JPH04343846A - Chair type massager - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a chair type massager which makes no error in detecting a portion to be massaged due to differences in the way of sitting, sex and age. CONSTITUTION:At a step 130 a microcomputer transmits outputs to a load- controlling reference value generating circuit so that distortion of an arm is caused by a fixed amount. At a step 131 the arm is returned to its lower limit position prior to sensing of load changes from the lower to the upper sides. At a step 1312 a pushing motor is stopped at an angle whereby the amount of distortion designated at the step 130 is obtained, and rotation of a motor for vertical motion is started in the upward direction. At a step 133 it is determined whether or not load sensing from the lower to the upper sides is completed. At a step 134 pulse input from a vertical motion detecting switch is monitored. At a step 135 an increment in the indicated value of a position counter indicating positions in the vertical direction is caused on the basis of the pulse of the step 134.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a chair-type massage machine, and more particularly to a chair-type massage machine equipped with a pressing force detection means for detecting the pressing force of rollers on a massage area.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of chair-type massage machine is known to detect the shoulder position (part) of a user (massage recipient) seated on a chair of the massage machine. In other words, the positions of the shoulders, back, and hips of the human body have a certain ratio to each other, and if we can recognize the position of the shoulders, we can also derive the positions of the hips from the above ratio. A chair-type massage machine that attempts to detect the problem is known. In such a massage machine, the position of the shoulder is detected, and other areas to be massaged, such as the waist, are automatically shifted and determined in accordance with the change in position.

[0003] Another chair-type massage machine is known that detects the massaged area of a person seated on the chair of the massage machine by dividing it into three areas: upper, middle, and lower.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, although the former chair-type massage machine can accurately detect the position of the shoulder, it has the following problems. In other words, for example, even if the same person is being massaged, if the way they sit is different (if they sit deeply, their shoulders will be higher, if they sit shallowly, their shoulders will be lower), the position of their shoulders will be different. . Therefore, each massage area is detected differently, and there is a risk that the massage recipient will receive an unpleasant massage. Also, if you want to input the positional relationship between shoulders and hips by gender, age, race, etc., you will need input devices, storage devices, etc.
This was a cause of high costs.

On the other hand, the latter type of chair-type massage machine detects the massaging area of the person to be massaged by roughly dividing it into three parts, so the position detection of each area is inaccurate, and it is difficult for the user. There was the problem of receiving an uncomfortable massage.

[0006] This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and there is no error in detecting the massage area due to the way the user sits, there is no error in detecting the massage area due to sex, age, race, etc. To provide a chair-type massage machine capable of obtaining appropriate massage effects.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Effects] The present invention provides a chair on which a person to be massaged sits, a massage roller provided on the backrest of the chair so as to be movable up and down, and a massage area of the roller. and a control section that controls the pressing force of the roller based on the detection result of the pressing force detecting means. Scan from the lower limit to the upper limit of the movement, and from the resulting pressing force curve,
This chair-type massage machine is equipped with part detection means capable of detecting massage parts of the shoulders, back, and waist.

That is, the chair-type massage machine of the present invention is provided with a specific part detection means, and the part detection means scans the roller from the lower limit to the upper limit of its movable position along the massage recipient sitting on the chair. The gist of this method is to detect the massaged areas of the massage recipient's neck, shoulders, back, and waist from the resulting pressing force curves. The aim is to eliminate errors in detecting the massage area due to the way the user sits, as well as errors in detecting the massage area due to sex, age, race, etc., in order to obtain an appropriate massage effect.

Here, the pressing force curve may be determined by keeping the pressing force constant or by keeping the angle of the roller arm that supports the roller movably up and down constant.

[0010] It is more preferable that the detection of the massaged area by the area detection means is carried out, for example, as follows, prior to performing the massage. That is, when the person to be massaged sits on the chair and leans against the backrest, the main switch is turned on. Then, the region detection lamp in the display unit lights up, and detection of the massage region is started. After confirming that the lamp goes out and detection is complete, enter your preferred massage method. In this way, the initial operation of the massage is to detect the massage area,
Perform an appropriate massage according to the area. Note that even if the massage method is input immediately after the main switch is turned on, it is possible to set the system so that the massage operation is always performed after detecting the body part.

[0011] It is more preferable that this chair-type massage machine is provided with input storage means for inputting and storing a plurality of pieces of information detected by the body part detection means. In that case,
A person who has performed body part detection once (a person being massaged using this massage machine) registers the body part using a symbol or the like on the display in the display operation unit. The next time this person receives a massage, they press the call button and check their own symbol on the display. Then, by calling up your detection information and inputting the massage method, you can perform a massage without any detection operation.

