MASSAGE DEVICE FOR PRESSURE WAVE MASSAGE

Abstract

The invention relates to a massage device (1) for massage by means of pressure waves, comprising a housing (2) having a grip section (4) and a massage section (6), at least one first chamber (8, 10) having an opening (12) in the massage section, leading towards the outside, and a drive means (30) for changing the volume (V1) of the first chamber (8), wherein the drive means (30) has at least one coil element (32, 34) and at least one movably guided magnetic core (38) arranged parallel to the coil element (32, 34) for acting on the first chamber (8).

Claims

1. A massage device for massage by means of pressure waves, comprising a housing having a grip section and a massage section; at least one first chamber having an opening in the massage section, leading towards the outside; and a drive means within said housing for changing the volume of the first chamber, wherein the drive means has at least one coil element and at least one movably guided magnetic core arranged parallel to the coil element for acting on the first chamber, wherein said magnetic core comprises at least one permanent magnet.

2. The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber has a first chamber wall and the magnetic core is mechanically coupled to at least one actuation portion of the first chamber wall.

3. The massage device according to claim 2, wherein the actuation portion is provided in the form of a membrane.

4. The massage device according to claim 3, wherein the membrane is resiliently connected to the chamber wall.

5. The massage device according to claim 2, where a direction of movement of the magnetic core is oriented substantially perpendicular to the actuation portion of the first chamber wall.

6. The massage device according to claim 2, wherein the actuation portion has an area A1 on the inner side of the first chamber, and the inner side of the chamber has a total area A2, wherein the ratio of A1 to A2 is in a range from 0.1 to 0.8, preferably 0.1 to 0.7, further preferably 0.1 to 0.5, further preferably 0.1 to 0.4, further preferably 0.1 to 0.3, and further preferably about 0.2.

7. The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the drive means has a stroke of 1 mm to 25 mm.

8. The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic core has a mass ranging from 2 to 15 grams.

9. The massage device according to claim 1, having a total weight in a range of 100 grams to 500 grams.

10. The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the mass of the magnetic core to the mass of the entire massage device is in a range between 1:6 and 1:250.

11. The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic core has at least two permanent magnets which are arranged with opposite poles facing each other.

12. The massage device according to claim 1, comprising two coil elements arranged beside each other and substantially coaxially with each other.

13. The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the permanent magnets each have a mass in a range from 1 gram to 10 grams and/or a magnetic flux density in a range from 0.38 T to 0.4 T.

14. The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the coil element has a flux density in a range between 0.13 mT and 500 mT.

15. The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the actuation portion is arranged in a housing.

16. The massage device according to claim 15, wherein the housing is provided in the form of a thin-walled sleeve.

17. The massage device according to claim 15, wherein the housing completely surrounds the magnetic core.

18. The massage device according to claim 15, wherein the housing is coupled to a transmission rod which is provided to act upon the chamber.

19. The massage device according to claim 11, wherein the permanent magnets are separated by a separating element.

20. The massage device according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic core is attached directly to the actuation portion.

21. The massage device according to claim 2, wherein the transmission rod is coupled to the actuation portion.

22. The massage device according to claim 1, further comprising a second chamber, wherein the first chamber is an inner chamber and the second chamber has the opening leading to the outside and is in fluid communication with the first chamber.

23. The massage device according to claim 22, wherein the second chamber is substantially funnel-shaped and widens towards the opening.

24. The massage device according to claim 22, wherein the first and second chamber are connected to each other by a connecting portion having a smaller cross-section than the opening.

25. The massage device according to claim 22, wherein the first and second chamber each have a chamber wall of integral construction.

26. The massage device according to claim 1, having a controller for controlling the drive means to make the magnetic core vibrate in a predetermined manner with a predetermined vibration profile.

Description

[0037] The invention shall now be described in more detail with reference to one embodiment and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-section through a massage device according to the invention;

[0039] FIGS. 2A-2C show three vibration profiles;

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-section through another massage device according to the invention;

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-section through a drive means according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

[0042] FIGS. 5a, 5b show two views of a bobbin from FIG. 4.

[0043] A massage device 1 comprises a housing 2 having a grip section 4 and a massage section 6. In this embodiment, a first chamber 8 and a second chamber are provided inside housing 2. It should be understood that embodiments comprising only one chamber are likewise preferred.

