EP2196111A1 - Relaxation apparatus - Google Patents
Relaxation apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2196111A1 EP2196111A1 EP09014305A EP09014305A EP2196111A1 EP 2196111 A1 EP2196111 A1 EP 2196111A1 EP 09014305 A EP09014305 A EP 09014305A EP 09014305 A EP09014305 A EP 09014305A EP 2196111 A1 EP2196111 A1 EP 2196111A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- manipulator
- rocking
- user
- controller
- unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 206010028813 Nausea Diseases 0.000 description 9
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 9
- 230000008693 nausea Effects 0.000 description 9
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 4
- 210000003128 head Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 210000002480 semicircular canal Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 230000000638 stimulation Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000002040 relaxant effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000452 restraining effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C31/00—Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
- A47C31/008—Use of remote controls
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C3/00—Chairs characterised by structural features; Chairs or stools with rotatable or vertically-adjustable seats
- A47C3/02—Rocking chairs
- A47C3/025—Rocking chairs with seat, or seat and back-rest unit elastically or pivotally mounted in a rigid base frame
- A47C3/0255—Rocking chairs with seat, or seat and back-rest unit elastically or pivotally mounted in a rigid base frame pivotally mounted in the base frame, e.g. swings
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C3/00—Chairs characterised by structural features; Chairs or stools with rotatable or vertically-adjustable seats
- A47C3/02—Rocking chairs
- A47C3/025—Rocking chairs with seat, or seat and back-rest unit elastically or pivotally mounted in a rigid base frame
- A47C3/0251—Rocking chairs with seat, or seat and back-rest unit elastically or pivotally mounted in a rigid base frame driven by electric motors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H1/00—Apparatus for passive exercising; Vibrating apparatus; Chiropractic devices, e.g. body impacting devices, external devices for briefly extending or aligning unbroken bones
- A61H1/001—Apparatus for applying movements to the whole body
- A61H1/003—Rocking or oscillating around a horizontal axis transverse to the body
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
- A61H2201/01—Constructive details
- A61H2201/0119—Support for the device
- A61H2201/0138—Support for the device incorporated in furniture
- A61H2201/0149—Seat or chair
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
- A61H2201/50—Control means thereof
- A61H2201/5023—Interfaces to the user
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a relaxationn apparatus for providing a user with a relaxing effect.
- Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2000-42112 a conventional relaxation apparatus for providing a user with a relaxing effect by slowly rocking a body-supporting member that supports the user's body in a seated or sleeping state by using a rocking unit.
- this relaxation apparatus the user can operate an operation switch of a manipulator to change at will the frequency of a rocking motion of the body-supporting member that supports his/her body.
- various other settings can be performed by a manipulator during the rocking motion, for example, the amplitude of the rocking motion can be changed and the reclining angle of the body-supporting member can be properly modified.
- the present invention provides a relaxation apparatus capable of restraining a user from feeling nausea when he/she operates a manipulator during a rocking motion.
- a relaxation apparatus including a body-supporting unit for supporting a user's body, a rocking unit for rocking the body-supporting unit in at least one direction and a controller for controlling the rocking unit to rock the body-supporting unit, characterized in that : a manipulator operated by the user is provided to give instructions to the controller based on manipulations performed by the user; and the controller controls the rocking unit to reduce the rocking speed of the body-supporting unit when it is determined that the user operates the manipulator during the rocking motion.
- the manipulator may be provided with an indicator that is switched on and off, and the controller may control the indicator to be turned off when it is determined that the manipulator is not operated during the rocking motion.
- the manipulator may include an indicator that has multiple light-emitting diodes and an operation switch that gives instructions to the controller.
- the manipulator may be provided to a rocking member including the body-supporting unit, and may be configured to move together with the rocking member during the rocking motion.
- the operation switch may include an electrostatic sensor, and the electrostatic sensor is used at least for a judgment as to whether the manipulator is operated.
- the electrostatic sensor carries out a judgment as to whether the operation switch and the manipulator are operated.
- the relaxation apparatus in accordance with the present invention is capable of restraining a user from feeling nausea when he/she operates a manipulator during a rocking motion.
- Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a relaxation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- the relaxation apparatus 10 includes a base 11 having a bottom portion 11a placed on the floor (not shown), a rocking machinism 12 as a rocking unit provided to the base 11 and a body-supporting member 13 as a body-supporting unit and a rocking member driven by the rocking mechanism 12.
- the rocking mechanism 12 has a motor 20, a reduction gear 21, a crank mechanism 22 and link members 23.
- the motor 20 is provided on the bottom portion 11a of the base 11 and the operation thereof is controlled by a controller 24 provided on the bottom portion 11a.
- the reduction gear 21 is also provided on the bottom portion 11a of the base 11.
- the reduction gear 21 is operationally coupled with the motor 20 and serves to reduce the power of the motor 20.
- the motor 20 has a position sensor (not shown) such as an encoder that detects the number of revolutions and revolutionary position.
- the crank mechanism 22 has two connecting rods 22a and 22b, and converts the rotating motion of the reduction gear 21 into a large circular motion.
- the base end of the connecting rod 22a is connected to and rotates with the axis of the reduction gear 21, while its leading end is rotatably connected to the base end of the other connecting rod 22b.
- the leading end of the connecting rod 22b is connected to the lower portion of a rectangular frame 25 to which the body-supporting member 13 is fixed.
- the aforementioned base 11 also has a support frame 11b protruded upward from the bottom part 11a.
- the base ends of the linkages 23 are rotatably connected to the upper portion of the support frame 11b at an interval, while their leading ends 22b are rotatably connected to the lower portion of the rectangular frame 25.
- the two linkages 23 rotate around their base ends and, therefore, the body-supporting member 13, fixed to the base part 25, can be rocked back and forth by the power delivered from the crank mechanism 22, like a rocking chair.
- the body-supporting member 13 of a chair shape includes a seat portion 30 which is fixed to an upper portion of the rectangular frame 25 so that they can move together, a back portion 31 attached to the rear side of the seat portion 30, and an ottoman 32 fixed at the front side of the seat portion 30, which are integrally formed.
- the back portion 31 has a width gradually increased from a head support portion 31a on the rear side thereof, which supports the head of the user M, to a waist support portion 31b that supports the waist portion including the arms of the user M, so that the width Y at the waist support 31b is larger than the width X at the head support 31a.
- the width of the body-supporting member 13 is gradually decreased from the front side of the waist support portion 31b, i.e., the rear side of the seat portion 30 to the front edge of the ottoman 32, forming a curved shape as a whole.
- a manipulator 41 is installed on the side of the body-supporting member 13 (the back portion 31), which can be attached and detached by a manipulator holder 40 and a main power switch 42 is installed on the side surface 30a of the seat portion 30, which can turn on and off the power supply.
- the manipulator 41 includes various switches 43 to 49, such as course selection switches 43, a swing regulator switch 44, a reclining-angle regulator switch 45, a volume regulator switch 46, a vibration regulator switch 47, an air-bag regulator switch 48 and a start-up switch 49, each of which having an electrostatic sensor 50 (see Fig. 4 ); and indicators 51 that can respectively show on and off positions of the various switches 43 to 49.
- switches 43 to 49 such as course selection switches 43, a swing regulator switch 44, a reclining-angle regulator switch 45, a volume regulator switch 46, a vibration regulator switch 47, an air-bag regulator switch 48 and a start-up switch 49, each of which having an electrostatic sensor 50 (see Fig. 4 ); and indicators 51 that can respectively show on and off positions of the various switches 43 to 49.
- the course selection switches 43 include multiple switches 43a, 43b, 43c and 43d to select multiple courses (four courses A to D in the present embodiment) and, as shown in Fig. 4 , according to the selections of the respective switches 43a to 43d, corresponding control signals are output to the controller 24 from the control selector 41a where multiple rocking patterns are set up.
- the swing regulator switch 44 is electrically connected to a speed regulator 41b and an amplitude regulator 41c for regulating respectively the speed and amplitude of a rocking motion, as shown in Fig. 4 .
