KR20180085539A - Ear therapy apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ear therapy device capable of selectively applying acupressure to ear acupuncture while reducing noise, heat, and size. A plurality of piezoelectric actuators provided on the face of the case facing the ear to stimulate the ear acupuncture; And a control unit for individually controlling the plurality of piezoelectric actuators. Further, the present invention provides an ear therapy device capable of shaking the entire menstrual discharge of the ear in consideration of the three-dimensional structure of the ear, comprising: a case of a headset shape; At least two moving plates provided in a multistage manner so as to be slidable toward the ear in the case; A protrusion provided on a surface of the at least two moving plates facing the ear; And driving means for moving the at least two moving plates.

Description

The therapy device {EAR THERAPY APPARATUS}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an ear therapy device, and more particularly to an ear therapy device capable of massaging ear (hereinafter referred to as " ear ") and stimulating menstrual discharge.

Massage means giving the skin and muscles a proper stimulus to rub the body. Such massage has the effect of removing the fatigue substance by activating the local metabolism by promoting the flow of body fluids such as blood / lymph / tissue fluid. Recently, as a scientific treatment means, It is widely used for various kinds of ataxia or fatigue recovery and preparation exercise of sports and labor. In the case of the ear of a body part, massage it by stretching the ear, stretching the ear, decorating the ear, rubbing the ear, pulling the ear, pushing the ear, and pulling the ear.

In oriental medicine, acupuncture is recognized as a medical technology and used as a treatment. Acupuncture is a major component of oriental medicine, including oriental medicine, Chinese medicine, and Japan. Acupuncture stimulates the stimulation area, Meridian, to obtain various therapeutic and prophylactic effects. The mechanism of acupuncture is to stimulate the soft tissues located in the peripheral nervous system and peripheral organs distributed in a specific meridian by physical exercise, electricity or heat. Stimulated nervous system or soft tissues can have a therapeutic effect by inducing an effect on the whole body through local bio response (cell signal) or central nervous system.

Especially, the ear part is connected to each book of the whole body in Oriental medicine. And according to modern medicine, there are relatively many nerves, blood vessels and lymph vessels in the ears. In Oriental medicine, a therapy called auricular acupressure (auricular therapy) is used as a treatment. The hematologic therapy stimulates the ear acupuncture in the ear by observing various positive reactions (positive reaction, examination result for diagnosis of disease, specific reaction appearing in the ear), the health state of the human body, personality, psychology, It improves blood circulation and strengthens immunity, restoring homeostasis of human body.

Accordingly, various techniques for massaging the ear and stimulating the ear acupuncture have been proposed. Typically, an ear therapy device in the form of a headset has been proposed. However, in the conventional ear therapy apparatus, as the driving unit, the size of the instrument is increased by the use of the servo motor or the air pump system, and a lot of noise is generated. Also, as a means of acupressing the ear acupuncture, a plurality of rigid projections are used or an air tube is used.

When a hard protrusion is used as a force applying means, a motor is required to be disposed for each protrusion in order to physically move a plurality of protrusions, which causes a problem of a large cost, a large size, heat generation, and inefficiency. Further, there is a problem that the power applied to the projections is difficult to control excessively and precisely. When air tubes are used instead of rigid projections, they also need to be air pumps or air compressors, which increases the size and weight. Further, a separate air inlet pipe for conveying the compressed air is required, and a large noise is generated in the operation of the air pump, and it is difficult to individually control a plurality of air tubes. In addition, the ear is not the skin of the flat structure but the skin of the three-dimensional structure. Conventional ear therapy devices do not consider the three-dimensional structure of the ear at all, and do not properly press the menstrual blood in the deep ear.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an ear therapy device capable of selectively acupressing ear acupuncture while reducing noise, heat, and size.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ear therapy device capable of shaking the entire menstrual discharge of the ear in consideration of the three-dimensional structure of the ear.

