings 35 are attached to the shaft 34. A pair of right and left support arms 42, 42 are supported by these eccentric bearings 35, 35. An L-shaped swing arm 36 is pivotally supported at the tip of each of the support arms 42, 42. The treatment elements 21 and 21 are rotatably attached to both shaft ends of the swing arm 36. Accordingly, the rotation of the shaft 34 by the kneading motor 31 causes the support arms 42, 42 to swing in the opening and closing directions, whereby the kneading operation by the treatment elements 21, 21 is realized.
[0038]
The treatment element driving device 3 is provided with a tapping motor 37, which is transmitted to a shaft 39 via a belt-type power transmission mechanism 38, for example. A pair of left and right eccentric bearings 40, 40 are attached to the shaft 39, and a pair of right and left rods 41, 41 are supported by the eccentric bearings 40, 40. The distal end of each rod 41 is the base end of the arm 42. It is connected to. Therefore, when the shaft 39 is rotationally driven by the hitting motor 37, the rods 41, 41 are accordingly swung in the front-rear direction, whereby the hitting operation by the treatment elements 21, 21 is realized.
[0039]
Further, a squeezing mechanism 60 is incorporated in the massage machine of the present invention. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are schematic diagrams showing a configuration example of the push-out mechanism 60 of the massage machine of the present invention.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 4, the massage mechanism 2 incorporates a push-out mechanism 60 for bringing the massage mechanism 2 itself into and out of contact with the body of the user sitting back and forth, that is, the seat 12. . By moving the massage mechanism 2 in the direction of approaching the body of the user by the protruding mechanism 60, it is possible to perform acupressure massage, and by adjusting the protruding amount of the massage mechanism 2, Since the degree of contact (strength) of the treatment element 21 with the body of the user can be changed, a highly effective massage can be performed.
[0041]
The protruding mechanism 60 is configured to move the massage mechanism 2 back and forth by driving the crank mechanism 61 and the link mechanism 70 shown in FIG. 5 by the protruding motor 69, and specifically has the following configuration. Have been.
[0042]
The crank mechanism 61 uses a crank arm 63 to connect a crank shaft 62 disposed in front of the above-described kneading shaft 34 and a crank pin 64 into which the upper rollers 43 and 43 are rotatably fitted. It has a configuration connected on both sides. Since the crankpin 64 is eccentric with respect to the crankshaft 62, when the crankshaft 62 rotates, the crankpin 64 moves in a circular orbit around the crankshaft 62.
[0043]
Appropriate bearings are attached to two positions near the upper and lower ends of one side of the auxiliary frame 80, and a screw shaft 67 having a threaded center portion is pivotally supported. Rotational force is transmitted to the upper end of the screw shaft 67 from a motor 69 for protruding through a speed reduction device 68 composed of a pulley, a belt, and the like.
[0044]
A nut member 71 is screwed into the threaded portion of the screw shaft 67. A link 72 including two link pieces 73 (first link piece) and 75 (second link piece) is connected to the nut member 71. The first link piece 73 is pivotally supported so as to be able to tilt in the front-rear direction with respect to the nut member 71, and a sliding shaft 74 is protruded near a base end thereof. On the other hand, the second link piece 75 is composed of a pair of members that sandwich the first link piece 73 from both sides, and each has a long hole 76 in the longitudinal direction. The sliding shaft 74 of the first link piece 73 described above is slidably fitted in the elongated hole 76 of the second link piece 75.
[0045]
A shaft 75a is protruded from the tip of the second link piece 75, and a coil spring 77 is suspended between the shaft 75a and the sliding shaft 74 described above. The coil spring 77 pulls the second link piece 75 toward the nut member 71, and in a no-load state, the coil spring 77 brings the second link piece 75 into the state of being drawn most toward the nut member 71 side.
[0046]
A third link piece 78 is pivotally supported on a shaft 75a of the second link piece 75. The third link piece 78 is formed in a shape bent forward at a central portion, and the tip is fixed to the crankshaft 62 described above.
