WO2002069880A1

WO2002069880A1 - Thermotherapeutic apparatus and its control method

Info

Publication number: WO2002069880A1
Application number: PCT/KR2002/000360
Authority: WO
Inventors: Youngmoon Kim
Original assignee: Ceragem Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2001-03-02
Filing date: 2002-03-02
Publication date: 2002-09-12

Abstract

Disclosed are a thermotherapeutic apparatus and its control method. The thermotherapeutic apparatus can sense a position of a use point suitable for a user according to the user's height input by the user and perform not only horizontal and vertical movements but also lateral vibration motion, thereby providing moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects through movements of various directions by compounding the horizontal, vertical and lateral movements and a seesaw motion of thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools. Furthermore, the thermotherapeutic apparatus can sense finger pressure and massage pressure and separately and vertically move the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools, thereby providing moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects at all acupuncture points at uniform pressure without regard to a bended level of the user's body. Moreover, when the user controls strength of the finger pressure arbitrarily, the apparatus is operated according to the user's demand. Additionally, when the user selects automatic, semiautomatic or adbomen mode, the apparatus can be selectively controlled in various types by changing and setting displacement of time, pressure, position, reciprocation number, and so on.

Description

THERMOTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS AND ITS CONTROL METHOD

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a thermotherapeutic apparatus, and more particularly, to a thermotherapeutic apparatus and its control method, which can provide moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects by automatically sensing acupuncture points according to keys input by a user, provide various type moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects by making not only horizontal and vertical movements but also lateral movement of thermotherapeutic finger pressure parts possible, and control the vertical movement to act at uniform pressure at any part without regard to a bended level of a user's body.

Background Art

In general, thermotherapeutic apparatuses for performing finger pressure action to acupuncture points of a user's body using a finger pressure device in which a lamp is embedded, especially, thermotherapeutic apparatuses of a bed type or a mattress type for the spinal columns, are well known. The finger pressure device, in which the lamp is embedded, provides a finger pressure effect to muscles around the spinal columns and moxibustion effect by far infrared rays and heat emitted from the lamp while moving horizontally, so that patients can be provided with thermotherapeutic effects while lying on a bed. However, most of the conventional thermotherapeutic apparatuses for the spinal columns are configured in such a manner that the finger pressure device projecting from the bed or mattress to a predetermined height moves horizontally (in a longitudinal direction of the spinal columns). Thereby, the conventional thermotherapeutic apparatuses have a disadvantage that when the thermotherapeutic apparatus operates in a state that a user lies on it, the finger pressure effect is lowered at meridian systems and acupuncture points requiring effective treatment because the vertical position of the finger pressure device contacted to the muscles in the vicinity of the spinal columns is always uniform. To solve the problem of the prior arts, Korean Patent Publication No. 54203 discloses a thermotherapeutic apparatus having vertically movable finger pressure device, and Korean Utility Model Registration No. 182021 discloses a therapeutic catheter lifting device of automatic therapeutic apparatus. In Korean patent Publication No. 54203, the thermotherapeutic apparatus includes a pair of spiral gears rotatably mounted on both sides of a movable body, which is installed on a stand to reciprocate horizontally, and rotating forward and backward by a back and forth rotating motor, and a lifting body having a plurality of finger pressure devices mounted on the upper portion and moving up and down by rotational force of the spiral gears. The lifting body has movable shafts fixed at both sides thereof to be inserted into spiral holes formed on the inside surface of the spiral gears. When the spiral gears are rotated by driving power of the back and forth rotating motor, the movable shafts of the lifting body inserted into the spiral holes of the spiral gears are ascended or descended along the spiral holes at their own places, so that the lifting body on which the finger pressure devices are mounted is also ascended or descended, thereby improving the finger pressure effect at a proper place by the lifting action of the finger pressure devices.

In Korean Utility Model Registration No. 182021, a lifting spring is formed between a movable body laterally and horizontally moving along a screw and a therapeutic apparatus moving plate. The therapeutic apparatus moving plate is moved vertically by the lifting spring, so that a therapeutic catheter is contacted to the user's body along a bend of the user's body and pressurizes and foments the muscles around the spinal columns by uniform power.

Korean patent Publication No. 54203 and Korean Utility Model Registration No. 182021 provide the strong finger pressure effect because the finger pressure devices having the lamp or catheter move horizontally and vertically, but the finger pressure devices or the catheter perform only the horizontal reciprocation without lateral vibration within a predetermined range of the spinal column because pressurizing the muscles around the spinal column by being vertically lifted at any place while moving horizontally. As the result, the prior arts cannot obtain continuous massage and fomentation effects at a determined place of the muscles around a desired spinal column.

Furthermore, the conventional thermotherapeutic apparatuses are complex in structure in comparison with their functions, and thereby, manufacturing processes and manufacturing expenses are increased and productivity is lowered. For the horizontal movement means, there is a shaft type using a moving shaft, a belt type, a rope type, a chain type and so on. The horizontal movement means reciprocates horizontally as much as a predetermined distance during an automatic operation without a position control sensor in relation with the horizontal movement or operates in a simple manner that the horizontal movement means stops at a predetermined position to perform moxibustion and finger pressure actions at the stop position for a predetermined period of time and then moves horizontally.

The vertical movement means rotates the moving shaft by a motor to control vertical and lifting motions, and the lifting motion is controlled to a_. fixed position.

In physical conditions, depending on positions of the cervical vertebra parts, thoracic vertebra parts, sacral parts and coccyx parts, different intervals and pressures are acted from the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools. However, as shown in FIG. 1, because the position of the lifting motion is fixed, there are large differences in pressures applied to the parts of the human body. For example, too low pressure is applied to the cervical vertebra parts and the lumbar vertebra parts, which are raised more than other parts, and too high pressure is applied to the thoracic vertebra parts and sacral parts so as to cause pain to the user.

To overcome the above problems, thermotherapeutic apparatuses for applying uniform pressure to the human body by bending a guide for guiding the horizontal movement thereof have been disclosed.

However, as shown in FIG. 1, if the movement guide is bended, there may be caused an adverse reaction because the bended level of the movement guide and the bended level of the spinal columns are not identical to each other due to a difference in the users' height. As described above, the conventional thermotherapeutic apparatuses stops after moving by a predetermined interval and pressurizes the acupuncture points under uniform pressure, but has the following disadvantages because the prior arts have no means and methods to exactly correspond to the bended level of the spinal columns of all human body. First, it is difficult to correspond to the user's acupuncture points because the movement distance between the acupuncture points is fixed though people have different positions of acupuncture points according to their height. Second, the movement of the movable thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools along the curve of bended rails can apply excessive pressure to the spinal columns if the curve of the bended rails does not correspond with the bended level of the spinal columns because the height for the vertical movement of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools is fixed uniform. Third, a plurality of finger pressure bars integrally fixed on the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools apply different pressure according to positions of the human body because the user's back surface is not plane, thereby causing pain to the user's body. Additionally, because several finger pressure bars of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools are not in contact with the user's body, the finger pressure effect is not provided. Fourth, in case that the user lies on the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool, pressure of the human body applied to the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools varies according to the positions of the user's body due to the bend of the user's body and according to user's weight and the user cannot control pressure freely, the thermotherapeutic apparatus cannot provide pressures of various strengths. Fifth, because of the above disadvantages, the thermotherapeutic apparatus cannot perform multiple automatic operations by compounding the various functions.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a thermotherapeutic apparatus and its control method, which can provide thermotherapeutic effects, such as moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects, by computing and detecting various acupuncture points according to a height of a user's body and exactly moving to positions of the corresponding acupuncture points when the thermotherapeutic treatment is performed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a thermotherapeutic apparatus and its control method, which can provide moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects to any part of the user's body by pressure predetermined at each part without regard to the bended level of the user's body because a plurality of thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools contacted with the user' body are lifted separately and contact pressure with the user's body is sensed at regular intervals to maintain uniform pressure.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a thermotherapeutic apparatus and its control method, which can selectively control automatic operation or semiautomatic operation of time, pressure, position and reciprocating number using a value initially input to the thermotherapeutic apparatus or a previously set value.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a thermotherapeutic apparatus and its control method, which can maximize the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects because performing not only horizontal and vertical movements but also rotation of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools and a right and left seesaw movement and performing various movements by compounding the horizontal, vertical and right and left seesaw movements.

To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a thermotherapeutic apparatus includes a remote controller for selectively and remotely(wirelessly) controlling operation of the thermotherapeutic apparatus by the user, thermotherapeutic controlling means for controlling the thermotherapeutic apparatus by the remote controller, thermotherapeutic means for operating thermotherapeutic parts according to the control of the thermotherapeutic controlling means, and at least one or more of partial therapeutic devices having a plurality of thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools to provide moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects to a part of the user's body.

The thermotherapeutic controlling means includes: a receiving part for receiving selection signal of the remote controller; a horizontal movement operating part for horizontally moving the thermotherapeutic parts by sensing the user's selection signal input through the receiving part; a vertical movement operating part for vertically moving the thermotherapeutic parts; a lateral vibration operating part for performing lateral vibration; a position sensor for sensing a position of the thermotherapeutic parts; a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools of the thermotherapeutic parts; a pressure sensor for sensing a use point contact pressure of the thermotherapeutic parts; a lamp operating part for maintaining temperature of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools; and a central processing unit(CPU) for controlling each operating part referring to data input through each sensor. Moreover, the thermotherapeutic means includes driving motors for controlling the horizontal, lateral and vertical movements of the thermotherapeutic parts by the control of the thermotherapeutic controlling means, and at least one or more of thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools for providing moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects to the user's use points by the control of the thermotherapeutic controlling means.

In another aspect of the present invention, to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a control method of the thermotherapeutic apparatus including the steps of: computing and setting initial use points(acupuncture points), finger pressure level and temperature for the thermotherapy according to a basic value indicated by the user; performing moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions on the basis of the use points by compounding a vertical movement, a horizontal movement within a range of predetermined width, and lateral vibration according to an operation pattern previously set at an initial use point; when the predetermined moxibustion, finger pressure and massage period actions are finished at the above use point, moving to the next use point, and returning to the initial condition after repeating the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions and finishing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions at the final use point; computing movement distances between acupuncture points(use points) according to the height of the user's body; and performing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions within the computed distance of the acupuncture points at a predetermined time interval while horizontally moving the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools.

During the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions, the vertical movement is performed in such a manner that finger pressure of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools is sensed at the position of the use point, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools rise to a predetermined pressure and fall to the minimum height after being maintained at the maximum height during a predetermined period of time.

