Stimulation device having an appendage

Abstract

The invention relates to a stimulation device (1) for erogenous zones, in particular for the clitoris (12), wherein the stimulation device (1) has the following: at least one pressure field generating arrangement (2) with at least one first chamber (3) and at least one second chamber (4) having at least one opening (42) for placing on a body part (11); at least one connection element (5) that connects the first chamber (3) to the second chamber (4); a drive unit (6) that varies the volume of the first chamber (3) such that a pressure field that serves for stimulation is generated via the connection element (5) in the second chamber (4); a control device (7) that activates the drive unit (6), and an appendage (140).

Claims

1. A stimulation device for erogenous zones, comprising: at least one pressure field generating arrangement with: at least one first chamber; at least one second chamber having at least one opening for placing on a body part; and at least one connection element that connects the at least one first chamber to the at least one second chamber; a drive unit that varies the volume of the at least one first chamber such that a stimulating pressure field is generated via the at least one connection element in the at least one second chamber; a control device that activates the drive unit; and an appendage; wherein the stimulating pressure field generated in the at least one second chamber comprises a pattern of negative and positive pressures, modulated onto with respect to a reference pressure; wherein the at least one first chamber is connected to the at least one second chamber solely by the at least one connection element, and wherein the appendage is a dildo configured to be inserted into a vagina.

2. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one opening of the at least one connection element is opposite the body part to be stimulated and is directed towards the body part to be stimulated.

3. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one second chamber is at least one of: a flexible material, a transparent material, or fitted to the shape of a vaginal labia minora such that the vaginal labia minora is completely covered by the opening of the at least one second chamber.

4. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one second chamber is made in one piece with the at least one connection element and the at least one first chamber.

5. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one second chamber of the stimulation device is arranged to be replaceable.

6. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one second chamber is arranged separately from the stimulation device; and the at least one connection element is a hose or tube.

7. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one second chamber has a sealing support part for enlarging a contact surface of the at least one second chamber on skin.

8. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the respective modulation of the stimulating pressure field may be changed by means of an operating element.

9. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stimulation device has a light for lighting the at least one second chamber.

10. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one connection element has an internal shape and an opening to the at least one second chamber that provide a form such that the stimulating pressure field is modulated in direction and intensity.

11. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stimulation device is a hand-held device.

12. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the appendage is mounted on a housing to be movable.

13. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the appendage is connected to a section of a housing that accommodates the at least one pressure field generating arrangement via a joint.

14. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the appendage is a stimulation aid for insertion into a human body.

15. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the appendage has a vibration device.

16. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the appendage is mounted on a section of a housing that accommodates the at least one pressure field generating arrangement such that the housing of the stimulation device is unitary in form.

17. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stimulation device is configured in size, movability and shape to fit a female anatomy such that the at least one pressure field generating arrangement is configured to indirectly stimulate a clitoris of a woman while the appendage is configured to simultaneously be inserted into a vagina of the woman.

18. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the appendage is a handle for holding the stimulation device.

19. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the appendage is an elongate lens-shaped body configured to be inserted into the vagina.

20. A system comprising: a stimulation device comprising: at least one pressure field generating arrangement with: at least one first chamber; at least one second chamber having at least one opening for placing on a body part; and at least one connection element that connects the at least one first chamber to the at least one second chamber; a drive unit that varies the volume of the at least one first chamber such that a stimulating pressure field is generated via the at least one connection element in the at least one second chamber; a control device that activates the drive unit; and an appendage; and a remote control device, arranged separately from the stimulation device, for remotely controlling the stimulation device; wherein the stimulating pressure field generated in the at least one second chamber comprises a pattern of negative and positive pressures, modulated with respect to a reference pressure; wherein the at least one first chamber is connected to the at least one second chamber solely by the at least one connection element; and wherein the appendage is a dildo configured to be inserted into a vagina.

21. A method for stimulating erogenous zones for sexual pleasure, comprising: inserting an appendage of a stimulation device into a vagina; forming, by a pressure field generating arrangement of the stimulation device, a pressure field directed towards a body part; and modulating, by a drive unit of the stimulation device interacting with the pressure field generating arrangement, the pressure field in a pattern of negative and positive pressures with respect to a reference pressure.

