JP4439438B2 - Chair type massage machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a chair-type massage machine that treats the body of a user, and in particular, a chair-type massage in which a user who is seated can intuitively operate an operation device to move a treatment unit to a desired position. Related to the machine.

The conventional massage machine capable of treating the body of the user includes a treatment unit that gives stimulation to the body of the user, and an operation device that the user operates to change the position of the treatment unit Some have As an example, there is a chair-type massage machine disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2566275 (Patent Document 1). This chair type massage machine has a treatment element (treatment part) that can be moved up and down on the backrest part, and a joystick type operation device (operation device) having a bar-shaped operation element erected on the upper part of the armrest part. I have. Then, when the user performs a tilting operation of the operation element of the operation device in the front-rear direction, the vertical position of the treatment element is changed correspondingly.
Japanese Patent No. 2566275

  By the way, as for the massage machine disclosed by patent document 1, when the joystick type operating device is tilted in the front-rear direction as described above, the position of the treatment unit is changed in the vertical direction, The operating direction of the operating device does not match the moving direction of the treatment unit. In this way, if there is a discrepancy in directionality between the operation of the operating device by the user and the movement of the treatment unit, the user feels uncomfortable with this, or moves the treatment unit to a desired position. In some cases, it may be difficult to operate the operating device.

  In view of this, the present invention relates to a case where the operating device is tilted in the front-rear direction based on the viewpoint of the user, and the treatment unit is moved in a direction corresponding to the operation direction so that the user can intuitively operate the operating device. An object of the present invention is to provide a chair-type massage machine capable of operating the chair.

The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and the chair-type massage machine according to the present invention is provided in a backrest portion that supports a back portion of a user and is movable in the front-rear direction. A treatment unit that gives a stimulus to the backrest unit, and an operation device that has a grip part that can be displaced in the front-rear direction from a predetermined neutral position by the operation of the user, and that outputs a signal corresponding to the operation of the grip part; A control unit for controlling the treatment unit to move in the front-rear direction corresponding to the operation direction when the grip unit is operated in the front-rear direction based on a signal from the operation device, A maintenance unit for maintaining a posture of the operating device when a user releases his / her hand from the grip unit; and the control unit is a displacement in which the grip unit of the operating device is operated in the front-rear direction from the neutral position. Depending on the amount, the treatment part Thereby moving the controls to maintain the longitudinal position. With this configuration, when the user displaces the grip portion of the operating device from a predetermined neutral position, the treatment portion moves in a direction that matches the operation direction (displacement direction) of the grip portion. Intuitive operation of the operating device is possible without making the user feel uncomfortable. Further, when the grip portion is operated in the front-rear direction, the treatment portion is also moved in the same front-rear direction, so that the user can operate intuitively. Further, the displacement of the grip portion of the operation device and the displacement of the treatment portion are further matched in the relationship between the direction (front and back) and the distance (displacement amount), so that the user can more intuitively use the operation device. Can be operated.

  In addition, it cannot be overemphasized that the "movement of the treatment part to the direction corresponding to the operation direction of a grip part" does not mean exact coincidence of a direction here. That is, when the user who uses the chair type massage machine operates the grip part, it means movement of the treatment part in a direction within a range that is recognized to coincide with the operation direction sensuously. More specifically, “the movement of the treatment part in the front-rear direction (or up-and-down direction) matching the operation direction of the grip part” means that the user who uses the chair type massage machine operates the grip part. In addition, it refers to the movement of the treatment unit in the front-rear direction (or the up-down direction) within a range that is perceived to coincide with the operation direction. This also applies to the description in the following description.

The operating device includes a base portion, a rod portion erected on the base portion, and the grip portion provided on an upper portion of the rod portion, and the maintenance portion is arranged in front of and behind the rod portion. You may be comprised by the rotary damper which exhibits a viscous frictional force with respect to the rocking | swiveling to a direction.

  In addition, the treatment part and the grip part of the operation device are both movable in the vertical direction, and the control part is configured to move the treatment in the vertical direction corresponding to the operation direction when the grip part is operated in the vertical direction. You may be comprised so that it may control so that a part may be moved. With such a configuration, when the grip portion is operated in the vertical direction, the treatment portion is also moved in the same vertical direction, so that the user can operate intuitively.

  Moreover, the said control part may be comprised so that it may control so that the said treatment part may be moved according to the time when the grip part of the said operating device was operated to the up-down direction from the said neutral position. By setting it as such a structure, while operating a grip part, a treatment part can be moved to the upper direction or the downward direction corresponding to the operation direction. In this way, the treatment unit can be moved by a simple and intuitive operation of the operation device.

  Moreover, the said control part may be comprised so that the said treatment part may be controlled to move according to the displacement amount to which the grip part of the said operating device was operated to the up-down direction from the said neutral position. By adopting such a configuration, the displacement of the grip portion of the operating device and the displacement of the treatment portion further coincide with each other in the relationship between the direction (up and down) and the distance (displacement amount). The operation device can be operated intuitively.

  According to the present invention, when the operation device is operated with reference to the viewpoint of the user, the treatment unit is moved in a direction corresponding to the operation direction, and the user operates the operation device intuitively. It is possible to provide a chair type massage machine that can be used.

  Hereinafter, a chair type massage machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a chair type massage machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This chair type massage machine 1 is mainly composed of a seat portion 2, a backrest portion 3, a footrest 4, and an armrest (armrest portion) 5. The seat portion 2 is configured by arranging a cushion portion 2c formed substantially flat so that the upper surface is used as a seat surface on the upper portion of a base (not shown). Each has a leg 2a (only the left leg 2a is shown in FIG. 1). The cushion part 2c has an interior material (not shown) made of urethane foam, sponge, or polystyrene foam placed on the upper surface of the base, and further this is raised polyester tricot, synthetic leather, natural leather, etc. It is comprised by covering with the exterior material (cover) which consists of.

  An upper end portion of a footrest 4 for massaging the ankle and calf of the user is pivotally attached to the upper front side of the seat portion 2. As a result, the footrest 4 can swing back and forth around its upper end. The concept of the direction used in the description of the present embodiment is viewed from a user (not shown) seated on the seat 2 of the chair type massage machine 1 unless otherwise specified in the text. It shall be consistent with the concept of direction when

  The footrest 4 includes a planar lower leg support surface 4a extending downward from the front end of the seat portion 2 in FIG. 1, side walls 4b and 4c protruding forward from both sides of the lower leg support surface 4a, and the lower leg support surface 4a. It is comprised from the lower end, ie, the sole support wall 4d which protruded forward from the edge part most distant from the seat part 2 in the leg support surface 4a (In this description, the footrest 4 which can be swung back and forth is It describes the state of being located rearward as shown in FIG.

  Air bags 47 (see FIG. 4) are provided inside the side walls 4b and 4c, and these air bags 47 are air supply / exhaust devices comprising pumps, valves and the like built in the seat portion 2 or the backrest portion 3. 46 is connected via an air hose 48 (see FIG. 4), and is configured to expand or contract by supply / exhaust from the supply / exhaust device 46. Therefore, when the user is seated, the air bag 47 repeatedly expands and contracts, so that a pressure stimulus can be applied to the outer part of the lower leg and the side and upper part of the foot.

  Further, when the user sits on the chair type massage machine 1, the lower leg support surface 4a comes into contact with and supports the lower leg of the user. Air bags 47 (see FIG. 4) are also provided at a plurality of locations on the lower leg support surface 4a, and these are also connected to the air supply / exhaust device 46 via an air hose 48. And these air bags 47 repeat expansion | swelling and shrinkage | contraction, and a pressure stimulus is given with respect to the periphery of a user's calf and Achilles tendon.

  Furthermore, when the user sits on the chair type massage machine 1, the sole support wall 4d comes into contact with and supports the sole of the user. A vibrator and air bag 47 (see FIG. 4) is provided inside the sole support wall 4d, and the air bag 47 is connected to the air supply / exhaust device 46 via an air hose 48. The vibrator has a configuration in which an eccentric mass is attached to an output shaft of a DC motor, for example, and can generate micro vibrations when driven. These air bags 47 are repeatedly inflated and contracted to give a pressure stimulus to the sole of the user, and when the vibrator is operated, the sole of the user is vibrated. It can be stimulated.