At this time, the up and down movement of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools provide the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects while maintaining the predetermined uniform pressure by sensing pressure at each acupuncture point.

During the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions, the horizontal movement is performed in such a manner that the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools move horizontally to the use point and perform a reciprocating motion at a predetermined interval on the basis of the corresponding use point according to the movement type. The lateral movement is performed in such a manner that the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools move laterally within a range of the predetermined width on the basis of a direction of the horizontal movement. As described above, the thermotherapeutic apparatus can selectively perform a round movement, an elliptical movement and Lissajous pattern movement by compounding the horizontal movement, lateral movement and vertical movement of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing indication of use points computed according to positions of spinal columns; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a thermotherapeutic apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a configuration view of a remote controller of FIG. 2; FIGS. 4 to 6 are flow charts of a control process of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an operation controller of a thermotherapeutic apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view showing a side structure of horizontal and vertical movement means of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view of a front structure of the vertical movement means of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of a structure of the horizontal movement means according to the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a control process of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a view of a structure of vertical movement means of a thermotherapeutic apparatus according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a detailed view of a structure of essential parts of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a brief perspective view of a thermotherapeutic apparatus according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a vertically sectional view, in partial section, of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a view of a structure of a lifting device of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a thermotherapeutic finger pressure part according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the assembled thermotherapeutic finger pressure part according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a view showing a lateral seesaw movement of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part according to the fourth embodiment; FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along the line A- A of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a detailed plan view of a rubber barrier protector according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a view of a structure of a fluid supply means according to the fourth embodiment; FIG. 23 is a view showing another embodiment of the fluid supply means according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a view showing a further embodiment of the fluid supply means according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a view showing another embodiment of power transmitting means of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of a thermotherapeutic apparatus according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 27 is a sectional view of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a detailed exploded perspective view of lateral vibration means according to the fifth embodiment; FIGS. 29 and 30 are sectional views showing states that the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the fifth embodiment is vibrated vertically and laterally;

FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of a thermotherapeutic apparatus according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. .32 is a sectional view of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of lateral vibration means according to the sixth embodiment; and

FIG. 34 is a view of an operation of the lateral vibration means according to the sixth embodiment.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

The present invention will now be described in detail in connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of horizontal movement means, lateral movement means, vertical movement means of various types according to the present invention, and control systems and methods thereof will be described as follows.

Embodiment 1

The structure and operation of a controller of an automatic thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail as follows.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the controller of the automatic thermotherapeutic apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The thermotherapeutic apparatus includes a remote controller 100 for selectively and remotely controlling operation of the thermotherapeutic apparatus by a user, a thermotherapeutic controlling part 110 for controlling the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the mode selected through the remote controller 100, a thermotherapeutic device 120 for operating each part of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the control of the thermotherapeutic controlling part 110 to perform moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions, and first to third partial therapeutic devices 131 to 133 for performing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions to a part of the user's body.

As shown in FIG. 3, the remote controller 100 includes a power on/off key, a temporary stop key, a plurality of user selection keys for selecting previously stored users, a height setting key and a height indicator for setting the user's height, a temperature setting part for setting temperature of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools, a temperature indicator for indicating preset temperature and the present temperature, a finger pressure setting part for setting finger pressure, a finger pressure indicator for indicating the preset finger pressure, automatic, semiautomatic and abdomen selection keys for selecting an automatic mode, a semiautomatic mode or an abdomen mode, a partial therapeutic device selector and a partial therapeutic device indicator for performing the finger pressure and massage actions to a part of the user's body, at least one or more of temperature indicators for indicating the previously setting temperature and the present temperature of at least one or more of partial therapeutic devices, and arrow keys( , [) for setting height, temperature and finger pressure of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools.

Furthermore, the thermotherapeutic controlling part 110 includes a receiving part for receiving selection signal of the remote controller 100, a horizontal movement operating part 113 for sensing the user's selection signal input through the receiving part 111 and horizontally moving thermotherapeutic parts 40, a lateral vibration operating part 114 for operating the lateral movement of the thermotherapeutic parts 40, a vertical movement operating part 115 for operating the vertical movement of the thermotherapeutic parts 40, a position sensor 116 for sensing a position of the thermotherapeutic parts 40, a temperature sensor 117 for sensing temperature of thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools of the thermotherapeutic parts 40, a pressure sensor 118 for sensing use point contact pressure of the thermotherapeutic parts 40, a lamp operating part 119 for maintaining temperature of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41, and a central processing unit(CPU) 112 for controlling the operating parts 113 to 115 referring to data input through the sensors 116 to 118.

Additionally, the thermotherapeutic device 120 includes driving motors 121 to 123 for operating the horizontal, lateral and vertical movements of the thermotherapeutic part 40 by the control of the thermotherapeutic controlling means 110, and the thermotherapeutic part 40 having at least one or more thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 to perform the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions to the user's use points (acupuncture points) by the control of the thermotherapeutic controlling means 110.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the operation of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail as follows.

First, the present invention relates to the thermotherapeutic apparatus, which allows the user to select and use the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions. If the user inputs information about a desired mode or thermotherapy using the remote controller, the plurality of thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools are moved based on the corresponding position and perform the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the controller of the automatic physical thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a view showing selection keys of the remote controller of FIG. 2. The user inputs information for the thermotherapy using the selection keys provided to the remote controller 100. The information input from the remote controller 100 is received through the receiving part 111 of the thermotherapeutic controlling means 110. The input information determines the user's selection in the CPU 112 and transmits control data to the horizontal movement operating part 113, the lateral vibration operation part 114 and the vertical movement operating part 115. The horizontal movement operating part 113, the lateral vibration operation part 114 and the vertical movement operating part 115 receiving the control data operate the corresponding driving motors 121 to 123 of the thermotherapeutic part 40.

When the driving motors 121 to 123 are operated, the thermotherapeutic part 40 performs the horizontal, lateral and vertical movements at a predetermined speed.

At this time, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 of the thermotherapeutic part 40 perform the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions to the user's spinal column part according to the set mode. The horizontal, vertical and lateral positions of the thermotherapeutic part

40 having the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 are sensed through the position sensor 116 referring to rotational frequency of the driving motors 121 to 123, and then, transmitted to the CPU 112.

The temperature of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 is sensed through the temperature sensor 117, the pressure applied when the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 perform the vertical movement is sensed through the pressure sensor 118, and the sensed temperature and pressure are transmitted to the CPU 112.

The sensed temperature of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 is indicated on the remote controller 100. The thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 can be maintained at the predetermined temperature through the on/off action of the lamp operating part 119.

When the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 perform the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions to the user's body, pressure is sensed through the pressure sensor 118 and transmitted to the CPU 112. The CPU 112 rotates the vertical driving motor 123 through the vertical movement operating part 115 to perform the finger pressure action at the pressure set by the user, and thereby, the thermotherapeutic parts 40 move vertically to perform the finger pressure and massage actions at uniform pressure.

If the user wants to perform the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions to a part of the user's body, when the user presses the partial treatment key of the remote controller 100, the selected partial treatment key of the first to third partial treatment keys is operated.

When the user selects the abdomen mode key after lying prone on the thermotherapeutic apparatus, the thermotherapeutic apparatus performs the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions only at a place corresponding to the user's abdomen part.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are flow charts of a control process of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When the user presses a power key of the remote controller 100, electric power is supplied to all parts of the thermotherapeutic apparatus (SI 02).

When electric power is supplied, a previously stored user mode becomes an initialization value (S103). That is, when a just previous setting value is output or when the previously set user is selected using the user selection key if a number of users use the apparatus, the thermotherapeutic apparatus operates according to the setting values of the user's height, finger pressure, and temperature of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41. Otherwise, the user can input a desired mode or data using the height, temperature and finger pressure setting keys of the remote controller 100.

FIG. 5 is a detailed flow chart of setting of basic values by the user. First, the user determines whether or not to set the user. That is, the user determines whether or not to load a setting value from a memory in the user setting mode (S91, S92). If the user is the previously stored user, the setting value of the corresponding user is loaded from the memory, each acupuncture point (use point) is computed, and then, the computed value is stored in the memory (S95).

If the user is a new user, the user inputs basic setting data, such as the user's height, temperature of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41, finger pressure, and so on, through the remote controller 100.

If the user information is input, as shown in FIG. 1, the acupuncture point is computed. That is, 15 acupuncture points are sensed on the basis of the cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae and sacral vertebrae and set as use points for performing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions.

At this time, each use point is computed according to the user's height and intervals of spinal joints of cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae and sacral vertebrae (S94). The computed result of the use points is stored in the memory and standing by (S95).

After the basic values are set, the user selects the automatic mode, semiautomatic mode or the abdomen mode. If the user selects the automatic mode for performing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions (SI 04), a finger pressure part moves to the first use point of the cervical vertebra (SI 10). At this time, finger pressure is moved to the 'LU (Lower Limit) mode (SI 12).

The finger pressure part operates the vertical movement at the first use point once, and at this time, the user takes a standard position (SI 18).

When the user corresponds his/her body to the standard position, the finger pressure part moves to the eleventh use point, and at this time, finger pressure advances to the 'LL' mode (S120).

When the finger pressure part reaches the eleventh use point, the finger pressure part moves from the eleventh use point to the first use point while performing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions according to the set mode (S121).

When reaching the first use point and finishing the action at the first use point, the finger pressure part moves to the eleventh use point, and operates according to the corresponding mode set at each use point while moving from the eleventh use point to the fifth use point (S122, S123, S124).

When reaching the fifth use point, as shown in a Table 1, the finger pressure part performs a reciprocal massage action (S127).

When the process of a Table 2 is finished, the automatic mode is ended and the finger pressure part returns to the initial standing by condition (S 128).

In the automatic mode, the thermotherapeutic apparatus is operated as in the Table 1, and then, operated based on the Table 2. Table 1

Table 2

Here, the operation modes (A,B ^••••,E) are operated as a Table 3 respectively. Table 3

Here, the movement pattern and operation time can be changed arbitrarily.

When the thermotherapeutic part reaches the first use point after finishing the operation based on the Table 2, the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage operations in the selected automatic mode are finished and the automatic mode is ended. If the automatic mode is ended, stop signal is given twice, and the apparatus informs the user of the end of the automatic mode through sound signal (SI 26, SI 28).

Meanwhile, in the automatic mode, the arrow selection keys(|, J,) or the value of the user's height are not input, and the temperature of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools and finger pressure can be changed.

If the user wants to use the semiautomatic mode, when the user selects the semiautomatic mode from the remote controller 100, the thermotherapeutic apparatus is operated in the set semiautomatic mode (S202, S206).

