DEVICE FOR STIMULATING A HUMAN EROGENOUS ZONE USING A VARIABLE PRESSURE FIELD

Abstract

A device for stimulating a human erogenous zone includes a housing; a drive device; a pressure chamber at least partially surrounded by a chamber wall; a chamber wall portion, the drive device to cause the chamber wall portion to repeatedly move between different wall positions to cause a volume of the pressure chamber to vary to cause pressure in the pressure chamber to modulate between positive pressures and negative pressures relative to an ambient pressure; a housing opening, the positive pressures and the negative pressures to be output via the housing opening; and a seal to seal the pressure chamber with respect to an ambient environment, the drive device including a coil through which an electrical current is to flow, the drive device disposed in a magnetic field and coupled to the chamber wall portion to transmit the drive movement to cause the chamber wall portion to move.

Claims

1. A device for stimulating a human erogenous zone the device comprising: a housing including a handle portion and a stimulation portion; a drive device disposed in the housing, the drive device to provide a drive movement; a pressure chamber disposed in the housing and at least partially surrounded by a chamber wall; chamber wall portion forming a portion of the chamber wall, the drive device to cause the chamber wall portion to repeatedly move between different wall positions to cause a volume of the pressure chamber to vary to cause pressure in the pressure chamber to modulate between positive pressures relative to an ambient pressure and negative pressures relative to the ambient pressure; a housing opening defined in the stimulation portion and fluidly connected to the pressure chamber, the positive pressures and the negative pressures to be output via the housing opening; and seal disposed at a portion of the stimulation portion defining the housing opening, the seal to seal the pressure chamber with respect to an ambient environment, the drive device including a coil through which an electrical current is to flow, the drive device disposed in a magnetic field and coupled to the chamber wall portion to transmit the drive movement to cause the chamber wall portion to move.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein a maximum volume of the pressure chamber is approximately 0.2 l.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein a minimum size of a diameter of the housing opening is approximately 5 mm and a maximum size of the diameter of the housing opening is approximately 50 mm.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the drive device is to generate a low-frequency pneumatic variable pressure field having an alternating frequency in a range of approximately 0.5 Hz to approximately 150 Hz.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the drive device is to generate a pneumatic variable pressure field having a pressure differential between a minimum negative pressure and a maximum positive pressure of approximately 20 mbar to approximately 600 mbar.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein movement of the chamber wall portion is to cause the volume of the pressure chamber is to increase by approximately 1% to approximately 25%.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein a minimum size of a diameter of the chamber wall portion is approximately 5 mm and a maximum size of the diameter of the chamber wall portion is approximately 60 mm.

8. The device of claim 1, further including a battery, the battery to provide a drive energy of alternating polarity for the coil to cause an electrical current of alternating polarity to pass through the coil to cause the drive device to move the chamber wall portion.

9. The device of claim 1, further including a permanent magnet, wherein at least a portion of the coil encircles the permanent magnet.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein a diameter of a region defined by the portion of the coil encircling the permanent magnet corresponds at least to a diameter of the chamber wall portion.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the diameter of the region corresponds to a diameter of the coil.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein a maximum ratio between the diameter of the region and a diameter of the chamber wall portion is 2.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the coil is carried by the chamber wall portion.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the coil is carried by a carrier, the carrier coupled to the chamber wall portion.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the coil is operable at a first electric current and a second portion of the coil is operable at a second electric current.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein movement of the chamber wall portion is to cause the volume of the pressure chamber to decrease by approximately 1% to approximately 25%.

17. The device of claim 11, wherein a ratio between the diameter of the region and a diameter of the chamber wall portion is at least 0.3.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the coil is to move in response to the electrical current.

19. The device of claim 1, further including a permanent magnet, wherein the permanent magnet is exterior to the coil.

20. The device of claim 1, further including: a carrier, the chamber wall portion coupled to the carrier, at least a portion of the coil disposed about the carrier; and a spring operatively coupled to the carrier.