22. The method for stimulating erogenous zones as claimed in claim 21, wherein a stimulation effect is individually influenced by modulating the pressure field by means of an operating element.

23. The method for stimulating erogenous zones as claimed in claim 21, wherein the modulating is pulsed.

24. The method for stimulating erogenous zones as claimed in claim 21, further comprising: placing a chamber of the pressure field generating arrangement over the body part.

25. The method for stimulating erogenous zones as claimed in claim 21, wherein the appendage vibrates after insertion.

26. The method for stimulating erogenous zones as claimed in claim 21, wherein the body part is a clitoris.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of the stimulation device according to the invention, with an appendage in a straight position;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the first embodiment of the stimulation device according to the invention, with the appendage in an angled position;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross section through the first embodiment of the stimulation device according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a cross section through a pressure field generating arrangement of a first aspect of the present invention, in the first state;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a cross section through a pressure field generating arrangement of a first aspect of the present invention, in the second state;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a cross section through a pressure field generating arrangement of a first aspect of the present invention, in the third state;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a cross section through a pressure field generating arrangement of a second aspect of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a cross section through a pressure field generating arrangement of a third aspect of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a cross section through a pressure field generating arrangement of a fourth aspect of the present invention;

(11) FIGS. 10a), b) and c) show cross sections through a pressure field generating arrangement of a fifth aspect of the present invention;

(12) FIG. 11 shows a partial cross section through a second embodiment of the stimulation device according to the invention;

(13) FIGS. 12a) to f) show various bottom and side views of further aspects of a second chamber of the present invention;

(14) FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; and

(15) FIGS. 14a) to c) show graphs of various pressure modulation patterns of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(16) With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a first embodiment will be explained below. FIG. 1 shows a front view of the first embodiment of the stimulation device 1 according to the invention, with an appendage 140 in a straight position, while FIG. 2 further shows a side view of the stimulation device 1 with the appendage 140 in an angled position, and FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the first embodiment of the stimulation device 1 according to the invention.

(17) The first embodiment of the stimulation device 1 is a preferably portable electrical or small device that has a housing 8, a pressure field generating arrangement 2, an optional on/off switch 74 and an optional light 9.

(18) The housing 8 preferably takes an ergonomic form such that it can be held comfortably in one hand and has no sharp or pointed edges. Furthermore, the housing 8 may be made of a plastics material such as polycarbonate (PC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Moreover, the gripping areas or even the entire housing may be supplemented by or be made of a silicone which has advantageous tactile properties. The housing 8 preferably takes an at least water-resistant or splash-proof form, for example protection class IP 24. Furthermore, the broken line in FIG. 2 indicates an optional side edge of the housing 8.

(19) The optional on/off switch 74 serves to activate and deactivate the stimulation device 1. This on/off switch 74 may for example be a push button, which switches the stimulation device 1 on or off when held down, or a latching slide switch. Alternatively, it may be possible to switch the stimulation device 1 on and off by remote control.

(20) The pressure field generating arrangement 2 of a first embodiment has a first chamber 3 in the interior of stimulation device 1, a second chamber 4 for placing on a body part 11 to be stimulated, and a connection element 5 that connects the first chamber 3 to the second chamber 4.

(21) A drive unit 6, for example an electric motor, drives the first chamber 3 via a shaft 61 and by means of a cam 62 (or alternatively by means of a connecting rod) such that the volume of the first chamber 3 changes in accordance with rotation of the shaft 61 of the drive unit 6. On this point, it should be noted that any types of drive that cause a deflection of the wall 31 of the first chamber 3 for a change in volume can in principle be used in the stimulation device 1. This may for example be performed hydraulically, pneumatically, piezoelectrically, mechanically or electromagnetically. Examples of this are described in more detail below.

(22) A control device 7 activates the drive unit 6, optional operating elements 71 and at least one optional display 72. Here, the control device 7 and the drive unit 6 are supplied with power for example by the internal battery 76 and/or the external power supply 73.