- a speed regulator 41b and an amplitude regulator 41c for regulating respectively the speed and amplitude of a rocking motion, as shown in Fig. 4 .
- a reclining control signal is outputted to the controller 24 through the reclining regulator 41d, as shown in Fig. 4 , and the controller 24 that receives the signal controls the reclining driver 13a properly to regulate the reclining angle of the body-supporting member 13.
- the volume regulator switch 46 is to regulate the volume of a speaker (not shown) and in the present embodiment the volume can be regulated in five levels.
- the vibration regulator switch 47 is to regulate the degree of vibration of vibrating parts (not shown) and in the present embodiment the vibration can be regulated in five levels.
- the air-bag regulator switch 48 is to change the amount of expansion of air bags (not shown) and in the present embodiment the expansion can be regulated in five levels.
- the start-up switch 49 is to turn the relaxation apparatus 10 on and off and the controller 24 can control the respective parts by operating the start-up switch 49 to turn it on.
- the indicators 51 include light-emitting diodes within a transparent cell of a casing of the manipulator 41 and are installed in the interior of the respective switches 43 to 49, and level displays 44a, 46a, 47a and 48a provided to show the current status of the motion by the respective switches 44, 46, 47 and 48.
- the controller 24 controls the motor 20 to rock the body-supporting member 13 back and forth in a relaxation motion that provides a user with an effective relaxation effect.
- the indicators 51 for the respective switches 43 to 49 are turned off so that they are restrained from being recognized by the user.
- the sensors 50 output signals to the controller 24 if the respective switches 43 to 49 are operated by the user.
- the controller 24 that receives signals from the sensors 50 controls the corresponding indicators 51 to be turned on.
- the controller 24 controls the rocking mechanism 12 to reduce the speed of the rocking motion of the body-supporting member 13 to a predetermined level ⁇ as shown in Fig. 5 .
- the speed of the rocking motion of the body-supporting member 13 gets reduced to the predetermined value ⁇ so that unpleasant stimulations to the semicircular canal of the user may be restrained and, therefore, it becomes possible to restrain him/her from feeling nausea.
- the switches having an electrostatic sensor are employed to determine whether a user would operate the manipulator 41 or not, other types of switches such as tactile switches, rubber switches or membrane switches may be employed instead.
- whether a user would operate the manipulator 41 or not may be determined by installing a switch mechanism on a manipulator holder 40 and using it to detect the attachment or detachment of the manipulator 41.
- whether a user would operate the manipulator 41 or not may be determined by, e.g., a proximity sensor detecting the user's body (e.g., a hand) at a distance from the manipulator 41 when the user's hand approaches the manipulator 41.
- the speed of a rocking motion is set to be the predetermined value ⁇ while the user operates manipulator 41 (see Fig. 5 ), it may be reduced at a constant rate in proportion to the initial speed before the operation.
- the indicators 51 are turned off when the manipulator 41 is not in operation during a relaxation rocking, they may be turned on at all times.
- the manipulator 41 includes the indicators 51 with the light-emitting diodes and the various switches 43 to 49, the present invention is not limited thereto.
- the manipulator may include a liquid crystal display.
- the indicators 51 have the light-emitting diodes, other lighting parts may be employed.
- the present invention is not limited thereto and, for example, it may be rocked from side to side.
- air bags may be installed on the various parts of the body-supporting member 13 in order to provide with a relaxation effect such as massaging by carrying out suitable expansion and contraction thereof.
- the controller 24 may control the motor 20 to carry out a refresh rocking that awakes a user in a relaxation (sleeping) state, for example, by having the amplitude or frequency of a rocking motion higher after the relaxation motion than during the relaxation motion.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)
- Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a relaxationn apparatus for providing a user with a relaxing effect.
- There is disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No.
2000-42112 - In the above-mentioned relaxation apparatus, in addition to the change in the frequency of a rocking motion, various other settings can be performed by a manipulator during the rocking motion, for example, the amplitude of the rocking motion can be changed and the reclining angle of the body-supporting member can be properly modified.
- If the user gazes at minute details such as an operation switch of the manipulator when he/she operates the manipulator during a rocking motion, however, he/she has been prone to feel nausea.
