DE202016104211U1 - Drive unit for a massage system and massage system with such a drive unit - Google Patents

Abstract

Drive unit (12) for a massage system (10), wherein the drive unit (12) is at least partially insertable into a massage body (14) of the massage system (10) and wherein the drive unit (12) comprises: a. An electric motor (72); b. An imbalance (76) driven directly or indirectly by the motor (72) to cause the drive unit (12) to vibrate; c. A housing (28) in which the motor (72) and the imbalance (76) are arranged; d. A first end plate (18) on the first end of the housing (28) viewed in the longitudinal direction of the housing (28); e. A lid (36) in the region of the longitudinal direction of the housing (28) considered second end of the housing (28), wherein the lid (36) has a second end plate (26) which is opposite to the first end plate (18); characterized in that the cover (36) has a cover thread (46) which engages with a housing thread (38) formed on the housing (28).

Description

• a) Einen elektrischen Motor;
• b) Eine mittelbar oder unmittelbar von dem Motor angetriebene Unwucht, um die Antriebseinheit zu Vibrationen anzuregen;
• c) Ein Gehäuse, in dem der Motor und die Unwucht angeordnet sind;
• d) Eine erste Endscheibe am in Längsrichtung des Gehäuses betrachteten ersten Ende des Gehäuses;
• e) Einen Deckel im Bereich des in Längsrichtung des Gehäuses betrachteten zweiten Ende des Gehäuses, wobei der Deckel eine zweite Endscheibe aufweist, die der ersten Endscheibe gegenüberliegt.

The invention relates to a drive unit for a massage system, wherein the drive unit is at least partially insertable into a massage body of the massage system and wherein the drive unit comprises:

• a) an electric motor;
• b) an imbalance driven directly or indirectly by the motor to cause the drive unit to vibrate;
• c) A housing in which the motor and the imbalance are arranged;
• d) a first end plate on the viewed in the longitudinal direction of the housing first end of the housing;
• e) A lid in the region of the viewed in the longitudinal direction of the housing second end of the housing, wherein the lid has a second end plate, which is opposite to the first end plate.

Such a drive unit is available on the market under the name "Blackroll Set Vyper". The known drive unit has operating elements for controlling the drive unit on both end disks. For disassembly and assembly of the known drive unit from or to the massage body, at least one end plate must be removed. When removing or mounting this end plate electrical lines must be disconnected or connected. As a result, the retrofitting or replacement of a drive unit for an end user or for an end user is difficult to handle.

Another generic drive unit is available on the market under the name "Power Roll". The power roll has electrical components on both end plates, as a result of which the known drive unit is only extensively exchangeable for an end customer or consumer.

Both aforementioned drive units furthermore have at least one end disk for mounting and dismounting the drive unit, which are connected to the housing by means of one or more screws. The axial length of the drive unit is fixed. As a result, the known drive units are not adaptable to different length massage body.

From the DE 20 2014 004 900 U1 and the DE 20 2014 004 901 U1 Drive units have become known which can be fastened in the manner of a bayonet lock in a massage roller.

Furthermore, arranged in massage bodies vibrating drive units from the US 2013/0281892 A1 . US 2005/0070827 A1 . US 2009/0176635 A1 . US 8,337,437 B2 . US 8,500,663 B2 and the US Pat. No. 8,556,837 B1 known.

Finally, the reveals US 2013/0267396 A1 a massage body in the form of a roll with different outer contours.

Object of the present invention is in contrast to provide a drive unit and a massage system with such a drive unit, wherein the drive unit can be easily assembled for a consumer to a massage body of the massage system and disassembled from the massage body despite the simplest constructive training.

This object is achieved by a drive unit having the features of claim 1 and by a massage system having the features of claim 16. The dependent claims indicate expedient developments.