[0012] It is preferable that the pressing force detection means of this chair-type massage machine is equipped with a specific strain gauge. This strain gauge is provided on a roller arm that allows the roller to be moved up and down by a motor, and detects the pressing force of the roller on the massage area. Moreover, it is preferable to adopt the shape of a beam type load cell widely used in small commercial scales (1 kgf to 100 kgf) and the like for the roller arm. The roller pressing force of chair massage machines is usually 0 to 50 kgf.
Therefore, if a beam type load cell is used, it becomes possible to control the pressing force at low cost and with high precision.

[0013] This chair-type massage machine is equipped with an input means that can continuously vary the massage part or massage area, and the variable range is automatically changed from the massage part obtained by the part detection means. preferable. With this configuration, it is possible to continuously specify the part to be massaged (for example, the shoulder) or the area to be massaged (for example, from where to where on the shoulder) based on the detection result detected by the part detection means, and
The specified range can be changed automatically. For example, by simply adjusting the display to match an easy-to-understand indication such as "shoulder," you can specify a massage for the "shoulder" area that matches the body shape of the massage recipient. This makes the device easy to use for a wide range of massage recipients.

[0014] It is preferable that this chair-type massage machine is provided with input means for specifying a massage area and inputting the massage area and massage intensity to the specified area. With this configuration, a massage pattern specific to the massage recipient can be obtained by inputting the massage area and massage intensity. For example, a ``pain button'' may be provided to indicate on the display the location where massage therapy is desired. Then, the massage area and massage intensity are input based on the display. Comfortable treatment can be achieved by intensively massaging the area you want to receive massage treatment using the ``Pain Button'' with an appropriate intensity.

[0015] Furthermore, in this chair-type massage machine,
There are cases where it is desired to arrange a plurality of transducers (vibration generating elements) in the backrest of a chair, and activate those transducers to vibrate the body when listening to music while sitting on the chair. In such a case, it is recommended to provide a control unit that controls the operation of the transducer that corresponds to the part that is not desired to be vibrated, such as the back side of the stomach, among the massage parts detected by the above-mentioned part detection means. preferable.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that this invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of the interior of the chair-type massage machine A seen from the back. In FIG. 1, the rotation of a motor 1 located at the lowest position inside the backrest of a chair in a chair-type massage machine A is slowed down by a pulley and a belt 2 and transmitted to a screw shaft 3. The lifting unit 4 and the screw shaft 3 are fixed to the lifting unit 4 and have an internally threaded member 5a.
5b. The lifting unit 4 is attached to guide rails on both sides of the chair by guide rollers 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d. Then, by forward and reverse rotation of the screw shaft 3, it moves up and down along the guide rail.

As the elevating unit 4 continues to ascend, it reaches the upper limit switch 7a, and as it continues to descend, it reaches the lower limit switch 7b. Further, the vertical position can be recognized by detecting a pulse from the magnetic reed switch 8 for detecting vertical movement. Every time the screw shaft 3 rotates once,
A magnet 9 attached to the screw shaft 3 passes in front of the reed switch 8, and a pulse is generated.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the roller drive mechanism arranged inside the elevating unit 4. As shown in FIG. Inside the lifting unit 4, the rotation of the motor 10 is controlled by a pulley 11, a belt 12,
The speed is increased by the pulley 13 and transmitted to the worm shaft 14. A roller arm 1 is attached to a shaft 15 fixed to the lifting unit 4.
6 and a worm wheel 17 are screwed together. The worm wheel 17 is fan-shaped, and rotation from the worm shaft 14 is transmitted thereto. The upper end of the roller arm 16 has a shaft 1
8, a pair of left and right massage rollers 19a, 19
b is attached.

When the worm wheel 17 rotates in one direction, the rollers 19a and 19b rotate obliquely upward about the shaft 15 (in the direction away from the person being massaged). When the worm wheel 17 rotates in the other direction, the rollers 19a and 19b rotate obliquely downward about the shaft 15 (toward the massage recipient). The range of such movement is limited by the worm wheel 17 hitting the limit switches 20a and 20b. Further, the angle of movement can be determined by obtaining rotation pulses of the worm shaft 14 using the push/pull movement detection switch 21. Worm shaft 1
Each time the worm 4 rotates once, the magnet 22 attached to the worm shaft 14 passes in front of the switch 21, and a pulse is generated.