- In view of the above, the present invention provides a relaxation apparatus capable of restraining a user from feeling nausea when he/she operates a manipulator during a rocking motion.
- In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a relaxation apparatus including a body-supporting unit for supporting a user's body, a rocking unit for rocking the body-supporting unit in at least one direction and a controller for controlling the rocking unit to rock the body-supporting unit, characterized in that: a manipulator operated by the user is provided to give instructions to the controller based on manipulations performed by the user; and the controller controls the rocking unit to reduce the rocking speed of the body-supporting unit when it is determined that the user operates the manipulator during the rocking motion.
- The manipulator may be provided with an indicator that is switched on and off, and the controller may control the indicator to be turned off when it is determined that the manipulator is not operated during the rocking motion.
- The manipulator may include an indicator that has multiple light-emitting diodes and an operation switch that gives instructions to the controller.
- The manipulator may be provided to a rocking member including the body-supporting unit, and may be configured to move together with the rocking member during the rocking motion.
- The operation switch may include an electrostatic sensor, and the electrostatic sensor is used at least for a judgment as to whether the manipulator is operated.
- In other words, the electrostatic sensor carries out a judgment as to whether the operation switch and the manipulator are operated.
- The relaxation apparatus in accordance with the present invention is capable of restraining a user from feeling nausea when he/she operates a manipulator during a rocking motion.
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Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a relaxation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the relaxation apparatus. -
Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a manipulator of the relaxation apparatus. -
Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of a configuration of the relaxation apparatus. -
Fig. 5 shows a graph that explains the relation between of the evolution of the state of a manipulator and the rocking speed of a body-supporting member. - Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a relaxation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted inFig. 1 , therelaxation apparatus 10 includes abase 11 having abottom portion 11a placed on the floor (not shown), a rockingmachinism 12 as a rocking unit provided to thebase 11 and a body-supportingmember 13 as a body-supporting unit and a rocking member driven by therocking mechanism 12. - The
rocking mechanism 12 has amotor 20, areduction gear 21, acrank mechanism 22 andlink members 23. Themotor 20 is provided on thebottom portion 11a of thebase 11 and the operation thereof is controlled by acontroller 24 provided on thebottom portion 11a. Thereduction gear 21 is also provided on thebottom portion 11a of thebase 11. Thereduction gear 21 is operationally coupled with themotor 20 and serves to reduce the power of themotor 20. Further, themotor 20 has a position sensor (not shown) such as an encoder that detects the number of revolutions and revolutionary position. - The
crank mechanism 22 has two connectingrods reduction gear 21 into a large circular motion. The base end of the connectingrod 22a is connected to and rotates with the axis of thereduction gear 21, while its leading end is rotatably connected to the base end of the other connectingrod 22b. The leading end of the connectingrod 22b is connected to the lower portion of arectangular frame 25 to which the body-supportingmember 13 is fixed. - The
aforementioned base 11 also has asupport frame 11b protruded upward from thebottom part 11a. The base ends of thelinkages 23 are rotatably connected to the upper portion of thesupport frame 11b at an interval, while their leadingends 22b are rotatably connected to the lower portion of therectangular frame 25. The twolinkages 23 rotate around their base ends and, therefore, the body-supportingmember 13, fixed to thebase part 25, can be rocked back and forth by the power delivered from thecrank mechanism 22, like a rocking chair. - The body-supporting