21. The device of claim 1, further including a battery to provide a drive energy for the drive device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0049] Additional embodiments are described in greater detail below with reference to figures of a drawing. In the figures:

[0050] FIG. 1a is a schematic representation of a device for stimulating an erogenous zone using a variable pressure field in a front view;

[0051] FIG. 1b is a cross-sectional view of the device for stimulating an erogenous zone from FIG. 1a;

[0052] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of arrangements for a stimulation device having a pressure chamber, which is formed having one or two pressure subchambers;

[0053] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of arrangements for a stimulation device having two pressure subchambers each;

[0054] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a stimulation device, in which a double drive is provided;

[0055] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a stimulation device, in which two actively movable chamber wall portions are provided in the region of the pressure chamber;

[0056] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of arrangements for a stimulation device, in which coil elements are integrated in a movable chamber wall portion;

[0057] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a stimulation device, in which coil elements are also integrated in the movable chamber wall portion;

[0058] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of arrangements for a stimulation device having a pressure chamber, which has two pressure subchambers, coil elements being integrated in a movable chamber wall portion;

[0059] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a stimulation device, in which, in contrast to the design in FIG. 9, the pressure subchambers are connected to each other by means of a lateral passage;

[0060] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of arrangements for a stimulation device, one or two additional movable chamber wall portions being provided;

[0061] FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of arrangements for a stimulation device, in which the pressure chamber has two interconnected pressure subchambers;

[0062] FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of arrangements for a stimulation device, in which a movable chamber wall portion is arranged between permanent magnets;

[0063] FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of arrangements for a stimulation device, in which a movable chamber wall portion has a wave shape;

[0064] FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of arrangements for a stimulation device, in which the movable chamber wall portion has a wave shape, the pressure chamber being formed having two pressure subchambers;

[0065] FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a stimulation device, in which, in contrast to the design in FIG. 15, two pressure subchambers are interconnected via a lateral passage;

[0066] FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of arrangements for a stimulation device, in which the movable chamber wall portion has a wave shape, additional movable chamber wall portions being provided;

[0067] FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a stimulation device, a movable chamber wall portion having a wave shape being arranged between two permanent magnets;

[0068] FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a stimulation device, in which the coil device has separate coil windings and permanent magnets are arranged on the outside;

[0069] FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a stimulation device, in which the coil device has separate coil windings and permanent magnets are arranged on the inside;

[0070] FIG. 20 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a stimulation device, in which the coil device has separate coil windings and permanent magnets are arranged on the outside at the top;

[0071] FIG. 21 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a stimulation device, in which the coil device has separate coil windings and permanent magnets are arranged on the outside on the bottom;

[0072] FIG. 22 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a stimulation device, in which permanent magnets are arranged on the inside in relation to the moving coil;

[0073] FIG. 23 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a stimulation device, in which permanent magnets are arranged on the outside in relation to the moving coil;

[0074] FIG. 24 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a stimulation device, in which the permanent magnets are arranged underneath in relation to the moving coil;

[0075] FIG. 25 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for a stimulation device, in which the moving coil is first moved out of a neutral rest or starting position;

[0076] FIG. 26 is a schematic representation of an additional arrangement for a stimulation device, in which the moving coil is first moved out of a neutral rest or starting position; and

[0077] FIG. 27 is a schematic representation of a different arrangement for a stimulation device, in which the moving coil is moved from a neutral rest or starting position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0078] FIG. 1a is a schematic representation of a device for stimulating (stimulation device) an erogenous zone using a variable pressure field in a front view; FIG. 1b shows the stimulation device in a cross-sectional view.

[0079] The stimulation device 20 is a, for example portable, electrical or small device, which has a housing 21, a housing opening 22 for placing onto the clitoris 30 for example, operating elements 23, a display 24, an on-off switch 25, an optional socket 26 and a battery device 28, for example having a rechargeable battery.

[0080] A sealing device 31 is provided, which in the depicted embodiment is formed with a sealing bead. While in operation, the sealing device 31 seals off the pressure chamber 4 from the surrounding area or nearly seals it off in such a manner that a variable pressure field can be generated in the pressure chamber 4.

[0081] The housing 21 may be ergonomically designed in such a manner that it can comfortably be held with one hand and has no sharp or pointed edges. Furthermore, the housing 21 may consist of plastics material, for example polycarbonate (PC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). In addition, the handle regions or the entire housing 21 may be supplemented or provided with a haptically advantageous silicone, for example in the form of a silicone coating. The housing 21 may be designed to be at least water-repelling or water spray-repelling, for example with protection rating IP 24. Furthermore, the stimulation device 20 may be designed to be waterproof against immersion under water.

[0082] The operating element 23 or the operating elements 23 are used to adjust the operating mode of the device, i.e., adjusting the modulation of the variable pressure field. For example, the operating elements 23 may comprise at least one push button as well as at least one rotary switch, or at least one touch-sensitive switch. Furthermore, the operating elements 23 may emit visual feedback regarding actuation, for example by means of integrated light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

[0083] An optional display 24 is used to inform the user about the device status and/or the setting status. For example, the display 24 may be designed using one single light-emitting diode, a plurality of light-emitting diodes or as an LCD display. The displayed information may be for example the switched-on state of the device, the charge state of the battery device 28 or the current setting of the modulation of the pressure field.

