阅读说明：本技术 按摩器 (Massage device ) 是由 石川哲也 沼田康一 清水新策 于 2019-02-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供的按摩器,装置整体简单紧凑,能够容易地切换按摩位置,并给使用者带来各种按摩效果；本发明的按摩器(1)具有：对施疗部实施按摩动作的按摩机构(30)；使按摩机构(30)沿规定的轨道(23)从该轨道(23)的一侧向另一侧移动的移动驱动部(13)；以及通过改变轨道(23)的弯曲程度而将按摩机构(30)的移动方向切换为多个方向的切换机构(26)。(The massager provided by the invention is simple and compact as a whole, can easily switch the massage position and bring various massage effects to a user; the massage device (1) of the present invention comprises: a massage mechanism (30) for massaging the treatment part; a movement driving unit (13) for moving the massage mechanism (30) from one side of the rail (23) to the other side along a predetermined rail (23); and a switching mechanism (26) for switching the moving direction of the massage mechanism (30) to a plurality of directions by changing the degree of curvature of the rail (23).)

1. A massager is characterized by comprising:

a massage mechanism for performing a massage operation on the treatment site;

a movement driving unit that moves the massage mechanism from one side of a predetermined track to the other side of the track; and

and a switching mechanism for switching a moving direction of the massage mechanism to a plurality of directions by changing a degree of curvature of the track.

2. The massager of claim 1,

the switching mechanism has a link portion that enables the massage mechanism to continuously move on a curved portion located on the track when the degree of curvature of the track changes.

3. The massager of claim 2,

the rail is formed by butting a first rail and a second rail in a length direction;

the connecting part is formed at the butted part;

the massager is composed of: the degree of curvature of the rail can be changed by swinging the first rail or the second rail around an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal direction at the connecting portion.

4. The massager of claim 3,

the track is formed by butting a first guide rail component and a second guide rail component in the length direction;

the massage mechanism has a guide member that rolls or slides on the first rail member and the second rail member;

the massage mechanism is continuously moved from the first rail member to the second rail member by the guide member continuously moving on the connecting portion.

5. The massager of claim 4,

the massage mechanism includes a rotary shaft and a driving member, the rotary shaft being disposed in a direction intersecting the track and transmitting a rotational driving force of the movement driving section; the driving part is arranged on the rotating shaft;

the massager is composed of: moving the massage mechanism from one side of the track to the other side or from the other side to the one side by using the rotational driving force transmitted through the driving member;

when the guide member continuously moves on the connecting portion and the massage mechanism is moved from the first rail member to the second rail member, the massage mechanism is inclined about the axis of the rotary shaft that transmits the rotational driving force of the movement driving portion.

6. The massager of claim 5,

the drive rail member of the drive member is disposed along the first rail member, and an end of the drive rail member is disposed at a position further away from the second rail member than the connecting portion.

7. The massager of claim 5,

in the connecting portion, the first rail member has a first connecting piece protruding in a length direction, and the second rail member has a second connecting piece protruding in the length direction;

the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are arranged in a manner of overlapping with each other in a side view;

the side surface of the first connecting piece and the side surface of the second connecting piece are maintained in a connected state regardless of the bending angle of the track;

the guide surface of the first connecting piece and the guide surface of the second connecting piece are in continuous contact, and the guide part is always in contact with at least one of the guide surface of the first connecting piece and the guide surface of the second connecting piece.

8. A massaging apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that it has:

a main body part provided with the massage mechanism;

a swinging portion that is swingable with respect to the main body portion; and

a posture changing unit that changes a posture of the swing unit by swinging the swing unit in a predetermined direction with respect to the main body unit;

the body portion is provided with the first rail member;

the second guide rail component is arranged in the swinging part;

when the posture of the swing portion is changed by the posture changing portion, the degree of curvature of the second rail member is changed by the switching mechanism, and the massage mechanism is continuously moved from the main body portion to the swing portion.

9. The massager of claim 8,

the posture changing section is a ratchet mechanism capable of changing the degree of inclination of the swinging section into a plurality of directions.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a massager in which a massage mechanism is housed. And more particularly, to a chair-type massage machine which is used in a state where a user sits on a seat.

Background

In the related art, a massage mechanism of a chair-type massage machine is housed inside a backrest part, and performs at least one or more of kneading, beating, acupressure, and vibration. As a massager containing such a massage mechanism (back massage device), for example, a massager shown in patent document 1 is known.

[ Prior art documents ]

[ patent document ]

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2014-210005

Disclosure of Invention

However, from the viewpoint of the user, it is desirable to perform various massages on the treatment site such as the shoulder.

As a massager satisfying this demand, for example, as shown in patent document 1, there is a massager including an advancing and retreating mechanism that can change the amount of protrusion of a treatment member (massage member) toward the front. The advancing and retreating mechanism causes the treatment member to protrude forward by inflating the air bag (air cell) (see fig. 27 and the like).

