WO2007037138A1

WO2007037138A1 - Massage machine

Info

Publication number: WO2007037138A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/318352
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takeo Iijima; Daisuke Tsukada; Fumihiro Nishio; Takayoshi Tanizawa; Yuichi Nishibori; Masamichi Miyaguchi
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-09-27
Filing date: 2006-09-15
Publication date: 2007-04-05
Also published as: JP2007089704A; JP4802633B2

Abstract

A massage machine (1) provided with a foot treatment unit (5) for massaging the feet of a subject by repeated inflation and deflation of airbags, which has a foot table (10) on which the feet of the subject are placed; a plural number of air bags (11) which are located in the foot table (10) and undergo repeated inflation and deflation due to air supply/discharge to thereby massage the feet of the subject; an air supply/discharge unit (8) for supplying air to the air bags (11) and discharging air therefrom; an air pressure detection part (24) for detecting the air pressure of each air bags (11); and a controller (20) by which the foot shape of the subject is evaluated based on the detection data of the air bags (11) obtained by the air pressure detection part (24) and the air supply to air bags and the air discharge therefrom by the air supply/discharge unit (8)are controlled depending on the foot shape of the subject.

Description

Massage machine

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a massage machine having an air massage function for performing massage on a leg of a user by repeatedly expanding and contracting an air bag.

Background art

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-118141, an air pine surge function that adjusts the strength of pressing force by air massage by changing the amount of air supplied to the air bag has been conventionally used. Massage machines equipped with are known. In other words, with a conventional massage machine equipped with an air massage function, the user can change the strength of the air massage treatment within a preset adjustable range as needed.

[0003] However, the legs have different shapes depending on the person being treated, and when the rate of inflation of the air bag for air massage is kept constant, as shown in FIG. For those who are inflated, the inflating air bag also abuts on the legs even at an early stage force, so air massage is performed with a high pressing force for a long time, and the user may feel an excessive massage feeling. . On the other hand, for the patients with thin legs, the inflating air bag does not come into contact with the legs, and air massage is performed in a short time with a low pressing force. May feel an unsatisfactory massage. In addition, a predetermined leg portion may not be located at a pre-established treatment position in the air bag due to a difference in the sitting posture of the user as well as a difference in the physical size of the user. For this reason, it may not be possible to perform appropriate air massage treatment according to the treatment location, so the conventional massage machine cannot perform almost constant comfortable air massage treatment for all users. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the conventional example, and has an air massage function capable of performing an appropriate air massage according to the legs of all the users. The purpose is to provide a massage machine.

[0005] A massage machine according to an aspect of the present invention includes a leg rest on which a leg of a user is placed; An air bag that is provided on the leg mounting portion, repeatedly expands and contracts by air supply and exhaust, and performs air massage on the legs of the user; and an air intake and exhaust portion that supplies and discharges air to and from the air bag. An air pressure detecting unit for detecting the air pressure of the air bag; and determining a leg shape of the user based on a detected value of the air pressure of the air bag by the air pressure detecting unit, and according to the leg type of the user And a control unit that controls air supply / exhaust to the air bag by the intake / exhaust unit.

[0006] According to such a configuration, for example, by supplying a certain amount of air to the air bag and detecting the air pressure of the air bag by the air pressure detection unit, the leg shape of the user, for example, the leg is standard. It can be determined whether the thickness is thicker than the standard or thinner than the standard. According to the determined leg type, for example, if the user's leg is thicker than the standard, the control unit slows the inflation rate of the air bag slower than the standard, and conversely, the user's leg is thinner than the standard. If this is the case, increase the inflation rate of the air bag faster than normal. As a result, it is possible to perform an appropriate massage treatment according to the leg shape of each individual user.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an overall configuration of a massage machine having an air massage function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of the massage machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the air supply / exhaust device.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a configuration of a leg treatment apparatus in the massage machine.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a configuration of a main part of the leg treatment apparatus.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is an explanatory view of a part of the massage treatment operation in the leg treatment apparatus.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the continuation of the massage treatment operation in the leg treatment device.