[0084] The on-off switch 25 is used to activate and deactivate the stimulation device 20. This on-off switch 25 may be for example a push button, which turns the stimulation device 20 on or off when pressed for longer, or a latching slide switch.

[0085] A socket 26 is used for the external power supply to the stimulation device 20 via an external plug 27, which for example is connected to an external power adapter. To ensure water spray resistance of the stimulation device 20, instead of the socket 26 a magnetic-inductive transformer may be provided, which allows power transmission into the stimulation device 20 without an electrically conductive contact. The stimulation device 20 also has a battery device 28, having for example a rechargeable battery, for example a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable battery, or a lithium rechargeable battery, for wireless operation. Alternatively or additionally, a (longer) power supply cable may lead out of the stimulation device. Likewise, alternatively or additionally, the magnetic contacts may be provided as a power supply terminal.

[0086] The schematic cross-section in FIG. 1b shows the housing opening 22 for placing on the clitoris 30, a pressure chamber 4, as well as the drive device 32 of the stimulation device 20.

[0087] A control device 29 controls the drive device 32, the operating elements 23 and the display 24. The control device 29 and the drive device 32 are supplied with power from the internal battery device 28 and/or the external power supply 27. The control device 29, which for example has a microcontroller or is hardwired, first controls the power supply of all loads of the stimulation device 20, and optionally a charging and discharging process of the battery device 28 and/or battery management. In particular, the control device 29 controls the drive unit 32, for example the modulation of the pressure field and so on. Furthermore, the control device 29 may have a memory, in which at least one modulation or stimulation pattern is stored. The excitation of the drive device 32 can now be controlled as chosen by the user of the stimulation device 20 according to this prestored stimulation pattern via the operating elements 23. The stimulation patterns of the pressure field may optionally also be individually generated and stored by the user via the operating elements.

[0088] A volume ratio between the volume of the pressure chamber 4 and a (rear-side or remaining) volume region 21 on the rear side of the drive unit 32 in the housing is for example no more than approximately 1.5 in the various embodiments.

[0089] For the closed or at least largely closed volume region 21a of the housing 21 on the rear side of the drive unit 32, there may be a volume of no more than approximately 2 l, alternatively no more than 1 l and further alternatively no more than approximately 0.5 l.

[0090] Embodiments for an arrangement for a stimulation device or arrangements for the drive unit 32 and the pressure chamber 4 are described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 17, in each of which arrangements coil elements of an electromagnetic linear drive are moveably or movably arranged in a stationary permanent magnetic field.

[0091] In the arrangements depicted in FIG. 2, a movable wall portion 1 connected to a carrier 5 is moved back and forth by at least one moving or plunger coil 2, attached to said carrier, corresponding to a coil power supply input by means of the control current in a magnetic field 3 provided by permanent magnets, in order to thereby move the wall portion 1 back and forth during operation in order to thereby generate a variable pressure field.

[0092] The movable wall portion 1 (for example made of a polymer or paper) as part of a pressure chamber 4 of the stimulation device is attached to the carrier 5 (for example made of aluminum, Kapton, or an aluminum-Kapton laminate). The movable wall portion 1 may be integrated into the chamber by means of a recessed channel 6, which mechanically follows the strokes of the movable wall portion 1 to the greatest extent possible without any mechanical strain. Wrapped around the carrier 5 are coil elements of a moving coil 2, which during operation are supplied with power by the control current from a control unit. The moving coil 2 consists of electrical conductors made of a material having the greatest electrical conductivity possible (for example copper or silver), which are insulated from each other and the carrier 5 by means of an electrically insulating lacquer. The magnetic field is provided by at least one permanent magnet 7, which may have a ring shape. The magnetic flux is carried by means of pole plates 9, which have a rear pole plate 8 (for example, as in FIG. 2, having a cylindrical shape) and an upper pole plate 9a (for example, as in FIG. 2, having a ring shape) across a, for example, ring-shaped air gap 10 to the cylindrical pole core 11. Just like the pole core 11, the rear pole plate 8 and upper pole plate 9 are made of a magnetic, highly permeable material (for example a soft magnetic material alloy).