[0047]
Therefore, in a state where the nut member 71 is located closer to the upper side of the screw shaft 67, the third link piece 78 is drawn toward the second link piece 75, and the massage mechanism 2 is in the most lowered state, in other words, This is the position furthest away from the body of the user. In this state, when the nut member 71 is moved toward the lower side (in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 5) by rotating the screw shaft 67 by driving the protruding motor 69, the nut member 71 moves. Accordingly, the second link piece 75 pulls the engagement portion with the third link piece 78 downward, so that the third link piece 78 rotates about the crankshaft 62. At this time, since the third link piece 78 is fixed to the crankshaft 72, the crankshaft 62 rotates integrally with the third link piece 78.
[0048]
By the way, since both ends of the crankshaft 62 are connected to the roller 43 by the crankpin 64, the crankshaft 62 can move only along the side frame 15, in other words, only in the vertical direction. Therefore, the rotation of the crankshaft 62 causes the massage mechanism 2 to tilt about the rotation shaft 44. Since the rotating shaft 44 pivots below the massage mechanism 2, the treatment element 21 moves back and forth with the tilt of the massage mechanism 2 in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5, in other words, the body of the user. Approaching / separating from
[0049]
For example, when the treatment element 21 is pushed out at the shoulder position of the user by the protruding mechanism 60, the treatment element 21 reaches the upper part of the shoulder of the user, so that the treatment element 21 reaches the upper part of the shoulder of the user. It becomes possible to massage the upper part effectively. In addition, it is possible to perform acupressure massage on the back and waist of the user by protruding the treatment element 21 at the back and waist positions lower than the shoulder position of the user. By moving the massage mechanism 2 up and down in this state, it is possible to perform a so-called rolling massage in a state where the treatment element 21 is strongly pressed against the back of the user.
[0050]
On the other hand, when the motor 69 is driven to rotate the screw shaft 67 in the opposite direction, the nut member 71 moves upward, so that the massage mechanism 2 moves backward, that is, The treatment element 21 is separated from the patient's body and is pulled back into the backrest 13. In this state, it is possible to perform a massage similar to the conventional massage.
[0051]
Further, by adjusting the rotation of the screw shaft 67, in other words, the position of the nut member 71 on the screw shaft 67, it is possible to adjust the protruding amount of the massage mechanism 2.
[0052]
The remote controller 9 shown in FIG. 1 is used to control the massage machine of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the external appearance of the remote controller 9.
[0053]
The remote controller 9 has a display 91 and a plurality of operation buttons 92 on the surface of a vertical casing 90. A pulse sensor 52 including a light emitting element and a light receiving element is provided on a right side surface of the casing 90, and a GSR sensor 51 including a pair of electrodes 51a and 51b is provided on both side surfaces of the casing 90. As shown by the two-dot chain line, when the user holds the remote controller 9 with the left hand, the middle finger of the user is on the pulse sensor 52, the ring finger and the little finger are on one electrode 51 b of the GSR sensor 51, and Contact the other electrode 51a of the GSR sensor 51, respectively.
[0054]
In addition, on the display 91 of the remote controller 9, the stiffness site where massage is applied, the stiffness, the comfort level, the position of the stiffness part, and the like are displayed.
[0055]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the massage machine of the present invention. A biological information sensor 5 including a GSR sensor 51 and a pulse sensor 52 is connected to an input port of a control circuit 6 including a microcomputer. The other input ports of the control circuit 6 include a start button 54 of the remote controller 9 to be operated when starting a massage operation, and a mode selection button 55 used for switching between a relax mode and a refresh mode. And are connected.
[0056]
Further, the output port of the control circuit 6 is connected to the motor 22 for raising and lowering, the motor 31 for kneading, the motor 37 for tapping, and the motor 69 for pushing out. Further, a ROM 8 is connected to the control circuit 6. The ROM 8 stores a program describing a procedure of a massage operation by the control circuit 6 described later, statistical data for estimating a shoulder position, estimating a treatment target area, an acupressure point, and the like. Note that other storage means such as a hard disk and a memory card may be used instead of the ROM.