However, since the advancing and retreating mechanism is an air bag, it is compressed and deformed by the weight of the user, and the treatment member does not protrude as expected during the actual massage operation. That is, there is a risk that the pressure against the treatment portion is weak.

In addition, in the related art, a guide rail for moving a massage mechanism in a chair-type massage machine in the vertical direction is often a single continuous and fixed guide rail (see fig. 13 to 19 and the like of patent document 1). In the case of the massage machine having one fixed guide rail as described above, the amount of protrusion of the treatment member toward the front is limited.

That is, even if the advancing and retreating mechanism as in patent document 1 is adopted in the conventional massage machine having one fixed guide rail, the projecting amount of the treatment member cannot be expected, and there is a risk of a poor massage effect.

In the case of the massage machine as disclosed in patent document 1, it is not certain whether the user's desire to perform various massages on the treatment site can be reliably achieved.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a massage machine which is simple and compact as a whole, can easily switch a massage position, and can provide various massage effects to a user.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical means.

The massager of the invention comprises: a massage mechanism for massaging the treatment part; a movement driving unit for moving the massage mechanism from one side of the track to the other side of the track along a predetermined track; and a switching mechanism for switching a moving direction of the massage mechanism to a plurality of directions by changing a degree of curvature of the rail.

Preferably, the switching mechanism has a link portion that enables the massage mechanism to continuously move at a curved portion located on the track when the degree of curvature of the track changes.

Preferably, the rail is formed by butting a first rail and a second rail in a length direction; the connecting part is formed at the butted part; the massager is composed of: the degree of curvature of the rail can be changed by swinging the first rail or the second rail around an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal direction at the connecting portion.

Preferably, the rail is formed by abutting a first rail member and a second rail member in a longitudinal direction; the massage mechanism has a guide member that rolls or slides on the first rail member and the second rail member; the massage mechanism is continuously moved from the first rail member to the second rail member by the guide member continuously moving on the connecting portion.

Preferably, the massage mechanism includes a rotary shaft and a driving member, the rotary shaft being disposed in a direction intersecting the track and transmitting a rotational driving force of the movement driving unit; the driving part is arranged on the rotating shaft; the massager is composed of: moving the massage mechanism from one side of the track to the other side or from the other side to the one side by using the rotational driving force transmitted through the driving member; when the guide member continuously moves on the connecting portion and the massage mechanism is moved from the first rail member to the second rail member, the massage mechanism is inclined about the axis of the rotary shaft that transmits the rotational driving force of the movement driving portion.

Preferably, the drive rail member included in the drive member is disposed along the first rail member, and an end of the drive rail member is disposed at a position further away from the second rail member than the connecting portion.

Preferably, in the connecting portion, the first rail member has a first connecting piece protruding in a longitudinal direction, and the second rail member has a second connecting piece protruding in the longitudinal direction; the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are arranged in a manner of overlapping with each other in a side view; the side surface of the first connecting piece and the side surface of the second connecting piece are maintained in a connected state regardless of the bending angle of the track; the guide surface of the first connecting piece and the guide surface of the second connecting piece are in continuous contact, and the guide part is always in contact with at least one of the guide surface of the first connecting piece and the guide surface of the second connecting piece.

Preferably, the massager includes: a main body part provided with the massage mechanism; a swing portion swingable with respect to the main body portion; and a posture changing unit that changes a posture of the swing unit by swinging the swing unit in a predetermined direction with respect to the main body unit; the body portion is provided with the first rail member; the second guide rail component is arranged in the swinging part; when the posture of the swing portion is changed by the posture changing portion, the degree of curvature of the second rail member is changed by the switching mechanism, and the massage mechanism is continuously moved from the main body portion to the swing portion.

Preferably, the posture changing unit is a ratchet mechanism capable of changing the inclination degree of the swing unit in a plurality of directions.

(effect of the invention)

According to the present invention, the entire device can be made simple and compact, the massage positions can be easily switched, and various massage effects can be provided to the user.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the whole massager according to the present invention (left view: a state where a main body portion of a backrest portion is inclined in the same manner as a headrest portion (first posture), and right view: a state where the headrest portion is tilted forward and a massage mechanism is projected forward from the main body portion (second posture)).

Fig. 2 is a front view showing the massager of the present invention (left view: first posture, right view: second posture).

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the massager of the present invention (left side view: section A-A, right side view: section B-B).

Fig. 4 is a perspective view (a-a section) of the massager in the first posture.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the connection portion (portion C) of the switching mechanism (first posture).

Fig. 6 is a perspective view (B-B section) of the massager in the second posture.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the connection portion (portion D) of the switching mechanism (second posture).

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a state of continuous movement of the guide member in the second posture (first rail member to connecting portion to second rail member).