[0044] Here, the second chamber 10 has an opening 12. In this embodiment, opening 12 is bounded by a lip 14 made of a soft and supple material. In embodiments having only one chamber, opening 12 is provided at the first chamber 8. The entire massage section 6 of massage device 1 is substantially made of a soft and supple material, such as a medical grade silicone. A diameter of opening 12 is selected so that it can be pleasantly placed onto the female sexual organ, in particular onto the clitoris. For that purpose, opening 12 may also have an elongated to oval shape and does not necessarily have to be circular in shape.

[0045] The second chamber 10 has a chamber wall 16 which is funnel-shaped overall and widens towards opening 12. The second chamber 10 is thus shaped like a horn for intensifying waves.

[0046] The first chamber 8 likewise has a chamber wall 18. Chamber wall 18 has a total inner area A1.

[0047] The first chamber 8 is in fluid communication with the second chamber 10 via a connecting portion 20. In this embodiment, connecting portion 20 is provided in the form of a constriction. The chamber walls 18 and 16 of first chamber 8 and of second chamber 10 are of integral construction, so there are no seams between the two chamber walls 16, 18, with the result that watertightness of massage device 1 can be ensured in a simple manner.

[0048] Chamber wall 18 of the first chamber 8 has an actuation portion 22, which is provided here in the form of membrane 24. Membrane 24 is connected to chamber wall 18 via an elastic suspension 26, which is likewise connected integrally to chamber wall 18. The suspension 26 is also integrally connected to membrane 24, such that the first and second chambers 8, 10 are sealed fluid-tightly against an interior space 28 of massage device 1. This prevents fluid, such as water, from entering interior space 28, thus allowing massage device 1 to also be used underwater.

[0049] Massage device 1 further comprises a drive means 30 for changing the volume V1 of the first chamber 8. Drive means 30 has two coil elements 32, 34. Coil elements 32, 34 are arranged around a guide tube 36. Although two coil elements 32, 34 are shown in the Figure, embodiments with only one coil element are also preferred. To change the direction of motion of the magnetic core, the polarity of the coil's magnetic field is reversed electrically in order to deflect the core proportionally. Three or more coil elements are likewise conceivable and preferred, although this involves more work to control them. Depending on the specific application, a coupled cascade comprising two or more drive means arranged coaxially one behind the other, or parallel beside each other, is preferred.

[0050] The guide tube may be of plastic or cardboard or the like. It should be understood that the guide tube is not obligatory. It can just as well be left out, without a substitute, if adequate guidance is provided in some other manner, for example by coil element 32, 34 itself.

[0051] A magnetic core 38 is guided inside guide tube 36. In this embodiment, magnetic core 38 is embedded in a housing 40, the outer diameter of which is a little smaller than the inner diameter of guide tube 36. Housing 40 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with axis A, which is the central axis of coil elements 32, 34 and simultaneously the central axis of guide tube 36.

[0052] Housing 40 is securely connected to membrane 24 via a transmission rod 42. In this embodiment, transmission rod 42 is integrally moulded onto membrane 24.

[0053] According to this embodiment, magnetic core 38 has two permanent magnets 44, 46, which are substantially cylindrical in shape. The two permanent magnets 44, 46 are identical, but are arranged with opposite poles facing each other. In this embodiment, the two north poles N face each other, whereas the south poles face away from each other. This results in a symmetrical magnetic field which is generated by magnetic core 38.

[0054] Massage device 1 also includes a controller 48 which has an electronic control unit 50. Two operating knobs 52, 54 with which massage device 1 can be operated are connected by means of electronic control unit 50, which can be provided in the form of a printed circuit board with appropriate electronic elements thereon. Control unit 50 is also connected to the two coil elements 32, 34 in order to supply them with electric current and the relevant signals. Controller 48 also includes a power source 56, which is provided in the form of a lithium-ion accumulator and which can be recharged by means of an appropriate plug via a connector 58.

[0055] Control switch 52 is used to switch on massage device 1, and selector switch 54 is used to select one of the predefined vibration profiles stored in control unit 50, according to which coil elements 32, 34 are supplied with electric current.