[0093] For the inductance of the structurally narrowest air gap possible between the upper pole plate 9a and the pole core 11, the permanent magnet 7 requires as high a flux density as possible, which is why the strongest possible permanent magnets having flux densities of approximately 0.4 to approximately 1.2 T (for example, neodymium-iron-boron magnets) are used, which generate strong magnetic fields and have a low weight.

[0094] The carrier 5 with the moving coil 2 is, if applicable, structurally centered and guided in the air gap 10 by means of at least one bracket or mount 12 (for example, made of plastics material, textile fabric or paper) to prevent wobbling motions of the moving coil 2. The bracket or mount 12 is attached to a frame 13 (for example, made of plastics material, aluminum or magnesium). Alternatively, the wobble motion of the moving coil 2 can also be prevented by a guide on the pole core or the permanent magnet.

[0095] To move the movable wall portion 1, the moving coil 2 is supplied with power by a control alternating current from a control unit. Depending on the current direction or current polarity in the magnetic field of the air gap 10, the moving coil 2 is moved upward or downward by the Lorentz force. The directions of the Lorentz force, the magnetic field and the current flow are perpendicular to each other in FIG. 2. The stroke of the deflection of the moving coil 2 is determined by the amplitude of the control current. The frequency of the alternating current corresponds to the frequency of the moving coil motion and thus the frequency of the movement of the movable wall portion 1. The frequency and the stroke of the moving coil and thus the movement of the movable wall portion 1 may be controlled independently of each other in a comparatively simple manner by the current frequency and the current amplitude. The changing pressure field and the resulting variable positive and negative pressure at the erogenous body zone (clitoris) can be controlled independently of each other by the alternating compression and expansion of air from the motion of the movable wall portion 1 (or of multiple movable wall portions when operating), in other words in terms of frequency and amplitude.

[0096] Based on the direct transmission, an expanded frequency range from less than 1 Hz to several hundred Hz is easily possible using this principle. The direct current from the rechargeable battery must only be converted into alternating current. Conversion into an alternating current may comprise the turning on and off and/or the superimposition of direct current portions. An alternating current voltage can hereby be provided using a direct current offset. For example, an alternating current voltage may be provided which does not comprise any polarity change, but only a change of the voltage level given a constant voltage direction (polarity).

[0097] According to the image on the right in FIG. 2, the arrangement may have a pressure chamber with multiple pressure subchambers, with an additional pressure chamber 16 provided next to pressure chamber 4, so that connected pressure subchambers are provided that are connected via a connection channel 15. The housing opening for enabling the variable pressure to act on the erogenous zone is provided on the additional pressure chamber 16. The pressure chamber 4 and the additional pressure chamber 16 are also provided in the embodiment in FIG. 3.

[0098] Generating the variable pressure field by moving the movable wall portion 1 (and thus the positive and negative pressure) is accompanied by sounds being generated, i.e., local pressure fluctuations in the air, which can be heard by the human ear and propagate at the speed of sound. By means of suitable absolute dimensioning of the chamber volume of the pressure chamber 4 and the (remaining) volume 21a of the housing 21 as well as the ratio of these volumes taking into consideration the matching of the linear drive as well as the configuration of the coil elements and membrane of the movable wall portion 1 to achieve a high base resonance frequency while in operation, the generation of airborne sound is largely suppressed. Furthermore, the sounds inherent with the movement of the movable wall portion may be absorbed, i.e., the sound energy can be converted into heat.

[0099] In FIG. 3 (right-hand side), the sounds are dissipated in the air as heat according to the absorption principle of a plate transducer by the friction in at least one of the chamber walls 18, which is formed with another movable wall portion, as well as by the friction of the vibrating chamber wall. The chamber wall 18 vibrating for sound absorption purposes is also integrated into the chamber by a spring device 17 acting in a spring-like manner. Acoustic energy is ultimately transformed into heat and dissipated by the deformation of the spring and the thus generated friction in the spring device 17. The plate transducer is a narrow-band resonance absorber, the weight and spring deflection of which are to be selected such that the characteristic absorber frequency for a preferably high level of sound absorption as a function of the sound frequency is preferably near or in the frequency range of the movement of the movable wall portion 1. In addition, the sounds created by the piston or membrane movement are to be dissipated as heat into a porous structure according to the absorption principle.

[0100] The chamber walls 18 may be formed having a porous structure and may be integrated in the plate transducer for example or alternatively mounted on the plate transducer. The sounds are absorbed by means of the viscous current losses of the air through friction on the porous damping material and the friction from the deformation of the material. The porous absorber is a broad-band absorber, the coating thickness and material of which are to be selected such that the characteristic absorber frequency for the highest possible level of absorption is near or in the frequency range of the movement of the movable wall portion 1. By means of the absorption according to the plate transducer principle or in a porous structure, sound propagation is reduced as much as possible.