The object according to the invention is thus achieved by a drive unit for a massage system. The drive unit can be arranged at least in sections on a massage body of the massage system. The drive unit includes an electric motor. The motor is directly or indirectly connected to an unbalance, the unbalance causing the drive unit to vibrate as the motor rotates. The motor and the imbalance are arranged in the housing. The housing is limited in its axial longitudinal extent by end plates. An end plate is part of a lid, which is in communication with the housing. The connection between the cover and the housing is effected by a cover thread in the lid, which engages in a housing thread of the housing.

The threaded connection between the cover and housing allows axial length adjustment of the distance between the two end plates. As a result, axially differently long massage body can be stretched between the two end plates. In other words, the drive unit according to the invention generally allows an axial length compensation and thus an adaptability to differently long massage body.

When installing the drive unit, the user only has to arrange the housing on the massage body and then screw the cover onto the housing until the massage body is at least partially clamped firmly by the two end disks. By engaging in the housing thread cover thread an axial length compensation of about 1 cm is preferably made possible.

In order to introduce the drive unit largely positively in a circular cross-section through-hole of the massage body, the housing is preferably cylindrical.

The drive unit can be supplied with voltage via an external power supply. For example, the drive unit can be supplied with voltage from an on-board voltage of a truck or automobile. Alternatively or additionally, the drive unit may comprise a battery and / or an accumulator. The drive unit particularly preferably has a rechargeable accumulator, so that the drive unit can be used in a particularly user-friendly and autonomous manner in a massage system.

The structural design of the drive unit according to the invention is further simplified when the cover thread is formed in the form of an internal thread and the housing thread in the form of an external thread.

More preferably, the housing is formed at least in two parts, wherein the housing has a housing base part and a housing cover part. The housing base part is preferably partially connected form-fitting manner with the housing cover part. Further preferably, the housing base part and the housing cover part are produced by an injection molding process.

In order to facilitate the assembly of the drive unit, the first end plate can be partially positively connected to the housing. The first end plate is more preferably part of a closure part, which is partially inserted between the housing base part and the housing cover part.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing base part in the region of the housing thread on at least one web. Furthermore, the housing cover part has at least one further web in the region of the housing thread. The at least one web of the housing base part and the at least one web of the housing cover part overlap at least partially when viewed in the assembled state of the housing in the longitudinal direction of the housing. The housing thread is thus made particularly solid and resilient.

More preferably, a plurality of webs are formed on the housing base part in the region of the housing thread and formed on the housing cover part in the region of the housing thread a plurality of further webs. The webs of the housing base part overlap in the mounted state of the housing at least partially with the webs of the housing cover part. As a result, the housing thread is further stabilized

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover thread and / or the housing thread is self-locking. The cover thread is difficult to unscrew from the housing thread. This avoids that the cover thread is released by the vibrating drive unit automatically from the housing thread. Further preferably, cover threads and / or housing threads each have two mutually offset threads to achieve the self-locking of the cover thread or housing thread.

In order to further simplify the assembly and disassembly of the drive unit for the end customer, the drive unit preferably has at least one operating element only at the first end disk and no operating element at the second end disk or is designed to be operator-free. As a result, no electrical connections must be closed or opened by the end user during assembly and disassembly of the drive unit to or from the massage body. For this reason, more preferably no fans are arranged on the end disks.

The drive unit should on the one hand easily be inserted into the massage body. On the other hand, the drive unit should be arranged rotationally fixed about its longitudinal axis in the massage body. According to the invention, therefore, a longitudinal web extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the housing is formed on the housing, in particular on the housing base part and / or on the housing cover part, which projects radially further in the axial center region of the housing than in the axial end regions of the housing. The longitudinal web is preferably formed in the form of a longitudinally extending arcuate elevation.

The housing preferably has a radial outer diameter of 45 mm to 52 mm or 8 mm to 12 mm. As a result, the drive unit is particularly effective for massaging purposes on the human body. The housing with a radial outer diameter of 45 mm to 52 mm can be used in a usable for back massages massage body in the form of a massage roller. The housing with a radial outer diameter of 8 mm to 12 mm can be used in a usable for limb massages massage body in the form of a massage roller.