An ear therapy device for acupressing ear acupuncture according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a headset-shaped case; A plurality of piezoelectric actuators provided on the face of the case facing the ear to stimulate the ear acupuncture; And a control unit for individually controlling the plurality of piezoelectric actuators.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ear therapy device for acupressing ear acupuncture. At least two moving plates provided in a multistage manner so as to be slidable toward the ear in the case; A protrusion provided on a surface of the at least two moving plates facing the ear; And driving means for moving the at least two moving plates.

The ear therapy device according to the present invention can use a plurality of divided piezoelectric actuators as a force applying means to individually select and pressurize each ear acupuncture.

Since the ear therapy device according to the present invention uses a plurality of divided piezoelectric actuators as a force applying means, it is not necessary to use a motor, and the cost, size and noise of the therapy device can be reduced.

Further, in the ear therapy device of the present invention, the acupuncture points of the ear can be exerted by using at least two or more moving plates in accordance with the shape of the ear.

1 is a perspective view of an ear therapy device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the ear therapy device of Fig. 1. Fig.
3 is a cross-sectional view showing a detailed configuration of a piezoelectric actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a perspective view of an ear therapy device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a view showing a moving state of the pressure-sensitive portion of FIG.
6 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of an embodiment of the ear therapy device of FIG.
Fig. 7 is a view for schematically explaining the driving principle of the moving plate of the after-therapy apparatus according to the circuit configuration of Fig.
Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of another embodiment of the ear therapy device of Fig. 4; Fig.
Fig. 9 is a view for schematically explaining the driving principle of the moving plate of the ear therapy device according to the circuit configuration of Fig. 8;

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: There will be. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view of an ear therapy device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the ear therapy device according to the present embodiment includes two body portions 100 as a headset type and a connection portion 200 connecting the two body portions 100. The main body 100 is installed near both ends of the connection part 200 and is in close contact with the user's ear.

Referring to FIG. 1, each main body 100 includes a case 110 for accommodating parts by forming an empty space therein, a cushion part 120 installed along the rim of the face of the case 110 facing the ear, And a pressure-applying part 130 provided on the inner side of the cushion part 120.

The case 110 may be injection molded with a plastic material, but not limited thereto, and may be made of various materials in various manufacturing methods. Also, the shape of the case 110 can be variously manufactured. An empty space is formed in the case 110, and various components are embedded in the empty space.

The cushion part 120 is provided along the rim of the face of the case 110 facing the ear in a circular donut shape. The cushion part 120 may surround the ear and contact the head of the ear and / or the outside of the ear. The cushion part 120 is brought into close contact with the head of the ear and / or the outside of the ear so that external sound is prevented from flowing into the ear. The cushion part 120 may be formed of a soft material to improve sound cut-off and adhesion.

The connecting portion 200 may include a length adjusting means for connecting the two body portions 100 as an arch shape and adjusting the length of the connecting portion 200. The connecting portion 200 may be made of a material having elasticity and may be elongated or reduced in length, To the ear.

Referring to FIG. 1, an acupressure part 130 is provided on the inner side of the donut-shaped cushion part 120 on the face of the main body part 100 facing the ear. The acupressure part 130 includes a plate and a piezoelectric actuator 131 provided on the face of the plate facing the ear to stimulate the menstrual discharge of the ear. The plurality of piezoelectric actuators 131 are individually controlled and expanded and contracted to thereby effect acupressure of the ear acupuncture points. Preferably, the outer shape of the pressure-sensitive portion 130 may correspond to the shape of the ear.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the ear therapy device of Fig. 1. Fig. Referring to FIG. 2, the therapy device includes a power source 230, a switching circuit 240, a storage unit 250, an input unit 260, and a control unit 270.