(symbol description)

1: massage device

2: seat part

3: back rest

4: main body part

5: head rest part

6: base member

6 a: first base part

6 b: second base part

7: covering member

7 a: the first covering member

7 b: second covering member

8: opening part

8 a: a first opening part

8 b: a second opening part

9: posture changing part

10: engaging member

11: supporting shaft

12: support member

13: mobile driving part

14: lifting part

15: lifting motor

15 a: output shaft

16: gear box

17: rotating shaft (lifting shaft)

18: lifting component

19: driving parts (pinion)

20: driving guide component (Rack and pinion)

21: guide part

22: guide member (roller member)

22 a: upper roller component

22 b: lower roller component

23: rail (guide parts)

24: first guide rail part

24 a: front side wall

24 b: rear side wall

25: second guide rail part

25 a: front side wall

25 b: rear side wall

26: switching mechanism

27: connecting part

28: first connecting piece

28 a: side surface

28 b: guide surface

29: second connecting sheet

29 a: side surface

29 b: guide surface

30: massage mechanism

31: massage component

32: arm member

33: treatment component

34: massage rotating shaft

35: driving part

36: driving motor

36 a: output shaft

37: gear box

38: conversion part

39: inclined boss part

40: annular fitting part

41: outer casing

42: supporting part

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the massage machine 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the present embodiment, the seat-type massage machine 1 is described as an example, but this is merely an example for embodying the present invention, and the configuration of the present invention is not limited to this specific example.

In addition, with respect to the drawings, illustration of a part of the constituent members is omitted for convenience of observation.

In the following description, the direction shown in the drawings is taken as the direction when the massager 1 is described. This direction coincides with the direction as seen from the user seated on the massager 1.

Fig. 1 to 8 show an embodiment of a massager 1 according to the present invention.

The states shown in the left drawings of fig. 1 to 3, fig. 4, and fig. 5 are assumed as the "first posture" of the massager 1.

The state shown in the right drawings of fig. 1 to 3 and fig. 6 to 8 is the "second posture" of the massager 1.

The first posture and the second posture are examples for explaining the present embodiment, and are not limited to these postures (inclination angles). That is, in addition to these gestures, a plurality of other gestures may be possible.

As shown in fig. 1 and the like, the massager 1 of the present embodiment includes a seat 2 on which a user sits, and a backrest 3 provided to extend upward from a rear end side of the seat 2, and massages the neck or shoulders to the waist of the user sitting on the seat 2 and leaning on the backrest 3.

That is, when using the massage machine 1, the user sits on the seat 2 and rests the back on the backrest 3, and applies a massage to the neck or shoulder to the waist of the user, that is, massages the back (treatment portion) using the massage mechanism 30 housed in the backrest 3.

In addition, when the massager 1 is capable of adjusting the inclination, for example, the back of the user can be massaged in various postures (inclined posture, standing posture, and the like) of the backrest 3.

The seat section 2 has an area enough to allow a user to sit thereon, and is provided with a cushion material on the seat surface (upper surface) side.

The backrest 3 is a member that is arranged on the rear end side of the seat 2 so as to stand in the front-rear direction, and that covers and supports the entire back (waist to shoulders) of the user. The backrest 3 is a plate-like (thin plate-like) backrest having a width slightly larger than the shoulder width of the user and a length in the vertical direction, and has a hollow inside. The backrest 3 is thinner in the front-rear direction than in the width direction.

That is, the backrest 3 is disposed along the back of the user. The backrest 3 includes a plate-like base member 6 (rear side case) that is long in the vertical direction, and a cover member 7 (front side case) that covers the front surface of the base member 6.

The base member 6 is formed in a plate shape having a small thickness in the front-rear direction and a long vertical direction. In other words, the base member 6 is formed into a concave shape that opens toward the front and has a shallow depth.

A massage mechanism 30 (described later in detail) is attached to the front surface of the base member 6 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. That is, the massage mechanism 30 disposed on the front surface of the base member 6 is moved along a predetermined track from one side to the other side (vertical direction) of the track by a movement driving unit 13 (described later in detail).

The cover member 7 is formed in a plate shape having a small thickness in the front-rear direction and being long in the vertical direction as in the base member 6. In other words, the covering member 7 is formed in a concave shape that opens rearward and is shallow in depth.

That is, the cover member 7 covers the entire front surface of the base member 6, thereby closing the opening of the base member 6 facing forward.

Further, an opening 8 that opens forward is formed in the vertical direction on the center side in the width direction of the cover member 7.

The width of the opening 8 in the left-right direction is smaller than the width of the cover 7, and the length in the up-down direction is the same as the length of the cover 7. That is, when the opening 8 is viewed from the front, the opening 8 is opened in a vertically long strip shape.

Along the opening 8, the massage mechanism 30 is movable in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) on the front surface of the base member 6 (inside the backrest 3). That is, the opening 8 serves as a moving region in which the massage mechanism 30 moves up and down.