In a further preferred embodiment of the drive unit, the imbalance on a fan surface for the axial movement of air in the drive unit. The fan area is at least partially formed obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the housing. The fan surface largely has an angle between 1 ° and 89 °, in particular between 5 ° and 85 °, preferably between 10 ° and 80 ° to the axial longitudinal direction of the housing. The imbalance thereby fulfills a dual function by on the one hand causes the drive unit to vibrate during rotation of the motor and on the other hand generates an axial air movement for cooling the motor.

In a drive unit with a housing, a motor and an imbalance, wherein the imbalance has a previously described fan surface for the axial movement of air, while an independent invention is seen. This independent invention can be combined as desired with all other features of the description.

More preferably, the drive unit has a motor control. The engine controller may be configured to control a periodic speed increase and / or periodic speed reduction of the engine. The drive unit is thereby designed to relax different muscle groups, which arises in high-frequency or low-frequency vibrations. The vibrations are preferably transmitted via a massage body to the muscle groups. The vibrations can become stronger and weaker undulating.

More preferably, the engine control is remotely controllable. For this purpose, the motor control can have a WLAN interface, a Bluetooth interface or another radio interface.

In order to adapt the engine speed to the individual needs of the end customer, the motor control is preferably designed for continuously variable speed control.

More preferably, the engine controller may have a time delay to power the engine following actuation of the engine control by a user only after a period of time determinable by the engine control. The time delay allows a relaxed and convenient positioning of the drive unit before the vibrations make positioning difficult.

Particularly preferably, the engine control system has an automatic shut-off function which switches off the engine after a time period which can be determined by the engine control. This prevents injuries due to too long applications.

The motor controller may include a first board and a second board, wherein the second board - to save space - can be arranged transversely to the first board. Particularly preferably, the second circuit board is arranged perpendicular to the first circuit board.

The drive unit can have a USB connection. The USB port is particularly preferably designed in the form of a micro USB port. Through the USB port, the motor control can be powered. More preferably, an accumulator of the drive unit can be charged by voltage received via the USB connection. Finally, the motor control can be programmable via the USB port. The USB connection is particularly preferably located at the interface of the second circuit board, which is arranged transversely, in particular perpendicular, to the first circuit board.

The object according to the invention is furthermore achieved by a massage system having a drive unit described above and a massage body.

The massage body is designed in particular in the form of a foam body. The foam body preferably has a roll shape or tubular shape. The inner tube diameter is preferably 45 mm to 52 mm or 8 mm to 12 mm. The massage body can furthermore be designed in the form of a tubular part or roller part. For example, the massage body may be in the form of a lumbar support. The massage body is preferably formed axially symmetrical to its longitudinal axis. He has in particular no longitudinal groove in its Innendurchgangsausnehmung. The massage body may have on its outside longitudinal grooves to improve the massage effect.

The massage body is particularly preferably formed from expanded polypropylene (EPP). As a result, the massage body is particularly thermally insulating and stable.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, from the claims and from the figures of the drawing, which shows essential to the invention details.

The features shown in the drawing are shown such that the features of the invention can be made clearly visible. The various features may be implemented individually for themselves or for a plurality of combinations in variants of the invention.

Show it:

1 A perspective view of a massage system with a drive unit;

2 A side view of the drive unit 1 ;

3 A perspective view of the drive unit 2 a housing, a termination part and a cover unscrewed from the housing;

4a A side view of the lid 3 ;

4b A cut side view of the lid 4a , wherein the section along the line AA according to 4a he follows;

5 A side view of the housing 3 , wherein a housing base part and a housing cover part in 5 are shown separated from each other;

6a A perspective view of the end part according to 3 and motor controller distanced therefrom;

6b A perspective view of the final part according to 6a with motor control inserted therein;

7a A side view of the drive unit according to 2 with removed housing cover part;

7b A plan view of the drive unit according to 7a ; and

8th A perspective view of the engine and coupled to the engine imbalance according to 7b ,

1 shows a massage system 10 with a drive unit 12 , The drive unit 12 is in a massage body 14 added. The massage body 14 is designed in the form of a massage roller or massage tube. The massage body 14 is cylindrical and has along its longitudinal axis 16 a through-hole of circular cross-section (not shown) into which the drive unit 12 is largely inserted.

