STIMULATION DEVICE WITH CHANGE OF SHAPE USING SHAPE-MEMORY ELEMENT

Abstract

A stimulation device includes a base body, and a contact element attached on or in the base body, for contact with a body part of the user. The contact element has a reversibly deformable contact surface region. A shaping element, to generate a local deformation of the contact element without deforming the base body, is arranged on or in the base body to move in relation to the base body. An actuation device is arranged on or in the base body and operatively connected to the shaping element to generate movement of the shaping element. The actuation device comprises a shape-memory element that can be deformed by applying an electrical current and/or a magnetic field and/or by changing the temperature, and is connected to the base body on one side and to the shaping element on the other side, and, by deforming, causes a movement of the shaping element.

Claims

1. A stimulation device, comprising: a base body, and a contact element which is mounted on or in the base body, for contact with a body part of a user and having at least one reversibly deformable contact surface region, wherein at least one shaping element to generate a local deformation of the contact element without deforming the base body, is arranged on or in the base body so as to be movable in relation to the base body, and at least one actuator is arranged on or in the base body and is operatively connected to the at least one shaping element in order to generate a movement of the at least one shaping element, which actuator comprises at least one shape-memory element deformable by application of an electric current and/or of a magnetic field and/or by change of temperature, which shape-memory element is connected at one end to the base body and at the other end to the at least one shaping element and, by deformation, causes a movement of the at least one shaping element.

2. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one shaping element is movable to and fro between a first position and a second position, wherein the at least one shaping element, in the first position, does not deform the contact surface region and, in the second position, does deform the contact surface region.

3. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one shaping element is movable to and fro between a first position and a second position, wherein the at least one shaping element deforms the contact surface region in the first position and the second position, such that the deformation moves across the contact surface region during the movement of the at least one shaping element.

4. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator has at least one restoring element which counteracts the movement of the at least one shaping element or an extension of the at least one shape-memory element.

5. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator has a transmission means connected in a force-transmitting manner to the at least one shape-memory element and to the at least one shaping element.

6. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the transmission means has at least one lever and/or at least one scissor mechanism and/or at least one crank disk and/or at least one guide element.

7. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one shaping element comprises at least two shaping elements operatively connected to each other.

8. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one shape-memory element comprises two shape-memory elements with opposite directions of action operatively connected to the at least one or more shaping elements.

9. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base body comprises at least one first housing part, which receives the at least one shape-memory elements, and a second housing part which comprises the at least one shaping element, which is connected movably to the at least one first first housing part.

10. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact element for contact with a body part of a user comprises a rubber-elastic sleeve which encloses at least the base body and the at least one shaping elements.

11. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one energy reservoir for storing electrical energy arranged on or in the base body.

12. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the energy reservoir comprises at least one rechargeable accumulator.

13. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one receiver coil for contactless supply of electrical energy arranged on or in the base body.

14. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control unit, for influencing the movement of the at least one shaping element, arranged on or in the base body and electrically connected to the at least one shape-memory elements and/or to an electromagnet and/or to a heater.

15. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the control unit configured to periodically drive the at least one shape-memory elements in a frequency range of 5 Hz or less, preferably 3 Hz or less, in particular 1 Hz or less.

16. The stimulation device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one operating element for setting a frequency and/or strain amplitude of at least one shape-memory element.

17. The stimulation device as claimed in 15, wherein the frequency range comprises 3 Hz or less.

18. The stimulation device as claimed in 15, wherein the frequency range comprises 1 Hz or less.

Description

[0050] Illustrative embodiments of proposed stimulation devices are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures in the drawings, in which:

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a stimulation device according to a first illustrative embodiment;

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a stimulation device according to a second illustrative embodiment;

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a stimulation device according to a third illustrative embodiment;

[0054] FIG. 4 shows a stimulation device according to a fourth illustrative embodiment;

[0055] FIG. 5 shows a stimulation device according to a fifth illustrative embodiment;

[0056] FIG. 6 shows six illustrative embodiments of various other proposed mechanisms of action.

[0057] Each of FIGS. 1 to 4 shows a schematic longitudinal section through an example of a stimulation device according to various illustrative embodiments. In all of the cases shown, a contact element intended for contact with a body part of a user is arranged on an outer face of a rod-shaped housing. However, the principles and mechanisms depicted are likewise applicable in illustrative embodiments which have another form, for example stimulation devices with a hollow cylindrical housing or base body in which a contact element intended for contact with a body part of a user forms an inner surface of the hollow cylinder.

[0058] In the illustrative embodiments shown, a contact element 5 is in each case designed as an elastic outer sleeve made of silicone. The contact element 5 encloses a base body 1 formed from two first housing parts 3. In each of the illustrative embodiments according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a shaping element 2 is arranged movably on the base body 1 and is at the same time designed as a second housing part 4. In the illustrative embodiment according to FIG. 3, two shaping elements 2 are arranged movably on the base body 1 and are each designed at the same time as a second housing part 4. The first housing parts 3 and the one or more second housing parts 4 together define the basic shape of the stimulation device, which is delimited to the outside by the contact element 5.