[0101] The drive unit is formed with few movable, low-weight components and therefore has few unbalanced free inertial forces to initiate oscillations or vibrations of the components or the housing of the stimulation device at certain movable wall portions. By means of the low weight, a highest possible fundamental resonance of the movable part of the drive device 32 is achieved. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the other movable wall portion of the chamber wall 18 can be designed optionally to have a ferrofluid 14 for damping the resonances of the moving coil 2 and a frame 13 or an enclosed chamber (not completely filled), as a result of which the cooling of the moving coil 2 and the carrier 5 is also improved by the increased heat conduction compared to air. The heat capacity of the intentionally lightweight-built moving coil 2 and carrier 5 is low.

[0102] The flexibility in the design of the drive allows a large amount of freedom in designing the stimulation device to shape the drive in an elongated or wide manner, the shifting of the fundamental resonance of the movable portions of the linear drive for suppressing the airborne sound, and to also decrease the local pressure fluctuations propagating at the speed of sound by means of sound absorption measures in the chamber (cf. FIG. 3). Furthermore, measures similar to noise absorption can also be used in the volume of the housing 21 on the rear side of the movable pressure chamber wall portion 1.

[0103] The drive unit or device has a comparatively low complexity due to the direct conversion of the electrical energy from the battery unit 28, for example from the rechargeable battery, into a translational movement of a simple moving coil coupled to the movable wall portion 1, which may be formed in the various embodiments—regardless of the actual drive—for example having a piston, a rigid wall portion and/or a membrane, which may be made of an elastic material at least in portions. The direct conversion also results in potentially higher efficiency, compact construction and low weight.

[0104] The movable wall portion(s) 1 may be designed as an integral component of the chamber (pressure chamber—chamber, in which the variable pressure field is generated), as a result of which a good seal is ensured against compressible and non-compressible media up to a certain positive and negative pressure of the chamber.

[0105] To keep constant or increase the surface-specific force resulting from the carrier 5 on the movable wall portion 1 while simultaneously having a wide or flat design of the drive (i.e., with a compact moving coil 2 and the carrier 5), the movable wall portion 1 can be moved by means of more than one coil 2 and more than one carrier 5, as depicted in FIG. 4.

[0106] The flexibility of the drive at a constant or increased specific surface force on the movable wall portion 1 is also increased in the embodiment from FIG. 5. For absorption purposes, devices according to the plate transducer principle 17 or in the form of porous structures 18 are also provided here.

[0107] The sounds emitted on the rear side of the movable wall portion 1 are absorbed in all embodiments for example by a device according to the plate transducer principle or in a porous structure, and thereby reduced to the largest extent possible (not depicted).

[0108] In the arrangement depicted in FIG. 6, fine conductors of the coil 2, through which conductors current flows, are located directly on at least one movable wall portion 1.

[0109] On at least one side of the movable wall portion 1, there is at least one permanent magnet 7, for example in the form of a bar magnet as shown in FIG. 6. For the inductance of the air gap 4 to be kept as structurally narrow as possible between the permanent magnet 7 and the movable wall portion 1 having the electrical conductors 2, the permanent magnet 7 requires the highest possible flux density, which is why the strongest possible permanent magnets with flux densities of 0.4 . . . 1.2 T (for example neodymium-iron-boron magnets) are used, which generate a strong magnetic field 3 and have a low weight. The movable wall portion 1 (for example made of a polymer or paper) as part of a first chamber of the stimulation device 20 may be integrated into the chamber by means of a recessed channel, which mechanically follows the strokes of the movable wall portion 1 to the largest extent without mechanical loads. The electrical conductors 2 on the movable wall portion 1 are made of the most electrically conductive material possible (for example copper or silver) and electrically insulated from each other by integration into the movable wall portion 1. The magnetic flux is carried by means of lateral pole plates 19 (for example, as in FIG. 6, in a rod shape) across the air gap 4. The lateral pole plates 19 are made of a material having high magnetic permeability (for example, a soft magnetic material alloy). The chamber of the stimulation device 20, the permanent magnet 7 as well as the lateral pole plates 19 are attached to a frame 8 (for example made of plastics material, aluminum or magnesium).