The opening 8 is completely covered with a cloth-like surface protector (not shown) or the like to prevent the massage mechanism 30 from directly contacting the back (treatment site) of the user.

That is, the base member 6 and the cover member 7 of the backrest portion 3 overlap in the front-rear direction, and a space is formed inside the overlapping portion. The backrest 3 houses the massage mechanism 30 so as to be movable along the vertically long opening 8. The treatment member 33 of the massage mechanism 30 protrudes forward from the opening 8 of the cover member 7, and the opening 8 of the cover member 7 is closed by a surface protector or the like.

As shown in fig. 1 to 6, etc., in the present embodiment, the backrest portion 3 is divided into a main body portion 4 that supports the shoulder to waist of the user and a headrest portion 5 (swinging portion) that supports the neck to head of the user. The headrest portion 5 can swing with respect to the main body portion 4.

A pair of left and right posture changing portions 9 are provided between the main body portion 4 and the headrest portion 5, and the posture changing portions 9 cause the headrest portion 5 to swing in a predetermined direction with respect to the main body portion 4 and engage in a predetermined posture.

The body 4 side of the base member 6 is defined as a first base member 6a, and the headrest portion 5 side is defined as a second base member 6 b. Similarly, the cover member 7 is provided with a first cover member 7a on the side of the main body portion 4 and a second cover member 7b on the side of the headrest portion 5. Similarly, the opening 8 is defined by the first opening 8a on the body 4 side and the second opening 8b on the headrest portion 5 side.

As shown in fig. 1, the posture changing section 9 supports the headrest section 5 so as to be swingable with respect to the main body section 4, and engages the headrest section 5 in a predetermined posture. The posture changing unit 9 changes the inclination degree, thereby maintaining the posture of the headrest 5 in a plurality of directions.

The posture changing portion 9 is disposed between the main body portion 4 and the headrest portion 5 and on at least one of the left and right sides of the headrest portion 5.

The posture changing portion 9 has an engaging member 10, a support shaft 11, and a support member 12, wherein the engaging member 10 is provided on the headrest portion 5 and engages when the headrest portion 5 is changed to a predetermined posture; the support shaft 11 supports the engaging member 10 so as to be swingable about an axis line oriented in the left-right direction; the support member 12 is provided on the main body portion 4, and supports the support shaft 11.

The posture changing section 9 is configured to: by engaging the support member 12 on the main body 4 with the engagement member 10 on the headrest portion 5, the headrest portion 5 can be maintained in a predetermined posture (massage position) in the front-rear direction while stopping swinging.

The posture changing unit 9 can change the position of the headrest portion 5 to a plurality of postures, for example, a posture (first posture) in which the headrest portion 5 is tilted in the same manner as the tilt of the main body portion 4 by swinging the headrest portion 5 rearward, a posture (second posture) in which the headrest portion 5 is bent by swinging the headrest portion 5 forward, or the like. The posture of the headrest portion 5 is not limited to the illustrated posture.

The configuration of the posture changing section 9 is not particularly limited as long as it can fix the headrest section 5 at a position where the headrest section is set to the predetermined posture in the front-rear direction and release the fixation of the headrest section 5 when the posture is switched to another posture.

For example, the posture changing unit 9 may employ a ratchet mechanism or the like that can change the inclination degree of the headrest portion 5 in a plurality of directions.

The massage mechanism 30 of the present embodiment is provided with a movement driving unit 13 for moving the massage mechanism 30 in the vertical direction.

As shown in fig. 1 to 6, the movement driving unit 13 is disposed below the driving unit of the massage mechanism 30, and includes an elevating unit 14 and a guide unit 21, wherein the elevating unit 14 raises or lowers the massage mechanism 30, and the guide unit 21 guides the massage mechanism 30 along the elevating member 18.

The elevating unit 14 includes an elevating motor 15, a gear box 16, a rotary shaft 17, and an elevating member 18, wherein the elevating motor 15 generates a rotational driving force, the gear box 16 reduces the rotational driving force to a predetermined speed, the rotary shaft 17 rotates by the rotational driving force, and the elevating member 18 converts the rotational driving force into an elevating operation.

The output shaft 15a of the elevator motor 15 faces the left side, and the output shaft 15a is inserted into the side gear box 16. The rotary shaft 17 (lifting shaft) is located below the output shaft 15a and penetrates the gear box 16 in the left-right direction. The gear box 16 reduces the output rotational driving force to a predetermined speed, and transmits the reduced rotational driving force to the lift shaft.

The elevating shaft is disposed along a direction (left-right direction) in which an axis line intersects with a direction of a rail (described later in detail), and a gear box 16 is disposed at a longitudinal center position thereof. That is, the elevating shaft is connected to the elevating motor 15 via the gear box 16. The elevating member 18 is provided on the end side of the elevating shaft.