[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the difference in massage treatment according to the difference in the thickness of the legs of the user using the massage machine.

[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a graph for explaining a difference in massage treatment according to a difference in a leg portion of a user using the massage machine. FIG. 10 is a graph showing an example of operation control of the air supply / exhaust device in the massage machine.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing another example of operation control of the air supply / exhaust device in the massage machine.

[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a diagram for explaining the shift of the position of the leg of the user with respect to the rotated leg treatment device in the massage machine.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing another configuration example of the massage machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air supply / exhaust device in still another configuration example of the massage machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a graph for explaining problems of a conventional massage machine having an air massage function.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0008] A massage machine having an air massage function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show the overall configuration of the massaging machine 1 according to the present embodiment, respectively. FIG. 3 shows a block configuration of the air supply / exhaust device 8 in the massage machine 1.

[0009] The massage machine 1 includes a chair body la having a seat 2 and a backrest 3 and an air massage leg treatment device 5 provided at the front of the seat 2. As shown by arrow A in FIG. 2, the backrest part 3 is provided at the rear part of the seat part 2 so as to be able to recline, and the user can sit on the chair body la with the upper body lying at an arbitrary angle. it can. The backrest 3 is provided with a mechanical treatment device 6 for applying massage to the back of the user sitting on the chair body la. Note that the air massage treatment of the legs by the leg treatment device 5 and the treatment of the shoulder and waist by the mechanical treatment device 6 are performed via the control unit 20 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 19 by the user. Done. Further, the reclining operation of the backrest unit 3 and the leg treatment device 5 may be configured to be performed manually, or may be performed electrically via the control unit 20 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 19 by the user. You may comprise.

[0010] The mechanical treatment device 6 is provided to be movable in the length direction (height direction) of the backrest portion 3. The main body 6a and the treatment element 6b provided on the main body 6a and reciprocally driven in the width direction of the backrest 3 and the direction perpendicular to the backrest of the backrest 3 Can be massaged such as hitting, rubbing, and grasping the shoulder

[0011] Armrest portions 7 are provided on both sides of the seat portion 2, respectively. An air bag 9 for thigh treatment is arranged on the opposing surface of the armrest 7. The air bag 9 is inflated and contracted by air supply / exhaust by the air supply / exhaust device 8 shown in FIG. 3, and by repeating the expansion and contraction of the air bag 9, the air bag 9 is expanded and contracted. Air massage can be given.

[0012] The leg treatment device 5 is a device that performs treatment by air massage on the legs of the user. As shown by an arrow B in FIG. 2, the vicinity of the front upper end of the seat 2 is the central axis. It is provided so that it can be reclined in the vertical direction. Therefore, the user can sit on the chair body la with the legs bent or with the legs extended.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed configuration of the leg treatment device 5. The leg treatment device 5 is provided with a pair of groove-like leg rests 10 arranged in parallel in the width direction so as to extend in the length direction of the legs in order to place the left and right legs respectively. . A plurality of sets of air bags 11 for treating the legs are arranged on the inner surface of the leg rest 10. Each air bag 11 is inflated and deflated by air supply / exhaust by the air supply / exhaust device 8, and the air bag 11 is repeatedly inflated and contracted, so that massage treatment by air massage is performed on the legs of the user. Can be applied

[0014] A plurality of air bags 11 for leg treatment are arranged along the groove length direction of the leg resting portion 10 that abuts at a plurality of locations along the length direction of the leg of the user. ing. In the present embodiment, for example, three sets of air bags 11a, l ib, and 11c are arranged in parallel on each leg rest portion 10, respectively. The air bag 11 for leg treatment is composed of a left air bag 12 and a right air bag 13 which are arranged on opposite side surfaces of each leg mounting part 10 and are similarly inflated and contracted. Note that the arrangement of the air bags 11 for the leg treatment is not limited to this, and an arbitrary number of air bags 11a can be arranged. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, in addition to the left air bag 12 and the right air bag 13, they are arranged on the back of the leg rest 10 between the left air bag 12 and the right air bag 13. Further, a rear air bag 14 that is similarly inflated and deflated may be further provided. Alternatively, only one of the left air bag 12 and the right air bag 13 may be used. In short, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the air massager may be configured by pressing the air bag from the circumferential direction toward the leg shaft.