[0110] To move the movable wall portion 1, the thin electrical conductors 2 are supplied with a control alternating current from a control unit. The electrical conductors 2 are moved upward or downward by the Lorentz force depending on the current direction or current polarity in the magnetic field of the air gap 4. The drive forces engage uniformly with the entire surface of the movable wall portion 1. The directions of the Lorentz forces, the magnetic field and the current flow are perpendicular to each other in FIG. 6. In the variant with two permanent magnets arranged in an antipolar manner in FIG. 6 (right-hand side), the electrical conductors must be supplied with power via the two permanent magnets 7 each having a different polarity in order to effect the same movement.

[0111] The stroke of the deflection of the electrical conductors integrated in the movable wall portion 1 is determined by the amplitude of the control current. The frequency of the alternating current corresponds to the frequency of the conductor movement and thus the frequency of the movement of the movable wall portion 1. The frequency and the stroke of the movable wall portion 1 can thus be controlled independently of each other in a comparatively simple manner by the current frequency and current amplitude. The variable pressure field and the resulting positive and negative pressure on the erogenous body zone (clitoris) can be controlled independently of each other by the alternating compression and expansion of the air through the movement of the movable wall portion 1, in other words in terms of frequency and amplitude.

[0112] Due to the direct transmission, an expanded frequency range from below 1 Hz to several hundred Hz is possible using this principle. The direct current from the rechargeable battery must only be converted into alternating current. The conversion into an alternating current may comprise the turning on and off and/or the superimposition of direct current portions. An alternating current voltage having a direct current offset can hereby be provided. For example, an alternating current voltage can be provided that does not comprise any polarity change, but only a change of the voltage level given a constant voltage direction (polarity).

[0113] Alternatively, the drive unit may also be designed in a ring shape as depicted in FIG. 7.

[0114] In the electromagnetically planar ring-shaped transformer, the membrane is circular. The permanent magnet 7, the electrical conductors 2, the lateral pole plate 19 as well as the bracket are ring-shaped, for example. In the symmetrical axis of the drive unit, a pole core 11 is provided to better control the magnetic field. Alternatively, the drive unit may also be connected via a connection channel 10 to a second chamber 11, as depicted in FIG. 8.

[0115] Alternatively, also as in FIG. 9, there may be at least one second chamber 11 on the side of the drive unit.

[0116] In one embodiment having a second chamber 11 on the side (left) or opposite (right) of the movable wall portion 1, sound-absorbing devices may be provided according to the plate transducer principle or in a porous structure, as in FIG. 10.

[0117] By means of the sound-absorbing devices, the sound propagation inherent with the movement of the movable wall portion 1 is reduced to the greatest extent possible.

[0118] Alternatively, the two-chamber embodiments from FIG. 9 (right) and FIG. 10 (right) may also be ring-shaped.

[0119] To generate the highest possible flux density in the air gap 4 to be kept as structurally narrow as possible and to thereby keep constant or increase the surface-specific force on the movable wall portion 1, permanent magnets 7, as depicted in FIG. 12, may alternatively be arranged on both sides of the movable wall portion 1.

[0120] The design of the drive with permanent magnets 7 on both sides of the movable wall portion 1 in FIG. 12 may be executed with two permanent magnets arranged in an antipolar manner in each case above and below the movable wall portion 1 (left) or alternatively with two ring-shaped permanent magnets above and below the movable wall portion 1 (right).

[0121] The sounds emitted on the rear side of the movable wall portion 1 are absorbed in all embodiments for example by a device according to the plate transducer principle or in a porous structure, and thereby reduced to the largest extent possible (not shown).

[0122] In the electromagnetic transformer depicted in FIG. 13, fine conductors, through which current flows, are located directly on the movable wall portion 1, which has at least one thin membrane, which is folded in a lamella shape (lamellar membrane).

[0123] On at least one side of the lamellar membrane, there is at least one permanent magnet 7 (left) for example in the form of a bar magnet, as shown in FIG. 13. For the inductance of the air gap 4 to be kept as structurally narrow as possible between the permanent magnet 7 and the lamellar membrane with the electrical conductors 2, the permanent magnet 7 requires the highest possible flux density, which is why the strongest possible permanent magnets with flux densities of 0.4 . . . 1.2 T (for example neodymium-iron-boron magnets) are used, which generate a strong magnetic field 3 and have a low weight. The lamellar membrane (for example made of a polymer, e.g., polyamide, polyester or polyimide) as part of a first chamber of the stimulation device 20 may be integrated in the chamber by means of a recessed channel, which mechanically follows the travel of the movable wall portion 1 largely without mechanical loads. The electrically insulated conductors 2 on the lamellar membrane are made of the most electrically conductive material possible (for example copper or silver) and bonded onto the lamellar membrane for example. The magnetic flux is carried by means of lateral pole plates 19 (for example, as in FIG. 13, in a bar form) across the air gap 4. The lateral pole plates 19 are made of a material having high magnetic permeability (for example a soft magnetic material alloy). The chamber of the stimulation device 10, the permanent magnet 7 and the lateral pole plates 19 are attached in a frame 9 (for example made of plastics material, aluminum or magnesium).