The elevating member 18 has a driving member 19 provided on the elevating shaft and a driving rail member 20 for moving the driving member 19. In the present embodiment, the driving member 19 is a pinion gear, and the driving rail member 20 is a rack gear (rack gear).

The pinion gears 19 are attached to both end portions of the elevating shaft, respectively, and rotate together with the elevating shaft. A rack gear 20 is disposed at a position opposed to the pinion 19 in the front surface of the first base member 16 a.

The rack teeth of the rack gear 20 are arranged in a straight line in the vertical direction and mesh with the pinion gear 19. The rotation driving force of the elevating shaft is converted into a linear movement in the vertical direction by moving the pinion 19 on the rack gear 20, and the massage mechanism 30 is raised or lowered in the backrest 3.

A guide portion 21 for guiding the massage mechanism 30 in the vertical direction is disposed on the outer side in the horizontal direction of the vertically movable member 18.

The guide portion 21 includes a guide member attached to a side of the massage mechanism 30 (both end portions of the elevating shaft, etc.), and a rail that guides the guide member from one side to the other side.

As shown in fig. 3 to 8, the guide member is a roller member 22 having an axis directed in the left-right direction and fitted in the track to be rollable or slidable. The roller member 22 has a diameter substantially equal to the height (groove height) in the rail, and has a height in the axial direction larger than the depth (groove depth) in the rail. Thereby, the roller member 22 can move in the track.

The roller member 22 is provided with a pair of rollers (upper roller members 22a) on the left and right sides of the upper portion of the massage mechanism 30 (housing 41), and a pair of rollers (lower roller members 22b) on the left and right sides of the lower portion (both left and right ends of the elevating shaft). That is, the roller members 22 are provided at substantially four corners of the massage mechanism 30, respectively.

The rail is a guide member 23 into which the roller member 22 is fitted so as to be free to roll or slide. In addition, the rail will be described as the rail member 23.

The rail member 23 is configured to: when the position of the headrest portion 5 is changed from the first posture to the second posture by the posture changing portion 9, the change is made to curve in the direction of the change.

The rail member 23 of the present embodiment is composed of a first rail member 24 and a second rail member 25, and is formed by butting the first rail member 24 and the second rail member 25 in the longitudinal direction.

In the present embodiment, the second rail member 25 of the two rail members 24 and 25 is configured to be bendable in the front-rear direction with respect to the first rail member 24.

That is, when changed to the first posture, the abutting portions of the first rail member 24 and the second rail member 25 are close to each other. In addition, when changed to the second posture, the butted parts are separated from each other.

The first rail members 24 are provided in a pair on both left and right sides of the first opening 8a (main body portion 4) and are arranged in parallel with the rack and pinion 20. The length of the first rail member 24 is substantially the same as the length of the first opening 8a in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction).

The first rail member 24 has two side walls, a front side wall 24a and a rear side wall 24b, the front side wall 24a being formed on the first cover member 7a, and the rear side wall 24b being formed on the first base member 6 a. The front side wall 24a and the rear side wall 24b of the first rail member 24 are disposed so as to oppose in the front-rear direction. The distance (groove width) between the front side wall 24a and the rear side wall 24b is substantially the same as the diameter of the roller member 22.

The second rail members 25 are provided in a pair on both left and right sides of the second opening 8b (the headrest portion 5). The length of the second rail member 25 is substantially the same as the length of the second opening 8b in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction).

The second rail member 25 has two side walls, a front side wall 25a and a rear side wall 25b, the front side wall 25a being formed on the second cover member 7b, and the rear side wall 25b being formed on the second base member 6 b. The front side wall 25a and the rear side wall 25b of the second rail member 25 are disposed to be opposed in the front-rear direction. The distance (groove width) between the front side wall 25a and the rear side wall 25b is substantially the same as the diameter of the roller member 22.

The width (groove depth) of the first rail member 24 and the second rail member 25 is a width that can sufficiently contact the outer peripheral surface of the roller member 22.

A switching mechanism 26 for switching the moving direction of the massage mechanism 30 is provided between the upper portion of the first rail member 24 and the lower portion of the second rail member 25.

As shown in fig. 3 to 8, etc., the switching mechanism 26 switches the moving direction of the massage mechanism 30 to a plurality of directions by changing the degree of curvature of the first rail member 24 and the second rail member 25.

Switching mechanism 26 has a "link 27" which link 27 enables massage mechanism 30 to continuously move at a curved portion existing on first rail member 24 and second rail member 25 when changing the degree of curvature of first rail member 24 and second rail member 25.

The connecting portion 27 is a connecting portion that can continuously move even if the roller member 22 is bent at a portion where the upper end portion of the first rail member 24 and the lower end portion of the second rail member 25 abut against each other.