In the semiautomatic mode, the thermotherapeutic apparatus is switched in order of semiautomatic mode 1, semiautomatic mode 2, semiautomatic mode 3 and semiautomatic mode 4 whenever the user presses the semiautomatic key (S202 ~ S234).

Referring to a Table 4, an example of an operation type of the semiautomatic mode selected as the above will be described as follows.

Table 4

The thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools are operated and moved as they are set in the selected semiautomatic mode, and the operation type of each mode can be changed at needs.

Here, when the user inputs the position moving key (f , J,) during the operation of the semiautomatic modes 1, 2, 3 and 4, the present operation is stopped and moved horizontally. After that, when the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools are stopped at the user's desired position, after the lapse of several seconds, the thermotherapeutic apparatus is operated from the initial condition of the set mode of the semiautomatic modes 1, 2, 3 and 4 (S212, S222, S232, S234).

If the semiautomatic mode is ended, the thermotherapeutic apparatus returns to the standing by condition (S240, S242).

As shown in FIG. 6, if the user wants to be provided with abdomen massage effect or abdomen moxibustion and finger pressure effects, the user lies prone on the thermotherapeutic apparatus to be provided with the desired therapeutic effects. At this time, it must be noticed that the automatic and semiautomatic modes are not input (S302).

To be provided with the abdomen massage effect, the thermotherapeutic part 40 moves to the eleventh use point, alarms arrival at the eleventh use point, and starts the massage action (S304).

There are three massage modes for the abdomen massage effect, and referring to a Table 5, an embodiment of the abdomen massage modes will be described as follows.

Table 5

The user, first, selects the abdomen mode using the remote controller 100 to use the abdomen mode, and then, presses the horizontal position movement key to move the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools to a desired place (S304, S305).

The user selects one mode of the abdomen modes 1, 2 and 3 using the remote controller 100 (S306, S310, S314).

The thermotherapeutic apparatus performs the corresponding operation according to the set mode (S308, S312, S314). If the position selection key is input (S305) during the progress of the abdomen mode, the abdomen mode set by the user at the corresponding position is performed.

If the automatic mode, semiautomatic mode or abdomen mode is ended, the thermotherapeutic apparatus returns to the program standing by condition and stands ready for the next operation (S316 ~ S320).

If the user wants to convert the automatic mode into the semiautomatic mode or the abdomen mode, the mode must be converted through a temporary stop mode.

If the user wants to perform the moxibustion, finger pressure or massage action to a part of the user's body, to which is difficult to apply a bed type thermotherapeutic apparatus, the user can obtain the moxibustion, finger pressure or massage effect using the separately provided first to third partial therapeutic devices 131 to 133.

For this, the user locates the partial therapeutic device on a desired position, sets temperature of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool 311 using a selection key of the remote controller 100 and then uses it. Embodiment 2

The second embodiment is another embodiment of the control process and the controller of the automatic thermotherapeutic apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an operation controller of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the second embodiment. A central processing unit(CPU) 112, which is control means, receives and stores a value set by a user through control signal of the remote controller 100, has an automatic operation program therein, controls the operation of the vertical movement motor 123 of the vertical movement means 210 depending on the sensed pressure value of the pressure sensor 214 of the vertical movement means 210, controls the horizontal movement position by controlling the operation of the horizontal movement motor 121 of the horizontal movement means 220, controls the horizontal position of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 depending on a sensed value of the rotation amount sensor 225 for sensing a rotation amount of the rotating shaft 223, initializes the accumulated rotation amount values to the corresponding position value by the position sensor 222, and restricts the position of the horizontal movement through the micro switch 221.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a side structure of the horizontal and vertical movement means of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a view showing a front structure of the vertical movement means of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the second embodiment.

The thermotherapeutic apparatus includes: the mattress 230 opened at a movement area of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 and supporting both sides of the user's body without applying direct pressure to the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 by the user's weight; a support cloth 240 fixed to the mattress 230 and covering supporting the whole body of the user including the movement area of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools, and the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 mounted under the support cloth 240. The thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 includes: the vertical movement means 210 ascending and descending by the height of the piston 213 inserted into the hydraulic cylinder 212 to apply pressure not to the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 by the user but to the user by the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool 41; the horizontal movement means 220 for horizontally moving the integrated cylinder 212 and thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41; and the CPU 112 for controlling finger pressure of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41, which are contacted with the user's body, by controlling pressure of the cylinder of the vertical movement means 210 so that the finger pressure of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 becomes the desired pressure at any part, and controlling the movement distance according to the user's height and performing the finger pressure action suitable for a horizontal movement distance between acupuncture points and a desired finger pressure conditions according to the user's body condition by controlling the horizontal movement means 220.

The vertical movement means 210 includes a vertical movement motor 123 controlled by the CPU 112, a compressor 211 operated by the vertical movement motor 123 for compressing and reducing compression media, a cylinder 212 for vertically moving the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool 41 by the piston 213 vertically moved by pressure of the compression media compressed by the compressor 211, and a pressure sensor 214 for sensing pressure acting to the cylinder 212 by the piston 213. The CPU 112 controls the operation of the vertical movement motor 123 by the pressure value sensed from the pressure sensor 214, and automatically controls pressure applied to the user's body by the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 to be the desired pressure at any part.

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the structure of the horizontal movement means 220 according to the second embodiment. The horizontal movement guide 203 is mounted between the upper frame and the lower frame of the mattress 230. The support plate 201 is mounted on the lower portion of the cylinder 212 for vertically moving the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool 41. The rollers 202 are mounted on both sides of the support plate 201 and put on the horizontal moving guide 203. A bracket 201a is mounted at the lower portion of the support plate 201, and ropes 224a and 224b are fixed in both directions of the bracket 201a. An end of one rope 224a of the ropes 224a and 224b is fixed and releasably wound on a rotating shaft 223 mounted at the lower portion of an end of the moving guide 203, and the other rope 224b is fixed and releasably wound on the rotating shaft 223 through a roller bar 225 mounted at the lower portion of the other end of the moving guide 203. The rotating shaft 223 is controlled in the forward/backward rotation by the horizontal moving motor 121 to wind or release the ropes 224a and 224b in the forward/backward direction, so that the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 can be moved horizontally.

The ropes 224 are fixed in two lines in two directions of the bracket 201a, and moved by two lines when being conveyed in two directions.

Here, to discriminate the position of the horizontal movement, the position sensors 222 for sensing the position of the support plate 201 are mounted to the moving guide 203, and the rotation amount sensor 225 is mounted to sense the rotation amount. A micro switch 221 is mounted at both limit points of the horizontal movement. The CPU 112 calculates the horizontal movement position of the thermotherapeutic apparatus 41 by the forward/backward rotation amount sensed from the rotation amount sensor 225, initializes accumulated rotation amount to the corresponding position value by the position sensor 222 to reduce error. The both horizontal moving limit positions are determined by the micro switch 221.

The horizontal movement means 220 may have speed varying means of the horizontal moving motor 121. If the thermotherapeutic apparatus is set to a period of time of once reciprocation in the automatic mode, the horizontal moving speed is varied according to the set period of time, the finger pressure and horizontal moving speed are automatically varied within the setting range randomly or in a predetermined cycle according to the number of reciprocation, and thereby the therapeutic effects to the user can be increased. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the horizontal movement means adopts the rope type, but it will be appreciated that the horizontal movement means can adopt a shaft type, a chain type, a belt type or others.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a control process of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the second embodiment. After a power source is turned on, when the user inputs the user's height and temperature using the remote controller 100 (S402), the thermotherapeutic apparatus performs the first process of computing a distance between the acupuncture points according to the user's height while operating the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool 41 to be in the input temperature (S404).

In the first process, the distance between the acupuncture points according to the user's height is computed in the steps of setting positions of the first to fourteenth acupuncture points based on an average height, setting movement intervals between the acupuncture points during the horizontal movement, calculating a variable rate value of intervals between the acupuncture points according to a difference from the average height if the movement interval is larger or smaller than the average height, and storing the calculated value in program. If the user inputs his height, the program computes each interval between the acupuncture points by applying the difference rate from the average height to the intervals between the acupuncture points set by the average height. At this time, if it is necessary to classify the sex, the computation can be performed according to the sex.

The method for inputting height and temperature using the remote controller 100 is performed in steps of indicating the average height set by the program using a digital numerical value, and inputting it by pressing an up/down key. The setting of temperature of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool 41 is performed in steps of indicating a reference temperature, and controlling it using the up/down key. To input temperature and height, the user selects input menu of menu keys.

After the first process, if the automatic mode is selected (S406), the second process of operating the horizontal movement means 210 to move to the initial position (the first acupuncture point of a head part), and controlling the vertical movement means 220 to become previously set basic finger pressure during a predetermined period of time (S410).

If the thermotherapeutic apparatus is moved to the initial position (the first acupuncture point), the vertical pressure may be minimized and converted into movement pressure, or pressurized and moved as the basic setting pressure.

The basic finger pressure means pressure to make the user feel proper finger pressure but to provide the massage effect without pain, the proper basic finger pressure is previously set through a test and stored in the program.

The set period of time is several seconds, and because it is a scan operation time for searching the acupuncture points, the thermotherapeutic devices are stopped at the corresponding acupuncture point and perform the finger pressure action in the basic pressure during the period of time of an extent that the user can check the acupuncture point (S412).

As described above, the apparatus performs the third process of searching each acupuncture point and performing the basic finger pressure action while moving from the initial acupuncture point to the final acupuncture point (S416). If the user wants to change the finger pressure position, the user can change the horizontal position by pressing the menu button. When the position change is finished, the user presses a check button, a position of the corresponding acupuncture point is changed and stored. After that, the changed rate is applied to the next acupuncture point, and then, all acupuncture points can be corrected by applying the changed rate.

When the third process is ended, the position of each acupuncture point of the third process is stored, and then, the fourth process is performed in the steps of horizontally moving to the previously set acupuncture point of the lumbar vertebra (the eleventh acupuncture point) and stopping, and controlling the vertical movement means at the acupuncture point of the lumbar vertebra to perform the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions according to the previously determined automatic thermotherapeutic method (S418 ~ S422).

The automatic thermotherapeutic treatment was determined on the basis of various experiments and experiences in consideration of thermotherapeutic effects and is generally performed for 5 minutes. The automatic thermotherapeutic method includes: the first step of gradually raising the initial finger pressure to a certain pressure within several seconds and maintaining the raised pressure for several tens of second; the second step of gradually lowering the raised pressure to a predetermined pressure and maintaining it for several tens of second; the third step of raising the pressure of the second step to a predetermined pressure and maintaining it for several seconds, rapidly lowering the pressure and maintaining it for several seconds, and repeating the above steps several times; and the fourth step of performing the massage action by reciprocating and vibrating at the corresponding acupuncture point in all directions at a short interval.