The switching circuit 240 receives a voltage from the power supply 230 and applies a driving signal to the piezoelectric actuator 131 under the control of the controller 270. [ The piezoelectric actuator 131 is surface-divided on the surface of the pressure-sensitive portion 130 facing the ear of the plate, and a plurality of the piezoelectric actuators 131 are provided. The switching circuit 240 is implemented so as to be able to individually apply driving signals to the plurality of piezoelectric actuators 131. The switching circuit 240 can operate the piezoelectric actuators 131 alternately by changing the phases of the drive signals supplied to the piezoelectric actuators 131 and by making the phases the same so that the piezoelectric actuators 131 are equally It may be operated. The switching circuit 240 may be implemented as a field effect transistor.

The storage unit 250 may store the mode information of the subsequent therapy apparatus and a program operated by the control unit 270. [ The storage unit 250 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include one or more magnetic disk storage devices, non-volatile memory such as a flash memory device, or other non-volatile semiconductor memory device. The mode information may include information on a driving pattern of the piezoelectric actuator 131 such as an immune mode, a circulatory mode, a fire extinguisher mode, a respiratory mode, and an endocrine mode. In general, there are about 160 menstrual blood, including the ear, obovate and body organs. Therefore, the user can select a mode for stimulating a desired acupuncture point among ear acupuncture points. For example, the immune mode stimulates the acupoint of the liver / gallbladder during ear acupuncture, stimulates the acupoint of the heart / small intestine in the circulatory system, and the digestive mode stimulates the acupoint of the spleen / stomach of the digestive system, Mode stimulates the acupuncture points of the respiratory system such as the lungs / colon, and stimulates the menstrual blood such as the kidney / bladder in the endocrine mode. The information on the drive pattern may include identification information of the piezoelectric actuator 131 to be operated in each mode, information on an operation time, an operation order, and the like.

The input unit 260 receives a user input such as power on / off and selection of an operation mode in an after-treatment apparatus, and transmits the user input to the controller 270. The input unit 260 may be implemented as a button or a switch on the outside of the after-therapy apparatus, or may be implemented as a separate input apparatus connected to the after-therapy apparatus through wired or wireless communication, or a personal computer, 260) may be performed instead. To this end, the therapy device may include a wired / wireless communication circuit.

The control unit 270 turns on or off the power according to the input signal transmitted from the input unit 260 and controls the switching circuit 240 according to the user's mode selection with reference to the storage unit 250 to control the piezoelectric actuator 131, . The control unit 270 may be implemented as a processor, for example, a central processing unit (CPU).

3 is a cross-sectional view showing a detailed configuration of a piezoelectric actuator 131 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3, each of the piezoelectric actuators 131 includes a common electrode 310, a piezoelectric layer 320, and an upper electrode 330. The common electrode 310, the piezoelectric layer 320, and the upper electrode 330 are formed on the piezoelectric actuator 131, And a power transmitting member 340 are stacked in this order. In this embodiment, each of the piezoelectric actuators 131 is shown using a common electrode 310, but the common electrodes 310 can be individually manufactured for each of the piezoelectric actuators 131. The common electrode 310 may be connected to the ground. The upper electrode 330 is installed on the upper portion of each of the piezoelectric actuators 131, and a driving signal is applied thereto. The upper electrode 330 may be formed in the form of a thin film so as not to interfere with the driving of the piezoelectric actuator 131. When a driving signal is applied to the upper electrode 330, a voltage difference occurs between the common electrode 310 and the upper electrode 330, and the piezoelectric layer 320 is expanded and contracted in the vertical direction. In addition, the piezoelectric layer 320 can be expanded and contracted in the horizontal direction while expanding and contracting in the vertical direction. The power transmitting member 340 presses against the skin of the ear when the piezoelectric layer 320 is stretched, specifically, when the piezoelectric layer 320 is stretched. The power transmitting member 340 may be an insulating and elastic material.

3, each of the piezoelectric actuators 131 is normally connected to the common electrode 310 and selectively applies driving signals to the upper electrodes 330. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, 330, and the connection between the common electrode 310 and the ground is selectively turned on / off.