That is, the switching mechanism 26 changes the degree of curvature of the first rail member 24 and the second rail member 25 by swinging the second rail member 25 (or the first rail member 24) about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (about the axis of the support shaft 11 of the attitude changing portion 9) at the connection portion 27.

The roller member 22 is guided without being separated from the first rail member 24 and the second rail member 25 by continuously moving the roller member 22 in contact with the connecting portion 27, and therefore the massage mechanism 30 is continuously moved from the first rail member 24 to the second rail member 25 via the connecting portion 27.

For example, when the position changing unit 9 changes the headrest portion 5 from the "first position" shown in fig. 4, 5, and the like to the "second position" shown in fig. 6, 7, and the like, the switching mechanism 26 tilts the second rail member 25 in the same direction (forward) as the headrest portion 5 among the plurality of moving directions, thereby bringing the connection portion 27 into the bent state. The connecting portion 27 formed with the bent portion is referred to as a "switching portion" capable of guiding the massage mechanism 30 between the first rail member 24 and the second rail member 25 without interruption.

That is, switching mechanism 26 is such that there is no "non-contact area" where roller member 22 does not contact both first guide rail member 24 and second guide rail member 25.

In other words, when roller member 22 moves to the end point of first guide rail member 24, it passes through connection portion 27 of the switchable curved portion by switching mechanism 26, and can immediately move on second guide rail member 25.

Further, the upper end portion of the rack gear (drive rail member 20) is disposed at a position further away from the second rail member 25 side than the connecting portion 27.

As shown in fig. 4 to 8 and the like, the connecting portion 27 has a first connecting piece 28 and a second connecting piece 29, wherein the first connecting piece 28 projects from the first rail member 24 in the longitudinal direction thereof, and the second connecting piece 29 projects from the second rail member 25 in the longitudinal direction thereof toward the opposite direction to the first connecting piece 28.

Specifically, the first connection piece 28 and the second connection piece 29 are arranged to be offset from each other when viewed from the front. For example, when the first connecting piece 28 extends upward from the right side of the first rail member 24, the second connecting piece 29 extends downward from the left side of the second rail member 25. In addition, the first connection piece 28 and the second connection piece 29 may be arranged at opposite positions (left-right intermodulation arrangement).

Further, the first connecting piece 28 and the second connecting piece 29 are arranged so as to overlap (overlap) each other when viewed from the side (see fig. 5, 7, and the like). That is, the upper end of the guide surface 28b of the first connecting piece 28 and the lower end of the guide surface 29b of the second connecting piece 29 overlap even in a state where the first rail member 24 and the second rail member 25 are bent. The overlapping portion is a connecting portion 27 and is a "switching section" for moving the roller member 22 from the first rail member 24 to the second rail member 25.

The outwardly facing side surface 28a of the first connecting piece 28 and the inwardly facing side surface 29a of the second connecting piece 29 are disposed to face each other. The front guide surface 28b of the first connecting piece 28 and the front guide surface 29b of the second connecting piece 29 are continuously in contact with each other, and the roller member 22 is always in contact with at least one of the guide surface 28b of the first connecting piece 28 and the guide surface 29b of the second connecting piece 29.

That is, the first connecting piece 28 and the second connecting piece 29 are disposed so as to abut against each other in the left-right direction, and maintain the state of abutting against each other regardless of the bending angle of the first rail member 24 and the second rail member 25.

For example, when the roller member 22 moving on the first rail member 24 moves toward the second rail member 25 in a state where the first rail member 24 and the second rail member 25 are bent, the roller member 22 starts to contact the guide surface 29b of the second link piece 29 in the connecting portion 27 immediately before separating from the guide surface 28b of the first link piece 28.

Thereby, the massage mechanism 30 moves from one side (upper side) to the other side (lower side) or from the other side to the one side on the first rail member 24 and the second rail member 25.

That is, in the connecting portion 27, there is a section where the roller member 22 contacts both the guide surface 28b of the first connecting piece 28 and the guide surface 29b of the second connecting piece 29.

When the roller member 22 is continuously moved on the connecting portion 27 and the massage mechanism 30 is moved from the first rail member 24 to the second rail member 25 via the connecting portion 27, the massage mechanism 30 is inclined about the axis of the rotary shaft 17 (lifting shaft) that transmits the rotational driving force of the movement driving portion 13.

That is, the massage mechanism 30 is supported to be swingable around the axis of the rotary shaft 17 (lifting shaft) of the movement driving unit 13.

In this way, the massage mechanism 30 is swung about the axis of the rotary shaft 17 (lifting shaft) by switching the moving direction by the switching mechanism 26 and lifting by the movement driving unit 13, and can thus protrude forward from the backrest 3.

Next, an outline of the structure of the massage mechanism 30 will be described.

The basic device configuration of the massage mechanism 30 described later is substantially the same as that described in japanese patent application laid-open No. 2011-131039, for example.