Furthermore, an air bag 16 for sole treatment is disposed on the bottom wall 15 in the length direction of the leg rest portion 10 of the leg treatment device 5. The air bag 16 is inflated and contracted by air supply / exhaust by the air supply / exhaust device 8. By repeating the expansion and contraction of the air bag 16, massage treatment by air massage is performed on the sole of the user. Can be applied. In the present embodiment, a pair of air bags 16 are juxtaposed in the width direction with respect to each leg rest 10, and the inner air bag 16 a is used to treat the arch of the user. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the air bags 11 and 16 provided on the leg platform 10 are fixed by a fixing tool 27 such as a screw along the inner surface of the leg platform 10, respectively. ing. Therefore, when air is supplied to the air bags 11 and 16, the air bags 11 and 16 are inflated toward the inside of the leg rest portion 10. Note that reference numeral 28 in FIG. 5 denotes a fixture for fixing a supply pipe 22 to be described later to the leg treatment device 5.

[0016] Next, the air supply / exhaust device 8, particularly the portion for the leg bladder 11 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, a flexible supply pipe 22 extending from an air pump 21 is connected to the air bag 11 for leg treatment. As shown in FIG. 3, the supply pipe 22 includes a valve body 23 composed of an electromagnetic valve, an air pressure detector 24 such as a pressure sensor for measuring air pressure, and an air tank 25 in order from the air bag 11 side. It is connected. In the present embodiment, a set of valve bodies 23, an air pressure detector 24, an air pump 21, and an air tank 25 are arranged for each air bag lla, ib and 11c. Each valve body 23, air pressure detection unit 24, and air pump 21 are further connected to the control unit 20. The control unit 20 is connected to an operation unit 19 operated by the user and a notification unit 26 for notifying the user of predetermined information. The control unit 20 is configured to control and drive the valve body 23 and the air pump 21 based on the detected air pressure value to the air pressure detecting unit 24 so as to perform an appropriate air massage on the legs of the user.

[0017] The massage machine 1 according to the present embodiment is a treatment that applies air massage to the legs of the user. In addition to the mode, a leg type detection mode for detecting the leg type of the user is provided. In the leg-type detection mode, a certain amount of air is supplied to the air bag 11 for leg treatment and inflated to contact the leg, and the air bag 11 (corresponding to the treatment pressure applied to the leg at that time) The air pressure of the supply pipe 22) is detected by the air pressure detection unit 24, and the leg shape of the user is determined by the control unit 20 based on the detection result. Then, in the treatment mode performed thereafter, air supply / exhaust control to the air bag 11 is performed based on the leg shape determined by the control unit 20, and an appropriate air massage is applied to the leg portion.

[0018] Specifically, in the leg detection mode, the air pressure of each air bag 11 is detected by the air pressure detection unit 24, and the thickness of the user's leg (one example) is detected by the control unit 20 based on these detection results. As standard, thicker than standard, or thinner than standard), and the leg part where each air bag 11 abuts (the calf part force of the leg part and the other leg part) Is determined (eg ankle). If the air pressure of the air bag 11 (11a, l ib, 1 lc) detected by the air pressure detection unit 24 is high overall, the control unit 20 determines that the user's leg is thick. In addition, the air pressure of a specific air bag (for example, air bag 11a, l ib in FIG. 7) among the air bags 11 (11a, l ib, 11c) detected by the air pressure detector 24 is different from other air bags 11 (for example, When the air pressure of the air bag 11c in FIG. 7 is higher than the air pressure, it is determined that the air bag 11 (air bags 11a, ib) is in contact with the calf site of the user.