4 is a perspective view of an ear therapy device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the elements and operations described with reference to FIG. 1, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

4, the pressure-sensitive portion 130 has a two-step zoom-in / zoom-out function, and can apply pressure to the ear by coming into close contact with the ear. To this end, the pressure applying unit 130 includes a main moving plate 130a and a sub moving plate 130b which can slide independently, that is, can perform linear movement in the forward and backward directions. In the first-step zoom-out state, the main moving plate 130a and the sub-moving plate 130b advance to the ear by the same distance. In the two-step zoom-out state, the sub-moving plate 130b advances further in the ear direction than the main moving plate 130a. That is, the second-stage zoom-out state means that the sub-moving plate 130b further advances in the ear-wise direction in the first-step zoom-out state. Zoom in is the opposite direction of zoom out. Depending on the user's choice, a 1-step zoom-in or zoom-out or a 2-step zoom-in or zoom-out can be selected, or a 2-step zoom in-out can be done automatically. Unlike other skin, ears are not flat, but as a three-dimensional shape, the outer ear becomes narrow in steps. Therefore, like the present embodiment, the pressure-sensitive portion 130 can be brought into close contact with the entire outer ear of the ear by the two-step zoom-out function. In this embodiment, the pressure-sensitive portion 130 is described as having a two-step zoom-in and zoom-out function, but is not limited thereto and may have three or more zoom-in / zoom-out functions.

5 is a view showing the moving state of the pressure-receiving portion 130 of Fig. 4. Fig. 5 (a) is a state diagram of a one-step zoom-out, and Fig. 5 (b) is a two- Referring to FIG. 5A, in the first-stage zoom-out state, the main moving plate 130a and the sub-moving plate 130b move forward by the same distance. At this time, the advance distance is a distance allowing the main moving plate 130a to come in close contact with the outer cone of the ear. Referring to FIG. 5B, in the two-step zoom-out state, the sub-moving plate 130b advances further in the ear direction in the first-step zoom-out state. The advancing distance of the sub-moving plate 130b at this time is a distance allowing the sub-moving plate 130b to sufficiently adhere to the inner conch of the ear. When the two-step zoom-out state is established, the pressure-sensitive portion 130 is brought into close contact with the entire area of the ear.

Referring again to FIG. 4, a plurality of fixed protrusions 431 are provided on the surface of the pressure-sensitive portion 130 facing the ear instead of the piezoelectric actuators 131. The plurality of projections 431 may be made of silicon or plastic, but are not limited thereto. The pressure-sensitive part 130 has a two-stage zoom-in / zoom-out function as described above, and can apply pressure to the ear through the plurality of protrusions 431.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of an embodiment of the ear therapy device of Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 is a view schematically illustrating the driving principle of the moving plates 130a and 130b of the ear therapy device according to the circuit configuration of Fig. to be. 6 and 7, the therapy apparatus includes two motors 610 and 620, a power source 630, a storage unit 650, an input unit 660, and a control unit 670.

The two motors 610 and 620 serve as driving means to receive the voltage from the power supply 630 under the control of the controller 670 and move the main moving plate 130a and the sub moving plate 130b forward and backward, respectively. Referring to FIG. 7, the first motor 610 moves the main moving plate 130a back and forth, and the second motor 620 moves the sub moving plate 130b back and forth. In the initial operation, the controller 670 controls the first motor 610 to move the main moving plate 130a by a predetermined distance. At this time, the sub-moving plate 130b is slidably inserted into the main moving plate 130a as shown in FIG. 7 and moves together with the main moving plate 130a. Thereafter, the control unit 670 controls only the second motor 620 to move the sub-moving plate 130b a little further. The controller 670 controls the second motor 620 to move the sub-moving plate 130b backward. When the sub-moving plate 130b is inserted and engaged inside the main moving plate 130a, when the sub-moving plate 130b is moved backward, the main moving plate 130a also moves backward. Here, the two motors 610 and 620 may be, for example, an electromagnetic linear motor or a piezoelectric linear motor using a piezoelectric element. In an electromagnetic linear motor, a movable member is generally provided with a gap having a predetermined width between an inner core and an outer core, and the movable member reciprocates by an induced current generated in the outer core. Since the ear therapy device according to the present invention uses only a number of motors corresponding to the number of one or a plurality of moving plates 130a and 130b, the number of motors is reduced, And the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The storage unit 650 may store operation mode information and a program operated by the control unit 670. The storage 650 may include a high speed random access memory and may also include one or more magnetic disk storage devices, non-volatile memory such as flash memory devices, or other non-volatile semiconductor memory devices. The operation mode information includes information such as a movement pattern of the moving plates 130a and 130b, a paper pressure duration, and the like.