(23) The stimulation device 1 further has at least one appendage 140. This appendage 140, which is preferably part of the housing 8, may optionally be moved or angled in relation to the housing part in which the pressure field generating arrangement 2 is accommodated. Here, the appendage may be angled or indeed rotated by means of a joint 141. The joint 141 may for example take the form of a plastically deformable plastic part, an adjustable joint or a hinge. FIG. 2 shows an example of a position of the appendage 140 which is angled in relation to the section of the housing 8 of the stimulation device 1 in which the pressure field generating arrangement 2 is accommodated. Alternatively, the appendage may also take a rigid or immovable form.

(24) The appendage 140 is preferably a stimulation aid for insertion into the human body, for example the vagina or other bodily orifices. Here, the appendage 140 is shaped for example as a conventional dildo. Alternatively, the appendage may be constructed such that it is adapted to the human anatomy of another bodily orifice, for example the mouth. Moreover, the appendage 140 may take a form such that it can also be used as a handle in order to hold the stimulation device 1 comfortably.

(25) Moreover, the appendage 140 may optionally have a vibration device 142 that can be capable of being switched on and/or controlled. The vibration device 142 causes the appendage to undergo mechanical vibrations that support the direct stimulation effect of the appendage 140.

(26) Optionally, the appendage 140 is mounted on the section of the housing 8 that accommodates the pressure field generating arrangement 2 such that the (entire) housing 8 of the stimulation device 1 takes a unitary form. In this way, the housing 8 creates the impression of being in one piece, for example by means of flexible and/or seamless connection elements of the housing 8. Alternatively, the housing 8, including the appendage 140, may have a silicone coating.

(27) In a straight or non-angled orientation of the appendage 140, as shown in FIG. 1, the stimulation device 1 can be comfortably held, or indeed inserted into bodily orifices in a simple manner. If the appendage 140 is angled, as shown in FIG. 2, for example after insertion, the opening 42 can thus be guided out of the body part 11 to be stimulated. In this angled position of the stimulation device 1, both a direct and an indirect stimulation of at least one erogenous zone of the body can take place simultaneously. In this case, the body part 11 to be stimulated is located between the appendage 140 and the pressure field generating arrangement 2.

(28) Furthermore, an optional light 9 can be provided on or in the housing 8. Here, the light 9 preferably serves for lighting the interior of the second chamber 4. The light 9 can either be switched on by the user or automatically activated when the stimulation device 1 is activated. Furthermore, the light 9 can take the form of energy-saving light emitting diodes. The light can for example serve in the dark as an orientation aid for the user of the stimulation device 1, or as additional visual stimulation.

(29) With reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the construction and function of a first aspect of the pressure field generating arrangement 2 of the stimulation device 1 will be described below in more detail.

(30) FIG. 4 shows the pressure field generating arrangement 2 in a first state, with the second chamber 4 placed on the area of skin or body part 11 to be stimulated. The first state of the pressure field generating arrangement 2 is characterized by a neutral deflection of the first chamber 3, i.e. no external force acts on the first chamber 3, for example from the drive unit. Here, the volume V1 of the first chamber is the standard volume of this chamber 3.

(31) The body part 11 to be stimulated is an area of skin on the body, wherein here for example a particularly sensitive erogenous zone, the clitoris 12, is shown. Thus, use of the present invention is not limited to the female clitoris 11, however; rather, the stimulation device 1 can be applied to all body parts or erogenous zones (such as the inside of the thighs, lumbar region, nape of the neck, nipples, etc.) which can be stimulated by means of medium- or air-pressure massage and/or negative pressure.

(32) Because it is placed on the body part 11 to be stimulated, the second chamber 4 forms a chamber that is largely or completely closed off from the exterior of the pressure field generating arrangement 2 and whereof the only remaining connection to the second chamber is via the connection element 5, wherein the edges of chamber 4 ideally form an air-tight enclosure with the surface of the body part 11. Two communicating chambers 3 and 4 are created in this way, wherein a corresponding pressure equalization between the chambers 3 and 4 via the connection element 5 occurs in the event of a change in volume in one of the chambers 3 or 4.