The massage body 14 can on its lateral surface parallel to the centric longitudinal axis 16 extending grooves or grooves (not shown) to the massage effect of the massage body 14 to reinforce. The massage body 14 may alternatively be formed in the form of a seat part, for example, to represent a lumbar support in a motor vehicle seat to the embodiment shown.

The drive unit 12 has a first end plate 18 on, which at a first end face 20 of the massage body 14 is applied. At the first end disk 18 are operating elements 22 . 24 arranged or trained to the vibration frequency of the massage system 10 continuously increase and decrease. The energy supply of the massage system 10 via a USB port 25 ,

2 shows the drive unit 12 in a side view. Out 2 it can be seen that the first end disc 18 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 16 the drive unit 12 a second end plate 26 opposite. In the assembled state of the drive unit 12 is the massage body 14 (please refer 1 ) at its ends between the two end plates 18 . 26 clamped. To operate the drive unit 12 a rotation of the drive unit 12 around its longitudinal axis 16 To avoid, has a housing 28 the drive unit 12 longitudinal webs 30 . 32 on. Parallel to the longitudinal axis 16 viewed protrude the longitudinal webs 30 . 32 in the middle area of the housing 28 further radially in front, as in the end regions of the housing 28 , This is the case 28 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 16 easy in the massage body 14 (please refer. 1 ) and yet secured against radial rotations.

3 shows the opposite 2 turned drive unit 12 , Out 3 it can be seen that the first end disc 18 partially positive fit with the housing 28 connected is. The second end disk 26 is part of a lid 36 which is on a housing thread 38 is screwable. The housing thread 38 has two mutually offset external thread, so that the lid 36 self-locking on the housing thread 38 can be screwed on. In the direction of the longitudinal axis 16 can the lid 36 therefore more or less on the housing thread 38 be screwed on. This allows the axial distance of the end plates 18 . 26 be varied to the axial length of the drive unit 12 on the axial length of the mounting body 14 (please refer 1 ). In the end discs 18 . 26 are each ventilation passage recesses 40 . 42 trained, for reasons of clarity in 3 only one vent passage recess is provided with a reference numeral. The ventilation passage recesses 40 . 42 serve to cool the drive unit 12 ,

4a shows the lid 36 in a side view. Out 4a it can be seen that the lid 36 ventilation blades 44 of which in 4a only a first ventilation bar is provided with a reference numeral. The ventilation bars 44 displace the massage body 14 (please refer 1 ) around Lüftungsdurchgangsausnehmungen 40 (please refer 3 ) around the air circulation inside the massage body 14 (please refer 1 ) to ensure.

4b shows the lid 36 in a sectional view along the lines AA in 4a , 4b indicates that the lid 36 a lid thread 46 having. The cover thread 46 is designed in the form of an internal thread. It has two axially mutually offset thread formed to the self-locking of the threaded connection between the cover thread 46 and the housing thread 38 (please refer 3 ) to ensure.

5 shows the case 28 (see 3 ). The housing 28 has a housing base part 48 and a housing cover part 50 on. Housing base part 48 and housing cover part 50 are partially form-fitting connectable. In the area of the housing thread 38 has the housing base part 48 several bars 52 . 54 . 56 on. Furthermore, the housing cover part 50 in the area of the housing thread 38 several more bridges 58 . 60 . 62 on. The bridges 52 . 54 . 56 comb with the bars 58 . 60 . 62 , The housing thread 38 is therefore in the assembled state of the housing 28 formed approximately on a solid block, wherein the two housing halves of housing base part 48 and housing cover part 50 also in the area of the housing thread 38 are separable.