Here, if it is determined in the leg type detection mode that the thickness of the user's leg is thicker than the standard, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 20 in the treatment mode performed thereafter, Supply / exhaust control is performed so that the air bag 11 is inflated more slowly than when the thickness of the leg of the user is judged to be standard. Specifically, the air supply / exhaust control in the case where the thickness of the user's leg is standard and thicker than the standard is the state where the air pump 21 is driven at a constant power as shown in FIG. Thus, the valve body 23 is repeatedly switched between an open state for a certain time and a closed state for a certain time, and the air supply amount to the air bag 11 per unit time is controlled. In addition, when the thickness of the user's leg is determined to be thicker than the standard, the valve 23 is kept open for a shorter time than when the thickness of the user's leg is determined to be standard. The amount of air supplied to the air bag 11 is suppressed, and the inflation speed of the air bag 11 is reduced.

[0020] On the other hand, if the leg thickness of the user is determined to be thinner than the standard in the leg type detection mode, In the treatment mode, the control unit 20 performs supply / exhaust control so that the air bag 11 is inflated faster than when the leg thickness of the user is determined to be standard. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the supply / exhaust control at this time is performed by maintaining the valve body 23 in an open state while the air pump 21 is driven at a constant power, and air bags per unit time. The air supply to 11 is increased from the above case.

[0021] In this way, control for slowly inflating the air bag 11 is performed for a patient with a thick leg, and control for inflating the air bag 11 is performed for a user with a thin leg more quickly. Therefore, the air bag 11 can be brought into contact with the leg of the user at the same timing as the standard user with the thickness of the leg. Therefore, regardless of the physique of the user, almost the same air massage can be given to all the users in a certain time.

[0022] Further, when it is determined in the leg type detection mode that the thickness of the user's leg is thicker than the standard, in the treatment mode, the control unit 20 determines that the thickness of the user's leg is the standard. Compared to the case, shorten the total time of the open state of the valve body 23, that is, shorten the time that the air bag 11 is inflated so that excessive massage pressure is not applied to the legs. Apply air massage. On the other hand, if it is determined in the leg detection mode that the thickness of the user's leg is thinner than the standard, in the treatment mode, the control unit 20 determines that the thickness of the user's leg is determined as the standard. In comparison, increase the total time in which the valve body 23 is open, that is, increase the time during which the air bag 11 is inflated, and apply air massage so that the prescribed massage pressure is applied to the legs. . Thereby, a comfortable air massage can be performed with a substantially constant massage pressure regardless of the thickness of the leg of the user.

[0023] In addition, air bag 11 determined to be in contact with the calf region of the leg of the user in the leg type detection mode was determined to be in contact with a region other than the calf of the leg in the treatment mode. Control is performed so that the total time of the open state of the valve body 23 is longer than that of the air bag 11. Specifically, referring to FIG. 7, the air bag l ib in contact with the calf portion of the user's leg has an increased air supply amount and is inflated more greatly than other air bags 11c and the like. It is. On the other hand, the air bag 11c, which is determined to be in contact with a part other than the calf of the leg of the user (for example, the ankle part), is different from the air bag l ib which is determined to be in contact with the calf part of the leg. The total time of the open state is controlled to be shortened, and the expansion is suppressed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, a stronger air pine surge is applied to the calf region of the leg than the other regions.

[0024] Since the calf region of the leg is muscular, in order to make the user feel a comfortable massage, massage treatment with increased massage pressure is appropriate. On the other hand, since parts other than the calves of the leg (for example, the ankle part) are stretched, massage treatment with a reduced massage pressure is appropriate to make the massager feel a comfortable massage. Therefore, as described above, by performing different air supply / exhaust control to each air bag 11 by the control unit 20, air massage is performed at an appropriate massage pressure on the calf region of the leg and other regions than the calf respectively. be able to.

[0025] In the present embodiment, the power leg is configured so as to be roughly classified into two parts, that is, a calf part and a part other than the calf part, which are greatly different in thickness and components of main parts such as bones and muscles. It is also possible to divide the part into three or more parts and make an appropriate massage for each part.