(33) A wall 31 of the first chamber 3 is secured by means of a holder 32. The holder 32 is in turn attached to the housing 8. The wall 41 of the second chamber is furthermore mounted on the holder 32. Two mutually aligned openings in the wall 41 of the second chamber and the holder 32 together form the connection element 5, which connects the first chamber 3 and the second chamber 4. In this arrangement, the wall 31, the holder 32 and the wall 41 are preferably joined to each other by adhesion to be medium- or air-tight. Alternatively, they can also be press-fitted or screwed to each other (for example with the aid of sealing areas between the housing 8 and the respective part). The holder 32 can also be joined to the housing 8 for example by adhesion or screws.

(34) The wall 31 of the first chamber 3 is preferably made of a flexible medium- or air-tight material such as rubber. The holder 32 is preferably made of a rigid plastics material which is likewise medium- or air-tight. The wall 41 of the second chamber is preferably made of a flexible, skin-friendly material such as silicone or rubber.

(35) FIG. 5 shows the pressure field generating arrangement 2 of FIG. 4 in a second state, wherein the second chamber 4 is once again placed on the body part 11 to be stimulated. The second state is characterized in that a force A acting on the first chamber 3 causes the chamber 3 to expand. To be precise, in this exemplary embodiment the force A draws the wall 31 of the first chamber 3 in a direction away from the second chamber 4.

(36) This increases the volume V2 in the chamber 3, i.e. V2>V1. To equalize the difference in pressure created between the chambers 3 and 4, the medium or air now flows from the second chamber 4 into the first chamber 3.

(37) Assuming that in the first state the pressure in the chambers 3 and 4 corresponds to the currently prevailing external reference pressure (air pressure for example), the overall pressure that is present in the second state will be lower than the external reference pressure. This negative pressure is set such that it is preferably lower than the usual systolic blood pressure in the blood vessels of the body part 11. The blood circulation in this area thus increases, and the clitoris 12 is better supplied with blood in the second state.

(38) FIG. 6 shows the pressure field generating arrangement 2 in a third state, wherein the second chamber 4 is once again placed on the body part 11 to be stimulated. The third state is characterized in that a force B acting on the first chamber 3 causes a volume reduction or compression in the chamber 3. To be precise, the direction of the force B is opposed to the direction of the force A and deforms the wall 31 of the first chamber such that the resulting volume V3 of the chamber is smaller than the volume V1. The compression of the chamber 3 causes a positive pressure in the chamber 3, which is equalized by a medium or air flow through the connection element 5 in the direction of the second chamber 4.

(39) This flow of medium is now preferably directed, by the orientation of the opening 51 and/or of the connection element 5, towards the body part 11 to be stimulated, in particular towards the glans of the clitoris 12. The indirect (pressure) massage according to the invention occurs as a result of the medium flowing onto the body part 11. The size of the opening 51 is in this case dimensioned such that it is small enough in relation to the volume displaced in the first chamber 3 to sufficiently accelerate the medium for a perceptible massaging effect.

(40) Furthermore, the type of flow can not only be advantageously influenced by the size and orientation of the opening 51 but also by the inner configuration of the connection element. For example, helical grooves in the connection element 5 can cause the flow according to the invention to swirl, wherein the flow profile develops a softer or more turbulent action on the body part to be stimulated. Alternatively, the pressure field produced in the second chamber 4 can be adjusted to suit the application by means of a plurality of openings 51.

(41) The advantage of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is that it is unproblematic from the point of view of hygiene (because dead spaces are avoided, for example) and is simple to manufacture. For example, no valves or further openings in or on the first chamber 3 are required.

(42) FIG. 7 shows a second aspect of the present invention with an alternative construction of the pressure field generating arrangement 2. Here, the walls 31 and 41 of the first and second chambers 3 and 4 can engage with one another such that, as in the first aspect of construction of the pressure field generating arrangement 2, they form two communicating chambers with a connection element 5. Thus, a separate holder is not required, while the second chamber 4 is replaceable. Moreover, the connection element 5 can take a form integral or in one piece with the wall 41 of the second chamber 4. A replaceable chamber 4 has the advantage that in this way various shapes of the chamber 4 that are adjusted to the respective body part can be used (a more detailed description thereof is provided below) without the need to replace the entire stimulation device 1. Alternatively, the second chamber 4 can also be attached to the housing 8 by being pushed on (not shown in more detail). The wall 31 of the first chamber 3 can be joined to the housing 8 by adhesion or screws for example.