As shown in fig. 2, 4, 6, and the like, the massage mechanism 30 of the present embodiment includes a massage member 31, a massage rotary shaft 34, a drive unit 35, a conversion unit 38, and a movement drive unit 13, wherein the massage member 31 performs a massage operation on a treatment portion (back); the massage rotary shaft 34 penetrates the proximal end side of the massage member 31; the driving unit 35 drives the massage rotary shaft 34 to rotate; the conversion part 38 converts the rotation force of the massage rotation shaft 34 into a massage action; the movement driving unit 13 moves the massage member 31 in the vertical direction.

The massage members 31 are arranged in a pair at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction. The massage member 31 has an arm member 32 protruding from the driving portion 35 toward the user side (toward the front).

The arm members 32 have distal ends projecting in two directions of obliquely upward and obliquely downward front sides, and treatment members 33 are disposed at the upper and lower distal ends after branching, respectively. The longitudinal intermediate portion of the arm member 32 serves as the base end of the massage member 31.

The treatment member 33 is a member formed in a spherical shape and massages the back (treatment portion) of the user.

When the pair of left and right massage members 31 approach or separate from each other, the left treatment member 33 and the right treatment member 33 repeatedly approach or separate in the left-right direction, thereby massaging the treatment site.

The massage rotary shaft 34 is disposed so that its axis is oriented in the horizontal direction, and is rotatably supported by a support portion 42 provided on the housing 41. The massage rotary shaft 34 penetrates a switching part 38 provided at the base end of the massage member 31 in the left-right direction.

The drive unit 35 is disposed between the pair of left and right massage members 31 in the housing 41. The driving unit 35 includes a driving motor 36 and a gear box 37, wherein the driving motor 36 generates a rotational driving force, and the gear box 37 reduces the rotational driving force to a predetermined speed and transmits the reduced rotational driving force to the massage rotary shaft 34.

The output shaft 36a of the drive motor 36 faces the left side, and the output shaft 36a is inserted into the side gear case 37. The massage rotary shaft 34 is located below the output shaft 36a and penetrates the gear box 37 in the left-right direction. The gear box 37 reduces the output rotational driving force to a predetermined speed, and transmits the reduced speed to the massage rotary shaft 34.

The conversion section 38 converts the rotational force of the massage rotary shaft 34 into a massage operation (approaching/separating operation) of the massage member 31. The switching portions 38 are provided on the proximal end sides of the pair of massage members 31, respectively, and the massage rotary shaft 34 is rotatably inserted through the switching portions 38.

The switching section 38 has an inclined boss portion 39, an annular fitting portion 40, and a regulating portion (not shown), wherein the inclined boss portion 39 rotates integrally with the massage rotary shaft 34; an annular fitting part 40 provided at the base end of the massage member 31 and fitted over the inclined boss part 39; the restricting portion restricts the rotation of the massage member 31 together with the massage rotary shaft 34.

The inclined boss portion 39 is fitted over the massage rotary shaft 34 and rotates together with the massage rotary shaft 34. The outer peripheral surface of the inclined boss portion 39 is provided with a cam surface inclined with respect to the massage rotary shaft 34. The inclined boss portion 39 rotates obliquely with respect to the axis of the massage rotary shaft 34. The inclined boss portion 39 (cam surface) is inclined in opposite directions between the pair of left and right massage members 31.

The annular fitting portion 40 is formed at the base end of the massage member 31 and fitted over the inclined boss portion 39 in a relatively rotatable manner. The massage member 31 is oscillated by fitting the annular fitting portion 40 to the inclined boss portion 39 which is inclined to rotate freely.

The restricting portion is disposed on the rear side (the housing 41 side) of the annular fitting portion 40 for restricting the annular fitting portion 40 from rotating together with the inclined boss portion 39. The restricting portion has a restricting pin provided on the annular fitting portion 40 and a restricting groove into which the restricting pin is slidably fitted.

The regulating pin is provided to protrude in the direction (rearward) opposite to the massage member 31 protruding forward from the annular fitting portion 40. The regulating groove is a groove long in the right-left direction, and is provided in the housing 41 facing the regulating pin. The regulating pin is slidably inserted into the regulating groove, and the regulating pin swings in the left-right direction.

The movement driving unit 13 is as described above.

The operation of the massager 1 of the present embodiment will be described below.

First, a state in the "first posture" will be described with reference to the left side view of fig. 3, fig. 4, fig. 5, and the like.

The headrest portion 5 is brought into the state of the "first posture" inclined by the posture changing portion 9 in the same manner as the inclination of the main body portion 4.

The switching mechanism 26 tilts the second rail member 25 rearward so as to be on the same straight line (the same track) as the first rail member 24 in accordance with the posture of the headrest portion 5.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the first rail member 24 and the second rail member 25 are butted against each other, and the guide surface 28b of the first connecting piece 28 and the guide surface 29b of the second connecting piece 29 are flush with each other. The connecting portion 27 is defined as a portion where the two guide surfaces 28b and 29b are located on the same plane.