  A plurality of air bags 47 are also arranged on the rear side (back side) of the seat portion 2. These air bags 47 are also connected to an air supply / exhaust device 46 via an air hose 48, and are configured to expand or contract by the air supply / exhaust from the air supply / exhaust device 46. Further, a vibrator (not shown) having the same configuration as described above is provided on the rear side (back side) of the seat surface center of the seat portion 2. With such a configuration, by repeatedly expanding and contracting the air bag 47 while the user is seated on the seat portion 2, it is possible to apply a pressure stimulus to the buttocks of the user and drive the vibrator in the same state. By doing so, vibration stimulation can be given to the anal part of the user.

  A backrest 3 is provided at the rear of the seat 2. The backrest 3 is a part of the adult body that protrudes outside when an adult with a general physique sits on the seat 2 of the chair type massage machine 1 to support the upper body of the user. The size is not so large that it is substantially rectangular in front view. The lower end of the backrest 3 is pivotally supported by a left and right pivot (not shown) at the rear of the seat 2, and the backrest 3 rotates around the pivot and reclines back and forth. It is possible. In addition, armrests 5 fixedly supported on the base of the seat 2 are provided on both sides of the backrest 3. The armrest 5 extends forward from both sides of the backrest 3, and an operation device 7 described later connected to a control unit 40 (see FIG. 4) built in the chair type massage machine 1 is provided on the right armrest 5. Is attached. The chair type massage machine 1 is provided with a controller 8 connected to the control unit 40 separately from the operation device 7.

  Inside the backrest 3, a massage mechanism 200 for stimulating the back of the user to be seated is provided in a state of being mounted on a moving device 200 a for moving the massage mechanism 200. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the massage mechanism 200 and the moving device 200a, and FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the configuration of the massage mechanism 200 in order to explain the principle of operation of the massaging and striking operations by the massage mechanism 200. FIG. First, the operation principle of the massage mechanism 200 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the massage mechanism 200 has two roller-shaped treatment elements 10, 10 for applying mechanical stimulation to the body of the user on the left and right. These treatment elements 10 are rotatably attached to front end portions of left and right arms 11 and 11 extending forward.

  The base of each arm 11 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 13 at one end of the kneading connecting rod 12. Further, between the arm 11 and the kneading connecting rod 12, a spring 14 is suspended by latching portions 11a, 12a projecting from the inner side surfaces of the arm 11, and the arm 11 is moved by the action of the spring 14. It is urged to swing downward about the support shaft 13.

  The other end of the kneading connecting rod 12 is connected to one end of the tapping connecting rod 16 via the connecting member 15. As will be described later, the kneading connecting rod 12 performs three-dimensional movements in the up / down, left / right, and front / rear directions so that the treatment element 10 can also be grasped, and the tapping connecting rod 16 performs two movements in the up / down / front / rear directions to cause the treatment element 10 to strike. Dimensional movement. The connecting member 15 has a flexible connecting structure so that the kneading connecting rod 12 and the knocking connecting rod 16 having different operations can be connected to each other while allowing each operation. In the massage mechanism 200 according to the present embodiment, a ball joint is employed as the connection structure.

  A fir shaft 20 extending in the left-right direction is disposed between the fir connecting rods 12, 12 provided on the left and right. At left and right ends of the shaft 20, inclined shaft portions 21, 21 formed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle in the same direction with respect to the axis of the shaft 20 are provided. In addition, a fitting hole 12b that opens to the center side in the left-right direction is formed in the connecting portion between the kneading rod 12 and the connecting member 15. The inclined shaft portion 21 of the kneading shaft 20 is rotatably inserted into the fitting hole 12b via a bearing (not shown).

  A helical gear 22a is coaxially provided at the central portion of the left and right direction of the fir shaft 20, and this helical gear 22a meshes with a worm 22b having a vertical axis of rotation. Thus, the helical gear 22a and the worm 22b constitute the worm gear mechanism 23. A pulley 24 is coaxially provided at the lower end of the worm 22b. The pulley 24 is connected to a pulley 27 provided on an output shaft of a fringing motor 26 such as a servo motor via a belt 25. ing.

  Accordingly, the rotational movement of the output shaft of the motor 26 is transmitted to the worm 22b via the belt 25, and the grind shaft 20 is rotated by the rotation of the rotation of the worm 22b. Then, with the rotation of the kneading shaft 20, the inclined shaft 21 is displaced so as to draw a conical locus, whereby the kneading connecting rod 12 operates regularly, and the left and right treatment elements 10, 10 are moved up and down, left and right, It moves three-dimensionally back and forth. Such a moving operation is a scoring operation of the treatment element 10.

  Further, a hitting shaft 30 extending in the left-right direction is disposed between the hitting connecting rods 16, 16 provided on the left and right above the fir shaft 20. Eccentric shaft portions 31 are provided at both left and right ends of the hitting shaft 30. The eccentric shaft portion 31 has an axis parallel to the axis of the beat shaft 30, and the left and right eccentric shaft portions 31 and 31 are formed so that the phases are shifted from each other by 180 °. A fitting hole 16b that opens to the center in the left-right direction is formed at the other end of the hitting connecting rod 16, that is, the end of the hitting connecting rod 16 where the connecting member 15 is not connected. The eccentric shaft portions 31 provided at both ends of the hitting shaft 30 are rotatably inserted into the fitting holes 16b via bearings (not shown). A pulley 32 is coaxially provided on the right side of the hitting shaft 30, and the pulley 32 is connected to a pulley 35 provided on an output shaft of a hitting motor 34 such as a servo motor via a belt 33. ing.

  Therefore, the rotational motion of the output shaft of the motor 34 is transmitted to the hitting shaft 30 via the belt 33, and the hitting connecting rod 16 is two-dimensionally moved up and down and front and rear by the revolution of the eccentric shaft portions 31 at both ends of the hitting shaft 30. Operate. This operation is transmitted to the arm 11 via the connecting member 15, and as a result, the treatment element 10 moves. The operation of the treatment element at this time is a beating operation.

  Such a massage mechanism 200 is mounted on a moving device 200a, and the moving device 200a includes an elevating mechanism 200b and a swinging mechanism 200c. The massage mechanism 200 moves up and down along the backrest portion 3 in the backrest portion 3 (see FIG. 1) by driving the elevating mechanism 200b. The mechanism 200c is driven to swing back and forth in the backrest portion 3. Hereinafter, the elevating mechanism 200b and the swinging mechanism 200c included in the moving device 200a of the massage machine 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the elevating mechanism 200b includes left and right side frames 251 and 251 made of a plate material, an upper frame 252 made of a plate material that is laid between and supported by the upper portions of the side frames 251 and a side. An elevating frame body 250 constituted by a lower frame (oscillating shaft) 253 formed of a round bar-like pole that is installed between and supports the lower parts of the part frame 251 is provided.

  A through hole 255 is formed in the lower part of the side frame 251 so as to penetrate the screw 254 through the left and right direction. In addition, screw holes 253a screwed with screws 254 are formed at both ends of the lower frame 253 formed of a round bar-like pole so as to open to the left and right outwards. The lower frame 253 is screwed into the screw hole 253a from the outside with the through hole 255 sandwiched between the screw hole 253a from the inner side in the left-right direction to the through hole 255 of the side frame 251. Fixed to the side frame 251. Conversely, the lower frame 253 can be easily removed from the side frame 251 by removing the left and right screws 254.

  Guide rollers 257 and 258 are rotatably attached to the left and right side frames 251. These guide rollers 257 and 258 can roll along a guide rail 29 a that constitutes an elevating frame 29 disposed in the backrest portion 3 of the massage machine 1. More specifically, the elevating frame 29a provided in the backrest 3 has left and right guide rails 29a, 29a that extend in the vertical direction and are parallel to each other. The guide rail 29a has a channel-shaped cross section that intersects the longitudinal direction, and the center side in the left-right direction is open.