[0026] Furthermore, since the calf part of the leg is thicker than the other part (eg, ankle part), it was determined that the leg calf part abuts on the calf part of the user's leg in the leg type detection mode. The air bag l ib is inflated more slowly than the air bag 1 lc, which is determined to be in contact with the leg other than the calf. As a result, the air bags l la, l ib, and 11c can be brought into contact with each part of the leg with substantially the same timing, and a comfortable air massage for a certain period of time can be applied to each part of the leg. .

[0027] Thus, according to the massage machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of air bags 11 are attached to each part of the legs for all the users regardless of the thickness of the legs of each user. It is possible to make contact with the same mass surge pressure for almost the same time, and to apply a comfortable air massage to each part of each patient's leg with an appropriate massage pressure according to each part of the leg be able to.

In the massage machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the position detection mode of the user is set in the mechanical treatment mechanism 6 of the backrest 3 in addition to the treatment mode. In the treatment mode performed after the position detection mode, massage treatment corresponding to each part of the user is performed based on the detection result such as the shoulder position detected in the position detection mode. Leg treatment device 5 The leg type detection mode is performed at the same time as the position detection mode in the mechanical treatment mechanism 6 and is performed by inflating the air bags lla, ib, and 11c in order from the ankle side to the knee side. Note that the air bags l la, l ib and 11c in the leg detection mode may be inflated in any order, or the air bags l la, l ib and 11c may be inflated simultaneously.

[0029] The intensity adjustment of the air massage treatment by the leg treatment device 5 is automatically performed based on the result detected by the leg detection mode, but depending on the operation of the operation unit 19 by the user. Needless to say, the strength of the air massage treatment can be arbitrarily adjusted by the leg treatment device 5.

[0030] Further, in the leg type detection mode in the leg treatment device 5, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the user places a leg on the leg rest 10 based on the detection result by the air pressure detection unit 24. to decide. When the user determines that the leg is not placed on the leg rest 10, the controller 20 does not perform the air massage treatment by the leg treatment device 5. In addition, while performing the air massage treatment by the leg treatment device 5, the control unit 20 monitors the detection result by the air pressure detection unit 24, and based on the detection result, the user receives the treatment from the leg resting unit 10. When it is determined that the leg has been removed, the air massage treatment by the leg treatment device 5 is terminated. Furthermore, if the detection result by the air pressure detection unit 24 is detected as abnormal, for example, only the air pressure of some of the air bags 11 is detected to be abnormally high, the child is caught. In consideration of safety, the control unit 20 ends the air massage treatment by the leg treatment device 5 in consideration of safety.

[0031] Further, the leg type detection mode may be configured to be executed not only at the start of the massage but also at the end of the massage. Even if the legs are swollen before the start of massage, swelling may occur after air pine surge treatment, and the leg shape may change before and after the massage. Therefore, the treatment effect in the treatment mode can be confirmed by comparing each leg type at the start and end of the massage. In the massage machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the notification unit 26 is connected to the control unit 20, so that the treatment effect in the treatment mode may be presented to the user via the notification unit 26. As the notification unit 26, a visual display device that informs the treatment effect by visual display of characters or figures, a voice notification device that informs the treatment effect by voice, a vibrator that informs the treatment effect by slight vibration, etc. can be used. wear. Thereby, the user can know the treatment effect of the air massage through the notification unit 26.

