JP7276873B2 - stretching device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a device used when a user stretches.

Conventional stretching devices have structures disclosed in, for example, prior art documents 1 and 2. Prior Document 1 relates to a stretch table that supports the vicinity of the center of the trunk of a user in a supine position, from the head to the buttocks. By keeping the stretch table rigid and forming a concave portion in contact with the spinal column, the strain of the stretch table is suppressed and the spinal column is not compressed, thereby enabling effective stretching exercise.

Further, prior document 2 relates to a treatment apparatus for applying vibrations to a patient by laying the patient on a table and vibrating the table to perform spinal correction treatment. A structure is disclosed that manually or automatically selects and adds vibration periods in the left-right direction and front-back direction, vibration intensity, application time, and the like.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-141694 JP-A-2-193661

However, the stretching table described in Prior Document 1 allows the user to perform deep breathing and stretching (torsion of the trunk and exercise around the shoulder joints) on the stretching table, thereby increasing the flexibility of the erector spinae muscles and the ribcage. However, the costovertebral joints can be stimulated by exercising by the user in the supine position on the stretch table, so the effect varies greatly depending on the amount of exercise of the user. It was possible.

In addition, the treatment apparatus described in Prior Document 2 vibrates the entire body of the patient by vibrating the table in the left-right and back-and-forth directions. However, the specific vibration frequency has not been disclosed, and since it is a horizontal vibration, there is a problem that individual differences in the therapeutic effect due to surface materials, clothing and flesh are large. was there.

In order to solve the above problems, the stretching device according to the present invention includes a contact portion that contacts a user and mechanically vibrates the contact portion to stimulate the user's intervertebral and costovertebral joints. and a vibration state detection unit that detects the vibration state of the contact portion . , and the center frequency and/or the bandwidth of the fluctuating frequency are changed in accordance with the output state of the vibration state detector.

With the above configuration, the vibration stimulus stimulates the mechanoreceptor, so that the effect of improving the flexibility of the erector spinae muscles and the ribcage can be enhanced without the user himself/herself stretching. In addition, by varying the vibration frequency within a predetermined range, it is possible to effectively release muscle tension around the chest, back, and shoulders regardless of individual differences among users.

1 is an external view of a stretching device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Cross-sectional view along the A-A' plane in FIG. Cross-sectional view along the B-B' plane in FIG. The figure which showed the structure of the vibration part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state of PWM control of the vibrating section according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing vibration frequency fluctuations of the vibrating portion according to the embodiment of the present invention; 1 is an external view of a stretching device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a stretching device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. The figure which shows the state where the same stretching apparatus was folded. Cross-sectional view of the chest support part of the same stretching device Diagram showing how vibration is transmitted by the material of the chest support part of the same stretching device Diagram showing changes in beat frequency due to changes in user's posture Diagram showing the configuration of the vibrating unit of the same stretching device A diagram showing the motor control model of the stretching device The figure which showed the structure of the vibration unit of the stretching apparatus based on the 2nd Example of this invention. Cross-sectional view of the chest support part of the same stretching device The figure which showed the vibration state detection part of the stretching apparatus based on the 3rd Example of this invention. A diagram showing the motor control model of the stretching device

(Embodiment)
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. The stretching device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an abutment part 1 that serves as a base for abutting the user in the supine position, and a abutment part 1 for stimulating the intervertebral and costovertebral joints of the user. It is composed of a vibrating portion 4 that mechanically vibrates the contact portion 1, a core portion 2 that contains the vibrating portion 4, and a cushion portion 3 that contacts the floor surface.

The abutment part 1 has a recessed portion in the center that abuts on the user's spinal column, thereby reducing stimulation to the central part of the spinal column and providing effective vibration and pressure stimulation to the paraspinal muscles surrounding the spinal column. be able to.

The vibrating section 4 is composed of a motor 5 , a vibrating weight 6 and a case 7 . As shown in FIG. 5, PWM control is used to control the rotation speed of the motor 5 . The number of rotations of the motor 5 is controlled by changing the ratio of the ON time t1 of the motor 5 to the basic period ta by PWM control. Further, by controlling the rotation speed of the motor 5, the vibration frequency of the vibrating weight 6, that is, the vibration frequency of the vibrating portion 4 is controlled. In this embodiment, vibration is effectively generated by mounting the vibrating weight 6 eccentrically from the rotating shaft of the motor 5 .