  The guide roller 257 has a rotation axis along the left-right direction, and is disposed on the upper portion, the middle portion, and the lower portion of the side frame 251, respectively. And it rolls on the inner wall surface of the guide rail 29a, and the movement to the front-back direction of the raising / lowering frame 250 is controlled. The guide roller 258 has a rotational axis along the front-rear direction, and is disposed between the guide rollers 257 adjacent in the vertical direction. And it rolls on the inner wall surface of the guide rail 29a, and the movement to the left-right direction of the raising / lowering frame 250 is controlled.

  Between the lower parts of the left and right side frames 251, an elevating drive shaft 260 is provided so as to be rotatable around the axis, and is provided at both ends of the elevating drive shaft 260 and on the outside of the side frame 251. A pinion 207 is attached. A speed reducer 262 and a lifting motor 214 are provided on the lower left side of the lifting frame body 250, and the lifting drive shaft 260 is rotationally driven by the lifting motor 214 via the speed reducer 262. Further, an elevating rack 264 having a plurality of teeth arranged along the guide rail 29a is provided at the rear portion of the guide rail 29a, and the elevating pinion 207 is engaged with the elevating rack 264. .

  Therefore, when the elevating motor 214 is driven, the elevating pinion 207 rolls up and down along the elevating rack 264 by the rotation of the elevating drive shaft 260. At this time, the guide rollers 257 and 258 rolling along the inner wall surface of the guide rail 29a restrict the movement of the elevating frame body 250 in the front-rear and left-right directions, and the elevating frame body 250 moves up and down stably.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lower frame 253 supports the swing mechanism 200c. That is, the rocking mechanism 200c includes rocking frames 270 and 270 made of plate-like members arranged facing left and right, and an extending portion 270a extending downward is formed in the lower part thereof. A bearing portion 270b having a hole penetrating in the left-right direction is formed at the distal end portion (lower end portion) of the extending portion 270a, and the round bar-shaped lower frame 253 of the elevating frame body 250 is inserted into the hole. Yes. The lower frame 253 constitutes the swing axis of the swing frame 270. The swing frame 270 is rotatably supported by the lower frame 253 at the bearing portion 270b, and the lower frame 253 is the center. It can swing back and forth.

  A rectangular support plate 271 is disposed between the left and right swing frames 270, and four corners of the support plate 271 are fastened to the left and right swing frames 270 with bolts 271a. The massage mechanism 200 described above is disposed behind the support plate 271 and supported by the support plate 271. Note that through holes (not shown) are formed on the support plate 271 on the left and right, and the arm 11 included in the massage mechanism 200 protrudes forward of the support plate 271 through the through holes.

  On the other hand, intermediate idle reduction units 273 and 274 for swinging the massage mechanism 200 supported by the swing frame 270 are attached to the left and right lower portions of the upper frame 252. Here, since the left and right intermediate idle reduction units 273 and 274 have a symmetrical shape, only the shape of one intermediate idle reduction unit 273 will be described.

  The intermediate idle reduction unit 273 includes a case 275, an idle gear 276 that is supported in the case 275 and rotates integrally therewith, and a rack drive gear (gear) 240. Such an intermediate idle reduction unit 273 is fixed to the lower part of the upper frame 252 of the elevating frame body 250 using screws 286.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an advancing / retreating motor 226 and a worm speed reducer 291 are attached to the upper part of the left side frame 251 of the elevating frame body 250. The worm speed reducer 291 is connected to the output shaft of the advance / retreat motor 226, decelerates and outputs the rotation of the output shaft, and this output is transmitted to the transmission shaft (rotary shaft) 292. The transmission shaft 292 is provided above the massaging mechanism 200 with its axis in the left-right direction, the left end is connected to the worm reducer 291, and the right end is the upper part of the right side frame 251 of the lifting frame 250. Is supported in a freely rotatable manner.

  The transmission shaft 292 described above is supported by the case 275 of the intermediate idle reduction unit 273. A transmission gear (not shown) coaxially provided on the transmission shaft 292 meshes with the idle gear 276 of the intermediate idle reduction unit 273. Further, an approximately arc-shaped advance / retreat rack 241 is attached to the upper part of the left and right swing frames 270 that support the massage mechanism 200. The advancing / retreating rack 241 is configured by arranging a plurality of teeth on a circumference of a radius D centering on the axis of the lower frame 253 that supports the lower portion of the swing frame 270. A rack drive gear 240 included in the intermediate idle reduction unit 273 meshes with the forward / backward rack 241 from above. As shown in FIG. 15, stoppers 241 a are provided so as to protrude upward at the front portion and the rear portion of the advance / retreat rack 241. The stopper 241 a regulates the range of movement of the rack drive gear 240 that rolls along the advance / retreat rack 241.

  In the swing mechanism 200c having such a configuration, the rotation of the advance / retreat motor 226 is transmitted to the advance / retreat rack 241 via the worm reducer 291, the transmission shaft 292, and the intermediate idle reduction unit 273. At this time, the rotational speed of the advancing / retreating motor 226 is appropriately reduced and transmitted to the rack driving gear 240 through the worm speed reducer 291, the idle gear 276, and the transmission gear. When the rack drive gear 240 rotates, the forward / backward rack 241 that meshes with the rack drive gear 240 moves in the front-rear direction. As a result, the swing frame 270 that supports the massage mechanism 200 swings in the front-rear direction about the lower frame 253 (see arrows in FIG. 15). At this time, the hatched portion shown in FIG. 15, that is, the massage mechanism 200, the swing frame 270, and the forward / backward rack 241 swing back and forth.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the chair type massage machine 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the chair-type massage machine 1 includes a control unit 40, and the control unit 40 is disposed below the backrest unit 3 (see FIG. 1). The control unit 40 mainly includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, and an input / output interface 44. The input / output interface 44 is connected to an operating device 7 provided outside the control unit 40 and disposed on the armrest 5 (see FIG. 1).

  The CPU 41 can execute a program stored in the ROM 42 and / or a program loaded in the RAM 43. The ROM 42 includes a mask ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and the like, and stores a program executed by the CPU 41, data used for the program, and the like. The CPU 41 executes a program stored in the ROM 42 to raise and lower the massage mechanism 200 as described above in addition to the massage operations such as the massage operation, the hitting operation, and the acupressure operation as described above. Operation and back-and-forth operation can be performed. The RAM 43 is configured by SRAM, DRAM or the like. The RAM 43 is used as a work area for the CPU 41 when executing a program stored in the ROM 42.

  The input / output interface 44 includes, for example, a serial interface such as USB, IEEE 1394, RS-232C, a parallel interface such as SCSI, IDE, IEEE 1284, an analog interface including a D / A converter, an A / D converter, and the like. Yes. As described above, the operation device 7 and the controller 8 are connected to the input / output interface 44, and signals from the operation device 7 and the controller 8 can be received.

  The input / output interface 44 is connected to a drive circuit 45 for driving the air supply / exhaust device 46. The air supply / exhaust device 46 includes a switching valve such as a solenoid valve, an air pump, and the like, and is connected to a plurality of air bags 47 provided at various locations such as the footrest 4 and the seat 2 via an air hose 48. The air bag 47 is independently supplied and exhausted.

  The input / output interface 44 is connected to drive circuits 50a to 50d for driving the motors 11, 12, 214, and 226, respectively. These drive circuits 50a to 50d are connected to a power supply (not shown), and supply power corresponding to the rotation instruction signal output from the input / output interface 44 to the motors 11, 12, 214, and 226, respectively. Yes. More specifically, based on a signal received from the controller device 7 or the controller 8, the CPU 41 determines the rotation direction and rotation speed of the motors 11, 12, 214, 226, or in addition to these, the rotation speed (rotation angle). Then, the input / output interface 44 generates a rotation instruction signal corresponding to the determined content. Each of the drive circuits 50a to 50d includes a pulse generator, and each of the pulse generators generates a voltage (pulse signal) having a pulse width corresponding to the rotation instruction signal given from the input / output interface 44. A voltage is applied between the terminals of the motors 11, 12, 214, and 226, respectively. By such PWM control, electric power is supplied to the motors 11, 12, 214, and 226, and they are driven while satisfying a required rotation direction, rotation speed, and rotation speed (rotation angle).