For example, the initial finger pressure of 2Kg is gradually raised to pressure of 4Kg for 5 seconds, the pressure of 4Kg is maintained for 25 seconds, the pressure is gradually lowered to pressure of 3Kg for 5 seconds, and the pressure of 3Kg is maintained for 60 seconds. The pressure of 3Kg is raised again to 5Kg, the pressure of 5Kg is maintained for 5 seconds, the pressure of 5Kg is rapidly lowered to IKg and maintained for 2-3 seconds. After that, the pressure of IKg is rapidly raised to 5Kg for 5 seconds and maintained for 5 seconds, the pressure of 5Kg is rapidly lowered to IKg as in the above, and the pressure of IKg is raised to 5Kg. The pressure change is performed repeatedly several times. After that, at the position of the corresponding acupuncture point, the thermotherapeutic apparatus performs the automatic thermotherapeutic treatment through the back and forth movement and vibration for about 5 minutes at regular intervals.

Here, the above is an example of the finger pressure time and pressure displacement, and to obtain preferred embodiments, programs can be set through various experiments. Of course, at this time, the user can make the pressure displacement up and down, and the maximum pressure value of the whole pressure is controlled. Also, during the automatic operation, if the user presses the up/down key, the corresponding changed value is compensated to the maximum pressure value, and thereby, the automatic operation is not stopped and the maximum pressure is varied while progressing.

In the same way as the above, the thermotherapeutic apparatus performs the fifth process of moving from the lumbar acupuncture point to the next acupuncture points (11, 10, 9, ..., 1) and stopping in order, reaching the position of the initial acupuncture point (the first acupuncture point)(S424), and then, horizontally moving to the lumbar acupuncture point again, and repeating the moving and stopping to the final acupuncture point(fourteenth acupuncture point) while performing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions by the automatic thermotherapeutic method of the fourth process to each acupuncture point (S426 ~ S432).

That is, it is to perform the thermotherapeutic treatment while moving from the lumber vertebra part to the head part, and perform the therapeutic treatment while moving from the lumbar vertebra part to legs after moving to the lumbar vertebra part again, thereby improving the thermotherapeutic effects.

After the fifth process, the thermotherapeutic apparatus performs the sixth process by controlling the vertical movement means. In the sixth process, the apparatus reciprocates the entire horizontal movement distance at the basic finger pressure as many as the set number without stop, moves to the lumbar acupuncture point(eleventh acupuncture point) where the thermotherapeutic treatment was started, and then terminates the automatic mode (S436, S438).

The sixth process provides an effect to perform the massage action to the entire parts of the user's body. At this time, the thermotherapeutic device performs the reciprocation at weak pressure, which is not high pressure, that is, the basic pressure, without stop, and the user can control pressure to a desired pressure during the automatic operation (S433, S434).

Meanwhile, if the user selects the manual operation in the first process, through the manual mode selection, the thermotherapeutic device horizontally moves to a desired acupuncture point. When the user selects desired time and finger pressure, the thermotherapeutic device performs the same automatic thermotherapeutic treatment as the fourth process at the corresponding place during the setting time (S408).

Embodiment 3

The third embodiment is a further embodiment of the vertical movement means of the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a view of the structure of the vertical movement means of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a view showing a structure of the essential parts of FIG. 12.

As shown in the drawings, the cylinders 212 are one-block cylinders, that is, the plurality of cylinders are connected integrally. Each cylinder has a piston 213, so that compression pressure of the cylinders 212 is distribute to all piston 213 uniformly. The thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41a ~41d and 41e are mounted separately, and the separated thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41a ~41d are connected with the pistons 213 one to one. Here, five thermotherapeutic finger pressure devices are mounted in each line, and two lines form a pair. The two thermotherapeutic finger pressure devices 41a, 41b, 41c and 41d located at both sides are connected to each piston of the vertical movement means and control the vertical movement. The central thermotherapeutic finger pressure device 41 e does not perform the vertical movement by the vertical movement means and is an auxiliary thermotherapeutic finger pressure device for supporting a lower limit point. The auxiliary thermotherapeutic finger pressure device is fixed on the upper surface of the cylinder to be supported by a spring.

In FIG. 13, the reference numeral 1 designates a cap type finger pressure device made of ceramic or jade, 2 an electric bulb, 3 a socket and 4 a return spring for returning the position of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure device. The return spring 4 is rapidly pulled when the inside pressure of the cylinders 212 is reduced to rapidly restore the position and prevent separation.

Through the above structure, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools have different heights by each finger pressure rod. As shown in FIG. 12, the height of the four thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41a ~ 41d is controlled differently at a place where the back of the user lying on the support cloth 240 is bended, and thereby uniform pressure can be applied to the user's body. The reason is that the pressure of each piston is distributed by the one-block cylinders, and thereby, uniform pressure is applied to the user's body. As the result, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools can apply uniform pressure without regard to the bended level of the user's body. Even though the bended level is changed by the horizontal movement, because the sensed pressure of the pressure sensor 214 controls hydraulic pressure to become a desired pressure, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools can control pressure uniformly to become the desired pressure at any parts of the body. In the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the present invention, when the patient lies on the thermotherapeutic apparatus, the patient's body is supported by the support cloth 240 mounted on the mattress 230 without drooping downwardly at the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools moving area having the lower opening part. The thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 and the user's body are maintained in a non-contact condition (to an extent that the user cannot feel pain or finger pressure though they are contacted).

Embodiment 4

The fourth embodiment is a still further embodiment of the vertical movement means of the embodiment 2. FIGS. 14 to 16 are views of the structure of the lifting device of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the thermotherapeutic apparatus is installed inside the mattress or a thermotherapeutic bed 230, performs the reciprocating movement in a longitudinal direction of the spinal column, the lateral movement in a width direction, and the vertical movement. The fourth embodiment will be described in relation to the lateral movement and the vertical movement.

The lifting device of the thermotherapeutic apparatus includes: a pair of movable rails 129 and 129a mounted inside the mattress or the thermotherapeutic bed 230 to perform the horizontal movement in the longitudinal direction; a movable frame 10 having rollers 11 and 11a connected to an outer wall of both lower end portions and performing the reciprocation in the longitudinal direction along the movable rails 129 and 129a; a movable body 20 supported by a shaft 21 to perform the lateral movement within a predetermined range in relation to the movable frame 10 and having a bracket 22 vertically mounted at the lower portion, a plurality of arc shaped protrusions 23 formed on the upper surface and having a predetermined diameter, and a receiving space 24; lateral vibration means 30 for laterally moving the movable body 20; a bushing 21a interposed between the movable body 20 and the shaft 21 for making the lateral movement of the movable body 20 smooth; thermotherapeutic finger pressure parts 40 performing the vertical movement by sliding friction while being supported by the arc shaped protrusions 23 of the movable body 20; a rubber barrier 50 mounted in the receiving space 24 of the movable body 20 and elastically and vertically moving the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 by expanding or contracting depending on injection of fluid, such as water; a fluid supply part 60 connected with the rubber barrier 50 through a hose 51 for discharging to the rubber barrier 50 or inhaling fluid depending on pressure of the rubber barrier 50; and a pressure controlling means for measuring pressure of the rubber barrier 50 and controlling the fluid supply means 60 by installing a pressure sensor inside the hose 51.

The lateral vibration means 30 includes: a lateral vibration motor 122 fixed to the bracket 22 of the movable body 20 and generating rotational driving power; a decelerator 32 fixed to the bracket 22 and having a rotating shaft 32a for decelerating rotational driving power generated from the lateral vibration motor 122; horizontal sliding parts 33 mounted on the decelerator 32 and the movable frame 10 opposed to the decelerator 32 respectively, converting the rotating motion decelerated by the decelerator 32 into a straight reciprocating movement, and continuously and laterally moving the movable body 20 on the user's spinal column; and a coil spring 25 interposed between a side wall of the movable body 20 and a side wall of the movable frame 10 and returning the movable body 20 moved on the shaft 21 to the original position.

The horizontal sliding part 33 includes: an inclined cam 33a connected to the rotating shaft 32a of the decelerator 32, rotating at a place where it is mounted and having a predetermined inclination angle at a side surface 33 a' ; and a sliding bar 33b mounted on the movable frame 10 to oppose to the inclined cam 33a and having rolling means, such as a rolling tool 33b', at an end for pushing the movable body 20 on the shaft 21, toward one direction according to a change of the rotation position of the inclined surface 33a' changed by the rotation of the decelerator 32 in a state that the sliding bar is in contact with the inclined surface 33a' of the inclined cam 33a.

FIGS. 17 to 20 are views showing the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part according to the fourth embodiment, FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the assembled thermotherapeutic finger pressure part, FIG. 19 is a view showing a lateral seesaw motion of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part, and FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along the line of A- A of FIG. 18.

As shown in the drawings, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40, which vertically moves inside the receiving space 24 of the movable body 20, includes: cylindrical thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 having a thermotherapeutic lamp 41a inside; a support bracket 42 for supporting the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool 41 at both sides for a rolling motion; a piston member 43 connected to a fixing hole 42a formed in the support bracket 42 with a pin 45, having a protrusion section 43a formed at both sides of the upper portion thereof, and being inserted into the movable body 20 for the vertical movement; and a cushion member 44 inserted into a hole 43b formed in the upper surface of the piston member 43.

Furthermore, the support bracket 42 is in the form of a "U" letter, supports the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool 41 disposed inside the support bracket 42, and has the fixing hole 42a formed in the center of the lower portion thereof. The fixing hole 42a is located at a position corresponding with a through hole 43c formed in the protrusion section 43a of the sliding member 43, and then, fastened with the pin 45.

The piston member 43 has guide holes 43d formed at both sides thereof, and the arc shaped protrusion 23 of the movable body 20 has a through hole 23a. A tool 23b is inserted into a part of the guide holes 43d through the through hole

23a. After that, the tool 23b is prevented from being separated by interposing the spring 23c and stopping the through hole 23a using a bolt 23d.

That is, when the piston member 43 moves vertically, the tool 23b performs the rolling motion along the guide hole 43d, and thereby, the piston member 43 can operate smoothly.