The input unit 660 receives a user input such as power on / off, selection of an operation mode, and the like, and transmits the user input to the control unit 670. The input unit 660 may be implemented as a button or a switch on the outside of the after-therapy apparatus, or may be implemented as a separate input apparatus connected to the after-therapy apparatus through wired or wireless, or a personal computer, a smart phone, 660) may be performed instead. To this end, the therapy device may include a wired / wireless communication circuit.

The control unit 670 controls the motors 610 and 620 to refer to the storage unit 650 according to the mode selection of the user and to control the motors 610 and 620 according to the mode selection of the user, (130a) and the sub-moving plate (130b). The control unit 670 may be implemented as a processor, for example, a central processing unit (CPU).

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of another embodiment of the ear therapy device of Fig. 4, and Fig. 9 is a view schematically illustrating the driving principle of the moving plates 130a and 130b of the ear therapy device according to the circuit configuration of Fig. to be. In Figs. 8 and 9, the same reference numerals as those in Figs. 6 and 7 include the operations and functions described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

8 and 9, the therapy apparatus includes one motor 810 and selectively moves the main moving plate 130a and the sub moving plate 130b with one motor 810. [ 9, the controller 670 controls the clutch 820 to connect the motor 810 and the main moving plate 130a and controls the motor 810 to move the main moving plate 130a Moves forward. At this time, the sub-moving plate 130b is inserted into the main moving plate 130a as shown in FIG. 9 and moves together with the main moving plate 130a. The control unit 670 controls the clutch 820 to connect the motor 810 to the sub-moving plate 130b and control the motor 810 to move the sub-moving plate 130b a little further. The controller 670 controls the clutch 820 to connect the motor 810 to the sub moving plate 130b and to move the sub moving plate 130b by controlling the motor 810. [ When the sub-moving plate 130b is inserted into the main moving plate 130a, the sub-moving plate 130b and the main moving plate 130a move back together. Here, the motor 810 may be, for example, an electromagnetic linear motor or a piezoelectric linear motor using a piezoelectric element. In an electromagnetic linear motor, a mover is generally provided with a gap having a predetermined width between an inner core and an outer core, and the mover reciprocates by an induced current generated in the outer core. Although it is described in this embodiment that the two moving plates 130a and 130b are slidably moved using the clutch 820 while using one motor 810, the present invention is not limited to this, and a zoom gear set including a plurality of gears may be used So that the two moving plates 130a and 130b can be slid and moved by the single motor 810.

While the specification contains many features, such features should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention or the scope of the claims. In addition, the features described in the individual embodiments herein may be combined and implemented in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the singular < Desc / Clms Page number 5 > embodiments herein may be implemented in various embodiments individually or in combination as appropriate.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The present invention is not limited to the drawings.

100:
110: Cushion part
200: Connection
130: acupressure part
131: Piezoelectric actuator
130a: main moving plate
130b: Sub-
431:

Claims (2)

An ear therapy device for acupressing ear acupuncture,
A headset shaped case;
A plurality of piezoelectric actuators provided on the face of the case facing the ear to stimulate the ear acupuncture; And
And a control unit for individually controlling the plurality of piezoelectric actuators. An ear therapy device for acupressing ear acupuncture,
A headset shaped case;
At least two moving plates provided in a multistage manner so as to be slidable toward the ear in the case;
A protrusion provided on a surface of the at least two moving plates facing the ear; And
And driving means for moving said at least two moving plates.

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