[0124] As shown in FIG. 13, the lamellar membrane is overlaid in a meandering manner with parallel-running electrical conductor paths 2. The current flow direction must be identical for all conductor paths since the magnetic field 3 also has the same direction everywhere in the air gap 4 to be kept as structurally narrow as possible. On the lamellar membrane, the electrical conductors 2 are guided in a meandering manner in such a way that the adjoining lamella each have current flowing through them in the opposite direction. To move the lamellar membrane 1, the thin electrical conductors 2 are supplied with energy using a control alternating current from a control unit. Depending on the current flow direction or the polarity, the lamella move based on the Lorentz force toward or away from each other and press the air out of their intermediate space or suck it in. Alternatively, the movement of the lamellar membrane can also be achieved with an alternating current voltage, which does not comprise any polarity change, but only a change of the voltage level while the voltage direction (polarity) remains constant. By the folding into a lamellar shape, a significantly increased membrane surface becomes active. Despite the comparatively large membrane surface, the entire membrane surface is driven uniformly. Alternatively, multiple permanent magnets 7 in FIG. 13 (right) can be arranged under the lamellar membranes.

[0125] The stroke of the deflection of the electrical conductors integrated in the lamellar membrane is determined by the amplitude of the control current. The frequency of the alternating current corresponds to the frequency of the conductor movement and thus the frequency of the movement of the lamellar membrane. The frequency and the stroke of the lamellar membrane movement can thus be controlled independently of each other in a comparatively simple manner using the current frequency and current amplitude. The variable pressure field and the resulting positive and negative pressure on the erogenous body zone (clitoris) can be controlled independently of each other by the alternating compression and expansion of the air through the movement of the pulling together and pushing apart of the lamellar membrane, in other words in terms of frequency and amplitude.

[0126] Due to the direct transmission, an expanded frequency range from less than 1 Hz to several hundred Hz is possible using this principle. The direct current from the rechargeable battery must only be converted into alternating current. Conversion into an alternating current may comprise the turning on and off and/or the superimposition of direct current portions. An alternating current voltage can hereby be provided using a direct current offset. For example, an alternating current voltage may be provided which does not comprise any polarity change, but only a change of the voltage level given a constant voltage direction (polarity).

[0127] Alternatively, the drive unit may also be connected via the connection channel 15 to the additional chamber 16, as depicted in FIG. 14.

[0128] Alternatively, as in FIG. 15, there may also be at least one second chamber 16 on the side of the drive unit.

[0129] In one embodiment having a second chamber 16 on the side (left) or opposite (right) of the movable wall portion 1, sound-absorbing devices may be provided according to the plate transducer principle or in a porous structure, as in FIG. 16.

[0130] To generate the highest possible flux density in the air gap 4 to be kept as structurally narrow as possible and to thereby keep constant or increase the surface-specific force on the movable wall portion 1, permanent magnets 7, as depicted in FIG. 17, may alternatively be arranged on both sides of the movable wall portion 1.

[0131] In FIG. 17, the movable wall portion 1 is located directly between poles of the permanent magnets 7 and may also be designed having multiple permanent magnets 7 side by side.

[0132] The sounds emitted on the rear side of the movable wall portion 1 are absorbed in all embodiments for example by a device according to the plate transducer principle or in a porous structure, and thereby reduced to the largest extent possible (not shown).

[0133] FIGS. 18 to 24 depict additional embodiments of an arrangement for a stimulation device or arrangements for the drive unit 32 and the pressure chamber 4. In each case, coil elements of an electromagnetic linear drive are movably or displaceably arranged in a stationary permanent magnetic field. For the same features, the same reference signs are used as in the preceding figures.

[0134] In the embodiments in FIGS. 18 to 24, the mount or bracket 12, which acts as a positioning or centering device for the carrier 5 having the (moving) coil 2, is shown in a neutral starting state, in which no deflection has taken place. In contrast to this, FIGS. 25 and 26 show a design in which carrier 5 having the moving coil 2 moves from the neutral starting or zero position (cf. FIGS. 18 to 24) downward into the stationary permanent magnetic field 3. Together with the carrier 5, the movable chamber wall portion 1 is hereby moved downward. During operation, the carrier 5 having the moving coil 2 and the movable chamber wall portion 1 oscillate about the neutral rest position, starting from the deflected starting position shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. In other embodiments, in particular the examples shown in FIGS. 18 to 24, oscillations occur about this neutral starting position starting from the neutral rest position shown in FIGS. 18 to 24.