[0057]
When the start button 54 is operated, the control circuit 6 starts up in the mode selected by the mode selection button 55, and first responds to the input signal from the biological information sensor 5 according to the program stored in the ROM 8 described above. Based on this, the treatment as described later is started.
[0058]
Next, treatment performed by the massage machine of the present invention as described above, specifically, the procedure of massage will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0059]
First, the control circuit 6 initializes the whole massage machine (step S11). This is a process for returning, for example, the position of the treatment element 21 to the initial position. Next, the control circuit 6 performs a rolling operation (step S12), and subsequently estimates the shoulder position of the user (step S13). Here, the rolling operation is to stretch the back of the user sitting on the massage machine and to perform a rubbing operation.
[0060]
FIG. 10A is a schematic view showing a moving state of the treatment element 21 at the time of “relaxing operation” performed by the massage machine of the present invention. In this “relaxation operation”, the treatment element 21 is almost half of the elliptical (or may be circular) moving trajectory 21 </ b> T of the body of the user, that is, the back surface of the human body BO, close to the human body BO. To reciprocate. Thereby, the treatment element 21 reciprocates in a convex manner with respect to the back surface of the human body BO, and the treatment element 21 enters the muscle, thereby exerting an effect of rubbing and loosening the muscle.
[0061]
FIG. 10 (b) is a schematic view showing a moving state of the treatment element 21 at the time of “rubbing operation” performed by the massage machine of the present invention. In this "rubbing operation", the treatment element 21 is substantially half of the elliptical (or may be circular) moving orbit 21T whose major axis is parallel to the body of the user, that is, the back surface of the human body BO, on the far side from the human body BO. To reciprocate. Thereby, the treatment element 21 reciprocates concavely with respect to the back surface of the human body BO, and moves along the roundness of the human body BO. Therefore, unlike the above-described “relaxation operation”, a gentler rubbing treatment is performed. Become. However, in this “rubbing operation”, the treatment element 21 needs to be slightly protruded toward the human body BO.
[0062]
In this manner, the stretching of the spine and the “rubbing operation” are performed first, so that a relatively weak stimulus is given to the entire back of the user and activated.
[0063]
The next shoulder position estimating process is a process of estimating the height of the shoulder position of the user sitting on the seat 12 from the seating surface, while the back stretching and the “rubbing motion” are performed. Can be estimated on the basis of the pressure applied to the treatment element 21 at the same time.
[0064]
When the shoulder position of the user is estimated as described above, the control circuit 6 determines the treatment target area of the shoulder portion that is predetermined as a predetermined proportional relationship from the distance between the seat surface and the shoulder position of the user. (Hereinafter referred to as the shoulder area), the position of the treatment target area of the back (hereinafter referred to as the back area), the position of the treatment target area of the waist (hereinafter referred to as the waist area), or one or two of them, and By performing detection massage (preliminary massage), the stiffness of each area is determined (steps S14, S15, S16).
[0065]
Since the principle of determination of the feeling of stiffness is well known, its description is omitted here. However, in the massage machine of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11, “relax” and “relax” are performed by using the detection results of the pulse sensor 52 and the GSR sensor 51 as two elements of GSR and pulse as relaxation state detection elements. Neutral, active, and pain. Specifically, the above-described four-stage determination results are obtained based on the gradient of the GSR during each detection time, for example, 5 to 7 seconds, and the gradient of the pulse.
[0066]
The area determined to be “active” in the above determination result is a part having a feeling of stiffness, that is, an active reaction, and is an area where it is effective to perform focused treatment. On the other hand, the area determined to be "pain" has a severe degree of stiffness, and performing an aggressive treatment may have an adverse effect.