[0032] Further, the leg type detection mode is appropriately executed in the middle of the massage treatment to determine the leg shape of the user, and the subsequent massage treatment is performed based on the new determination result. Also good. When the backrest 3 is rotated, when the leg therapy device 5 is rotated, or when both are operated, the position of the leg of the user with respect to the leg therapy device 5 is Change. For example, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 12, it is assumed that the leg treatment device 5 on which the user places the leg is initially in a substantially vertical state. As shown by the broken line in FIG. 12, when the leg treatment device 5 is turned upward, the rotation axis of the leg treatment device 5 and the position of the knee of the user are different. The position of the person's leg shifts to the bottom wall 15 side of the leg treatment device 5. As described above, when the position of the leg of the user with respect to the leg treatment device 5 is shifted, the air bag 11c which should be in contact with a part other than the calf of the leg (for example, the ankle part) comes into contact with the part of the calf. As a result, massage treatment suitable for the calf region of the leg cannot be performed. While doing this, the leg type detection mode is appropriately executed in the middle of the massage treatment to determine the leg type of the user, and the subsequent massage treatment is performed based on the new judgment result. It is possible to follow the treatment posture of the user who has changed in the middle of the treatment, and to continue to treat the appropriate air mask by the leg treatment device 5. Specifically, if any of the rotation operation of the backrest 3 and the rotation operation of the leg treatment device 5 is performed during the massage treatment, the control unit 20 interrupts the treatment mode and the leg type detection mode. Execute. Further, it may be configured to be executed according to the operation of the operation unit 19 by the user.

[0033] Next, a modified example of the massage machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 shows a backrest part 3 in addition to the mechanical treatment mechanism 6 or in addition to the mechanical treatment mechanism 6 in addition to the rear air bag 14 arranged on the back side of the leg mounting part 10. A modification in which an air bag 17 for back and shoulder treatment and an air bag 18 for waist treatment is provided is shown.

FIG. 14 shows a modification of the air supply / exhaust device 8. In the air supply / exhaust device 8, the supply pipe 22 extending from the air pump 21 is branched downstream of the air pressure detection unit 24, and the air bags l la, l ib, 11c for leg treatment are connected via the valve bodies 23. Are connected to each. in this case, In the leg type detection mode, when one air bag 11 is inflated, the valve body 23 corresponding to the other air bag 11 is closed to prevent the other air bag 11 from being inflated. Accordingly, the air pressure of the plurality of air bags l la, l ib, 11c can be detected by one air pressure detection unit 24. The control unit 20 detects the leg shape of the leg using a plurality of detection results output from the air pressure detection unit 24 in time series. In the treatment mode, the control unit 20 controls the opening and closing of the valve bodies 23 corresponding to the air bags l la, l ib, and 11c to inflate the air bags l la, l ib, and 11c at a predetermined speed. . According to this modification, the air pressures of the air bags l la, l ib, and 11c cannot be detected at the same time, so it is difficult to reduce the time required to execute the leg detection mode. Compared to the air supply / exhaust device 8 shown, the number of air tanks 25, air pumps 21 and air pressure detectors 24 can be reduced, and the configuration of the air supply / exhaust device 8 and further the massage machine 1 can be simplified. it can.

[0035] In the above-described embodiment, as the air bag 11 for the leg treatment, a force leg mounting portion exemplifying that three air bags l la, l ib and 11c are provided side by side in the length direction of the leg mounting portion 10. The number of air bags 11 provided in 10 is not limited to this. For example, the configuration of the leg treatment device 5 can be simplified by reducing the number of air bags 11 provided on the leg resting portion 10, and the cost of the massage machine 1 can be reduced. Conversely, by increasing the number of air bags 11 provided on the leg rest 10, the cost increases. It is possible to apply air massage with increased comfort in response to each part of the leg. . In addition, in the leg type detection mode, if only the leg thickness of the user is detected and only the air massage treatment corresponding to the leg thickness is performed, at least one air bag is provided for each leg rest 10. 11 should be provided.

[0036] Further, the massage machine according to the present invention is not necessarily provided with the function of the mechanical treatment device 6 as long as it has the function of the leg treatment device 5 for performing air massage on at least the legs of the user. It does not have to be. That is, the massage machine according to the present invention is provided on the leg resting part on which the legs of the user are placed and the leg resting part, and is repeatedly expanded and contracted by air supply and exhaust, and air is applied to the legs of the user. Based on the air bag to be massaged, the air intake / exhaust part for supplying / exhausting air to / from the air bag, the air pressure detecting part for detecting the air pressure of the air bag, and the air pressure detected by the air pressure detecting part In addition to determining the leg type of the user, the air supply / exhaust control of the air bag is controlled by the intake / exhaust part according to the leg type of the user. With a control unit to do.