  In the present embodiment, the motors 11, 12, 214, and 226 are DC servo motors, but may be AC servo motors. It goes without saying that the configuration of the drive circuits 50a to 50d is also changed in accordance with such a change in the type of motor to be driven.

  An encoder 53 and a magnetic sensor 54 are further connected to the input / output interface 44. The encoder 53 generates a pulse signal according to the rotation of the motor 214 that moves the massage mechanism 200 up and down. The CPU 41 can detect the vertical position of the massage mechanism 200 by counting the number of pulses of the pulse signal. In addition, the magnetic sensor 54 is disposed in the vicinity of the rotating shaft 16 so as to face magnets (not shown) disposed at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction at predetermined positions in the axial length direction of the rotating shaft 16. Thus, an output voltage corresponding to the strength of the surrounding magnetism is generated. When the rotating shaft 16 rotates, the magnets sequentially pass in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 54. Therefore, the CPU 41 calculates the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 16, that is, the treatment by calculating the peak of the output voltage from the magnetic sensor 54. The position of the child 10 can be detected.

  Next, the structure of the operating device 7 provided in the chair type massage machine 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the armrest 5 of the chair type massage machine 1 includes an armrest base portion 5b provided on both sides of the seat portion 2, and an upper cover 5a that covers the upper portion of the armrest base portion 5b. Yes. The operating device 7 is mounted on the upper cover 5a of the right armrest 5. The operation device 7 has a so-called joystick type structure, and as shown in FIG. 1, a base portion 70 fixed to the upper cover 5 a of the armrest 5 and a rod portion 71 erected on the base portion 70. And a cylindrical grip portion 72 that is fitted on the upper portion of the rod portion 71 and is gripped by the user.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the joint mechanism 73 of the base portion 70 and the rod portion 71 of the operating device 7 shown in FIG. 1 with a part thereof omitted, and shows a configuration based on the line of sight from the right rear side. ing. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the joint mechanism 73 shown in FIG. 5 and shows a configuration based on the line of sight from the diagonally left rear. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the operating device 7 shown in FIG. 5 and 6, the cover 73a (see FIG. 1) that covers the joint mechanism 73 from above is omitted. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the base portion 70 is formed with a plurality of screw holes 70 a, and the base portion 70 has a plurality of mounting screws (not shown) inserted through the screw holes 70 a. The upper cover 5a is fixed to the upper portion of the upper cover 5a by passing through the upper cover 5a and being screwed to the lower armrest base 5b (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the joint mechanism 73 includes rod pivots 75 a and 75 b erected on the left and right upper surfaces of the base portion 70 (the left rod pivots 75 a are two points in FIG. 5. (Shown with a chain line). From left and right side portions of the lower end portion of the rod portion 71, pivot shafts 76 project from the left and right, respectively, and the pivot shafts 76 are pivot holes formed in the upper portions of the rod pivot tables 75a and 75b. 75c is inserted. As a result, the rod portion 71 is pivotally supported on the base portion 70 so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction about the pivot shaft 76.

  As shown in FIG. 5, two spring hooks 77a and 77b are provided between the rod portion 71 and the right rod pivot support 75b. The upper portions of the spring hooks 77a and 77b are penetrated by the pivot shaft 76, one spring hook 77a extends obliquely forward and downward from the pivot shaft 76, and the other spring hook 77b extends obliquely rearward and downward from the pivot shaft 76. It is extended. A spring spring 77c is bridged between the lower ends of the two, and both lower ends are urged toward each other by the spring spring 77c.

  The spring hook 77a extending diagonally forward and downward swings around the pivot shaft 76 together with the rod portion 71 when the rod portion 71 tilts backward, and the lower end portion moves forward, and when the rod portion 71 tilts forward, the rod portion 71 It is locked by a projection (not shown) projecting from the inner surface of the pivot support 75b so as not to swing. Further, the spring hook 77b extending obliquely rearward and downward swings around the pivot shaft 76 together with the rod portion 71 when the rod portion 71 tilts forward, and the lower end portion is directed rearward, and when the rod portion 71 tilts backward. The rod pivot support 75b is engaged with the projection so as not to swing. Therefore, when the rod portion 71 tilts forward and backward, the spring spring 77c between the lower ends of the spring hooks 77a and 77b is extended, and the rod portion 71 returns to the upright state (neutral position). Energized as follows.

  In addition, the neutral position of the rod part 71 means the attitude | position of the rod part 71 which the massage mechanism 200 does not move back and forth due to the tilting state of the rod part 71 so that it may mention later. Further, the neutral position of the rod portion 71 does not need to be in an upright state, and a more preferable position can be selected in consideration of the operability of the user. For example, the neutral position is slightly inclined forward or backward. It is good also as a position.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a gear piece 78 corresponding to a predetermined central angle portion of the spur gear is disposed between the rod portion 71 and the left rod pivot base 75a. As shown in FIG. 6, the gear piece 78 has a central portion of the pitch circle fixedly supported by the pivot shaft 76, and the pivot shaft together with the rod portion 71 when the rod portion 71 tilts forward and backward. Swing around 76. The gear piece 78 meshes with a first gear 79 that is another spur gear, and the first gear 79 is supported by a pivot shaft 80 that is pivotally supported by a support portion (not shown) that is erected on the base portion 70. It is attached to a coaxial core. As shown in FIG. 6, the first gear 79 meshes with a second gear 82 attached to a rotary shaft of a rotary damper (attenuating portion) 81 fixed to the support portion (not shown). Further, a rotary switch 83 is attached to the end of the pivot shaft 80 to which the first gear 79 is attached. The rotary switch 83 is connected to the input / output interface 44 shown in FIG. It is connected to the.

  In such an operation device 7, when the user tilts the rod portion 71, the rotation of the gear piece 78 is transmitted to the second gear 82 of the rotary damper 81 via the first gear 79. At this time, the displacement speed of the rod portion 71 is attenuated (relaxed) by the viscous resistance in the rotational direction of the second gear 82 exhibited by the rotary damper 81. In addition, signals regarding the tilt angle and tilt direction of the rod portion 71 are output from the rotary switch 83 and input from the input / output interface 44 to the control unit 40. Based on the input signal, the control unit rotationally drives the advance / retreat motor 226 (see FIG. 2 or 4) to move the massage mechanism 200 in the front-rear direction. More specifically, when the rod part 71 is tilted forward, the control unit 40 rotates the forward / backward motor 226 in one direction to move the massage mechanism 200 forward, and the rod part 71 is tilted backward. In this case, the control unit 40 drives the forward / backward motor 226 to rotate in the other direction to move the massage mechanism 200 backward.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the grip portion 72 of the operating device 7 shown in FIG. 1 and the rod portion 71 in the grip portion 72. As shown in FIG. 7, the grip portion 72 is divided into a left and right grip member 72a (indicated by a solid line) and a left grip member 72b (indicated by a two-dot chain line), and the grip members 72a and 72b are The grip portion 72 formed by joining together has a substantially cylindrical shape with an open bottom end. The upper portion of the rod portion 71 is inserted into the internal space of the grip portion 72, and the grip portion 72 is connected to the rod portion 71 so as to be movable up and down relatively, as will be described below. ing.

  The rod portion 71 has a rectangular column portion 71 a having a substantially rectangular cross section at the lower portion thereof, and a stepped cylindrical column portion 71 b that extends upward from the upper end of the rectangular column portion 71 a and fits in the grip portion 72. ing. Further, the cylindrical portion 71b is, in order from the lower side, a first small diameter portion 91, a first large diameter portion 92 having a larger diameter than the first small diameter portion 91, and a second small diameter portion 93 having a smaller diameter than the first large diameter portion 92. , And a second large diameter portion 94 having a diameter larger than that of the second small diameter portion 93. Further, the first large diameter portion 92 is formed with a vertically long through hole 92a penetrating in the front-rear direction over the entire length thereof.