As shown in FIG. 19, the cushion member 44 is inserted into the hole 43b formed in the upper surface of the piston member 43 to provide elasticity when the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool 41 supported by the support bracket 42 performs the lateral seesaw motion on the pin 45 while performing the rolling motion according to the user's body condition. That is, the support bracket 42 connected with the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool 41 is contacted with the upper surface of the cushion member 44 while performing the seesaw motion.

FIG. 21 is a detailed plan view of a rubber barrier protector of the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the rubber barrier protector 52 is seated on the upper surface of the rubber barrier 50 mounted inside the receiving space 24 of the movable body 20 and is in the form of a paper board for protecting the rubber barrier 50. The rubber barrier protector 52 is divided into several sections for the vertical movement of each thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40. As the result, a plurality of cut holes 52a are formed, and the piston members 43 of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 are separated from one another and operate separately.

The rubber barrier protector 52 is provided to protect the rubber barrier 50, which is in contact with the lower end of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40, because each thermotherapeutic finger pressure part is pressed by the user's body and contacted with the rubber barrier 50 and fluid is induced into the rubber barrier 501 to provide pressure.

FIG. 22 is a view showing a fluid supply means of the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the fluid supply means includes: a rectangular case 61 mounted between the thermotherapeutic bed 110 and the movable body 20; a press plate 62 of a predetermined width and length elastically and slantingly connected at a side end of the lower surface inside the case 61 with a shaft pin 62a and slantingly lifting on the shaft pin 62a; an elastic barrier 63 interposed between the press plate 62 and the case 61 without separation and connected with the rubber barrier 50 through the hose 51 for discharging or inhaling fluid to the rubber barrier 50 by pressure of the press plate 62; and pressurizing means 64 for applying pressure to the press plate 62.

The pressurizing means 64 includes: a second driving motor 64a mounted at a side of the upper portion of the case 61 for generating rotational driving power; a pressure control bar 64b having a screw thread, passing the upper portion of the case 61 in a longitudinal direction, connected to the second driving motor 64a at an end thereof, and rotating in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction; a movable section 64c screwed with the pressure control bar 64b at an end thereof to perform a straight reciprocating motion on the pressure control bar 64b according to the rotation of the second driving motor 64a; and a roller 64d rotatably connected to the other end of the movable section 64c to apply pressure to the press plate 62 according to the rotation of the second driving motor 64a. The pressure controlling means 70 includes: a pressure sensor 71 for measuring pressure of the rubber barrier 50; a signal processing part 72 for performing waveform shaping to signal sensed in the pressure sensor 71; a controlling part 73 for receiving measured pressure of the pressure sensor 71 through the signal processing part 72 and generating control signal to make the measured pressure become set pressure; and a motor driving part 74 for driving the second driving motor 64a by the control signal of the controlling part 73.

An operation part 75 is connected to the controlling part and controls the controlling part 73 with the signal input from the signal processing part 72.

FIG. 23 is a view showing another embodiment of the fluid supply means according to the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the fluid supply means 60 includes a case 61, a press plate 62, an elastic barrier 63 having the same structure as the fluid supply means 60 of first embodiment. This embodiment differs in pressurizing means 64 for applying pressure to the press plate 62 from the first embodiment. Thus, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts.

The pressurizing means 64 includes: an eccentric cam 65 rotatably and eccentrically connected to a rotating shaft and being in contact with the press plate 62 at the outer circumference thereof to press the press plate 62 to a desired position; a second driving motor 64a for rotating the eccentric cam 65; and an elastic member 66 for returning the press plate 62 pressed by the eccentric cam 65. When the fluid supply means 60 operates the second driving motor 64a, the eccentric cam 65 is rotated, and presses the press plate 62 as much as the interval between the rotating shaft, which is a fixing position, and the outer circumference of the eccentric cam 65 according to the rotation angle of the eccentric cam 65. Because the press plate 62 is pressed at different angles depending on the rotation angle of the eccentric cam 65, the pressure of fluid of the elastic barrier 63 can be controlled to the desired pressure.

When the eccentric cam 65 is rotated at a predetermined speed in one direction, the fluid pressure inside the rubber barrier 50 rises or drops continuously, and thereby, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 rises or drops continuously. When the eccentric cam 65 is stopped at a specific position, finger pressure can be selectively controlled into continuous finger pressure or consecutive finger pressure.

FIG. 24 is a view showing a further embodiment of the fluid supply means according to the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the fluid supply means includes: a cylinder 67 mounted inside the thermotherapeutic bed 110 and connected with the rubber barrier 50 through the hose 51 for increasing and decreasing fluid to a desired pressure; a piston 68 for increasing and decreasing fluid inside the cylinder 67; a second driving motor 64a for generating driving power for the reciprocating motion of the piston 68; and power generating means 69 for converting rotation power of the second driving motor 64a into the horizontally reciprocating motion to reciprocate the piston 68.

The power generating means 69 includes: a spiral shaft 69a for transmitting the rotation power of the second driving motor 64a; and a nut 69b connected with the spiral shaft 69a and the piston 68 for transmitting the rotating power of the spiral shaft 69a to the reciprocating motion of the piston 68.

An interval for allowing the spiral shaft 69a to move as much as a distance, to which the piston 68 moves horizontally, is required between the piston and the spiral shaft 69a. The interval can be secured by the nut 69b or by forming a hole for inserting the spiral shaft 69a into the piston 68. FIG. 25 is a view showing another embodiment of the power transmitting means of FIG. 24.

As shown in the drawing, the power transmitting means 69 includes a pinion 69c connected to a motor shaft of the second driving motor 64a, and a rack 69d fixed to the piston 68 at an end thereof. When the pinion 69c is rotated forward and backward by the operation of the second driving motor 64a, the rack 69d connected to the piston 68 performs the straight reciprocating motion.

In the fluid supply means of a cylinder type, when the second driving motor 64a is operated to rotate the spiral shaft 69a, the nut 69b is moved laterally along the spiral shaft 69 a.

The piston 68 fixed to the nut 69b moves horizontally with the nut 69a, and thereby, discharges or inhales fluid inside the cylinder 67. Therefore, the horizontal movement distance of the piston 68 is controlled by the operation direction and operation time of the second driving motor 64a, the fluid pressure inside the rubber barrier 50 rises or drops by the piston 68, and thereby the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 can be raised or lowered. Because such cylinder type inhales the fluid of the rubber barrier 115 into the cylinder 67 due to intake power generated when the piston 68 moves backward, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 can be rapidly raised or lowered.

Of course, the CPU 112 detects pressure of the pressure sensor 71 and controls the operation direction and operation amount of the second driving motor 64a to control rise pressure and time of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40. Even though the operation of the second driving motor 64a is stopped, the pressure is maintained, and thereby the user can be provided with the finger pressure effect. The operation of the fourth embodiment will be described in detail as follows.

First, when the thermotherapeutic apparatus of the present invention is operated in a state that the user lies on his back on the thermotherapeutic bed 230, a motor for controlling the horizontal movement(not shown) rotates in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction.

The rotating power generated from the motor is transmitted to the movable frame 10 to which the rollers 11 and 11a are connected at both side walls, and thereby, the movable frame 10 moves horizontally along the movable rails 129 and 129a mounted at the center of the bed 110. As described above, when the movable frame 10 moves horizontally along the movable rails 129 and 129a and the movable body 20 mounted on the movable frame 10 is located at a desired place, as shown in FIG. 16, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 connected on the movable body 20 continuously and laterally reciprocates in a width direction of the movable frame 10. As the result, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 located on the movable body 20 performs the finger pressure action and massage action around the spinal columns by the operation of the inclined cam 33a and the sliding bar 33b while moving laterally. In the above process, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 are smoothly moved on the user's body while performing the rolling motion, and thereby, the thermotherapeutic apparatus provides the moxibustion and fomentation effects by heat and far infrared ray generated from the thermotherapeutic lamp 41a inside the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41.

Next, in a condition that the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 connected to the movable body 20 vibrates laterally at a desired position, if the lifting motion of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 is needed, as shown in FIG. 22, the user presses the operation part 75. When the user presses the operation part 75, the CPU 112 senses pressure of the rubber barrier 50(shown in FIG> 16) from the pressure sensor 71 through the signal processing part 72.

At this time, if the pressure of the rubber barrier 50 sensed from the pressure sensor 71 is less than the set value, the CPU 112 controls the motor driving part 74 and rotates the second driving motor 64a of the fluid supply means 60 in the clockwise direction.

When the second driving motor 64a rotates in the clockwise direction, the pressure control bar 64b having the screw thread is rotated in the clockwise direction around the rectangular case 61, and thereby, the movable section 64c screwed to the pressure control bar 64b is moved to the right (based on FIG. 22) through the pressure control bar 64b. When the movable section 64c moves to the right, the roller 64d connected to the other end moves to the right while pressing the slantingly mounted press plate 62. As the result, the press plate 62 is lowered on the shaft pin 62a and strongly compresses the elastic barrier 63, and fluid such as water is discharged from the elastic barrier 63.

Because the fluid discharged from the elastic barrier 63 flows into the rubber barrier 50 mounted in the receiving space 24 of the movable body 20 through the hose 51, the rubber barrier 50 is gradually expanded and elastically rises the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 contacted with the user's body. Therefore, with relaxation of pressure and impact of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 applied to the user's body, the thermotherapeutic apparatus provides not only the finger pressure effect but also the massage, fomentation and moxibustion effects.

When the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 is lowered, the CPU 112 rotates the second driving motor 64a through the motor driving part 74 in the counterclockwise direction. When the second driving motor 64a rotates in the counterclockwise direction, also the pressure control bar 64b is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and thereby, the roller 64d of the movable section 64c is gradually lowered from the press plate 62, contrary to the above. When the roller 64d is lowered, the press plate 62 is gradually raised by elasticity of the shaft pin 62a, and thereby, fluid of the rubber barrier 50 is induced toward the elastic barrier 63 and the sliding member 43 of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part pressed by the user's body presses the rubber barrier 50 so as to lower the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40. Meanwhile, the prior arts have a structure that the finger pressure tools or catheter connected on the movable frame perform the vertical movement at a predetermined position while performing the horizontal movement to press the muscles strongly and perform only the horizontal reciprocation without the lateral vibration within a predetermined range of the spinal column. As the result, the prior arts stimulate the user's spinal columns excessively. However, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 is located at a part of the muscle around the spinal column, the rubber barrier 50 mounted inside the movable body 20 elastically lifts the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 contacted with the user's body by the pressure of fluid discharged from the fluid supply means 60, and vibrates the movable member 20 by the lateral vibration means 30 in the horizontal and lateral directions.

Because the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 is provided with rising pressure by the rubber barrier 50, the elastic lifting of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 make the thermotherapeutic apparatus to perform the finger pressure action at uniform pressure even though the thermotherapeutic finger pressure parts 40 have different heights depending on the bended level of the user's body.