[0056] If magnetic core 38 is now moved to the right in FIG. 1, due to an magnetic field induced when coil elements 32, 34 are supplied with electric current, membrane 24 will also be moved to the right as a result, and the volume V1 of the first chamber 8 is made smaller. Any fluid in chamber 8 is compressed, and if, like water, it is not compressible, it is pressed through connecting portion 20 into the first chamber 10. This produces a wave pulse, due in particular to the increase in flow speed in section 20, under reduced pressure. The wave propagates through the first chamber 10 and exits from opening 12, where it strikes a body part of a user. A massaging effect is produced as a result.

[0057] If the magnetic core 38 is now moved correspondingly to the left, the volume V1 of the first chamber 8 is increased again, and a reversed pulse is generated.

[0058] FIGS. 2A to 2C that follow show three vibration profiles 108, 110, 112, which can be used to excite coil elements 32, 34. The vibration profiles indicate the motion of magnetic core 38, where zero line X, as shown in FIG. 1, illustrates a resting position of magnetic core 38, and an amplitude upwards in FIGS. 2A to 2C indicates a movement of magnetic core 38 to the right, that is, a movement to reduce the chamber volume.

[0059] FIG. 2A shows steady sinusoidal excitation, by which the chamber volume V1 is increased and decreased in size sinusoidally.

[0060] FIG. 2B shows a vibration profile consisting of three short oscillations with a small amplitude and a somewhat longer oscillation with a greater amplitude. This results in a pulsating form of stimulation that is experienced as particularly arousing.

[0061] Finally, FIG. 2C shows a vibration profile having a constant amplitude but varying frequency. The vibration profile begins with a relatively slow frequency which is then increased before it becomes slower again. A wave-like increase in frequency is thus provided, and a pulsating, wave-like pressure profile is provided at opening 12.

[0062] FIG. 3 shows the massage device 1 of FIG. 1, in which two impact elements 70, 72 are additionally provided. In both embodiments, identical parts are marked with the same reference signs, and reference is made in that respect to the entire description of FIG. 1 in the foregoing. For that reason, the following description mainly addresses the differences between the embodiments.

[0063] An impact element 70, 72 is arranged at each of the two axial ends of guide tube 36. Impact element 70 is of solid construction, and impact element 72 is provided with a through hole through which transmission rod 42 extends. Impact elements 70, 72 are used to prevent magnetic core 38 from leaving guide tube 36 and in particular from leaving the region surrounded by coil elements 32, 34. They are made of a rubbery elastic material, for example, so that magnetic core 38 can bounce off them and be thrown back. Alternatively, and preferably, impact elements 70, 72 are provided in the form of permanent magnets and are oriented with the same pole facing magnetic core 38, with the result that a repelling force is produced between magnetic core 38 and the respective impact element 70, 72. In this way, magnetic core 38 is always guided back to the middle. This is particularly useful when there are large deflections of membrane 24. If a liquid, such as water, is sucked into or expelled from inner chamber 8, and volume V1 increases or decreases, this may cause a suction effect and advantageously support magnetic core 38 in returning to its starting position. Depending on how chamber 8 is shaped, or also on the fluid that is used, it is preferred in this regard that the magnet forming impact element 70, or the magnet forming impact element 72 is stronger, in particular by 10%, 20%, 30%, 50% or 100% or more.

[0064] Impact element 72 may be additionally equipped with an impact part 74, which prevents the axial end face of guide tube 36 from coming into contact with the rear side of membrane 24. Impact part 74 may also be provided as a separate component and be arranged at the axial end face and/or on the membrane.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows a variant of drive means 30 from FIGS. 1 and 3. In this embodiment, magnetic core 38 is arranged in a housing 40 in the form of a sleeve 60. The two permanent magnets 44, 46 are separated by a separating element 76. In particular, permanent magnets 44, 46 are glued to separating element 76 such that opposite poles face each other. Sleeve 60 also extends over separating element 76, but has an axial length that is a little less than the length of magnetic core 38. In this embodiment, magnetic core 38 is directly connected to membrane 24, and in particular is glued to the membrane by means of an adhesive bond 78.

[0066] Guide tube 36 is also provided in this embodiment with a collar 80, 82 at each of its axial ends. In combination, guide tube 36 and collar 80, 82 thus form a bobbin 84. Coils 32, 34 are received between the two collars 80, 82. Assembly is significantly simplified as a result.