As shown in FIG. 3, the core part 2 has two vibrating parts (4a, 4b), which are arranged under the user's spinal column. In addition, by using resin, foamed polystyrene, or the like as the material of the core part 2, the mutual vibration of the vibrating parts 4a and 4b is transmitted, and the difference in the vibration frequency of the vibrating parts 4a and 4b (beat vibration frequency) causes the beat vibration. Designed to inspire.

The cushion part 3 uses a cushioning sheet such as sponge or rubber foam to prevent damping of vibrations caused by the floor surface.

With the above configuration, by simultaneously vibrating the vibrating parts 4a and 4b and varying the vibration frequency with the lapse of time, beat vibration stimulation can be generated and rhythmic vibration stimulation can be applied to the treatment site.

In addition, mechanoreceptors have the characteristic of adapting to continuous vibration stimuli, becoming less responsive, and less stimulating to the nervous system. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, by applying rhythmic vibration stimulation to the mechanoreceptor, the effect of improving the stimulation to the nervous system is enhanced. By setting the vibration frequency to 30 Hz to 250 Hz, effective vibration stimulation can be performed to muscle spindles, Meissner's corpuscles, and Pacinian corpuscles, which are particularly involved in postural control, among mechanoreceptors.

For example, it is said that the vibration frequency at which muscle spindles respond well is 60 Hz.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the vibration frequencies of the vibrating sections 4a and 4b are periodically varied within a certain range to generate a beat vibration stimulus. For example, by periodically changing the vibration frequency of the vibrating parts 4a and 4b in the range of 58 Hz to 62 Hz around 60 Hz, a beat vibration stimulus with a beat vibration frequency of 4 Hz or less is generated, and the vibration stimulation of the muscle spindle is generated. Adaptation can be reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6(c), the vibration frequencies of the vibrating portions 4a and 4b may vary up and down based on the vibration frequency of the vibrating portion 4a. For example, by fixing the vibration frequency of the vibration part 4a at 60 Hz and periodically varying the vibration frequency of the vibration part 4b in the range of 58 Hz to 62 Hz, a vibration stimulus with a beat vibration frequency of 2 Hz or less can be generated.

Although not shown, the vibration frequency of the vibrating portion 4a may be fixed at 60 Hz, and the vibration frequency of the vibrating portion 4b may be varied within the range of 60 Hz to 62 Hz. Also, the same effect can be obtained by exchanging the vibrating portions 4a and 4b.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the beat vibration frequency can be changed in the range of 0.05 Hz to 2 Hz, preferably 0.1 Hz to 1 Hz. A beat vibration frequency of 0.05 Hz to 2 Hz gives a massage or rubbing sensation to the treatment site, and a more effective massage effect can be obtained.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously enhance the effect of improving flexibility due to the sufficient response of the mechanoreceptors involved in posture control and the massage effect that provides the feeling of kneading and rubbing by manual manipulation.

(Example 1)
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 14. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the stretching device according to the first embodiment of the present invention divides the contact portion 1 into three parts: a chest support portion 10, a head support portion 11, and a buttock support portion 9. They are connected by a sheet 12 having flexibility.

The chest support section 10 is provided with vibrating sections 4a and 4b. The vibrating parts 4a and 4b are connected by a chest core part 17 made of a relatively hard material such as resin or foamed polystyrene so that mutual vibrations can be transmitted.

A control board 14 and a battery 15 are provided in the head support section 11, and the control board 14 controls the vibrating sections 4a and 4b, a vibration strength display section (not shown), and an operating section connected by an electric signal line 13. (not shown).

Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the head support section 11 and the buttocks support section 9 can be folded into the chest support section 10 . Stretching devices are usually used by being moved to a treatment space in many cases. However, since it is necessary to support the area from the head to the buttocks, and the length in the longitudinal direction needs to be about 90 cm, it may be inconvenient to carry.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the head support part 11 and the buttocks support part 9 are folded into the chest support part 10, so that the length in the longitudinal direction becomes the length of the chest support part 10, thereby improving portability and storage. I am letting

In addition, since sensory organs are concentrated in the head, applying vibration stimulation to the head could have adverse effects such as making the user feel sick. By making it difficult for the vibration stimulation of the chest support 10 to be transmitted to the head support 11, that is, the head, it is possible to reduce adverse effects on the user.

In addition, by separating the vibrating section 4 from the electronic components such as the control board 14 and the battery 15, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the electronic components will be adversely affected by vibration such as failure.