The fourth embodiment of the present invention has a structure capable of making the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 perform the rolling motion and performing the seesaw motion using the cushion member 43. Therefore, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 are inclined in a side direction by the bend of the user's body and elastically contacted with the user's body, so that the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools are contacted with the user's body corresponding to the lateral inclination of the user's back. As the result, the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the present invention can provide the finger pressure and massage effects by elastically corresponding and contacting to the bend and motion of the back of the user, who lies on the thermotherapeutic apparatus to obtain the moxibustion and finger pressure effects. Embodiment 5

The fifth embodiment shows the thermotherapeutic apparatus performing not only the horizontal movement but also the vertical movement and the lateral movement. FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, FIG. 27 is a sectional view of the thermotherapeutic apparatus, FIG. 28 is a detailed exploded perspective view of lateral vibration means according to the fifth embodiment, and FIGS. 29 and 30 are sectional view showing a state that the thermotherapeutic apparatus vibrates vertically and laterally according to the fifth embodiment.

As shown in the drawings, the thermotherapeutic apparatus performs the reciprocating motion in a longitudinal direction of the spinal columns, the lateral reciprocating motion and the vertical vibration motion. The thermotherapeutic apparatus includes: a pair of movable rails mounted inside a mattress or a thermotherapeutic bed 230 to perform the horizontal movement in the longitudinal direction; a movable frame 10 for performing the reciprocating motion in the longitudinal direction along the movable rails by connecting rollers 11 and 11a to the outer walls of both lower ends; a vertically movable body 86 mounted on the upper portion of the movable frame 10; a laterally movable body 20 mounted on the upper portion of the vertically movable body 86 for performing the lateral vibration motion; a thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 mounted on the upper portion of the laterally movable body 20 for emitting far infrared rays and heat; a rubber barrier 50 interposed between the movable frame 10 and the vertically movable body 86 and expanding and contracting depending on injection of fluid to elastically and vertically move the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40; fluid supply means 70 connected with the rubber barrier 50 through a hose 51 for discharging or inhaling fluid to the rubber barrier 50 according to the pressure of the rubber barrier 50; and pressure controlling means having a pressure sensor 71 inside the hose 51 to measure the pressure of the rubber barrier 50 and control the fluid supply means 70.

Furthermore, a through hole 12 is formed in an edge portion of the movable frame 10, and a bush 13 is fixed on the inside of the through hole 12. A sliding bar 85 connected to the lower portion of the vertically movable body 86 is vertically mounted inside the bush 13 to vertically move the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40by the expansion or contraction of the rubber barrier 50. Moreover, an elastic member 14 is mounted in the vicinity of the sliding bar 85 to elastically support the movable frame 10 and the vertically movable body 86.

Additionally, the laterally movable body 20 has a protrusion 31 formed at an edge portion of the lower portion thereof and an insertion hole 31a formed in the protrusion 31. The vertically movable body 86 has a guide shaft 87 formed horizontally on the upper portion thereof to correspond to the insertion hole 31a, and thereby, the laterally movable body 20 can perform the lateral reciprocating motion along the guide shaft 87.

The guide shaft 87 has both ends fixed to a coupling section 8 formed on the upper portion of the vertically movable body 86.

The lateral vibration means 30 includes: a lateral vibration motor 122 mounted at the lower portion of the movable frame 10; an eccentric member 82 connected to the lateral vibration motor 122 for rotating eccentrically; a connection bar 83 connected to the eccentric member 82 at a side thereof; and a coupling part 84 formed on the lower portion of the movable frame 10 for connecting the other side of the connection bar 83.

The eccentric member 82 is in the form of a disc, and has a side connected to the lateral vibration motor 122 and the other side having an eccentric protrusion 82a.

The connection bar 83 has connection holes 83a and 83b formed at both ends, and a side of the connection bar 83 is connected to the protrusion 82a of the eccentric member 82 and the other side thereof is connected to the coupling part 84.

A bearing can be disposed on the coupling part 84 to make the rotation smooth, and the connection bar 83 can be a rope type to transmit driving power.

The coupling part 84 has a hole 84a coupled to the other side of the connection bar 83, and a coupling pin 85 is inserted and fixed into the hole 84a in a state that the connection bar 83 is coupled with the hole 84a.

That is, when the lateral vibration motor 122 is rotated, the connection bar 83 interlocking with the eccentric member 82 vibrates the laterally movable body 20 coupled with the coupling part 84 in the lateral direction according to the rotation of the lateral vibration motor.

Embodiment 6

The sixth embodiment is another embodiment of the lateral vibration device of the thermotherapeutic apparatus of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the lateral vibration device of the thermotherapeutic apparatus.

As shown in the drawing, the thermotherapeutic apparatus performs the reciprocating motion in a longitudinal direction of the spinal columns, the lateral reciprocating motion and the vertical vibration motion. The thermotherapeutic apparatus includes: a pair of movable rails mounted inside a mattress or a thermotherapeutic bed 230 to perform the horizontal movement in the longitudinal direction; a movable frame 10 for performing the reciprocating motion in the longitudinal direction along the movable rails 129 and 129a by connecting rollers 11 and 11a to outer walls of both lower ends thereof; a laterally movable body 20 supported by a shaft 21 to laterally move in relation to the movable frame 10 within a predetermined range and having a plurality of arc- shaped protrusions 22a of a prescribed diameter formed on an upper cover 22 and a receiving space 23 formed inside; lateral vibration means 30 for laterally vibrating the laterally movable body 20; a thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 connected to the arc-shaped protrusions 22a of the laterally movable body 20 for the vertical vibration, and emitting far infrared rays and heat; a rubber barrier 50 mounted in the receiving space 23 of the laterally movable body 20, and elastically and vertically vibrating the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 by expanding and contracting depending on injection of fluid, such as water; fluid supply means 60 connected with the rubber barrier 50 through a hose 51 for discharging or inhaling fluid to the rubber barrier 50 according to the pressure of the rubber barrier 50; and pressure controlling means 70 having a pressure sensor 71 mounted inside the hose 51 for measuring the pressure of the rubber barrier 50 to control the fluid supply means 60.

Furthermore, a separation preventing section 130 is mounted inside the rollers 11 and 11a corresponding to the movable rails 129 and 129a to prevent the thermotherapeutic apparatus 100 from being separated from the movable rails 129 and 129a.

FIGS. 34 and 35 are views of the lateral vibration means of the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, the lateral vibration means 30 includes a lateral vibration motor 122, an eccentric member 92 formed at the front end of the lateral vibration motor 122, and a coupling part 93 formed at the lower portion of the laterally movable body 20 to which the eccentric member 92 is connected. It is preferable that a bearing 92a is mounted on the outer surface of the eccentric member 92 to allow smooth eccentric motion.

The coupling part 93 has a pair of protruded guide sections formed on the lower end of the center of the laterally movable body. That is, when the eccentric member 92 formed on the front end of the lateral vibration motor 122 fixed on the movable frame 10 is rotated, the coupling part 93 coupled with the eccentric member laterally moves the laterally movable body 20 formed at the lower portion thereof to perform the laterally straight motion. Additionally, a pad 94 is attached between the coupling part 93 and the eccentric member 92 to prevent abrasion of the coupling part 93.

The pad 94 is made of Teflon resin having a good abrasion resistance.

Referring to FIGS. 14, 22 to 25 and 32 to 35, the operation of the sixth embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail as follows.

FIG. 32 is a sectional view of the thermotherapeutic apparatus according to the sixth embodiment, FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the lateral vibration means according to the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 34 is a view of the operation of the lateral vibration means according to the sixth embodiment. First, when the thermotherapeutic apparatus of the sixth embodiment is operated in a state that the user lies on his back on a mattress or a thermotherapeutic bed 230, the horizontal moving motor (not shown) is rotated in the clockwise direction or counterclockwise direction.

The rotating power generated from the horizontal transmission motor is transmitted to the movable frame 10 having the rollers 11 and 11a at both side walls, and thereby, the movable frame 10 horizontally moves along the movable rails 129 and 129a mounted on the center of the bed 110. As described above, when the movable frame 10 horizontally moves along the movable rails 129 and 129a and the laterally movable body 20 mounted on the movable frame 10 is located at a desired place, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 connected to the laterally movable body 20, as shown in FIG. 35, continuously performs a laterally reciprocating motion in a width direction of the movable frame 10. As the result, the laterally movable body 20 laterally moves through the guide section 93 formed at the center of the laterally movable body 20 by the eccentric rotation of a cam member 92 formed at the front end of the motor 31. At this time, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 of the laterally movable body 20 performs the finger pressure action and the massage action while laterally moving in the vicinity of the spinal columns. In this process, if the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 can move smoothly on the user's body while performing the rolling motion, the thermotherapeutic apparatus can provide the fomentation and moxibustion effects by hot heat and far infrared rays generated from a thermal lamp 47 located inside the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41.

Next, in a state that the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 connected to the laterally movable body 20 vibrates laterally at a predetermined position, if the vertical movement of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 is needed, the user presses the remote controller 100. When the user presses the remote controller 100, the CPU 112 senses the pressure of the rubber barrier 50 from the pressure sensor 71 through the signal processing part 72.

At this time, if the pressure of the rubber barrier 50 sensed from the pressure sensor 71 is less than the setting value, the CPU 112 controls the vertical movement operating part 115 to rotate the vertical movement motor 123 of the fluid supply means 60 in the clockwise direction. When the vertical movement motor 123 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the pinion 63 is rotated, and the rack 65 geared with the pinion 63 performs the straight movement to advance the piston 62 inside the cylinder 61.

When the piston 62 advances, fluid is discharged through the hose 51 and flowed into the rubber barrier 50 mounted in the receiving space 23 of the laterally movable body 20 so as to elastically rise the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 contacted with the user' body.

As the result, pressure and impact of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 applied to the user's body is released, and the thermotherapeutic apparatus provides not only the finger pressure effect but also the massage, fomentation and moxibustion effects.

When the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 is lowered, the CPU 112 rotates the vertical movement motor 123 in the counterclockwise direction through the vertical movement operating part 15. When the piston 62 moves backward by the pinion 63 and the rack 64, the piston member 68 of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 pressed by the user' body presses the rubber barrier 50, and then, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40 is lowered.

At this time, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 emit far infrared rays by the lamp while performing the rolling motion according to the bend of the user' body.

