Abstract: A pneumatic massage apparatus making it possible to perform even more efficient drainage is provided. A pneumatic massage apparatus includes a massage device to be fitted to wrap around at least one of an arm or leg of a patient and having a plurality of air chambers disposed in series in a proximal direction from a distal position of the at least one of an arm and a leg toward the center of the patient's body, and a compressed air control unit configured to supply compressed air into the plurality of air chambers to pressurize them, and discharge compressed air from the plurality air chambers to depressurize them. The compressed air control unit is configured to depressurize the pressurized air chambers in such a manner that, of any pair of mutually adjacent air chambers, a proximal air chamber of the pair first starts to be depressurized, and then a distal air chamber of the pair starts to be depressurized.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve system for carrying out a compressed air supply to and evacuation from a plurality of air chambers of massage instruments of a pneumatic massage device includes a plurality of first electromagnetic valves each to be connected to a corresponding one of the air chambers; a second electromagnetic valve including a first aperture which communicates with external air; and a plurality of first check valves each within a header in an intermediate location between the second electromagnetic valve and a corresponding one of the air chambers with a connection tube therebetween, the first check valves allowing air to pass from the air chambers toward the second electromagnetic valve only when air pressure on a second electromagnetic valve side is lower than air pressure on an air chamber side.

Abstract: A pneumatic massage apparatus making it possible to perform even more efficient drainage is provided. The pneumatic massage apparatus includes a massage device to be fitted to wrap around at least one of an arm or leg of a patient and having a plurality of air chambers disposed in series in a proximal direction from a distal position of the at least one of an arm and a leg toward the center of the patient's body when the massage device is fitted around the at least one of a arm and a leg, and a compressed air control unit configured to supply compressed air into the plurality of air chambers to pressurize them, and discharge compressed air from the plurality air chambers to depressurize them. The compressed air control unit is configured to depressurize the pressurized air chambers in such a manner that, of any pair of mutually adjacent air chambers, a proximal air chamber of the pair first starts to be depressurized, and then a distal air chamber of the pair starts to be depressurized.

Abstract: Provided is an electromagnetic valve system for carrying out a compressed air supply to and evacuation from a plurality of air chambers of massage instruments of an air-type massage device, comprising: a plurality of first electromagnetic valves which are connected to each air chamber via supply tubes; a second electromagnetic valve further comprising a first aperture which communicates with external air; and a plurality of first check valves which are disposed within a header in an intermediate location between the second electromagnetic valve and each air chamber with a connection tube therebetween, and allow air to pass from the air chambers toward the second electromagnetic valve only when air pressure on the second electromagnetic valve side is lower than air pressure on the air chamber side.

Abstract: An electromagnetic reciprocating fluid device in which a movable member is equipped with permanent magnets, resists a torque rotating the movable member about an axis thereof in the reciprocating direction. The electromagnetic reciprocating fluid device has a pair of electromagnets facing each other, and permanent magnets disposed in a space between the opposed electromagnets and held by a movable member. When an alternating current is applied to coils formed in the electromagnets, a magnetic force is generated between the electromagnets and the permanent magnets, whereby a driving force for reciprocation is applied to the movable member. One end of the movable member is connected to a piston of a first piston-cylinder assembly, while the other end is connected to a piston of a second piston-cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A light-weight pneumatic massage apparatus with low operation noise is provided. This apparatus includes a pneumatic massage device and a pump separated from the massage device. The apparatus further includes electromagnetic valves for controlling supply and discharge of pressurized air to and from air chambers of the pneumatic massage device, respectively. Each of the electromagnetic valves includes a displaceable valve member having an armature, and a solenoid for attracting the armature to move the displaceable valve member when a voltage is applied to the solenoid. The apparatus further includes an electromagnetic valve control unit which controls a voltage supplied to the solenoid to open the electromagnetic valves such that the voltage increases from gradually with the passage of time. The armature is attracted onto the end surface of the solenoid within the time period. Then, in a state in which the voltage is reduced to, the armature is maintained attracted onto the solenoid to keep the open state.

Abstract: An electromagnetic reciprocating fluid device in which a movable member is equipped with permanent magnets, resists a torque rotating the movable member about an axis thereof in the reciprocating direction. The electromagnetic reciprocating fluid device has a pair of electromagnets facing each other, and permanent magnets disposed in a space between the opposed electromagnets and held by a movable member. When an alternating current is applied to coils formed in the electromagnets, a magnetic force is generated between the electromagnets and the permanent magnets, whereby a driving force for reciprocation is applied to the movable member. One end of the movable member is connected to a piston of a first piston-cylinder assembly, while the other end is connected to a piston of a second piston-cylinder assembly.