  The first large-diameter portion 92 is sandwiched from above and below, and the upper end portion of the first small-diameter portion 91 and the lower end portion of the second small-diameter portion 93 are substantially rectangular grip support plates 95 and 95 for supporting the grip portion 72. Is arranged. The upper and lower grip support plates 95 each have a hole (not shown) formed at the center thereof, and the first small diameter portion 91 of the rod portion 71 is inserted into the hole of the lower grip support plate 95. A second small diameter portion 93 is inserted in the hole of the upper grip support plate 95. In addition, a spring support plate 96 having a substantially rectangular shape and having a hole (not shown) in the central portion is inserted into the upper end portion of the second small diameter portion 93, and the second small diameter portion 93 is inserted into the hole. Is provided.

  A coil spring 97 is disposed between the lower surface of the lower grip support plate 95 and the upper end surface of the prism portion 71a so as to be externally fitted to the first small diameter portion 91, and the upper grip support plate 95. Another coil spring 98 is disposed between the upper surface of the first and second lower-diameter portions 93 so as to be fitted between the lower surface of the spring support plate 96 positioned thereabove. These coil springs 97 and 98 are both compressed, and urge the lower grip support plate 95 upward and the upper grip support plate 95 downward.

  A first notch groove 100 extending in the circumferential direction is formed in each of the portions corresponding to the upper and lower grip support plates 95 on the inner wall of the grip members 72 a and 72 b of the grip portion 72. The first notch groove 100 is wider than the depth dimension (that is, slightly longer in the vertical direction in FIG. 7). The first notch groove 100 includes the grip support plate described above. 95 peripheral parts are engaged. In FIG. 7, only the right grip member 72a is shown in detail, but the left grip member 72b has a symmetrical configuration with the right grip member 72a, and will be described in detail here. Is omitted.

  For example, when the grip unit 72 is operated upward from the neutral position, the grip unit 72 can move upward by a distance of the width dimension of the first cutout groove 100 on the lower side. That is, the grip portion 72 can be operated upward to a position (uppermost position) where the lower grip support plate 95 contacts the lower inner surface of the lower first notch groove 100. Further, the upper grip support plate 95 is moved upward together with the grip portion 72 while being engaged with the upper first notch groove 100, the coil spring 98 is compressed, and the grip portion 72 is urged downward. When the upward operation is stopped, the grip portion 72 is returned downward due to the extension force of the compressed coil spring 98, and the grip portion 72 returns to the neutral position. The neutral position of the grip part 72 refers to the position of the grip part 72 where the massage mechanism 200 does not move back and forth due to the vertical displacement of the grip part 72 as will be described later. Then, the position of the grip part 72 when the user does not perform any operation (when not being operated) is set as the neutral position.

  On the other hand, when the grip portion 72 is operated downward from the neutral position, the grip portion 72 can be moved downward by a distance of the width dimension of the upper first cutout groove 100, that is, the grip portion 72 is It can be operated downward to a position (lowermost position) where the upper grip support plate 95 contacts the upper inner surface of the upper first cutout groove 100. Further, the lower grip support plate 95 is moved downward together with the grip portion 72 while being engaged with the lower first notch groove 100, the coil spring 97 is compressed, and the grip portion 72 is biased upward. . When the downward operation is stopped, the grip portion 72 is returned upward due to the extension force of the compressed coil spring 97, and the grip portion 72 returns to the neutral position.

  Further, in the front and rear portions of the inner portions of the left and right grip members 72a and 72b, respectively, near the lower portion of the upper first cutout groove 100 and the upper portion of the lower first cutout groove 100, A second notch groove 101 extending in the circumferential direction is formed. A switch support plate 102u having a long rectangular shape in the front-rear direction is supported in the second notch groove 101 formed on the upper front and rear sides by fitting the front end portion and the rear end portion thereof. The switch support plate 102u is provided through an upper portion in a through hole 92a formed in the first large diameter portion 92 of the rod portion 71, and a push button type first switch 103u is attached to the lower surface. Yes. The first switch 103u moves up and down integrally with the grip portion 72 when the grip portion 72 is operated in the up and down direction.

  Similarly, a switch support plate 102d having a long rectangular shape in the front-rear direction is provided in the front and rear ends of the second notch groove 101 formed on the lower front and rear sides of the inner sides of the grip members 72a and 72b. Each part is fitted and supported. The switch support plate 102d is provided through a lower portion in a through hole 92a formed in the first large diameter portion 92 of the rod portion 71, and a push button type second switch 103d is attached to the upper surface. Yes. The second switch 103d also moves up and down integrally with the grip portion 72 when the grip portion 72 is operated in the vertical direction.

  A rib 105 is provided at a central position in the vertical direction of the through hole 92 a formed in the first large diameter portion 92 of the rod portion 71 so as to be bridged between the left and right side wall portions of the first large diameter portion 92. Thus, the rigidity of the first large diameter portion 92 is reinforced. Plate springs 106u and 106d are respectively provided above and below the rib 105. The upper plate spring 106u can be elastically bent downward, and the lower plate spring 106d is elastically upward. It can be bent. The first switch 103u on the upper side is provided above the leaf spring 106u disposed on the upper side of the rib 105 at a predetermined interval (that is, with play) and is opposed to the first switch 103u on the lower side. The two switches 103d are arranged to face each other at a predetermined interval (that is, with play) below a leaf spring 106d arranged on the lower side of the rib 105.

  Therefore, for example, when the user operates the grip portion 72 upward as described above, the lower second switch 103d also moves upward, and approaches the lower leaf spring 106d from below. The second switch 103d is switched from off to on by contacting the leaf spring 106d, and the second switch 103d outputs an on-state signal until it is separated from the leaf spring 106d. The output signal is input through the signal line to the control unit 40 (see FIG. 4) connected to the second switch 103d by a signal line (not shown). The control unit 40 drives the motor 214 (see FIG. 2 or 4) to rotate in one direction based on the input signal, and moves the massage mechanism 200 together with the moving device 200a.

  Similarly, when the user operates the grip portion 72 downward, the upper first switch 103u also moves downward and approaches the upper leaf spring 106u from above. The first switch 103u is switched from off to on by contacting the leaf spring 106u, and the first switch 103u outputs an on-state signal until it is separated from the leaf spring 106u. The output signal is input through the signal line to the control unit 40 (see FIG. 4) connected to the first switch 103u by a signal line (not shown). The control unit 40 rotates the motor 214 in the other direction based on the input signal, and moves the massage mechanism 200 downward together with the moving device 200a.

  Further, since the leaf springs 106u and 106d have elasticity, the impact when the first switches 103u and 103d come into contact with the leaf springs 106u and 106d is reduced. Further, after the first switches 103u and 103d abut on the leaf springs 106u and 106d, the leaf springs 106u and 106d bend even when the grip portion 72 is further operated upward or downward. It is possible to prevent the first switches 103u and 103d from being damaged due to contact with the springs 106u and 106d.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a roller accommodating chamber 107 is formed above the grip portion 72 and above the rod portion 71. The roller accommodating chamber 107 rotates about an axis oriented in the left-right direction. A roller 108 is accommodated. In addition, a rectangular window 109 communicating with the roller housing chamber 107 described above is formed on the upper rear surface of the grip portion 72, and a part of the peripheral portion of the roller 108 housed in the roller housing chamber 107 extends from the window 109. It is exposed to the outside. A volume switch 110 (see FIG. 8) is accommodated in the roller accommodating chamber 107, and the rotation axis of the volume switch 110 is interlocked with the rotation axis of the roller 108.

  The roller 108 is for adjusting the rotation speed of the motors 11 and 12 (see FIG. 3) of the massage mechanism 6, and when the user rotates the roller 108 to one side by a predetermined angle with a thumb or the like, A signal corresponding to the rotation angle is input from the volume switch 110 to the control unit 40 (see FIG. 4) through a signal line (not shown), and the massage operation of the treatment element 10 is accelerated. When the roller 108 is rotated to the other side by a predetermined angle, a signal corresponding to the rotation angle is input from the volume switch 110 to the control unit 40 through the signal line, and the massage operation of the treatment element 10 is delayed.