(43) It is also possible, as shown in more detail in FIG. 7 by the broken line and the double arrow C, for the first chamber 3 to be expanded and compressed by a force acting perpendicularly to the axial direction of the connection element 5. In principle, the force exerted indirectly or directly on the first chamber 3 by the drive unit 5 can be exerted from any direction. The only decisive criterion here is that the volume of the first chamber 3 can be increased and decreased by the drive unit 6.

(44) FIG. 8 shows a third aspect of the invention with a one-piece structure of the pressure field generating arrangement 2. Here, a resilient material such as silicone or rubber can be used as material for the chambers 3 and 4. The advantage here is that any gaps that are dubious from the point of view of hygiene are avoided, and the cost of manufacture is reduced. The pressure field generating arrangement 2 can be joined to the housing 8 by adhesion or screws in this case too. A change in the volume of the first chamber 3 occurs here in a manner analogous to that described in conjunction with FIG. 7.

(45) FIG. 9 shows a fourth aspect of the invention with an alternative construction of the pressure field generating arrangement 2. Here, the second chamber 4, a plurality of connection elements 5, and partial sections of the wall 31 of the first chamber 3 are constructed in one piece. Alternatively, the pressure field generating arrangement 2 can also be constructed in two or more pieces from individual components, while retaining the geometric shape of FIG. 9, in a similar way to that shown in FIG. 4 or 7.

(46) In this case, the volume in the chamber 3 is changed in a manner similar to a piston pump, although there are no valves of any kind here. Thus, a piston 63 is moved back and forth by the drive unit, for example an electric motor or electromagnet, in the directions of the double arrow D. This type of drive has the advantage that the volume of the first chamber 3 can be reduced to zero or approximately zero in a simple manner, thus allowing the first chamber 3 to be almost completely emptied.

(47) The embodiment of the connection element 5, with a plurality of channels 52 and openings 51, results in a distribution of the pressure field over a plurality of concentration points. While the embodiment of the connection element 5 with only one channel, as described in conjunction with FIG. 6, results in the formation of a highly concentrated medium or air flow onto a target area, the embodiment of the connection element 5 shown in FIG. 9 allows the medium or air flow to be distributed over a plurality of target areas. In this way, the flow can for example be blown against the clitoris 11 not just on its glans, but evenly from a plurality of sides. Depending on the application, this distribution of the air flow concentration to a plurality of areas can help to avoid overstimulation and/or help to increase the stimulation area.

(48) FIGS. 10a to 10c show a fifth aspect of the invention with (partial) cross sections of a construction of the pressure field generating arrangement 2 with a bending element 64 as the drive for changing the volume in the first chamber 3. The bending element 64 can for example be a conventional piezoelectric bending element, which is deformed or bent once a voltage is applied. In this aspect of the invention, the wall 31 of the first chamber 3 takes a rigid or stiff form, while the bending element 64 is made to fit suitably against the sides of the first chamber 3. The transition points between the bending element 64 and the wall 31 are in this case sealed (resiliently joined by adhesion, for example). In this construction, the drive for the pressure field generating arrangement 2 is already integrated therein, and an external drive is not required. An electric motor with a cam is not needed, for example. This allows, inter alia, the reduction of any disruptive natural resonances due to movement of the cam of the stimulation device.

(49) FIG. 10a shows in detail the pressure field generating arrangement 2 with the bending element 64 in a neutral position. Thus, the volume of the first chamber 3 with the bending element 64 in the neutral position is the standard volume. FIG. 10b furthermore shows the first chamber 3 with an excited and, consequently, outwardly bent bending element, for which reason the volume of the first chamber 3 has increased; consequently, a negative pressure prevails in the pressure field generating arrangement 2. FIG. 10c shows a bending element of the first chamber 3 excited in the opposite direction to FIG. 10b, for which reason the volume of the first chamber 3 has decreased; consequently, a positive pressure prevails in the pressure field generating arrangement 2.