[0067]
Here, the number of times of acupressure determined according to the result of determination of the shoulder area in step S14 is A1, the number of times of acupressure determined in accordance with the result of determination of the back area in step S15 is A2, and the determination of the waist area in step S17. The number of times of acupressure determined according to the result is A3.
[0068]
As described above, the determination result of the feeling of stiffness and the predetermined number of times of acupressure are obtained for each of the shoulder area, the back area, and the waist area, but these massages in steps S14, S15, and S16 are simultaneously performed. It exerts an effect as a whole body relaxation massage, and the whole body muscles are relaxed, thereby promoting blood circulation.
[0069]
Next, the control circuit 6 detects a sense of stiffness at each of the acupressure points (five locations in the present embodiment) of the shoulder area, and based on the determination result obtained as a result of this, the stiffness of the shoulder area previously obtained in step S13. The feeling determination result A1 is added to obtain B1 as a determination result (step S17). It should be noted that, of course, the acupressure points of the shoulder area, but also the acupressure points of the back area and the waist area, the shoulder area, the back area, and the waist area at the time when the shoulder position of the user is estimated first. Are estimated, and the acupressure points in each area can be estimated from a predetermined relative positional relationship.
[0070]
FIG. 12 shows that the number of acupressures determined according to the determination result of each area in step S14 is Ai (i is 1: shoulder area, 2: back area, 3: waist area), and the number of acupressure pressures Bi obtained in step S17. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for obtaining the.
[0071]
Specifically, in step S14, for example, when the determination result of the stiffness of the shoulder area is “relaxed”, “neutral”, “active”, or “pain”, the number of times of finger pressure A1 is set to “2”, “Two times”, “three times”, and “one time”. Only when the determination result regarding a certain acupressure point in the shoulder area in step 18 is “active”, the number of times of acupressure B1 is set to “2 times + A1”.
[0072]
For example, if the result of the determination in step S14 is “relaxed”, the number of times of acupressure A1 is “2”, and if the result of the determination in step S17 is “neutral”, the number of times of acupressure B1 is “A1”. ", That is," 2 times ". When the result of the determination in step S14 is “neutral”, the number of times of acupressure A1 is “2”, and when the result of the determination in step S17 is “active”, the number of times of acupressure B1 is “2”. Times + A1 ", that is," four times ".
[0073]
By performing the two-stage determination in this manner, it is possible to treat the portion having a feeling of stiffness, that is, an active reaction, with more priority.
[0074]
In addition, the amount of protrusion of the treatment element 21 is determined only based on the determination result of the stiffness at each acupressure point. FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of times of acupressure and the feeling of stiffness, and the relationship between the amount of protrusion of the treatment element 21 and the feeling of stiffness.
[0075]
Thus, in the massage machine of the present invention, when the determination result of the stiffness of each acupressure point in the area is a predetermined result based on the determination result of the stiffness of each area, specifically, “ Only when it is "active", the number of times of acupressure at each acupressure point is determined by adding a predetermined number of times of acupressure. For this reason, there is no extreme difference in the number of times of treatment (the number of times of acupressure) for each of the acupressure points in each area, and a focus is placed on the most effective acupressure points determined to be "active" in the treatment. It is possible to perform treatment.
[0076]
As described above, the control circuit 6 performs treatment on the target acupressure point by the number of treatments (the number of acupressures) determined in step S17 (step S18). Then, when the treatment for each acupressure point in the shoulder area is completed in this way, the control circuit 6 performs a loosening operation of the entire shoulder area (step S19). This is done by performing a local treatment, that is, a local part of the acupressure point in the shoulder area in this case, and then relaxing the muscles in an area as large as that area, here in the entire shoulder area. , To promote blood circulation.
[0077]
Hereinafter, similarly, the same processing as that of the above-described shoulder area (steps S17, S18, S19) is performed on the back area (steps S20, S21, S22) and the waist area (steps S23, S24, S25).