[0135] The designs in FIGS. 25 and 26 make it possible in particular to apply an electrical current with non-changing polarity to the moving coil 2 in order to operate same. By contrast, a current with changing polarity is provided in other embodiments, for example in one or more of the embodiments in FIGS. 18 to 24. During operation, embodiments other than those shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 may also be operated about a deflected position that differs from the neutral rest or starting position.

[0136] In the embodiments in FIGS. 18 to 21, the coil 2 has an upper subcoil 2a and a lower subcoil 2b with separate coil windings. In regard to the examples in FIGS. 18 and 19, the upper and lower subcoils 2a, 2b are each arranged opposite pole plates 9, wherein the permanent magnets 7 are arranged on the outside (FIG. 18) or the inside (FIG. 19) in relation to the coil 2. The design supports arranged on the inside forming an optimized magnetic inductance.

[0137] Also in the examples in FIGS. 20 and 21, the permanent magnets 7 are arranged on the outside in relation to the moving coil 2. The arrangement shown there of the permanent magnets 7, which, in comparison to the embodiment in FIG. 18, are arranged instead of the upper pole cap 9a or the lower pole cap 9b, supports a flat design.

[0138] In comparison to the embodiments in FIGS. 18 to 21, the designs in FIGS. 22 to 24 use a one-piece coil 2, where here, too, the permanent magnets 7 may be arranged on the inside and outside in relation to the coil 2 according to FIGS. 22 and 23. In the design in FIG. 24, the permanent magnets 7 are arranged below the moving coil 2.

[0139] In the example in FIG. 18, upper and lower pole caps 9a, 9b are provided, which are arranged above and below the permanent magnets 7. In the embodiment in FIG. 19, the upper and lower pole caps 9a, 9b are arranged above and below, and in contact with, a central pole cap 9c.

[0140] In the embodiments in FIGS. 25 and 26, the permanent magnets 7 are arranged between, and in contact with, the upper pole plate 9a and the rear pole plate 8. According to FIG. 25, a spring 40 is provided, which provides a spring pretension against the depicted deflected position of the carrier 5 having the moving coil 2. FIG. 26 depicts an alternative design, in which the spring 40 is omitted. A pretension can be provided here by means of the mount/bracket 12.

[0141] FIG. 27 depicts a design in which the coil device 2 encircles the permanent magnets 7 on the outside, in a manner comparable to the design in FIG. 22, wherein the depicted pole plates 9c can also be omitted as an option. In contrast to the design in FIG. 22, a regional diameter, which the coil device 2 encircles and in which the permanent magnets 7 are arranged, is greater than the diameter of the movable chamber wall portion 1. Alternatively, it may be provided (not depicted) that the regional diameter and the diameter of the movable chamber wall portion are essentially the same size. In this embodiment and others, the movable chamber wall portion 1 as well as the coil device 2 are arranged in a common central position (centered). Due to its selected structural properties, the design shown in FIG. 27 is particularly suited to execute a sufficient driving force for moving the movable chamber wall portion 1 about the (neutral) rest or starting position (in other words, rising and falling with respect to the rest and starting position) shown in FIG. 27 so that the desired variable pressure field can be generated in the small volumes.

[0142] The regional diameter, which corresponds to the diameter of the coil device 2, may be at a ratio of at least 0.3, alternatively at a ratio of at least 0.5 or 0.7, to the diameter of the movable chamber wall portion 1. For other embodiments, the ratio of the regional diameter (diameter of the coil device 2) to the diameter of the movable chamber wall portion 1 is at most 2, alternatively at most 1.8 or 1.5.

[0143] In regard to the embodiment of FIG. 27, the mount or bracket 12, which acts as a positioning or centering device for the support 5 having the (moving) coil 2, is shown in a neutral starting or rest position, in which no deflection has taken place. In contrast to this, FIGS. 25 and 26 show a design in which the support 5 having the moving coil 2 is moved out of the neutral starting or zero position (cf. FIG. 27) downward into the stationary permanent magnetic field 3.

[0144] The features disclosed in the preceding description, claims and drawings may be of significance both individually as well as in any combination for achieving the various embodiments.