  The massage mechanism 200 provided in the chair-type massage machine 1 described above operates in the same way up and down and up and down by operating the operating device 7 up and down and up and down. Hereinafter, the operation of the operation device 7 and the operation of the massage mechanism 200 will be described in more detail. First, the operation of the massage mechanism 200 when the rod portion 71 of the operating device 7 is tilted in the front-rear direction will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In addition, the massage mechanism 200 can perform various massage operations such as a kneading operation, a hitting operation, and an acupressure operation as described above, and such a massage operation is different from the operation device 7 in the present embodiment. This can be realized by using another controller 8. Further, the operation of the controller 8 by controlling the operation of the massage mechanism 200 can be realized using a known technique, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the user operates the operation device 7 to tilt forward (S21), the rotary switch 83 (see FIGS. 6 and 8) provided in the joint mechanism 73 moves the tilting direction of the rod portion 71 (that is, see FIG. 9). (Front) is detected (S22), and a detection signal is input to the control unit 40 (S23). The controller 40 rotationally drives the advance / retreat motor 226 based on the input signal (S24), and as a result, the massage mechanism 200 is swung forward (S25).

  Thereafter, the control unit 40 determines whether or not a signal indicating that the rod unit 71 is tilted forward is input from the rotary switch 83 (S26). When the user continues to hold the operating device 7 in the forward tilt operation state and the signal is continuously input from the rotary switch 83 to the control unit 40 (S26: YES), the operation from step 24 is repeated. . On the other hand, the user operates the grip 72 to return to the neutral position in the upright state, or releases the hand from the grip portion 72, and the neutral portion in which the rod portion 71 stands upright by the action of the spring spring 77c (see FIG. 5). When returning to the position, since the input signal from the rotary switch 83 is interrupted, it is determined that there is no signal indicating that the rod portion 71 is tilted forward (S26: NO). Then, the control unit 40 stops the rotational drive of the advance / retreat motor 226 (S27), and stops the forward swing of the massage mechanism 200 (S28).

  Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, the massage mechanism 200 swings forward only during a period (time) in which the user tilts the operation device 7 forward, and the user holds his / her hand from the grip portion 72. When the operation of the operating device 7 is stopped by releasing it, the massage mechanism 200 is maintained at that position. Note that the same operation is performed when the user tilts the operating device 7 backward, and the massage mechanism 200 swings backward only during the period when the user tilts the operating device 7 backward. When the operation is stopped by releasing the hand from the grip portion 72 or the like, the massage mechanism 200 is maintained at that position. Further, when the user stops the operation of the grip portion 72 and the operating device 7 is in a non-operating state (that is, when the signal from the rotary switch 83 of the joint mechanism 73 is not input to the control portion 40). It is also possible to configure the control unit 40 so that the massage mechanism 200 returns to a predetermined position.

  In this way, by associating the tilting operation of the operating device 7 with the swinging motion of the massage mechanism 200 in the front-rear direction, the viewpoint of the user seated on the seat portion 2 of the chair type massage machine 1 is used as a reference. The tilting operation direction (that is, the front-rear direction) of the operation device 7 and the swinging operation direction (that is, the front-rear direction) of the massage mechanism 200 coincide. Therefore, the user can intuitively tilt and operate the operation device 7 in the front-rear direction to move the massage mechanism 200 to a desired front-rear position without feeling uncomfortable with the operation of the operation device 7. It is possible to improve operability.

  By the way, in the description of the operating device 7 described above, the configuration including the rotary switch 83 that detects the tilt direction in order to detect the tilt operation of the rod portion 71 has been described, but other configurations may be employed. For example, in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, a volume switch may be provided instead of the rotary switch 83. In this case, when the rod portion 71 is tilted, the displacement amount (or rotation angle) in the tilt direction can be detected in addition to the tilt direction. The operation of the massage mechanism 200 when operating the operating device 7 having a volume switch in this way will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the user operates the grip portion 72 of the operating device 7 forward (S11), the volume switch is operated in the direction of the grip portion 72 (ie, forward), and the rod portion 71 is upright. A signal corresponding to the tilt displacement amount (operation distance) from the neutral position in the state is output (S12), and this signal is input to the control unit 40 (S13). Based on the input signal, the control unit 40 moves the motor 226 (see FIG. 2 or FIG. 4) in one direction by an amount corresponding to the tilt displacement amount of the rod unit 71 in a direction corresponding to the operation direction of the grip unit 72. (S14). As a result, the advance / retreat pinion 240 of the massage mechanism 200 rolls on the advance / retreat rack 241 of the moving device 200 a, and the massage mechanism 200 tilts and displaces the rod portion 71 in a direction that matches the operation direction of the grip portion 72. It is moved forward by a distance corresponding to the amount (operation distance) (S15).

  Therefore, by using the operating device 7 having a volume switch, the operation of the operating device 7 by the user and the operation of the massage mechanism 200 can be linearly associated. In other words, the operation direction (front-rear direction) of the grip part 72 and the operation direction (front-rear direction) of the massage mechanism 200 are made to coincide with each other based on the viewpoint of the user seated on the seat part 2, and the rod part 71. The massage mechanism 200 can be moved by a distance corresponding to (for example, proportional to) the amount of tilt displacement. Further, when the operation is stopped by releasing the hand from the grip portion 72, the rod portion 71 returns to the neutral position in the upright state by the action of the spring spring 77c, and the massage mechanism 200 also returns to the initial position.

  Here, the moving distance of the massage mechanism 200 in step 15 (that is, the rotation speed (or rotation angle) of the motor in step 14) may be proportional to the amount of displacement of the tilting rod portion 71. Alternatively, it may be approximately expressed by a quadratic or higher order function of the displacement amount of the rod portion 71. Further, it may be approximately represented by an exponential function of the displacement amount of the rod portion 71. Furthermore, the moving distance of the massage mechanism 200 may be expressed by a combination of these functions, or a discontinuous function may be used. In this case, with respect to the proportional function, the second or higher order function, and the exponential function, table data or the like in which the input value is associated with the output value is stored in the ROM 42 of the control unit 40 in advance. Then, when a signal is input from the volume switch of the controller device 7, the control unit 40 refers to the table data in the ROM 42, acquires an output signal corresponding to the input signal, and thereby drives the motor 226. Good. In addition, a calculation program may be used instead of the table data, and an arithmetic circuit may be separately provided by a flip-flop or the like.

  Next, operation | movement of the massage mechanism 200 when the grip part 72 of the operating device 7 is operated up and down is demonstrated using the flowchart shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, when the grip portion 72 of the operating device 7 is operated downward from the neutral position by the user (S1), it is lowered by the amount of play between the first switch 103u and the upper leaf spring 106u. After that, the first switch 103u contacts the leaf spring 106u, and the first switch 103u is switched from the off state to the on state (S2). Then, a signal is output from the first switch 103u to the control unit 40 (S3), and the control unit 40 rotationally drives the motor 214 based on this signal (S4), and the lifting pinion 207 rolls along the guide rail 29a. The massage mechanism 200 moves downward along the guide rail 29a together with the moving device 200a (S5).

  Thereafter, the control unit 40 determines whether or not an input of a signal indicating an ON state from the first switch 103u continues (S6). When the user continues to hold the grip portion 72 of the operating device 7 in the lower position and the signal indicating the ON state is continuously input from the first switch 103u to the control portion 40 (S6: YES), Step 4 Repeat the operation from. On the other hand, when the user operates the grip part 72 to return to the neutral position, or when the grip part 72 returns to the neutral position by the action of the lower coil spring 97 by releasing the hand from the grip part 72. The first switch 103u is separated from the leaf spring 106u, and the control unit 40 determines in step 6 that there is no input of a signal indicating the ON state from the first switch 103u (S6: NO). And the control part 40 stops the rotational drive of the motor 214 (S7), and stops the downward movement of the massage mechanism 200 (S8).