[0037] Further, the control unit determines the thickness of the leg of the user based on the detected value of the air pressure of the air bag by the air pressure detection unit, and the air by the intake and exhaust unit according to the thickness of the leg of the user. You may comprise so that supply / exhaust control of the air to a bag may be performed. As a result, almost the same air massage can be applied to all the users regardless of the thickness of the legs of the users.

[0038] Further, a plurality of air bags are provided along the longitudinal direction of the leg mounting portion, the air pressure detection unit detects the air pressure of each of the plurality of air bags, and the control unit includes a plurality of air pressure detection units. Based on the detected value of air pressure of the air bag, the site of the leg portion of the user where the plurality of air bags abut each other is determined, and individually for the plurality of air bags according to the site of the leg of the user It may be configured to perform the air supply / exhaust control. Thereby, air massage suitable for the position of the leg of the user can be performed.

[0039] Further, the control unit determines the leg part of the user, to which each of the plurality of air bags abuts, separately from the calf part and the other part, and determines the calf part and the other part. Accordingly, individual air supply / exhaust control may be performed for a plurality of air bags. As a result, an air massage with increased massage pressure was applied to the muscular and relatively thick calf region, and the massage pressure was weakened for the ankles, etc. Air massage can be performed, and air massage suitable for the position of the leg of the user can be performed.

[0040] Furthermore, a plurality of air pressure detection units may be provided for each of the plurality of air bags, and the air pressures of the plurality of air bags may be detected simultaneously. Thereby, the leg shape of the user can be determined in a relatively short time.

Alternatively, one air pressure detection unit may be provided for each of the plurality of air bags, and the air pressures of the plurality of air bags may be sequentially detected in time series. As a result, although it takes more time to determine the leg shape of the user, the configuration of the massage machine itself can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

[0042] Further, while performing air massage on the legs of the user by repeatedly expanding and contracting the air bag, the control unit is based on the detected values of the air pressures of the plurality of air bags by the air pressure detecting unit. Determine the site of the leg of the user where each of the air bags abuts, Thereafter, individual air supply / exhaust control may be performed on a plurality of air bags according to the newly determined leg portion of the user. Thereby, for example, even if the posture of the user changes during air massage, appropriate air massage can be performed on each part of the leg of the user in response to the change in posture.

[0043] Furthermore, the determination of the site of the leg portion of the user that each of the plurality of air bags abuts is performed according to an instruction from the user or when the control unit detects a change in the posture of the leg rest unit. It may be configured. Thus, for example, when the user manually powers the leg rest, the control section detects the movement when the user presses the operation button, and when the leg rest is moved electrically. It is possible to automatically determine a portion where a plurality of air bags abut each other.

[0044] Further, the control unit detects the leg shape of the leg of the user before and after the air massage treatment by repeatedly expanding and contracting the air bag, and the leg before and after the air massage treatment. The types may be compared, and the massage effect may be notified to the user based on the comparison result. As a result, the user can know the treatment effect of air massage.

[0045] Further, the control unit determines whether or not the user can place the leg on the leg rest based on the detection result by the air pressure detector, and the user receives the leg on the leg rest. It may be configured not to perform the air massage treatment when it is judged as a cunning habit by putting on it. As a result, if the user puts the switch to start treatment without placing his / her leg on the leg rest, the user is not placing his / her leg on the leg rest when the air bag is first inflated. Therefore, waste of electric power due to useless air massage operation can be prevented.

[0046] Furthermore, the control unit monitors the detection result by the air pressure detection unit during the air massage treatment, and based on the detection result, determines that the user has removed the leg from the leg rest. When it does, you may comprise so that an air massage treatment may be complete | finished. As a result, when the user removes his / her leg from the leg rest during air massage treatment, the air massage treatment is automatically terminated, so that waste of electric power due to useless air massage operation can be prevented.