Moreover, by incorporating the battery 15 and increasing the mass of the head support portion 11, there is an effect of further damping the vibration transmitted through the floor surface and the cord.

As shown in FIG. 10, a recessed portion is provided in the central portion of the chest core portion 17 of the chest support portion 10, and a relatively hard low-resilience body 8 is provided between the chest core portion 17 and the user. The low-resilience body 8 fills the gap between the chest core part 17 and the user, and the vibration is efficiently transmitted even to the part not in contact with the chest core part 17, as shown in FIG. 11(b). is possible.

Also, if the stretching device is placed directly on the floor, it will be sandwiched between the user and the floor, and even if the vibrating section 4 is vibrated, the vibration of the stretching device will be suppressed and the vibration will not be transmitted to the user. By not transmitting the vibration of the stretching device to the floor surface, it is possible to vibrate more efficiently.

A heater 16 is built in the chest support section 10 . Since the erector spinae muscle and other muscles have the characteristic of being tense at low temperatures and relaxed at high temperatures, a synergistic effect can be expected with the vibration stimulation of the mechanoreceptors due to the function of the heater.

As shown in FIG. 13, the vibrating units 4a and 4b in Example 1 of the present invention are provided with a rotational speed detection unit 17 for detecting the rotational speed of the vibrating weight 6. As shown in FIG. A photosensor, a proximity sensor, or the like, for example, can be used as the rotational speed detection unit 17 . As shown in FIG. 14, by detecting the rotation speed and performing feedback control, it is possible to finely control the vibration frequency and the beat frequency according to the situation.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the vibration frequencies of the vibrating parts 4a and 4b fluctuate due to the difference in the posture of the user in the supine position on the stretching device, and depending on the situation, the beat vibration frequency may exceed 10 Hz. Subject to change. If the beat vibration frequency is 10 Hz or more, the user will find it difficult to feel the beat vibration stimulus and will feel uncomfortable.

Therefore, by controlling the vibration frequency of the vibrating sections 4a and 4b and changing the beat vibration frequency within a range of 10 Hz or less, it is possible to give a stable beat vibration stimulus to the user.

In addition, when responding mainly to muscle spindles and Meissner's corpuscles, the vibration frequency is changed in the range of 30Hz to 60Hz, and when responding mainly to Pacinian corpuscles, the vibration frequency is changed in the range of 100Hz to 250Hz. can be changed.

(Example 2)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. The stretching apparatus according to Example 2 of the present invention is different from Example 1 in that the vibration unit 4 is provided with a vibration unit 19 using a voice coil motor (VCM). Since the VCM can change the vibration intensity while keeping the vibration frequency constant, if one vibration unit 19 is used, it is possible to give rhythmic vibration stimulation and avoid adaptation of the mechanoreceptor. can. However, since the vibrations are not interfered with each other, it is necessary to use two vibration units 19 in order to obtain the kneading and rubbing sensations realized in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, the vibration unit 19 encloses a VCM including a coil 21, a magnet 20, and a spring 22 in a case. The magnet 20 is vibrated by applying an alternating current to the coil 21, and the vibration unit 19 as a whole vibrates due to the reaction.

As shown in FIG. 16, in order to improve the degree of adhesion to the user, unlike the first embodiment, instead of the low-resilience body 8, a bag portion 18 containing powder is provided. Adhesion to the human body is improved by adjusting the amount of air inside the bag portion 18 and utilizing the jamming transition phenomenon.

Specifically, the air inside the bag portion 18 is discharged immediately before applying the vibration stimulus. The inside of the bag portion 18 is evacuated and the powder is hardened, so that vibration can be efficiently transmitted, and vibration stimulation can be efficiently transmitted while in close contact with the human body.

(Example 3)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. The stretching device according to Example 3 of the present invention has, in addition to the stretching device of Example 1, a vibration state detection section 24 that detects the vibration state of the chest support section 10 which is a part of the contact section 1 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17 , an acceleration sensor is arranged as the vibration state detection section 24 in the chest core section 17 . Using this vibration state detection unit 24, as shown in FIG. 18, the vibration frequency of the vibration units (4a, 4b) is varied in accordance with the vibration state of the chest support unit 10, so that the effects due to individual differences of users can be detected. It mitigates the differences.