[0078]
As described above, when the treatment is completed for each of the shoulder area, the back area, and the waist area, the control circuit 6 performs the whole body relaxing massage, for example, relaxing, tapping, and the like (step S26). This is a local, i.e., shoulder, back, and waist area treatment, and then the same or larger area when each area is viewed as a local area, in this case, a whole body muscle. This is for promoting the circulation of blood by performing the loosening operation.
[0079]
Finally, the control circuit 6 performs rolling, that is, stretching the back of the user sitting on the massage machine and performing a rubbing operation in the same manner as in step S12 described above (step S27).
[0080]
In the above-described embodiment, the three areas of the shoulder, the back, and the waist are targeted as the treatment areas, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the treatment is performed on all of the shoulders, the back, and the waist as the treatment areas, but the treatment is performed on any one or only two places. It goes without saying that this may be done.
[0081]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the massage machine of the first invention, the judgment result of the feeling of stiffness when the preliminary massage is performed on each treatment target area and the respective acupressure points in each treatment target area On the other hand, the massage operation is determined based on the determination result of the feeling of stiffness when the preliminary massage is performed, so that a more appropriate massage operation is performed for each acupressure point.
[0082]
Further, according to the massage machine of the second invention, for example, when the determination result of the feeling of stiffness when a preliminary massage operation is performed on a certain acupressure point in a certain treatment target area is a predetermined result, When a preliminary massage operation is performed on the treatment target area including the acupressure point, the massage operation is performed stronger than the massage operation determined based on the determination result of the feeling of stiffness. An effective massage operation can be performed for a necessary acupressure point.
[0083]
According to the massage machine of the third aspect of the present invention, the preliminary massage operation is performed on the treatment target area by a gentler operation of the treatment element based on the detection value of the biological sensor, and during this time, each treatment is performed. Since the feeling of stiffness in the region is determined and the massage operation is performed based on the detected feeling of stiffness, it is not necessary to put an extra burden on the user.
[0084]
According to the massage machine of the fourth, fifth, and sixth aspects of the present invention, the treatment element capable of moving in a circle or an elliptical trajectory in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the body of the user is provided by It is possible to perform both massage operations, so-called loosening operations that reciprocate on a trajectory that is convex with respect to the body, and so-called rubbing operations that reciprocate on a concave trajectory, with the same treatment element. Therefore, the treatment can be performed by repeating the massage operation more frequently.
[0085]
Further, according to the massage method of the seventh aspect, the operation of the treatment element is gentler than the operation of the treatment element based on the detection value of the biological sensor for the treatment target area to be treated on the shoulder, the back, and / or the waist. Performing a preliminary massage operation, estimating the position of the treatment target area to be treated on the shoulder, the back and / or the waist, and the position of the acupressure point in each treatment target area; Determining the stiffness of each treatment target area based on the detection value of the biosensor when performing a massaging operation, and performing the treatment of the treatment element based on the detection value of the biosensor for each acupressure point in each treatment target area. The preliminary massage operation is performed by the operation of the treatment element gentler than the operation to determine the stiffness of each acupressure point based on the detection value of the biometric sensor, the stiffness determined for each treatment target area, Out By performing a massage operation for each acupressure point based on the stiffness determined for each acupressure point in the target area, the so-called body in which the drag against the stimulus does not work unconsciously in the body of the user It becomes possible to perform gentle treatment.
[0086]
According to the massage method of the eighth invention, in addition to the above-described seventh invention, when the massage operation for each acupressure point in each treatment target region is completed, the unraveling operation of the entire treatment target region is performed. Performing, when the massage operation for each acupressure point in each treatment target area is completed, by performing the unraveling operation of the area including each treatment target area, it becomes possible to perform a treatment more gentle on the body.
[0087]
Further, according to the massage method of the ninth aspect, the preliminary massage operation of the eighth aspect reciprocates the treatment element on the trajectory that is concave in a circular or elliptical trajectory in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the body of the user. Since it is performed as a rubbing operation, the massage operation can be performed by repeating the massage operation more frequently, and the movement follows the roundness of the human body, so that the massage operation becomes gentler.