  Therefore, in the chair type massage machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the massage mechanism 200 moves down only during the period when the user operates the grip part 72 of the operation device 7 downward, and the user receives the grip part. When the operation of the operating device 7 is stopped by releasing the hand from 72, the massage mechanism 200 is maintained at that position. Note that the same operation is performed when the user operates the grip portion 72 of the operation device 7 upward, and the massage mechanism 200 moves up only during the period in which the user operates the grip portion 72 upward. When the operation is stopped by releasing the hand from the grip portion 72, the massage mechanism 200 is maintained at that position. Further, when the user stops the operation of the grip part 72 and the operating device 7 is in a non-operating state (that is, a signal indicating an ON state from either the first switch 103u or the second switch 103d is a control unit 40). The control unit 40 can be configured so that the massage mechanism 200 returns to a predetermined position (for example, the uppermost position or the lowermost position).

  Further, the chair type massage machine 1 according to the present embodiment is based on the above-described operation direction (that is, the vertical direction) of the grip portion 72 of the operation device 7 based on the viewpoint of the user seated on the seat portion 2. The operation direction of the massage mechanism 200 (that is, the vertical direction) coincides. Therefore, the user can intuitively operate the grip portion 72 of the operation device 7 in the vertical direction to move the massage mechanism 200 to a desired position (height), and feel uncomfortable with the operation of the operation device 7. It is possible to improve operability without feeling.

  Even when the massage mechanism 200 is moved up and down, the massage mechanism 200 may be moved by an amount corresponding to the operation distance in the vertical direction in addition to the operation direction of the grip portion 72 of the operation device 7. For example, instead of the first switch 103u, the second switch 103d, and the leaf springs 106u and 106d, a rack is provided on the rod portion 71 of the operating device 7, and the grip portion 72 can be engaged with the rack and rolled up and down. A pinion is provided. Furthermore, a volume switch that rotates in conjunction with the pinion is provided. Then, a signal relating to the operation direction and operation distance of the grip portion 72 detected by the volume switch may be input to the control unit 40, and the control unit 40 may be driven to rotate the lifting motor 214 based on the input signal.

  Next, another operating device 7a in which a part of the operating device 7 is changed to a different configuration will be described. The operating device 7a can maintain the current posture (tilted posture) without returning to the upright state even when the rod portion 71 is in the non-operated state when the rod portion 71 is in the tilted state.

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the joint mechanism 73b of the operating device 7a with a part omitted. As shown in FIG. 12, the operating device 7a includes a rotary damper (maintenance portion) 81a in place of the spring hooks 77a and 77b and the spring spring 77c and one rod pivot base 75b in the operating device 7 described above. Is provided. The rotary damper 81a has a main body screwed to an inner wall portion of a cover 73a (see FIG. 1) that covers the joint mechanism 73b, and a rotating shaft (not shown) of which the axial center coincides with the pivot shaft 76. It is connected to the rod portion 71 in a state. The rotary damper 81a, together with another rotary damper 81, exhibits a viscous frictional force against the swinging of the rod portion 71 in the front-rear direction. The frictional force cancels out the force that the rod portion 71 tends to tilt further.

  In the case of the operation device 7a having such a configuration, when the user stops the operation and releases the hand from the grip portion 72 when the rod portion 71 is tilted by the operation of the user, the operation device 7a Maintain posture (ie maintain tilted posture). Therefore, even if the user releases his hand from the grip part 72 while tilting the operating device 7a, a signal indicating the tilting operation is continuously output from the rotary switch 83 of the operating device 7a to the control unit 40. The massage mechanism 200 continues to move in the front-rear direction. In addition, in the case of a configuration including a volume switch instead of the rotary switch 83, when the user releases his hand from the grip portion 72 while tilting the operating device 7a, the rod of the operating device 7a when the hand is released According to the tilt direction and tilt displacement amount of the portion 71, the massage mechanism 200 is maintained in the front-rear direction position. When the necessary and sufficient viscous frictional force can be exhibited only by the rotary damper 81, the rotary damper 81a may be omitted, and conversely, the necessary and sufficient viscous frictional force may be exhibited only by the rotary damper 81a. In some cases, the rotary damper 81 may be omitted.

  Next, still another operating device having a configuration different from the operating device 7 and the operating device 7a described above will be described with reference to FIG. 13 which is a perspective view showing an external configuration. The operation device 300 shown in FIG. 13 can be used in the chair type massage machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 like the operation device 7 and the operation device 7a. The armrest 5 is attached on the upper cover 5a.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the operating device 300 is mainly configured by a base portion 301, a rod portion 302 erected on the base portion 301, and a grip portion 303 attached to the upper portion of the rod portion 302. Yes. Normally, a cover is provided to cover the grip portion 303, but this is omitted in FIG. The base portion 301 is shaped like a saddle, and is used to adjust the reclining adjustment button 305 for adjusting the reclining position of the backrest portion 3 and the speed of the hitting operation by the treatment element 10 of the massage mechanism 6, 200. Various buttons and switches such as a speed adjustment switch 306 are arranged.

  The rod portion 302 erected on the base portion 301 is ball-joined with the base portion 301 at the lower end thereof, and can be tilted in all directions such as front and rear and left and right. In addition, a rotary switch (not shown) is provided in the base portion 301 so as to detect the tilting direction of the rod portion 302 and to output a detection signal to the control portion 40 (see FIG. 4). Further, a spring spring and a rotary damper (not shown) are provided in the base portion 301 so as to apply a viscous resistance in the direction opposite to the displacement direction when the rod portion 302 is tilted or returned to the upright state. . And such a structure can exhibit the function similar to the joint mechanism 73 of the operating device 7 shown in FIG.5 and FIG.6. In addition, it is also possible to adopt a configuration that can exhibit the same function as the joint mechanism 73b of the operating device 7a shown in FIG. 12 by arranging a volume switch instead of the rotary switch and omitting the return spring spring. .

  A rod housing portion 307 having a cylindrical shape is externally fitted on the rod portion 302. The rod portion 302 and the rod housing portion 307 are connected in the same manner as the rod portion 71 and the grip portion 72 of the operating device 7 shown in FIG. That is, in the internal space of the rod housing portion 307, switches (not shown) that detect the vertical operation of the rod housing portion 307 (corresponding to the first switch 103u and the second switch 103d shown in FIG. 7), A coil spring (not shown) (which corresponds to the coil springs 97 and 98 shown in FIG. 7) that urges the rod accommodating portion 307 to return to the center position (neutral position) in the vertical direction is provided. The rod housing portion 307 can be operated relatively upward and downward with respect to the rod portion 302. When the rod housing portion 307 is operated upward and downward, the rod housing portion 307 is urged to the neutral position and in the operation direction. A corresponding signal is output to the control unit 40 (see FIG. 4).

  Also in the case of the operation device 300 having such a configuration, the massage mechanism 200 can be moved in the front-rear direction by an intuitive operation by the user as in the case of the operation of the operation devices 7 and 7a described above. And can be moved up and down. That is, when the grip portion 303 of the operation device 300 is tilted in the front-rear direction, the massage mechanism 200 can be moved in the front-rear direction substantially coincident with this operation direction, and the grip portion 303 is operated in the up-down direction. Can move the massage mechanism 200 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the user can intuitively operate the operation device 300, and the operability can be improved. In addition, since the operation | movement of the front-back direction and the operation | movement of an up-down direction of the massage mechanism 200 when operating the grip part 303 is substantially the same as the operation | movement shown to the flowchart of FIGS. 9-11, detailed description here is abbreviate | omitted. To do.

  The rod accommodating portion 307 is connected to the grip portion 303 disposed above by a connecting member 309. The connecting member 309 has a bifurcated shape that is divided into left and right, and is screwed to the rod accommodating portion 307 so as to sandwich the rod accommodating portion 307 from the left and right. The grip part 303 is attached to the upper part of the connection member 309. Accordingly, when the grip portion 303 is operated in the vertical direction, the grip portion 303, the connecting member 309, and the rod housing portion 307 are integrally moved up and down, and a switch (not shown) in the rod housing portion 307 performs a signal corresponding to the operation direction. Is output to the control unit 40 (see FIG. 4).

  The grip portion 303 is arranged vertically and is provided with a long plate 320, 320 in the front and rear, a support member 321 that supports the plate 320, 320, and a grip operation performed by the user. The grip handle 322 is mainly configured. The grip handle 322 has left and right grip members 323 and 324, and the user holds the grip members 323 and 324 so that they are separated or close to each other, that is, the grip handle 322 is opened and closed. Grip operation.

  FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XIV of the grip portion 303 included in the operating device 300 shown in FIG. 13, for explaining the configuration and operating principle of the grip handle 322. FIG. 14A shows a configuration when the grip handle 322 is open, and FIG. 14B shows a configuration when the grip handle 322 is closed. In order to understand the visibility of the components and the principle of operation, in FIG. 14, all the components are represented by solid lines, but the vertical positional relationship of each component will be referred to sequentially in the following description. .

  As shown in FIG. 14 (a), the left and right grip members 323 and 324 have a substantially channel shape in cross section, and are arranged with their respective opening portions facing each other, and the respective front portions are pivots 325. It is pivotally supported by. The pivot 325 is provided with a coiled biasing spring 326 that biases the gripping members 323 and 324 to open when the left and right gripping members 323 and 324 are closed below a predetermined opening degree. To do.

  A plate-like rack support plate 330 extending inward is pivotally supported on the left holding member 323, and a rack 331 extending substantially in the left-right direction is attached to the upper surface of the rack support plate 330. Further, the rack support plate 330 is formed with a guide hole 332 that extends substantially right and left along the rack 331 on the rear side of the rack 331. A plate-like pinion support plate 335 extending inward is attached to the right grip member 324 via a bracket (not shown). The pinion support plate 335 is disposed above the rack support plate 330, and a rotary damper 336 is attached to the lower surface of the pinion support plate 335 with the output shaft 336a facing downward. A pinion 337 is coaxially attached to the output shaft 336 a, and the pinion 337 meshes with the rack 331. Further, the lower end portion of the output shaft 336 a of the rotary damper 336 is inserted through a guide hole 332 formed in the rack support plate 330.

  As shown in FIG. 14B, when the user grips the grip portion 303 having such a configuration, the left and right grip members 323 and 324 are pivoted against the biasing force of the biasing spring 326. Rotate around. When the left and right gripping members 323 and 324 approach each other, the output shaft 336a of the rotary damper 336 is guided by the guide hole 332, and the pinion 337 at the end of the output shaft 336a is kept engaged with the rack 331. Rolling. On the other hand, when the user removes his / her hand from the grip handle 322 and the operation device 300 is brought into a non-operation state, the left and right grip members 323 and 324 are separated by the action of the biasing spring 326, and the grip handle 322 is moved again. Opens to the initial state (state shown in FIG. 14A).

  Further, for example, a volume switch (not shown) is coaxially provided on the pinion 337 or the pivot 325, and a signal corresponding to the distance between the left and right grip members 323 and 324 (or the opening of the grip handle 322) is The data is output from the volume switch to the control unit 40 (see FIG. 4). Based on this input signal, the control unit 40 moves the distance between the left and right treatment elements 10, 10 of the massage mechanism 200 (see FIG. 2) according to the distance between the left and right grip members 323, 324. Realize operation. In this way, by gripping the grip handle 322 of the operation device 300, the massage mechanism 200 can perform a massage operation, and a massage close to an actual hand massage feeling can be realized.

  In the above description, the configuration for operating the treatment element 10 provided in the backrest part 3 of the chair type massage machine 1 has been described. However, there are other treatment parts that control the operation by operating the operation device 7 or the like. It may be provided at the location. By the tilting operation of the operation device 7 or the like in the front-rear direction, the air bag 47 (see FIG. 4) provided on the lower leg support surface 4a (see FIG. 1) of the footrest 4 is inflated or contracted to contact the lower leg of the user You may make it move the part to perform to the front-back direction. Further, the operation device 7 or the like does not need to be fixed to the chair type massage machine 1, and may be configured to be detachable and fixable as necessary.

  The present invention can be applied to a chair-type massage machine that includes a treatment unit that is provided on the backrest unit and that stimulates the back of the user and an operation device that allows the user to operate the operation of the treatment unit. it can. In particular, it is a chair type massage machine in which the treatment part provided in the backrest part is movable, and the treatment is performed in a direction that substantially matches the operation direction when the operation device is operated with reference to the viewpoint of the user. In order to realize a chair type massage machine that allows the user to operate the operation device intuitively by moving the part, the present invention can be suitably applied.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the chair type massage machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view which shows the structure of the massage mechanism and moving apparatus with which the chair type massage machine shown in FIG. 1 is provided. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows typically the structure of this massage mechanism in order to demonstrate the operation | movement principle of the massage mechanism shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the chair type massage machine shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a joint mechanism of a base portion and a rod portion of the operating device included in the chair type massage machine shown in FIG. 1 with a part omitted, showing a configuration based on a line of sight from the right rear side. Yes. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the joint mechanism shown in FIG. 5, Comprising: The structure based on the eyes | visual_axis from diagonally left back is shown. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the grip part of the operating device shown in FIG. 1, and the rod part in this grip part. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the operating device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the massage mechanism with which a chair type massage machine is provided when the grip part of an operating device is tilted in the front-back direction. It is a flowchart for demonstrating other operation | movement of the massage mechanism with which a chair type massage machine with which the grip part of an operating device is tilted in the front-back direction is equipped. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the massage mechanism with which a chair type massage machine is provided when the grip part of an operating device is operated to the up-down direction. It is a perspective view which omits a part and shows the other structure of the joint mechanism of the operating device with which the chair type massage machine shown in FIG. 1 is provided, Comprising: The structure based on the eyes | visual_axis from diagonally right back is shown. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the operating device which comprises further different structure from the operating device shown in FIGS. It is XV arrow sectional drawing of the grip part which the operating device shown in FIG. 14 has, and has shown the structure of the grip handle. FIG. 15A shows a configuration when the grip handle is open, and FIG. 15B shows a configuration when the grip handle is closed. It is a side view which shows the rocking | fluctuation operation | movement to the front-back direction of the massage mechanism shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Chair type massage machine 3 Backrest part 5 Armrest 200 Massage mechanism 200a Movement apparatus 7,7a, 300 Operation apparatus 8 Controller 10 Treatment element (treatment part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11, 12, 214, 226 Motor 40 Control part 28 Elevating stand 29a Guide rail 70 Base part 71 Rod part 72 Grip part 73, 73b Joint mechanism 77a, 77b Spring hook 77c Spring spring 81 Rotary damper (damping part)
81a Rotary damper (maintenance part)
83 Rotary switch 200a Moving device 200b Elevating mechanism 200c Oscillating mechanism

Claims (5)

A treatment part that is provided in a backrest part that supports the back part of the user , is movable in the front-rear direction, and stimulates the backrest part;
An operating device having a grip portion that can be displaced in the front-rear direction from a predetermined neutral position by the operation of the user, and outputting a signal corresponding to the operation of the grip portion;
A control unit for controlling the treatment unit to move in the front-rear direction corresponding to the operation direction when the grip unit is operated in the front-rear direction based on a signal from the operation device ;
The operating device includes a maintenance unit that maintains a posture of the operating device when a user releases his / her hand from the grip unit,
The control unit controls the grip unit of the operation device to move the treatment unit according to a displacement amount operated in the front-rear direction from the neutral position and maintain the position in the front-rear direction. Type massage machine. The operating device includes a base portion, a rod portion erected on the base portion, and the grip portion provided on an upper portion of the rod portion,
The chair-type massage machine according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance unit is configured by a rotary damper that exhibits viscous frictional force with respect to swinging of the rod portion in the front-rear direction. The treatment part and the grip part of the operating device are both movable in the vertical direction, and the control part moves the treatment part in the vertical direction that coincides with the operation direction when the grip part is operated in the vertical direction. The chair type massage machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the chair type massage machine is configured to be controlled to move. Wherein the control unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the grip portion of the operating device is configured to control so as to move the treatment section according to the time that is operated vertically from said neutral position chair-type massage machine. Wherein, in claim 3, characterized in that the grip portion of the operating device is configured to control so as to move the treatment section according to the displacement amount that has been operated in the vertical direction from the neutral position The chair type massage machine described .

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