[0059] A shape-memory element 7 is in each case arranged in the interior of the stimulation device and, in the illustrative embodiments shown, is designed as a tensioned wire made of shape-memory alloy and is guided by guide elements 12. The shape-memory element 7 is in each case arranged in the base body 1 and is operatively connected at one end to a first housing part 3 and at the other end to the shaping element 2 or, in the illustrative embodiment according to FIG. 3, to the two shaping elements. In the starting state, the shape-memory element 7 is subject to tensile loading by a restoring element 8 which, in the illustrative embodiments, is designed as a compression spring.

[0060] The shape-memory element 7 is electrically connected to an energy reservoir 13 which, in the illustrative embodiments, is in each case designed as a rechargeable accumulator, and to a control unit 14, such that a flow of current through the shape-memory element can be generated, wherein the electrical connection is shown highly schematically. The control unit 14 can be operated by the user via one or more buttons, for example.

[0061] As soon as current flows through the shape-memory element 7, the latter draws together counter to the applied tensile stress. As soon as there is no longer any current flowing through, the restoring element 8 pulls the shape-memory element 7 back to the starting length. By suitable programming of the control unit 14, the shape-memory element 7 can be actuated in a pulsed manner and thus generates a pulsating movement of the one or more shaping elements 2, which thereby cause a deformation of a reversibly deformable contact surface region 6 of the contact element 5.

[0062] To produce the operative connection between the shape-memory element 7 and the one or more shaping elements 2, transmission means are formed by levers 9 in the illustrative embodiments. In the illustrative embodiment according to FIG. 3, a crank disk 11 assumes the function of the lever. In the illustrative embodiments, levers 9, which are component parts of the respective guides, are guided in guide elements 12.

[0063] In the illustrative embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shaping elements 2 each have a dome shape and are linearly movable by alternate lengthening and shortening of the shape-memory element 7. By contrast, the shaping elements 2 in the illustrative embodiments in FIGS. 3 and 4 are mounted on a first housing part 3 in an articulated manner and are pivotable about the articulated bearing, as a result of which a deformation of the deformable contact surface region 6 of the contact element 5 is obtained.

[0064] In the illustrative embodiment according to FIG. 5, a shaping element 2 is arranged in an articulated manner in a base body 1 formed from two first housing parts 3. The contact element 5 does not cover the whole stimulation device, but only the areas that are not closed by first housing parts 3. The shaping element 2 is operatively connected to a restoring element 8 in the form of a compression spring. A shape-memory element is connected at one end to a first housing part 3 and at its other end directly to the shaping element 2. An electrical actuation of the shape-memory element 7 causes a pivoting movement of the shaping element 2, as a result of which the deformable contact surface region 6 of the contact element is locally deformed.

[0065] FIG. 6 shows six illustrative embodiments of various other mechanisms of action that are proposed by the invention. These are extremely schematic depictions which do not show all the features of the respective stimulation device, since they are merely intended to illustrate how a stimulation device according to the invention can be designed.

[0066] In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the deformation is effected in the simplest way by a pivot lever, which locally deforms the contact element 5. In the case of FIG. 6A, the lever 9 is moved from the bottom upward when the shape-memory element 7 is actuated. In the case of FIG. 6B, the lever 9 is moved from the top downward when the shape-memory element 7 is actuated. This corresponds to the principle of action of the illustrative embodiment in FIG. 5. In specific embodiments, for example, the lever 9 itself can at the same time be the shaping element 2.

[0067] In the illustrative embodiments in FIGS. 6C and 6D, a deformation of the contact element 5 is achieved by two or more levers 9 which, for example, can be distributed about the circumference of the stimulation device. In the case of FIG. 6C, the shape-memory element 7 is connected at the highest point to the contact element 5. If the free ends of the levers 9 are also connected to the contact element, the levers 9 spread open when the shape-memory element 7 shortens, such that the contact element 5 is deformed. In the case of FIG. 6D, four levers are connected to one another in the manner of a scissor mechanism 10 and are guided in the horizontal direction in guide elements 12, such that a shortening of the shape-memory element 7 causes an outward movement of the connection points of the levers, and this in turn leads to a deformation of the contact element 5.

[0068] In the illustrative embodiments in FIGS. 6E and 6F, a deformation of the contact element 5 is effected or moved equally at several points. The illustrative embodiment according to FIG. 6E is similar to that of FIG. 6C, except that in this case two pairs or groups of levers 9 are present, which are operatively connected to the same shape-memory element 7 and are operated by the latter in the same direction. By contrast, the illustrative embodiment according to FIG. 6F is an example of a stimulation device that has several pairs or groups of levers 9 which are operatively connected to one and the same shape-memory element 7 and are each connected to a shaping element 2, wherein each shaping element 2 permanently causes a deformation of the contact element 5. An actuation of the shape-memory element 7 in this case causes a movement of the shaping elements 2 along the longitudinal axis of the stimulation device and, consequently, a movement of the deformations that are generated.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0069] 1 base body

[0070] 2 shaping element

[0071] 3 first housing part

[0072] 4 second housing part

[0073] 5 contact element

[0074] 6 deformable contact surface region

[0075] 7 shape-memory element

[0076] 8 restoring element

[0077] 9 lever

[0078] 10 scissor mechanism

[0079] 11 crank disk

[0080] 12 guide element

[0081] 13 energy reservoir

[0082] 14 control unit