6a shows a final part 64 with the first end disc 18 , where the final part 64 partially form-fitting on the housing 28 (please refer 5 ) is mountable. In the final part 64 is a motor control 66 received.

6b shows the final part 64 with motor control inserted therein 66 , The engine control 66 has a first board 68 and a second board 70 on. To space in the final part 64 saving is the second board 70 perpendicular to the first board 68 arranged.

7a and 7b , which will be described together below, show the drive unit 12 without the housing cover part 50 (please refer 5 ). From the 7a and 7b it can be seen that the drive unit 12 an engine 72 having. The motor 72 is over a motor shaft 74 with an imbalance 76 , ie an eccentric connected. The motor shaft 74 is at warehouses 78 . 80 stored. Camps 78 . 80 are preferably designed in the form of ball bearings. A rotation of the engine 72 is via the motor shaft 74 on the imbalance 76 transferred so that the drive unit 12 radially vibrated. The imbalance 76 is axially largely centrally in the drive unit 12 arranged to provide even vibration of the drive unit 12 to create.

The power supply of the motor 72 via the engine control 66 , An accumulator 82 stores electrical energy to power the engine control 66 ,

8th shows the engine 72 with the motor shaft 74 and the imbalance 76 , The imbalance 76 has fan surfaces 84 . 86 on. The fan surfaces 84 . 86 are oblique to the longitudinal axis of the imbalance 76 educated. The longitudinal axis of the imbalance 76 coincides in the present case with the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft 74 , A radial rotation of the imbalance 76 thus causes on the one hand a vibration of the motor shaft 74 that relate to the drive unit 12 (please refer 1 ) and continue on the massage body 14 (please refer 1 ) transmits. On the other hand, the inclined fan surfaces cause 84 . 86 an axial flow of air from the engine 72 away or - depending on the direction of rotation of the motor shaft 74 - to the engine 72 out. In the 8th shown combination of imbalance 76 and engine 72 can be used in any drive unit.

Taking a synopsis of all the figures of the drawing, the invention relates in summary to a drive unit 12 for a massage body 14 , The drive unit 12 has a housing 28 with largely rotationally symmetrical, in particular cylindrical, shape, wherein the housing 28 through two end discs 18 . 26 is limited. The massage body 14 is at least partially between the end discs 18 . 26 clamped. This is an end plate 26 via a threaded connection with the housing 28 connected. At least a part of the case 28 trained housing thread 38 is preferably formed at least in two parts, wherein geometric shapes of the units that make up the radially inner part of the housing thread 38 composed, largely complemented form-fitting. An engine 72 the drive unit 12 is preferably with an imbalance 76 connected, with the imbalance 76 a fan of the drive unit 12 represents. A motor control 66 the drive unit 12 may be adapted to the speed of the motor 72 to vary periodically. Alternatively or additionally, the engine controller may be configured to start the engine 72 to delay. For cooling the engine 72 can at least one end disc 18 . 26 , in particular both end discs 18 . 26 at least one ventilation passage recess 40 . 42 exhibit. The invention further relates to a massage system 10 with a previously described drive unit 12 ,

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202014004900 U1 [0005]
• DE 202014004901 U1 [0005]
• US 2013/0281892 A1 [0006]
• US 2005/0070827 A1 [0006]
• US 2009/0176635 A1 [0006]
• US 8337437 B2 [0006]
• US 8500663 B2 [0006]
• US 8556837 B1 [0006]
• US 2013/0267396 A1 [0007]

Claims (17)