member 13 of a chair shape includes aseat portion 30 which is fixed to an upper portion of therectangular frame 25 so that they can move together, aback portion 31 attached to the rear side of theseat portion 30, and anottoman 32 fixed at the front side of theseat portion 30, which are integrally formed. As viewed from above, theback portion 31 has a width gradually increased from ahead support portion 31a on the rear side thereof, which supports the head of the user M, to awaist support portion 31b that supports the waist portion including the arms of the user M, so that the width Y at thewaist support 31b is larger than the width X at thehead support 31a. On the other hand, the width of the body-supportingmember 13 is gradually decreased from the front side of thewaist support portion 31b, i.e., the rear side of theseat portion 30 to the front edge of theottoman 32, forming a curved shape as a whole. - As shown in
Figs. 1 and2 , amanipulator 41 is installed on the side of the body-supporting member 13 (the back portion 31), which can be attached and detached by amanipulator holder 40 and amain power switch 42 is installed on theside surface 30a of theseat portion 30, which can turn on and off the power supply. - As shown in
Fig. 3 , themanipulator 41 includesvarious switches 43 to 49, such ascourse selection switches 43, aswing regulator switch 44, a reclining-angle regulator switch 45, a volume regulator switch 46, a vibration regulator switch 47, an air-bag regulator switch 48 and a start-up switch 49, each of which having an electrostatic sensor 50 (seeFig. 4 ); andindicators 51 that can respectively show on and off positions of thevarious switches 43 to 49. - The
course selection switches 43 includemultiple switches Fig. 4 , according to the selections of therespective switches 43a to 43d, corresponding control signals are output to thecontroller 24 from thecontrol selector 41a where multiple rocking patterns are set up. - The
swing regulator switch 44 is electrically connected to aspeed regulator 41b and anamplitude regulator 41c for regulating respectively the speed and amplitude of a rocking motion, as shown inFig. 4 . By the user operating theswing regulator switch 44, the speed and amplitude of the rocking motion of the body-supportingmember 13 can be changed in three steps. - By the user operating the reclining-
angle regulator switch 45, a reclining control signal is outputted to thecontroller 24 through the recliningregulator 41d, as shown inFig. 4 , and thecontroller 24 that receives the signal controls the recliningdriver 13a properly to regulate the reclining angle of the body-supportingmember 13. - The volume regulator switch 46 is to regulate the volume of a speaker (not shown) and in the present embodiment the volume can be regulated in five levels. The vibration regulator switch 47 is to regulate the degree of vibration of vibrating parts (not shown) and in the present embodiment the vibration can be regulated in five levels. The air-bag regulator switch 48 is to change the amount of expansion of air bags (not shown) and in the present embodiment the expansion can be regulated in five levels. The start-
up switch 49 is to turn therelaxation apparatus 10 on and off and thecontroller 24 can control the respective parts by operating the start-up switch 49 to turn it on. - The
indicators 51 include light-emitting diodes within a transparent cell of a casing of themanipulator 41 and are installed in the interior of therespective switches 43 to 49, andlevel displays respective switches 44, 46, 47 and 48. - In the
relaxation apparatus 10 configured as described above, thecontroller 24 controls themotor 20 to rock the body-supportingmember 13 back and forth in a relaxation motion that provides a user with an effective relaxation effect. - During a relaxation rocking, the
indicators 51 for therespective switches 43 to 49 are turned off so that they are restrained from being recognized by the user. During the relaxation rocking, thesensors 50 output signals to thecontroller 24 if therespective switches 43 to 49 are operated by the user. Thecontroller 24 that receives signals from thesensors 50 controls thecorresponding indicators 51 to be turned on. At the same time, that is, if therespective switches 43 to 49 including thesensors 50 are operated by the user, thecontroller 24 controls therocking mechanism 12 to reduce the speed of the rocking motion of the body-supportingmember 13 to a predetermined level α as shown inFig. 5 . - If a user operates the minute switches 43 to 49 of the
manipulator 41 while gazing at them during the rocking motion, he/she could have felt nausea. In the present embodiment of therelaxation apparatus 10, however, the speed of the rocking motion of the body-supportingmember 13 gets reduced to the predetermined value α so that unpleasant stimulations to the semicircular canal of the user may be restrained and, therefore, it becomes possible to restrain him/her from feeling nausea. - Next, the characteristic effects of the present embodiments will be described.