The CPU 112 senses the pressure of the pressure sensor 71 and controls the operation direction and operation amount of the vertical movement motor 123 to control the rising pressure and time of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part 40, and then, maintains the pressure in a state that the action of the vertical movement motor 123 is stopped, thereby providing the finger pressure effect. The first embodiment according to the present invention computes each acupuncture point of the user's body according to the user's height input by the user and moves to the exact position corresponding to the user's acupuncture point, thereby providing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects. Additionally, the first embodiment provides the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects through various directions and movements by compounding the horizontal movement, vertical movement and lateral movement of the thermotherapeutic part, and increases the user's convenience by allowing the selection of the automatic mode, semiautomatic mode and abdomen mode. The second embodiment according to the present invention variously applies different acupuncture points and intervals between the acupuncture points according to the user's height input by the user, thereby providing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects. Furthermore, the user can set displacements of time, pressure, position, reciprocation number, and so on in the way that the use wants, and thereby, the thermotherapeutic apparatus can be automatically operated and controlled in various ways.

The third embodiment according to the present invention controls strength of finger pressure applied by the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools to become uniform pressure at any part or desired pressure at a predetermined position without regard to the bended level of the user's body, thereby providing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects.

The fourth embodiment according to the present invention separately lifts the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools, which are provided to the vertical movement means of the thermotherapeutic apparatus as an integrated set, thereby providing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects at uniform pressure without regard to the bended level of the user's body. Additionally, each thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool is elastically contacted with the user' body by the lateral seesaw motion while performing the rotation motion in contact with the user's body, thereby providing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects.

The fifth embodiment according to the present invention laterally vibrates the thermotherapeutic part having the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools by the eccentric rotation of the eccentric member connected to the motor for the lateral vibration motion of the thermotherapeutic apparatus, thereby providing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects.

The sixth embodiment according to the present invention rotates the guide section formed on the lower portion of the laterally movable body of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools and the cam member inserted into the guide section by the driving motor to perform the lateral vibration motion of the thermotherapeutic apparatus, and laterally vibrates the laterally movable body, and thereby, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools can be vibrated laterally.

Industrial Applicability

As described above, the present invention computes different acupuncture points according to the user's height and exactly corresponds the position of the acupuncture point, thereby providing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects. The thermotherapeutic apparatus separately lifts the plurality of thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools contacted with the user' body, senses the contact pressure at regular intervals and controls the contact pressure to become uniform pressure, thereby providing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects at uniform pressure at any part or at the setting pressure set at each position without regard to the bended level of the user's body. Furthermore, the user can selectively control the automatic operation or the semiautomatic operation of time, pressure, position, reciprocation number, and so on, using the initial input value or the previously setting value of the thermotherapeutic apparatus. The thermotherapeutic apparatus can perform not only horizontal and vertical movements but also lateral movement, and rotation and lateral seesaw motion of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools, thereby maximizing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage effects. Moreover, the thermotherapeutic apparatus allows the selection of the automatic mode or the semiautomatic mode, thereby increasing convenience in use.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments of the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage modes, and the driving means for the lateral vibration, vertical and horizontal movements of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A control method of a thermotherapeutic apparatus for performing moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions to acupuncture points by controlling horizontal, vertical and lateral movements of thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools, the method comprising the steps of: computing intervals between the acupuncture points based on a user's height input by the user, and setting finger pressure and temperature according to the input of the user; performing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions the acupuncture points by the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools by compounding the vertical movement, the horizontal movement within a range of a predetermined width and the lateral movement in a previously setting pattern; and when the period of time for the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions is finished at a predetermined acupuncture point, moving to the next acupuncture point, repeating the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions, and returning to an original condition after finishing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions at the final acupuncture point.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vertical movement in the step of performing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions includes the steps of: sensing finger pressure of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools at the position of the acupuncture point and rising the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools to setting pressure; and repeating a step of lowering the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools to the minimum height after maintaining the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools at the previously set maximum height during a predetermined period of time.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools perform the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions to each acupuncture point at uniform pressure or variable finger pressure through the vertical movement.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal movement in the step of performing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions is carried out by performing the reciprocating motion at a predetermined interval based on the corresponding acupuncture point according to a motion type after the horizontal movement to a predetermined acupuncture point.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lateral vibration of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools in the step of performing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions is carried out in a lateral direction based on a horizontal movement direction within the range of the previously setting width.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the user can select and operate a round movement, an elliptical movement and a Lissajous pattern movement by compounding the horizontal movement and lateral movement of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools.

7. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein if the automatic mode is selected, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools moves to the initial acupuncture point of a searched user to perform the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions in a previously set operation mode, and then, moves to the next set acupuncture point to perform the previously set operation mode.

8. A thermotherapeutic apparatus comprising: a remote controller for selectively and remotely controlling operation of the thermotherapeutic apparatus by a user; thermotherapy control means having a receiving part for receiving selection signal of the remote controller, a horizontal movement operating part for sensing the selection signal input through the receiving part and horizontally moving a thermotherapeutic part, a vertical movement operating part for operating vertical movement of the thermotherapeutic part, a lateral vibration operating part for operating lateral vibration, a position sensor for sensing horizontal, vertical and lateral positions of the thermotherapeutic part, a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools of the thermotherapeutic part, a pressure sensor for sensing pressure applied to use points of the thermotherapeutic part; a lamp operating part for maintaining temperature of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools, and a central processing unit(CPU) for controlling each operating part referring to data input through each sensor, the thermotherapy control means controlling the operation and temperature of the thermotherapeutic part; driving motors for operating the horizontal, lateral and vertical movements of the thermotherapeutic part by the control of the thermotherapeutic apparatus; and at least one or more thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools for performing moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions to the user's use points by the control of the thermotherapy control device.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the remote controller includes a power on/off key, a temporary stop key, a user selection key for selecting a previously set user, a height setting key and a height indicator for setting a user's height, a temperature setting part for setting temperature of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools, a temperature indicator for indicating the setting temperature and the present temperature, a finger pressure setting part for setting finger pressure, a finger pressure indicator for indicating the setting finger pressure, a selection key for selecting an automatic mode, a semiautomatic mode or an abdomen mode, a partial therapeutic device selection part and a partial therapeutic device indicating part for performing moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions to a part of the user' body, and a temperature indicator for indicating setting temperature and the present temperature of at least one or more partial therapeutic devices.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising at least one or more partial therapeutic devices having a plurality of thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools for performing the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions by the control of the thermotherapeutic controlling means.

11. A thermotherapeutic apparatus, in which thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools are mounted inside supporting means for supporting a user's body, comprising: vertical movement means for vertically ascending and descending by a piston inserted into a hydraulic cylinder body to allow the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools to apply pressure vertically; horizontal movement means for horizontally and integrally moving the cylinder of the vertical movement means and the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools; and controlling means for controlling pressure of the cylinder of the vertical movement means to control finger pressure of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools contacted with the user's body to become desired pressure at any part, the controlling means for controlling the horizontal movement means and controlling a movement distance according to the user's height to perform proper finger pressure a horizontal movement distance of acupuncture points at a desired finger pressure condition according to the user's height.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the vertical movement means includes: a pressure sensor for sensing pressure of the hydraulic cylinder by integrally connecting the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools to an upper end of the piston of the hydraulic cylinder, the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools having a plurality of finger pressure bars; a compressor for compressing/reducing compression media inside the cylinder; a vertical movement motor for operating the compressor; and a central processing unit(CPU) for controlling the motor and the compressor to make the sensed value of the pressure sensor become pressure that the user wants.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the vertical movement means has one-block cylinders in which the plurality of cylinders coupled with each piston are communicated one another therein, and wherein the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools are separated individually and correspond to each piston one to one.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the horizontal movement means includes a horizontal movement guide(203) mounted between an upper frame and a lower frame of a mattress(230), a support plate(201) mounted at the lower portion of the cylinder(212) for vertically moving the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools(41), movable rollers(202) mounted at both sides of the support plate(201) and disposed on the horizontal movement guide(203), and a bracket(201a) formed on the lower portion of the support plate(201) to fix ropes(224a, 224b) in two directions, wherein one(224a) of the ropes(224a, 224b) is releasably fixed to a rotating shaft(223) mounted to a lower portion of a side end of the movement guide(203), the other rope(224b) is releasably fixed to the rotating shaft(223) through a roller rod(225) mounted at a lower portion of the other side end of the movement guide(203), the rotating shaft(223) is rotated forward and backward by a horizontal movement motor(121), the horizontal movement motor(121) is controlled in operation by detection of rotation amount of a rotation amount sensor 225 of the rotating shaft(223) by a central processing unit(CPU)(112), which is controlling means, to wind or release the ropes(224a, 224b) forward or backward, and hereby a set on which the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 are mounted is horizontally moved.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the ropes(224) of the horizontal movement means are fixed in two directions of a bracket(201a) by two lines, and pulled and moved by two lines.

16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the horizontal movement means includes at least one or more position sensors(221)(222) mounted on the movement guide(203) for sensing position of the support plate(201), the rotation amount sensor(225) for sensing the rotation amount of the rotating shaft(223), and micro switches(221) mounted at both end limit points of the horizontal movement, and wherein the CPU(112) computes position of the horizontal movement of the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools 41 by the backward forward rotation amount sensed in the rotation amount sensor 225, initializes accumulated rotation amount to the corresponding position value by the position sensor(222) to reduce error, and controls the horizontal movement limit positions of both ends by the micro switches(221).

17. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising speed changing means of the horizontal movement motor of the horizontal movement means, so that a horizontal movement speed is changed according to setting period of time when a reciprocating period of time is set at the time of an automatic operation.

18. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising vibration means for generating vertical and lateral vibration by the operation of a vibration motor mounted on the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool set.

19. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising horizontal and lateral movement means that the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools(41) and the cylinders(212) are divided into two sets, both outer sides of the two sets are elastically supported by springs, and a cam shaft is mounted at the divided part of the center for reducing lateral displacement so that the cam shaft is rotated by a motor to be horizontally moved to the lateral displacement.