Drive unit ( 12 ) for a massage system ( 10 ), wherein the drive unit ( 12 ) at least partially into a massage body ( 14 ) of the massage system ( 10 ) is insertable and wherein the drive unit ( 12 ) Comprises: a. An electric motor ( 72 ); b. One directly or indirectly from the engine ( 72 ) driven unbalance ( 76 ) to the drive unit ( 12 ) to stimulate vibrations; c. A housing ( 28 ), in which the engine ( 72 ) and the imbalance ( 76 ) are arranged; d. A first end plate ( 18 ) in the longitudinal direction of the housing ( 28 ) considered first end of the housing ( 28 ); e. A lid ( 36 ) in the region of the longitudinal direction of the housing ( 28 ) considered second end of the housing ( 28 ), the lid ( 36 ) a second end plate ( 26 ), the first end plate ( 18 ) is opposite; characterized in that the lid ( 36 ) a cover thread ( 46 ) with one on the housing ( 28 ) formed housing thread ( 38 ) is engaged. Drive unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover thread ( 46 ) in the form of an internal thread and the housing thread ( 38 ) is formed in the form of an external thread. Drive unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing ( 28 ) a housing base part ( 48 ) and a housing cover part ( 50 ), wherein the housing base part ( 48 ), in particular partially positively, with the housing cover part ( 50 ) is connectable. Drive unit according to claim 3, characterized in that on the housing base part ( 48 ) in the region of the housing thread ( 38 ) a footbridge ( 52 . 54 . 56 ) is formed and on the housing cover part ( 50 ) in the region of the housing thread ( 38 ) another footbridge ( 58 . 60 . 62 ) is formed, wherein the webs ( 52 . 54 . 56 . 58 . 60 . 62 ) axially in the longitudinal direction of the housing ( 28 ) at least partially overlap. Drive unit according to claim 4, characterized in that on the housing base part ( 48 ) in the region of the housing thread ( 38 ) several webs ( 52 . 54 . 56 ) are formed and on the housing cover part ( 50 ) in the region of the housing thread ( 38 ) several further webs ( 58 . 60 . 62 ) formed with the webs ( 52 . 54 . 56 ) of the housing base part ( 48 ) axially in the longitudinal direction of the housing ( 28 ) at least partially overlap. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover thread ( 46 ) and / or the housing thread ( 38 ) is self-locking trained / are. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive unit ( 12 ) an operating element ( 22 . 24 ) for direct or indirect control of the engine ( 72 ), wherein the operating element ( 22 . 24 ) at the first end plate ( 18 ) is arranged and at the second end plate ( 26 ) no operating element is arranged. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing ( 28 ) one parallel to the centric longitudinal axis ( 16 ) of the housing ( 28 ) extending longitudinal ridge ( 30 . 32 ), which in the axial center region of the housing ( 28 ) is formed radially further projecting than in the axial end regions of the housing ( 28 ). Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing has a radial outer diameter between 45 mm and 52 mm. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the imbalance ( 76 ) a fan surface ( 84 . 86 ) for the axial movement of air in the drive unit ( 12 ), wherein the fan surface ( 84 . 86 ) at least in sections obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the housing ( 28 ) is trained. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive unit ( 12 ) an engine control ( 66 ), wherein the engine control ( 66 ) in particular for controlling a cyclic speed increase and / or cyclical speed reduction of the engine ( 72 ) is trained. Drive unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the engine control ( 66 ) has a time delay to the engine ( 72 ) after the control operation by a user, only after one by the engine control ( 66 ) supply voltage to be determined. Drive unit according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the engine control ( 66 ) a first board ( 68 ) and a second board ( 70 ), wherein the second board ( 70 ) transversely, in particular perpendicular, to the first board ( 68 ) is arranged. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive unit ( 12 ) a USB port ( 25 ), in particular in the form of a micro USB port, to the drive unit ( 12 ) with voltage. Drive unit, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for receiving a single cylindrical massage body ( 14 ), characterized in that the massage body ( 14 ) more than 80% of the axial length of the drive unit ( 12 ) and axially between a first end plate ( 18 ) and a second end plate ( 26 ) is arranged interchangeable tool-free. Massage system ( 10 ) with a drive unit ( 12 ) according to one of the preceding claims and a massage body ( 14 ), in particular in the form of a foam body. Massage system ( 10 ) according to claim 16, characterized in that the massage system ( 10 ) a single massage body ( 14 ) which axially between the first end plate ( 18 ) and the second end plate ( 26 ) is arranged interchangeable tool-free.

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