- (1) The
relaxation apparatus 10 includes themanipulator 41 that gives instructions to acontroller 24 based on an operation performed by a user. In addition, when it is determined that the user operates themanipulator 41 during a rocking motion, thecontroller 24 controls therocking mechanism 12 to reduce the speed of the rocking motion of the body-supportingmember 13. That is, when themanipulator 41 is operated during a rocking motion, because the speed of the rocking motion of the body-supportingmember 13 gets reduced, unpleasant stimulations to the semicircular canal of the user may be restrained and, therefore, it becomes possible to restrain him/her from feeling nausea. - (2) The
manipulator 41 includes theindicators 51 that can indicate operation states ofrespective switches 43 to 49. In addition, if it is determined that themanipulator 41 is not operated during a rocking motion, the indicators are turned off. In other words, by turning off theindicators 51 while the user does not operate themanipulator 41, it is possible to make the user hard to perceive theindicators 51 even though he/she recognizes the presence of the manipulator. Hence, the user being restrained from gazing at the indicators, unpleasant stimulations to the semicircular canal of the user may be restrained and, therefore, it becomes possible to restrain him/her from feeling nausea. - (3) The
manipulator 41 includes theindicators 51 with the light-emitting diodes and the operation switches 43 to 49 which give instructions to thecontroller 24. Hence, even though the user recognizes themanipulator 41 during a rocking motion, because themanipulator 41 has a plain and simple configuration, the user can be restrained from gazing at the indicators, and, therefore, it becomes possible to restrain him/her from feeling nausea. - (4) Because the
manipulator 41 is installed on the side of the body-supportingmember 13, themanipulator 41 moves together with the body-supportingmember 13 during a rocking motion. Accordingly, the relative position of the head of a user with the manipulator can be kept unchanged during the rocking motion. As a result, even though the user recognized themanipulator 41, unpleasant stimulations to the semicircular canal of the user may be restrained and, therefore, it becomes possible to restrain him/her from feeling nausea. - The embodiments of the present invention may be modified as described below.
- Although, in the embodiment described above, the switches having an electrostatic sensor are employed to determine whether a user would operate the
manipulator 41 or not, other types of switches such as tactile switches, rubber switches or membrane switches may be employed instead. In addition, whether a user would operate themanipulator 41 or not may be determined by installing a switch mechanism on amanipulator holder 40 and using it to detect the attachment or detachment of themanipulator 41. Besides, whether a user would operate themanipulator 41 or not may be determined by, e.g., a proximity sensor detecting the user's body (e.g., a hand) at a distance from themanipulator 41 when the user's hand approaches themanipulator 41. - Although, in the embodiment described above, the speed of a rocking motion is set to be the predetermined value α while the user operates manipulator 41 (see
Fig. 5 ), it may be reduced at a constant rate in proportion to the initial speed before the operation. - Although, in the embodiment described above, the
indicators 51 are turned off when themanipulator 41 is not in operation during a relaxation rocking, they may be turned on at all times. - Although, in the embodiment described above, the
manipulator 41 includes theindicators 51 with the light-emitting diodes and thevarious switches 43 to 49, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the manipulator may include a liquid crystal display. - Although, in the embodiment described above, the
indicators 51 have the light-emitting diodes, other lighting parts may be employed. - Although, in the embodiment described above, the body-supporting
member 13 is rocked back and forth, the present invention is not limited thereto and, for example, it may be rocked from side to side. - Even though it is not mentioned explicitly in the embodiment described above, air bags may be installed on the various parts of the body-supporting
member 13 in order to provide with a relaxation effect such as massaging by carrying out suitable expansion and contraction thereof. - Even though it is not mentioned explicitly in the embodiment described above, the
controller 24 may control themotor 20 to carry out a refresh rocking that awakes a user in a relaxation (sleeping) state, for example, by having the amplitude or frequency of a rocking motion higher after the relaxation motion than during the relaxation motion. - Even though it is not mentioned explicitly in the embodiment described above, there may be provided a mechanism for generating music or vibration corresponding to the relaxation rocking or refresh rocking.
- While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims (6)
- A relaxation apparatus comprising a body-supporting unit for supporting a user's body, a rocking unit for rocking the body-supporting unit in at least one direction and a controller for controlling the rocking unit to rock the body-supporting unit, characterized in that:a manipulator operated by the user is provided to give instructions to the controller based on manipulations performed by the user; andthe controller controls the rocking unit to reduce the rocking speed of the body-supporting unit when it is determined that the user operates the manipulator during the rocking motion.