(50) FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the invention with a spatially separated arrangement of the chambers 3 and 4 of the pressure field generating arrangement 2. The chambers 3 and 4 are in this case connected via an extended connection element 5, which can be a relatively long flexible hose or a pipe, which may also be rigid. For example, the connection element 5 may be 0.5 m in length. This enables the housing 8 to be held in one hand while the other hand holds the second chamber 4 on the body part 11 to be stimulated; or the housing 8 may simply be laid aside, while the user holds only the second chamber 4 in both hands. Alternatively, the appendage 140 can be inserted into a body part, in which case it is no longer necessary for the stimulation device 1 to be held in the hand.

(51) FIGS. 12a) to 12f) show various bottom and side views of further aspects of the second chamber 4 of the present invention. In detail, FIG. 12a) shows a bottom view of a circular second chamber 4 with a central opening 51; FIG. 12b) shows a bottom view of a triangular second chamber 4 with a central opening 51; FIG. 12c) shows a bottom view of an oval second chamber 4 with a central opening 51; and FIG. 12d) shows a bottom view of an approximately eight-shaped second chamber 4 with two openings 51 arranged offset from the center. FIG. 12e) furthermore shows a side cross section of a second chamber 4 according to the invention, wherein the second chamber 4 additionally has an extended contact surface 43 for the skin or a support part 43 to improve the sealing function of the second chamber 4 on the skin. The extended contact surface 43 may moreover have grooves or projections that improve the sealing function even further. FIG. 12f) shows a side cross section of a second chamber 4 having a plurality of separate connection elements 5 and an extended contact surface resulting from the support part 43.

(52) The shape of the second chamber 4 can thus be fundamentally adjusted to the anatomy of the erogenous zone to be stimulated. The shape of the chamber 4 in FIG. 12a) is, for example, adjusted to the round shape of the breast, while the shape of chamber 4 in FIG. 12c) is better suited to the shape of the female vulva. Furthermore, the shape of the second chamber 4 also determines how pronounced the pressure field according to the invention is. The size of the second chamber 4 in relation to the volume displaced from the first chamber 3 thus determines the level of the achievable negative or positive pressure. Furthermore, the proximity of the opening 51 of the connection element 5 to the area of skin to be stimulated can also be used to determine the intensity of the massaging effect according to the invention on said area of skin. A plurality of openings 51, cf. FIG. 12d), allows the massaging effect to be distributed over a plurality of areas. Thus, for example, the clitoris can be stimulated less directly at the very sensitive clitoral glans (cf. FIG. 12e)) but more at the areas surrounding the clitoral glans, in order to prevent overstimulation of the clitoris.

(53) FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of an example of the functional construction of an embodiment of the present invention, having a control device 7, a drive unit 6, a light 9, an on/off switch 74, operating elements 71, a battery 76 and an external power supply 73.

(54) The control device 7, which for example has a microcontroller or is hardwired, initially controls the power supply to all the consumers of the stimulation device 1 and optionally controls a process of charging and discharging the battery 76 and/or battery management. En particular, the control device 7 controls the excitation of the drive unit 6, such as the size of the deflection, the frequency, the modulation, etc.

(55) Optionally provided operating elements 71 serve to set the mode of the device, i.e. to set the modulation pattern of the pressure field. The operating elements 71 may for example take the form of at least one push button, at least one rotary switch, or at least one touch-sensitive switch. Furthermore, the operating elements 71 may emit optical feedback for the purpose of confirmation, for example by means of light emitting diodes (LEDs) integrated in the switch.

(56) An optional display 72 serves to inform the user of the device state and/or the set condition. The display 72 may for example take the form of a plurality of light emitting diodes or an LCD display. The displayed information may for example be the charging condition of an optional battery, or the current setting of the modulation pattern.

(57) Furthermore, the control device 7 may have a memory in which at least one modulation or stimulation pattern (described in more detail in conjunction with FIGS. 14a) to d)) is stored. Excitation of the drive unit 6 can now be activated via the operating elements 71 in accordance with this previously stored stimulation pattern, depending on the choice made by the user of the stimulation device 1. The stimulation pattern of the pressure field can also be optionally and individually generated and stored by the user via the operating elements.