[0088]
Further, according to the massage method of the tenth aspect, the preliminary massage operation of the eighth aspect reciprocates the treatment element on a trajectory of a circular or elliptical trajectory in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the body of the user. Since the massage operation is performed as a loosening operation, the massage operation can be repeated more frequently to perform the treatment, and the treatment element enters the muscle, thereby exerting the effect of rubbing and loosening the muscle.
[0089]
According to the massage method of the eleventh invention, the result of the determination of the feeling of stiffness when the preliminary massage operation is performed on each acupressure point in each treatment target region of the eighth invention is a predetermined result. In this case, the massage operation is performed stronger than the massage operation determined based on the determination result of the feeling of stiffness when the preliminary massage operation is performed on the treatment target area including the acupressure point. An effective massage operation can be performed for acupressure points that require specific treatment.
[0090]
According to the massage method of the twelfth aspect, since a massage operation is performed on a plurality of treatment target regions to be treated, then a gentler massage operation is performed on a region including these treatment target regions. It is possible to perform a so-called body-friendly treatment in which the drag against the stimulus does not work unconsciously in the body of the user.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of a massage machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a chair main body as viewed from the back, showing a configuration example of a massage mechanism of the massage machine of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a treatment element driving device of the massage machine of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a configuration example of a push-out mechanism of the massage machine of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a push-out mechanism of the massage machine of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an appearance of a remote controller of the massage machine of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the massage machine of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure performed by the massage machine of the present invention, specifically, a massage procedure.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure performed by the massage machine of the present invention, specifically, a massage procedure.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of “relaxation operation” and “rubbing operation” performed by the massage machine of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a table showing the relationship between GSR and pulse for judging the feeling of stiffness of the massage machine of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a procedure for obtaining the number of times of acupressure determined according to the determination result of each treatment target area of the massage machine of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of times of acupressure and the stiffness of the massage machine of the present invention, and the relationship between the amount of protrusion of the treatment element and the stiffness.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Massage mechanism
3 treatment child drive
5 Biological information sensor
6 control circuit
8 ROM
12 seats
21 treatment child
22 Lifting motor
31 Kneading motor
37 Tapping motor
69 Squeezing motor
51 GSR sensor
52 pulse sensor
60 Extrusion mechanism

Claims (12)

In a sensor that detects the biological information of the user and a massage machine that performs a massage operation by operating a treatment element based on a detection value of the sensor,
Means for performing a preliminary massage operation on the treatment target area,
Means for estimating the position of the treatment target region to be treated on the shoulder, the back and / or the waist, and the position of the acupressure point in each treatment target region;
Means for determining the feeling of stiffness of each treatment target area based on the detection value of the sensor when performing a preliminary massage operation on each treatment target area,
Means for determining the stiffness of each acupressure point based on the detection value of the sensor when performing a preliminary massage operation on each acupressure point in each treatment target area,
Means for performing a massage operation for each acupressure point based on the stiffness determined for each treatment target area and the stiffness determined for each acupressure point within each treatment target area. Massage machine. The preliminary massage operation is performed on each of the treatment target areas when the determination result of the stiffness when the preliminary massage operation is performed on each of the acupressure points in each of the treatment target areas is a predetermined result. The massage machine according to claim 1, wherein a massage operation stronger than a massage operation determined based on a determination result of a feeling of stiffness in the case of performing the massage is performed. In a massager that performs a massage operation by operating a sensor based on a detection value of the sensor and a sensor that detects biological information of a user, the treatment element based on a detection value of the sensor with respect to a treatment target area. Means for performing a preliminary massage operation with the operation of the treatment element gentler than the operation of
Means for determining the stiffness of each treatment target area based on the detection value of the sensor when performing the preliminary massage operation on each treatment area,