- The relaxation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the manipulator is provided with an indicator that is switched on and off, and
the controller controls the indicator to be turned off when it is determined that the manipulator is not operated during the rocking motion. - The relaxation apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the manipulator is provided with an indicator that has multiple light-emitting diodes and an operation switch that gives instructions to the controller.
- The relaxation apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the manipulator is provided to a rocking member including the body-supporting unit, and is configured to move together with the rocking member during the rocking motion.
- The relaxation apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein an operation switch including an electrostatic sensor is provided to the manipulator to give instructions to the controller, and
the electrostatic sensor is used at least for a judgment as to whether the manipulator is operated. - The relaxation apparatus of claim 3, wherein the operation switch includes an electrostatic sensor, and
the electrostatic sensor is used at least for a judgment as to whether the manipulator is operated.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2008299297A JP5043808B2 (en) | 2008-11-25 | 2008-11-25 | Relaxation equipment |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2196111A1 true EP2196111A1 (en) | 2010-06-16 |
EP2196111B1 EP2196111B1 (en) | 2016-10-12 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP09014305.8A Active EP2196111B1 (en) | 2008-11-25 | 2009-11-16 | Relaxation apparatus |
Country Status (2)
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EP (1) | EP2196111B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5043808B2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20170332804A1 (en) * | 2014-10-28 | 2017-11-23 | Rom Ag | Upholstered furniture system comprising an item of upholstered furniture and a control system, and method for operating an upholstered furniture system |
CN109996470A (en) * | 2016-12-15 | 2019-07-09 | 亨利技术股份公司 | Infant's comfort system and its control method based on artificial intelligence and fine vibration |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2012196407A (en) * | 2011-03-23 | 2012-10-18 | Panasonic Corp | Rocking chair |
Citations (6)
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JP2000042112A (en) | 1998-07-28 | 2000-02-15 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Relax device |
JP2001149164A (en) * | 1999-11-29 | 2001-06-05 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Relaxation device |
US20020068887A1 (en) * | 2000-11-30 | 2002-06-06 | Makoto Kikumoto | Massage machine and electronic device having controller |
JP2003180781A (en) * | 2001-12-19 | 2003-07-02 | Fuji Iryoki:Kk | Massaging machine |
JP2007029226A (en) * | 2005-07-25 | 2007-02-08 | Family Co Ltd | Remote controller for chair type massage machine, and chair type massage machine equipped with the same |
US20070063558A1 (en) * | 2005-09-08 | 2007-03-22 | Stewart Laverne L | Device that automatically rocks a rocking a chair and similar articles |
-
2008
- 2008-11-25 JP JP2008299297A patent/JP5043808B2/en active Active
-
2009
- 2009-11-16 EP EP09014305.8A patent/EP2196111B1/en active Active
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2000042112A (en) | 1998-07-28 | 2000-02-15 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Relax device |
JP2001149164A (en) * | 1999-11-29 | 2001-06-05 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Relaxation device |
US20020068887A1 (en) * | 2000-11-30 | 2002-06-06 | Makoto Kikumoto | Massage machine and electronic device having controller |
JP2003180781A (en) * | 2001-12-19 | 2003-07-02 | Fuji Iryoki:Kk | Massaging machine |
JP2007029226A (en) * | 2005-07-25 | 2007-02-08 | Family Co Ltd | Remote controller for chair type massage machine, and chair type massage machine equipped with the same |
US20070063558A1 (en) * | 2005-09-08 | 2007-03-22 | Stewart Laverne L | Device that automatically rocks a rocking a chair and similar articles |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20170332804A1 (en) * | 2014-10-28 | 2017-11-23 | Rom Ag | Upholstered furniture system comprising an item of upholstered furniture and a control system, and method for operating an upholstered furniture system |
CN109996470A (en) * | 2016-12-15 | 2019-07-09 | 亨利技术股份公司 | Infant's comfort system and its control method based on artificial intelligence and fine vibration |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2196111B1 (en) | 2016-10-12 |
JP5043808B2 (en) | 2012-10-10 |
JP2010124856A (en) | 2010-06-10 |
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