[0047] Further, the detection result by the air pressure detection unit, the air in some of the plurality of air bags If only the pressure is detected to be abnormally high, the control unit may be configured to end the air massage treatment. As a result, if it is determined that an abnormality has been detected, the air massage operation can be stopped immediately to prevent an accident.

[0048] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application 2005-280944, the contents of which are to be incorporated into the present invention as a result by referring to the specification and drawings of the above-mentioned patent application.

[0049] Furthermore, although the present invention has been fully described by the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications are possible for those who have ordinary knowledge in this field. It will be clear. Therefore, such changes and modifications should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] a leg rest on which the legs of the user can be placed;

An air bag that is provided on the leg rest, repeats expansion and contraction by air supply and exhaust, and performs air massage on the legs of the user;

An intake / exhaust section for supplying and exhausting air to and from the air bag;

An air pressure detector for detecting the air pressure of the air bag;

The leg type of the user is determined based on the detected value of the air pressure of the air bag by the air pressure detecting unit, and the air supply / exhaust control of the air to the air bag by the intake / exhaust unit according to the leg type of the user A massage machine equipped with a control unit.

[2] The control unit determines the thickness of the leg of the user based on the detected value of the air pressure of the air bag by the air pressure detection unit, and the intake / exhaust unit according to the thickness of the leg of the user 2. The pine surge machine according to claim 1, wherein air supply / exhaust control of the air bag is performed by the air bag.

[3] A plurality of air bags are provided along the longitudinal direction of the leg rest portion,

The air pressure detection unit detects air pressures of the plurality of air bags, and the control unit detects the air pressures of the plurality of air bags based on detected values of air pressures of the plurality of air bags by the air pressure detection unit. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the leg portions of the user who abuts is determined, and individual air supply / exhaust control is performed on the plurality of air bags according to the leg portion of the user. The listed massage machine.

[4] The control unit determines a part of the leg of the user that each of the plurality of air bags abuts into a calf part and other parts, and also determines a calf part and other parts. 4. The massage machine according to claim 3, wherein individual air supply / exhaust control is performed on the plurality of air bags according to the conditions.

5. The massaging machine according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of air pressure detectors are provided for each of the plurality of air bags, and the air pressures of the plurality of air bags are detected simultaneously.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein one air pressure detector is provided for each of the plurality of air bags, and detects air pressure of the plurality of air bags in time series. Surge machine.

[7] While the air bag is repeatedly inflated and contracted and air massage is performed on the legs of the user, the control unit detects the air pressure of the plurality of air bags by the air pressure detecting unit. The plurality of air bags are individually contacted with each of the plurality of air bags, and then, the individual portions of the plurality of air bags are individually determined according to the newly determined legs of the user. The massage machine according to claim 3, wherein supply and exhaust control is performed.

[8] The determination of the site of the leg portion of the user where each of the plurality of air bags abuts is executed according to the instruction of the user or when the control unit detects a change in the posture of the leg rest portion. The massage machine according to claim 7.

[9] The control unit detects the leg shape of the leg of the user before and after the air massage treatment by repeatedly expanding and contracting the air bag, and before and after the air massage treatment. 2. The massage machine according to claim 1, wherein the massager is compared with each other and the massage effect is notified to the user based on the comparison result.

[10] Based on the detection result of the air pressure detection unit, the control unit determines whether or not the user can place the leg on the leg rest, and the user places the leg on the leg rest. loaded when it is determined thatヽaヽ, the Do perform air massage treatment, according to claim 1, characterized in that Massa - di machines ₀

[11] While performing the air massage treatment, the control unit monitors the detection result of the air pressure detection unit, and based on the detection result, determines that the user has removed the leg from the leg rest. 2. The pine surge machine according to claim 1, wherein when it is cut off, the air massage treatment is terminated.

[12] As a result of detection by the air pressure detection unit, when only the air pressure of some of the plurality of air bags is detected to be abnormally high, the control unit ends the air massage treatment. The massage machine according to claim 3.