For example, since the body pressure applied to the chest support section 10 varies depending on the weight of the user, the vibrating state of the chest support section 10 when using the vibration unit 19 shown in the first embodiment differs depending on the user. A user with a heavy body weight increases the body pressure applied to the chest support section 10, and the vibrating state of the vibrating sections (4a, 4b) is suppressed. Therefore, the vibration stimulation to the user may become weaker than the desired vibration stimulation. Therefore, the stretching apparatus of the present embodiment varies the vibration frequency of the vibrating sections (4a, 4b) in accordance with the vibrating state of the chest support section 10 so as to provide the user with a desired vibration stimulus. , to mitigate the difference in effect due to the difference in the weight of the user.
More specifically, as shown in the embodiment, including the case where the vibrating weight 6 is attached eccentrically from the rotating shaft of the motor 5, the intended vibrating state cannot be obtained depending on the body pressure of the user. can be. In such a case, for example, when the vibration is suppressed compared to the intended vibration state, the center frequency of the vibration fluctuation of the motor 5 is increased and the fluctuation bandwidth is widened to effectively utilize the vibration. Appropriate vibration is given to the person. In addition, in the case where beat vibration stimulation is provided by the difference in vibration frequency (beat vibration frequency) of the vibrating parts 4a and 4b, the intended vibration state can be obtained by further increasing the difference in vibration frequency. is corrected so that

Also, the distribution of the body pressure applied to the chest support section 10 varies depending on the posture of the user, and the vibration state of the chest support section 10 may change. For example, users with less muscle, such as the elderly, may change their posture in order to maintain a supine posture on the stretching device. In this case, the distribution of the body pressure applied to the chest support section 10 changes, and the vibration state of the chest support section 10 changes. Therefore, an unexpected vibration stimulus may be given to the user. Therefore, in the stretching device of the present embodiment, the vibration frequencies of the vibrating sections (4a, 4b) are varied in accordance with the change in user's posture. As a result, even if the user's posture changes, a desired vibration stimulus can be given to the user, and the difference in effect due to the difference in the user's posture can be alleviated.

Furthermore, the vibration stimulation by the vibration parts (4a, 4b) may release the muscle tension of the user and change the distribution of the body pressure applied to the chest support part 10. FIG. In this case, the balance of muscle tension in the left and right erector spinae muscles of the user is improved by vibration stimulation by the vibrating sections (4a, 4b), so that the distribution of body pressure applied to the chest support section 10 changes. As a result, as the release of muscle tension progresses, the vibration stimulation may change, and the effect of releasing muscle tension may be suppressed. However, the stretching device of this embodiment can provide the user with a desired vibration stimulus even if the vibration state of the chest support section 10 changes. can be actively promoted.

In this embodiment, the vibration state detection section 24 is arranged on the chest core section 17 (core section 2), but the same control can be performed by arranging it on the low-resilience body 8 as well. Further, although an acceleration sensor is used as the vibration state detection unit 24, any vibration sensor that can detect the vibration state of the chest support unit 10 can be used, and a speed detection type or displacement detection type vibration sensor can also be used.

Reference Signs List 1 contact portion 2 core portion 3 cushion portion 4 vibration portion 5 motor 6 vibration weight 7 case 8 low-resilience body 9 buttock support portion 10 chest support portion 11 head support portion 12 seat 13 electrical signal line 14 control board 15 battery 16 Heater 17 Chest Core 18 Rotation Detector 19 Vibration Unit 20 Magnet 21 Coil 22 Spring 23 Bag 24 Vibration State Detector

Claims (6)

A contact portion that contacts a user, a vibrating portion that mechanically vibrates the contact portion to stimulate the intervertebral and costovertebral joints of the user, and a vibration that detects the vibration state of the contact portion. A state detection unit is provided, and the vibration unit periodically fluctuates its frequency within a predetermined range in order to reduce differences in effects due to individual differences of the users, and detects the output state of the vibration state detection unit. a stretching device that alters the center frequency and/or bandwidth of the varying frequency in response to 2. The stretching device according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion serves as a base for the user to contact in the supine position. 2. The stretching device according to claim 1, wherein the abutting portion has a concave shape in a portion that abuts on the spinal column of the user, or is made softer than the other portion. The stretching device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vibrating portion varies its frequency within a range of 30 to 60 Hz. The stretching device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vibrating portion varies in frequency within a range of 100 to 250 Hz. The stretching device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the vibrating portion is configured using a motor having an eccentric weight attached to its shaft.

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