Vibrator system and vibrotherapeutic device using the same

• US 5,050,587 A
• Filed: 07/08/1988
• Issued: 09/24/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Fukoku, Kabushiki Kaisha Hayashibara Seibutsu Kaguku Kenkyujo
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Fukoku, Kabushiki Kaisha Hayashibara Seibutsu Kaguku Kenkyujo
• Inventors: Sagara, Shinji, Endo, Youichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US07/216,560
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 128/24 R, 128/24 A, 128/24.2, 128/24.4, 128/24.5, 128/32, 128/41, 128/33, 128/38, 128/39, 128/48-55, 128/64, 128/67, 128/36, 128/660.01, 128/660.03, 310/323, 310/366, 310/116
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0245 with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/14 Drive circuits; Control arrangements or methods
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/142 Small signal circuits; Means for controlling position or derived quantities, e.g. speed, torque, starting, stopping, reversing
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/163 Motors with ring stator

Abstract

Disclosed is a novel vibrator system which comprises an ultrasonic motor; a driver circuit which supplies a forwardly-rotatory and reversely-rotatory signals to the ultrasonic motor; and a switching control circuit wich alternately switch the signals. The vibrator system attains a high energy efficiency even when miniaturized, as well as normally working without causing a large operation noise when loaded. The vibrotherapeutic device wherein the vibrator system is assembled can be advantageously used to massage human body.

Claims

1. A vibrator system, comprising:

an ultrasonic motor comprising a stator, an electrode divided into at least two sections, and a rotator having an output shaft, said rotator being placed in parallel to said electrode;

a driver circuit which supplies forwardly rotary and reversely-rotatory signals to each section of said electrode; and

a switching control circuit which alternately switches the signals so that each section of said electrode alternately receives the forwardly-rotatory and reversely-rotatory signals,

whereby a vibration is generated at the output shaft of said ultrasonic motor.

2. The vibrator system of claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic motor is of travelling wave type.

3. The vibrator system of claim 1, wherein said driver circuit comprises:

a high-frequency voltage source connected with one section of the electrode;

a phase converter circuit through which a second section of said electrode is connected with said high-frequency voltage source; and

an antiphase converter circuit through which the second section of said electrode is connected with the high-frequency voltage source.

4. The vibrator system of claim 1, wherein said switching control circuit comprises a forward and reverse switching circuit.

5. The vibrator system of claim 4, wherein a pulse signal from an oscillator is inputted to the forward and reverse switching circuit.

6. The vibrator system of claim 1, wherein said switching control circuit comprises a phase control circuit.

7. The vibrator system of claim 1, wherein one end of said arm member is fixed to said output shaft and the other end of the arm member is attached to a vibratile plate while supporting the latter end with an elastic member.

8. The vibrator system of claim 1, wherein an inertial member is attached to the output shaft, while a cover member which covers the inertial member is attached to a case of the ultrasonic motor through a damping member.

9. The vibrator system of claim 1, wherein a diaphragm is attached to the output shaft, while the peripheral edge of the diaphragm is fixed to a supporting plate attached to a case of the ultrasonic motor.

10. The vibrator system of claim 1, which additionally contains an inertial disc attached to the output shaft, and a diaphragm whose center and peripheral part are fixed respectively to the output shaft and a case of the ultrasonic motor.

11. The vibrator system of claim 10, wherein an elastic member is interposed between the output shaft, and the inertial disc and the diaphragm.

12. The vibrator system of claim 10, wherein the bottom surface of the diaphragm is in contact with the inertial disc.

13. The vibrator system of claim 1, which is assembled in a member selected form the group consisting of mat, belt and helmet, and wherein a subject'"'"'s body is vibro-stimulated through an elastic member.

14. The vibrator system of claim 1, which contains a vibratile plate and a tubular path filled with a fluid so that a vibration generated at the output shaft is communicated to the vibratile plate through the tubular path.

15. The vibrator system of claim 1, wherein the frequency of the vibration is in the range of 10-150 hertz.

16. The vibrator system of claim 1, wherein the vibration possesses a pulse waveform.