Abstract: An electromagnetic reciprocating fluid device in which a movable member is equipped with permanent magnets, resists a torque rotating the movable member about an axis thereof in the reciprocating direction. The electromagnetic reciprocating fluid device has a pair of electromagnets facing each other, and permanent magnets disposed in a space between the opposed electromagnets and held by a movable member. When an alternating current is applied to coils formed in the electromagnets, a magnetic force is generated between the electromagnets and the permanent magnets, whereby a driving force for reciprocation is applied to the movable member. One end of the movable member is connected to a piston of a first piston-cylinder assembly, while the other end is connected to a piston of a second piston-cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A magnetic armature is attracted and driven by a magnetic force which is intermittently generated between magnetic poles, and a piston reciprocated by being pushed back by a coil spring is not rotated by the coil spring. When the magnetic armature (28) as attracted between the magnetic pole members (10,12) by the magnetic force comes to a predetermined rotational angle position about the axis, the armature receives a rotational torque that is derived from the magnetic force and acts in a direction opposite to that of the rotational torque applied by a coil spring (30), thereby preventing the armature from being rotated in the predetermined direction. More specifically, the armature (28) has a circular cross-section as a whole and has a chamfered part (28?) parallel to the axis. When the chamfered part enters between the magnetic pole members, the armature receives a rotational torque that is derived from the magnetic force.

Abstract: An electromagnetic reciprocating fluid apparatus includes a magnetic circuit device in which magnetic pole members project inward from an annular magnetic circuit member so as to oppose each other. The magnetic pole members and the annular magnetic circuit member have a uniform thickness. First and second additional annular magnetic circuit members are set on both sides of the annular magnetic circuit member to constitute a part of the magnetic circuit device, thereby minimizing the increase in magnetic reluctance due to magnetic flux concentration at the joints between the magnetic pole members and the annular magnetic circuit member.

Abstract: A compact and lightweight electromagnetic valve with a check valve is provided. In the electromagnetic valve, a plunger 16 is moved toward an end wall 22 of a housing of the electromagnetic valve by applying a voltage to a solenoid 14. Then, an annular valve seat engaging portion 64 of a valve member 48 attached to the plunger is urged against a valve seat around a fluid outlet 26 formed in the end wall 22 while being elastically deformed, thereby closing the fluid outlet 26. At the same time, a valve pressing member 46 attached to the plunger is separated from a valve member 52 disposed at a fluid opening 24 of an end wall 20 of the housing. Thus, the valve member 52 disposed at the fluid inlet 24 of the housing functions as a check valve to allow pressurized air to flow in from a pump. In a case where a voltage is not applied to the solenoid 14, the plunger 16 is biased toward the fluid inlet by means of a compression spring 60.

Abstract: A high-efficiency magnetic reciprocating fluid device is provided. Magnetic pole members 10 and 12 having respective induction coils 16 and 18 fitted thereon are opposed to each other at the opposite sides of a magnetic armature 56 connected to one end of a piston that reciprocates in a cylinder. The magnetic armature 56 has an outer peripheral surface comprising arcuate side surfaces 56a designed to face mutually opposing surfaces 10a and 12a of the magnetic pole members 10 and 12 and plane surfaces 56b extending between the side surfaces 56a. Provision of the plane surfaces 56b makes it possible to increase the spacing between the side surfaces 56a, which face the magnetic pole members, without increasing the weight of the armature in comparison to a circular columnar magnetic armature and hence possible to increase the spacing between the magnetic pole members. Accordingly, induction coils reduced in copper loss by increasing the amount of copper used therefor can be fitted onto the magnetic pole members.

Abstract: A light-weight pneumatic massage apparatus with low operation noise is provided. This apparatus includes a pneumatic massage device (12) and a pump (142) separated from the massage device. The apparatus further includes electromagnetic valves (20, 96) for controlling supply and discharge of pressurized air to and from air chambers (16A to 16H) of the pneumatic massage device (12), respectively. Each of the electromagnetic valves includes a displaceable valve member (46) having an armature (74), and a solenoid (44) for attracting the armature to move the displaceable valve member when a voltage is applied to the solenoid. The apparatus further includes an electromagnetic valve control unit (150) which controls a voltage supplied to the solenoid to open the electromagnetic valves such that the voltage increases from V1 to V2 gradually with the passage of time T1. The armature is attracted onto the end surface of the solenoid within the time period T1.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention, in an electromagnetic reciprocating fluid device in which a movable member is equipped with permanent magnets, to resist a torque rotating the movable member about an axis thereof in the reciprocating direction. The electromagnetic reciprocating fluid device has a pair of electromagnets 28, 28? facing each other, and permanent magnets 26, 26? disposed in a space between the opposed electromagnets and held by a movable member 27. When an alternating current is applied to coils 34 formed in the electromagnets, a magnetic force is generated between the electromagnets and the permanent magnets, whereby a driving force for reciprocation is applied to the movable member. One end of the movable member is connected to a piston 18 of a first piston-cylinder assembly 12, while the other end is connected to a piston 18? of a second piston-cylinder assembly 12?.