In addition, the side surface 28a of the first connecting piece 28 and the side surface 29a of the second connecting piece 29 overlap (overlap) most when viewed from the side. The first rail member 24, the connecting portion 27, and the second rail member 25 are in a state in which the rails are connected in a line.

In this state, when the movement driving unit 13 is operated to raise the massage mechanism 30 along the first rail member 24, the upper roller member 22a of the massage mechanism 30 moves in the first rail member 24. Then, the upper roller member 22a moves on the connecting portion 27 where the first connecting piece 28 and the second connecting piece 29 are mostly overlapped after reaching the upper portion of the first rail member 24. When moved to the end of the connecting portion 27, the upper roller member 22a moves within the second rail member 25.

Thus, the roller member 22 moves continuously and smoothly in the first rail member 24, the connecting portion 27, and the second rail member 25.

First, a description will be given of a situation in the "second posture" with reference to the right view of fig. 3 and fig. 6 to 8.

The headrest portion 5 is in the state of the "second posture" of being bent forward by the posture changing portion 9.

The switching mechanism 26 causes the second rail member 25 to tilt forward in accordance with the forward-bent posture of the headrest portion 5.

That is, when the posture of headrest portion 5 is changed by posture changing portion 9, switching mechanism 26 changes the degree of bending of second guide rail member 25.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the track formed by the first rail member 24 and the second rail member 25 is in an L shape bent backward. The bent portion at this time is the connection portion 27.

In the connecting portion 27, the upper end of the guide surface 28b of the first connecting piece 28 and the lower end of the guide surface 29b of the second connecting piece 29 overlap in side view. The overlap in the "second posture" is smaller than that in the "first posture", but the roller member 22 can also be continuously moved.

That is, even in a state where the track composed of the first rail member 24, the connecting portion 27, and the second rail member 25 is curved, the first connecting piece 28 and the second connecting piece 29 are overlapped in the moving direction of the roller member 22, and the track is in a state of being continuously connected to each other without interruption (see fig. 7, fig. 8, and the like).

In this state, when the movement driving unit 13 is operated to raise the massage mechanism 30 along the first rail member 24, the upper roller member 22a of the massage mechanism 30 moves in the first rail member 24. Then, the upper roller member 22a moves on the first link plate 28 after reaching the upper portion of the first rail member 24.

Further, the upper roller member 22a reaches the upper end of the first connection piece 28, and then overlaps the lower end of the second connection piece 29, and moves in contact with the "connection portion 27" which is a bent portion.

That is, the upper roller member 22a contacts both the first connecting piece 28 and the second connecting piece 29 and continuously moves on the "connecting portion 27".

The upper roller member 22a moves on the second link 29 that has been in contact after leaving the first link 28 (the connecting portion 27), and then moves in the second rail member 25.

The massage mechanism 30 is continuously moved while being lifted from the main body 4 to the headrest portion 5 by the movement driving portion 13, and is swung forward around the axis of the lifting shaft (lower roller member 22 b).

At this time, the treatment member 33 of the massage member 31 protrudes forward from the main body portion 4 and the headrest portion 5, and is switched to a predetermined massage position.

As described above, the massage machine 1 according to the present embodiment is characterized by including the switching mechanism 26, and the switching mechanism 26 is capable of switching the moving direction of the massage mechanism 30 by changing the degree of curvature of the track when the massage mechanism 30 is moved from one side to the other side along the predetermined track (rail member) by the movement driving unit 13.

That is, the massage device 1 of the present embodiment is characterized by having a function of moving the massage mechanism 30 in a direction in which the headrest portion 5 is tilted.

Further, a switching portion (connecting portion 27) is provided which can smoothly change the direction of movement when the massage mechanism 30 is moved from one side to the other side.

By providing such a track and switching mechanism 26, the massage position can be easily switched, and various massage effects can be provided to the user. In addition, the entire device can be made simple and compact.

The configuration of the track and the switching mechanism 26 described in the present embodiment is only an example, and is not limited thereto.

It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all aspects and are not intended to be limiting.

For example, the massage apparatus may include a rotary shaft 17 (elevating shaft) provided with the driving member 19, and a massage rotary shaft 34 provided in the massage mechanism 30 and performing a massage operation on the treatment site, and the rotary shaft 17 (elevating shaft) and the massage rotary shaft 34 may be provided coaxially or coaxially.

In the present embodiment, the rail member 23 (rail) is divided into the first rail member 24 and the second rail member 25, but may be formed as a single bendable rail member.

In particular, in the embodiment disclosed herein, matters not explicitly shown, such as working conditions, operating conditions, sizes and weights of components, are possible matters that the skilled person can easily think of without departing from the scope of the usual implementation.