(58) A socket (not shown in detail) can serve to supply external power to the stimulation device 1 via an external plug that is for example connected to an external mains adapter. In order to ensure that the stimulation device 1 is splash-proof, it is also possible, instead of the socket, to provide an electromagnetically inductive transformer that allows power to be supplied to the stimulation device 1 without an electrically conductive contact. Preferably, the stimulation device 1 moreover has a battery, for example a nickel metal hydride battery (NiMH), for wireless operation. Alternatively, a (relatively long) power supply cable may lead out of the stimulation device.

(59) FIG. 14a) shows the sequence over time of overall pressure p in the pressure field generating arrangement (2) when the latter is used for stimulation. The broken line indicates the reference pressure, for example the currently prevailing atmospheric pressure, outside the pressure field generating arrangement (2). If the second chamber 4 is now placed on the body part 11 to be stimulated, the initially prevailing ambient pressure remains approximately constant in the pressure field generating arrangement (2). It is assumed that the second chamber 4 is placed on the body part to be stimulated such that it is largely air-tight. Once the stimulation device is activated, the drive unit 6 is activated or excited by the control device 7 in accordance with a previously stored stimulation pattern. Accordingly, the volume of the first chamber 3 and thus the overall pressure in the pressure field generating arrangement 2 are changed, with the changes in pressure being modulated onto the reference pressure. The pressure or stimulation pattern shown as an example in FIG. 14a) develops a pulsed, regular pressure field. In phases of pressure increase, air is blown against or massages the erogenous zone to be stimulated, whereas at times when a negative pressure prevails the blood circulation in the body part 11, for example the clitoris, is favored. Thus, there are time periods according to the invention (designated in FIG. 14a) as I)) in which a negative pressure prevails while the clitoris is simultaneously being indirectly massaged.

(60) FIG. 14b) shows three examples of alternative stimulation patterns. Thus, the area designated as II) shows a pulsed stimulation pattern of high amplitude. The area designated as III) shows a pulsed stimulation pattern of low amplitude. Furthermore, the area designated as IV) illustrates a stimulation pattern which is irregular as regards sequence over time and asymmetrical in amplitude. The patterns can be varied, depending on the effect on the body/application and in accordance with the wishes of the individual.

(61) FIG. 14c) shows a further example of an alternative stimulation pattern. Here, the intensity of the pressure may increase with time in order to adjust to the user's state of excitement.

(62) In addition to the embodiments that have been explained, the invention allows for further constructional principles. For example, different arrangements or constructions of the first chamber 3 may be combined as desired with different embodiments of the second chamber 5 or the connection element 5. For example, the first chamber 3 having the drive in FIG. 10 can be combined with the second chamber in FIG. 12f).

(63) Although only one first chamber 3 is shown in all embodiments, two or more first chambers 3 may also be provided, which are then driven accordingly simultaneously or with a time delay such that their volume is changed in order to build up a pressure field according to the invention.

(64) Although only one opening from the first chamber 3 to the connection element 5 is shown in all embodiments, a plurality of openings for a connection element 5 or indeed a plurality of openings for a plurality of connection elements 5 may also be provided in the first chamber 3.

(65) A stimulation device 1 can have a plurality of pressure field generating arrangements 2. Thus, for example, two pressure field generating arrangements may be provided in order to stimulate two erogenous zones simultaneously.

(66) The stimulation patterns according to the invention can differ from the patterns shows in FIGS. 14a), b) and c), provided they have a sequence of positive and negative pressures over time. For example, a relatively long-lasting negative pressure can initially be built up at the beginning or after activation of the device (for example 3 minutes), in order to effectively increase the blood circulation in the zone to be stimulated, after which pulses of negative and positive pressures of slowly increasing amplitude follow.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(67) 1 Stimulation device 2 Pressure field generating arrangement 3 First chamber 4 Second chamber 5 Connection element 6 Drive unit 7 Control device 8 Housing 9 Light 11 Body part 12 Clitoris 31 Wall of the first chamber 32 Holder 41 Wall of the second chamber 42 Opening of the first chamber 43 Contact surface 51 Opening from the connection element to the second chamber 61 Drive shaft 62 Cam 63 Piston 64 Bending element 71 Operating element 72 Display 73 Power supply 74 On/off switch 76 Battery 77 Control board 140 Appendage 141 Joint 142 Vibration device