Abstract: A pneumatic body treating device 12 of a pneumatic body treating apparatus includes a plurality of airtight chambers 16, 18, 20, and 22 to and from which pressurized air is supplied and discharged, a hose 21 having a connecting end connectable to a pressurized air source 148 of a pneumatic body treating apparatus body 14, and a plurality of electromagnetic valves 24, 26, 28, and 30 which are connected between the hose and the airtight chambers 16, 18, 20, and 22, respectively, and which supply pressurized air from the hose 21 to the corresponding airtight chambers and discharge the pressurized air from the corresponding airtight chambers. With this arrangement, it is possible to reduce the number of connecting hoses for supplying pressurized air to the pneumatic body treating device which, when used, is worn around the upper limbs and the lower limbs.

Abstract: A magnetic armature is attracted and driven by a magnetic force which is intermittently generated between magnetic poles, and a piston reciprocated by being pushed back by a coil spring is not rotated by the coil spring. When the magnetic armature (28) as attracted between the magnetic pole members (10,12) by the magnetic force comes to a predetermined rotational angle position about the axis, the armature receives a rotational torque that is derived from the magnetic force and acts in a direction opposite to that of the rotational torque applied by a coil spring (30), thereby preventing the armature from being rotated in the predetermined direction. More specifically, the armature (28) has a circular cross-section as a whole and has a chamfered part (28?) parallel to the axis. When the chamfered part enters between the magnetic pole members, the armature receives a rotational torque that is derived from the magnetic force.

Abstract: An electromagnetic reciprocating fluid apparatus includes a magnetic circuit device in which magnetic pole members project inward from an annular magnetic circuit member so as to oppose each other. The magnetic pole members and the annular magnetic circuit member have a uniform thickness. First and second additional annular magnetic circuit members are set on both sides of the annular magnetic circuit member to constitute a part of the magnetic circuit device, thereby minimizing the increase in magnetic reluctance due to magnetic flux concentration at the joints between the magnetic pole members and the annular magnetic circuit member.

Abstract: A compact air massage system is provided which enables the user to receive a comfortable feeling of massage on each part of the limbs. The system includes massage bodies having a plurality of air-tight chambers, a compressed air supply source supplying compressed air to the massage body, and a compressed air distribution apparatus arranged between the compressed air supply source and the massage body and having a plurality of switching valves each allowing the respective air-tight chambers to communicate with one of the compressed air supply source and an outer atmosphere. The system further includes a controller controlling the respective switching valves to allow the respective chambers to be expanded or contracted and check valves each arranged between the compressed air supply source and the switching valve and openable from the compressed air supply source toward the direction of the switching valve, by which it is possible to individually adjust pressure in the respective chambers.

Abstract: An electromagnetic compressor capable of reciprocating a piston to suck in and compress a gas by the force of an electromagnet and the resilient force of a return spring and a manufacturing method therefor are provided. The compressor includes a cylinder assembly including a front cylinder portion, a rear cylinder portion, and a center hole capable of storing the piston for reciprocation and having a working chamber defined by means of the piston, and an electromagnet located between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion and capable of actuating the piston. The cylinder assembly and the electromagnet have an integral structure molded from a resin in a manner such that the internal passage is hermetically sealed with respect to the electromagnet and the electrically conductive member.

Abstract: An electromagnetic compressor capable of reciprocating a piston to suck in and compress a gas by the force of an electromagnet and the resilient force of a return spring and a manufacturing method therefor are provided. The compressor comprises a cylinder assembly including a front cylinder portion, a rear cylinder portion, and a center hole capable of storing the piston for reciprocation and having a working chamber defined by means of the piston, and an electromagnet located between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion and capable of actuating the piston. The cylinder assembly and the electromagnet have an integral structure molded from a resin in a manner such that the internal passage is hermetically sealed with respect to the electromagnet and the electrically conductive member.