20. A control method of a thermotherapeutic apparatus having horizontal movement means and vertical movement means, the method comprising the steps of:

(1) if a user inputs his height and temperature using a manipulator after turning on a power source, operating thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools to reach the input temperature, and computing a distance between acupuncture points based on the user's height;

(2) after operating the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tools, moving to an initial position by operating the horizontal movement means, and controlling the vertical movement means to reach previously setting basic finger pressure during a previously setting period of time; searching position of each acupuncture point and performing a basic finger pressure action while moving from the acupuncture point of the initial position to the acupuncture point of the final position;

(3) if the above step is finished, storing the position of each acupuncture point, horizontally moving to an acupuncture point of a lumbar vertebra part (eleventh acupuncture point) previously set and stopping at the position, and controlling the vertical movement means at the acupuncture point of the lumbar vertebra part to perform moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions by an automatic thermotherapeutic method previously set;

(4) after moving from the acupuncture point of the lumbar vertebra part to the acupuncture point(first acupuncture point) of the initial position in order and horizontally moving again to the acupuncture point of the lumbar vertebra part, moving to the final acupuncture point in order while stopping at each acupuncture point to perform the moxibustion, finger pressure and massage actions by the automatic thermotherapeutic method; and (5) controlling the vertical movement means to reciprocate the entire horizontal movement distance at the basic finger pressure as many as the previously set number without stop, moving to the acupuncture point of the lumbar vertebra part where the automatic thermotherapy was started, and finishing the automatic operation.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the (1) step includes the steps of setting position of acupuncture points from the first to the fourth according to people's average height and setting intervals between the acupuncture points, storing intervals between the acupuncture points in program for computing changed rate of the intervals according to a difference rate if the user's height is larger or smaller than the average height, computing the intervals between the acupuncture points according to the difference rate through the program by applying the difference rate between the average height and the user's height to the intervals between the acupuncture points determined by the average height.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the step of inputting height and temperature using the manipulator 110) includes the steps of: indicating the average height set by a digital numeral value in the program and inputting the average height by pressing a up/down key; indicating basic temperature for setting temperature of the thermotherapeutic apparatus and inputting the temperature by pressing the up/down key; and selecting input menu of a menu key to input the temperature and height.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the automatic thermotherapeutic method includes the steps of:

(1) gradually rising initial finger pressure from a predetermined pressure to a specific pressure within several seconds and maintaining the risen pressure for several seconds;

(2) gradually lowering the pressure to a specific pressure and maintaining the pressure for several seconds;

(3) rising the pressure of the (2) step to a specific pressure and maintaining it for several seconds, rapidly lowering the pressure and maintaining it for several seconds, and repeating the above actions; and

(4) performing a massage action by reciprocating and vibrating at the corresponding acupuncture point in all directions at a short interval.

24. A thermotherapeutic apparatus comprising: a movable body(20) connected to a shaft(21) and having a receiving space(24) to move in a width direction inside a movable frame(lθ) horizontally reciprocating along movable rails(129)(129a) formed in a longitudinal direction of a thermotherapeutic bed(230); a plurality of thermotherapeutic finger pressure part(40) mounted on the upper portion of the movable body(20) in a vertically slidable manner; a rubber barrier(50) mounted in the receiving space(24) of the movable body (20) and expanding and contracting depending on injection of fluid for elastically and vertically moving the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part(40); fluid supply means(60) connected with the rubber barrier(50) through a hose(51) for discharging or inhaling fluid according to pressure of the rubber barrier(50); pressure controlling means(70) for measuring pressure of the rubber barrier(50) to control pressure of the fluid supply means(60); and lateral vibration means(30) for laterally vibrating the laterally movable body(20).

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the thermotherapeutic finger pressure part(40) includes a thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool(41) having a thermotherapeutic lamp(41a), a support bracket(42) for supporting the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool(41) at both sides, and a piston member(43) connecting the support bracket(42) at the upper portion thereof and inserted into the movable body(20) to perform the vertical movement by expansion or contraction f the rubber barrier(50).

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the support bracket(42) is connected to the upper portion of the piston member(43) by a ρin(45) to perform a seesaw motion, and a cushion member(44) is mounted between the support bracket(42) and the piston member(43) to allow the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool(41) to perform the seesaw motion.

27. The apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the fluid supply means(60) includes: a case(61) mounted at a side of the thermotherapeutic bed(230); a press ρlate(62) slantingly connected at a side end of the lower surface of the case(61) by a shaft pin(62a), the press plate(62) having the other end vertically moving on the shaft pin(62a); an elastic barrier(60) disposed at the lower portion of the press plate(62) and connected with the rubber barrier(50) through the hose(51) to discharge or inhale fluid to the rubber barrier(50) by the pressure of the press plate(62); and pressurizing means(64) for applying pressure to the press plate(62).

28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the pressurizing means(64) includes: a second driving motor(64a) mounted at a side of the upper portion of the case(61) for generating rotation power; a pressure control bar(64b) passing the upper portion of the case(61) in a longitudinal direction and having a screw thread connected to the second driving motor(64a) at an end; a movable section(64c) screwed to the pressure control bar(64b) at an end and performing a straight reciprocating motion on the pressure control bar(64b) when the second driving motor(64a) is rotated; and a roller(64d) rotatably connected to the other end of the movable section(64c) and moving while applying pressure to the press ρlate(62).

29. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the pressurizing means(64) includes an eccentric cam(65) contacted to the upper portion of the other side of the press plate(62) and eccentrically rotating; and the second driving motor(64a) for rotating the eccentric cam(65).

30. The apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the fluid supply means(60) includes: a cylinder(67) mounted inside the thermotherapeutic bed(llθ) and connected with the rubber barrier(50) through the hose(51); a piston(68) for increasing and decreasing pressure of fluid inside the cylinder(67) to previously setting pressure; the second driving motor(64a) for generating driving power for the straight reciprocating motion of the piston(68), and power transmitting means(69) for converting the rotation motion of the second driving motor(64a) into the reciprocating motion of the piston(68).

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the power transmitting means(69) includes: a spiral shaft(69a) connected to the second driving motor(64a); and a transmission nut(69b) screwed with the spiral shaft(69a) and fixed to the ρiston(68) at an end thereof for transmitting rotation power of the spiral shaft(69a) to the reciprocating motion of the piston(68).

32. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the power transmitting means includes a pinion(69c) connected to the second driving motor(64a), and a rack(69d) fixed to the piston(68) at an end thereof.

33. The apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the pressure controlling means(70) includes: a pressure sensor(71) for measuring pressure of the rubber barrier(50); a signal processing part(72) for performing waveform shaping of signal sensed in the pressure sensor(71); a control part(73) for receiving the measured pressure of the pressure sensor(71) through the signal processing part(72) and generating control signal at previously setting pressure; and a motor driving part(74) for operating the driving motor(64a) according to the control signal of the control part(73).

34. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the lateral movement means(30) includes: a laterally movable body (20) connected to a shaft(21) for lateral movement inside the movable frame(lθ) and having the thermotherapeutic finger pressure tool(41) connected to the upper portion thereof; a lateral vibration motor(122) connected to the laterally movable body (20) or the movable frame(lθ) for generating rotation power; horizontally sliding means(33) for converting the rotation motion generated from the lateral vibration motor(122) into the straight reciprocating motion relative to the movable frame(lθ) and continuously and laterally reciprocating the laterally movable body(20) on the shaft(21); and a coil spring(25) interposed between both side walls of the laterally movable body(20) and both side walls of the movable frame(lθ) for returning the laterally movable body(20) moved by the horizontally sliding means(33) to its original position.

35. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the horizontally sliding means(33) includes: an arc shaped inclination cam(33a) connected to a rotating shaft(32a)of the lateral vibration motor(122) to rotate at a place where the cam(33a) is mounted, the inclination cam(33a) being inclined at a predetermined angle at a side surface thereof; and a sliding bar(33b) mounted to the laterally movable body(20) or the movable frame(lθ) and contacted to the inclined surface of the inclination cam(33a), the sliding bar(33b) pushing the laterally movable body(20) depending on a change of the rotation position of the inclined surface thereof according to the rotation of the lateral vibration motor(122).

36. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the movement interval of the laterally movable body(20) is changed according to the height of the inclined surface of the inclination cam(33a).

37. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein inclined holes of different heights are formed in a circumferential direction at a side surface of the inclination cam(33a), and the sliding bar(33b) is inserted and contacted into the holes.

38. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the inclined surface of the inclination cam(33a) has a plurality of bended surfaces.

39. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein a rolling tool is formed at an end of the sliding bar(33b), which is in contact with the inclined surface of the inclination cam(33a).

40. The apparatus according to claim 34 or 35, wherein the lateral vibration motor(122) is connected to the lower portion of the laterally movable body(20), and the sliding bar(33b) is mounted on the inner wall of the movable frame(lθ) to be in contact with the inclination cam(33a).

41. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the coil spring(25) is inserted and interposed into the shaft(21) between the both side walls of the laterally movable body(20) and the both side walls of the movable frame(lθ) to provide the laterally movable body(20) with tension force.

42. The apparatus according to claim34, further comprising a decelerator(32) for accelerating rotation power generated from the lateral vibration motor(122) and transmitting the accelerated rotation power to the horizontally sliding means(33).

43. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the lateral vibration means(30) has a connection part(93) formed at the lower portion of the movable frame(lθ), and rotates the eccentric member(92) to the connection ρart(93) using the lateral vibration motor(122) to reciprocate the laterally movable body(20) in a lateral width direction.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising a pad(84) disposed between the connection part(83) and the eccentric member(82).

45. The apparatus according to claim 43 or 44, wherein a separation preventing section(130) is mounted inside the rollers(ll)(lla) to prevent the thermotherapeutic apparatus from being separated from the movable rails(129)(129a).

46. A thermotherapeutic apparatus comprising: a vertically movable body(86) mounted on the upper portion of a movable frame(lθ) horizontally moving along movable rails(129)(129a) formed in a longitudinal direction of a thermotherapeutic bed(230); a laterally movable body(20) mounted on the upper portion of the vertically movable body(86) for performing lateral movement; a plurality of thermotherapeutic finger pressure parts(40) formed on the upper portion of the laterally movable body (20); a rubber barrier(50) interposed between the movable frame(lθ) and the vertically movable body(86) for elastically and vertically moving the thermotherapeutic finger pressure parts(40) by expanding or contracting depending on injection of fluid; and lateral vibration means(30) for laterally moving the laterally movable body(20).

47. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the lateral vibration means(30) includes: a lateral vibration motor(122) mounted on the lower portion of the laterally movable body(20); an eccentric member(82) connected to the lateral vibration motor(122) for eccentrically rotating; a connection bar(83) connected to a side of the eccentric member(82); and a coupling part(84) formed on the lower portion of the laterally movable body(20), the other side of the connection bar(83) being connected to the coupling part, so that the laterally movable body(20) reciprocates in a lateral width direction.

48. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein a sliding bar(85) and an elastic member(14) are mounted between the movable frame(lθ) and the vertically movable body(86) in a vertical direction.

49. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein a guide shaft(87) is mounted between the vertically movable body(86) and the laterally movable body(20).