Means for performing a massage operation based on the detected stiffness. In a massage machine that performs a massage operation by operating a treatment element that can move a circular or elliptical trajectory in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the body of the user,
A massage machine for performing a massage operation of reciprocating the treatment element on a trajectory that is convex with respect to the body of the user in the circular or elliptical trajectory. In a massage machine that performs a massage operation by operating a treatment element that can move a circular or elliptical trajectory in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the body of the user,
A massage machine for performing a massage operation of reciprocating the treatment element on an orbit that is concave with respect to the body of the user in the circular or elliptical orbit. In a massage machine that performs a massage operation by operating a treatment element that can move a circular or elliptical trajectory in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the body of the user,
A massage operation for reciprocating the treatment element on a trajectory convex to the body of the user in the circular or elliptical trajectory,
A massage device for selectively performing a massage operation of reciprocating the treatment element on an orbit that is concave with respect to the body of the user in the circular or elliptical orbit. A sensor that detects biological information of a user and a method of operating a massager based on a detection value of the sensor to perform a massage on a massage machine that performs a massage operation,
Shoulder, back and / or waist treatment area to be treated is subjected to a preliminary massage operation with a gentler operation of the treatment element than the operation of the treatment element based on the detection value of the sensor,
Shoulder, back and / or waist position of the treatment target area to be treated, and the position of the acupressure point in each treatment target area,
Based on the detection value of the sensor when performing a preliminary massage operation on each of the treatment target areas, the feeling of stiffness of each of the treatment target areas is determined,
For each acupressure point in each treatment target area, a preliminary massage operation is performed by a gentler operation of the treatment element based on the detection value of the sensor based on the detection value of the sensor, and based on the detection value of the sensor. To determine the stiffness of each shiatsu point,
A massage method comprising: performing a massage operation for each acupressure point based on the stiffness determined for each treatment target area and the stiffness determined for each acupressure point within each treatment target area. A sensor that detects biological information of a user and a method of operating a massager based on a detection value of the sensor to perform a massage on a massage machine that performs a massage operation,
Shoulder, back and / or waist treatment area to be treated is subjected to a preliminary massage operation with a gentler operation of the treatment element than the operation of the treatment element based on the detection value of the sensor,
Shoulder, back and / or waist position of the treatment target area to be treated, and the position of the acupressure point in each treatment target area,
Based on the detection value of the sensor when performing a preliminary massage operation on each of the treatment target areas, the feeling of stiffness of each of the treatment target areas is determined,
For each acupressure point in each treatment target area, a preliminary massage operation is performed by a gentler operation of the treatment element based on the detection value of the sensor based on the detection value of the sensor, and based on the detection value of the sensor. To determine the stiffness of each shiatsu point,
Making the massage operation for each acupressure point based on the stiffness determined for each treatment target area and the stiffness determined for each acupressure point in each treatment target area,
When the massage operation for each acupressure point in each treatment target area is completed, the whole treatment target area is unraveled,
A massage method, comprising: when a massage operation for each acupressure point in each of the treatment target regions is completed, performing a loosening operation of a region including each of the treatment target regions. The method according to claim 8, wherein the preliminary massage operation is a rubbing operation in which the treatment element is reciprocated on a concave orbit of a circular or elliptical orbit in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the body of the user. The massage method described. The said preliminary massage operation | movement is the loosening operation | movement which reciprocates the said treatment element on the convex orbit of the circular or elliptical orbit in the front-back and left-right direction with respect to the body of a user, The claim 8 characterized by the above-mentioned. The massage method described. When the judgment result of the feeling of stiffness when the preliminary massage operation is performed on each acupressure point in each of the treatment target regions is a predetermined result, the preliminary massage operation is performed on each of the treatment target regions. The massage method according to claim 8, wherein a massage operation stronger than a massage operation determined based on a determination result of a feeling of stiffness when performed is performed. A method of making a massage machine perform a massage,
The massage operation is performed on a plurality of treatment target areas to be treated,
A massage method comprising: performing a massage operation on the plurality of treatment target regions, and then performing a gentler massage operation on the region including the plurality of treatment target regions than the massage operation.

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