The roller arm 16 has the shape of a beam-type load cell that is widely used in commercial small and lightweight equipment. That is, a beam-type load cell is used in which two circular holes are formed in a rectangular flat plate and these circular holes are connected by a slit. And strain gauges R1 to R4
The pressing force of the roller arm 16 is detected from the bridge circuit. The bridge circuit is shown in FIG.

The electrical configuration will be explained block by block with reference to FIG. Broadly speaking, the configuration can be divided into the microcomputer section,
There are four blocks: a display operation unit section, an upper/lower motor control section, and a press motor control section. The constituent parts of each block will be explained below.

Microcomputer section The microcomputer section consists of a one-chip microcomputer 101 and peripheral circuits (not shown) such as a reset circuit, and is the brain section that performs all controls after power is turned on. Interface processing with input from the user (massage recipient), massage operation sequence, etc. are stored in internal memory, and surrounding input/output devices are controlled according to each situation.

Display operation unit The display operation unit 102 has an operation section through which the user inputs various commands including starting and ending massage, and checks the operation status of the operation section to confirm the status of the massage machine. It consists of a display section for The operation unit has a changeover switch for switching the operation mode, a start/stop switch, and means for setting the massage position, area, and intensity. When these operations are performed, the one-chip microcomputer 101 returns display information according to the operations. The user inputs the next command while checking this displayed information.

Upper/lower motor control section upper/lower limit switch 7, upper/lower motor control circuit 10
4 and magnetic reed switch 8 for detecting up/down movement
Consisting of The upper and lower limit switches 7 (7a and 7b) are arranged at the upper and lower limits of the vertical movable range of the elevating unit 4, respectively. These switches 7 have the function of preventing vertical movement beyond the movable range and of resetting the vertical position when the power is turned on. That is, when the power is turned on, either the upper or lower limit switch 7 is searched, and when the switch 7 is turned on, it is set to the 0 position of the upper or lower position.

The upper/lower motor control circuit 104 is connected to the arm 16
This is the drive circuit for the motor that moves the motor up and down. When an AC motor is used, a triac or thyristor is used in this circuit to rotate the motor forward or reverse according to the output from the one-chip microcomputer 101, thereby moving the arm 16 up and down. The switch 8 is configured to generate a pulse every fixed amount of movement when the arm moves up and down by the rotation of the upper and lower motors. Specifically, it consists of a magnet and a magnetic reed switch attached to a shaft connected to the upper and lower motors, and generates a pulse every time the shaft rotates. When the power is turned on, the current position in the vertical direction can always be known from the 0 position obtained as described above, the information on the upward or downward movement direction, and the pulse count of the switch 8.

Push motor control unit push/pull limit switch 20, push/pull motor control circuit 107
, load sensors R1 to R4, push/pull movement detection switch 21,
Zero cross detection section 110 and load reference value generation circuit 11
Consists of 1. Push/pull limit switch 20 (20a/20
b) is provided at the push side limit and the pull side limit in the movable region of the push/pull operation of the arm 16. These switches 20 prevent the arm from moving out of the movable range, and
It serves to reset the arm angle position information when the power is turned on. The push/pull motor control circuit 107 includes a motor drive circuit that controls the angle of the arm 16 and a feedback circuit that compares the load (pressure force) applied to the arm 16 with a target value.

Load sensors R1 to R4 are attached to the arm 16 and convert the load (pressure force) applied to the arm 16 into an electrical signal. This signal is transmitted to the one-chip microcomputer 101 and the push/pull motor control circuit 107. The one-chip microcomputer 101 detects the user's body part (massage part) from the change in this signal,
Detects whether the target load has been reached or not. The push/pull motor control circuit 107 compares this signal with the signal from the load reference value generation circuit 111, and controls the motor to push or pull the arm 16 according to the difference.

The push/pull movement detection switch 21 generates a pulse every fixed amount of movement when the angle of the arm 16 changes due to the rotation of the push/pull motor 10. Its configuration is the same as the vertical movement detection switch 8 described above. Also, arm 16
The current angular position is also grasped from this switch 21, the push/pull limit switch 20, and the information on the movement direction.

The zero-cross detection section 110 is provided for the purpose of controlling the phase of the push/pull motor so that the angle of the arm 16 changes smoothly when the load on the arm 16 is near the target value. In other words, one-chip microcontroller 10
1 determines whether the load is close to the target load based on the input signals from the load sensors R1 to R4. If it is close, an ON/OFF signal is sent to the push/pull motor 10 at an arbitrary duty in synchronization with the timing of this zero cross input. When the duty is low, the movement speed of the push/pull motor 10 becomes slow, so that the movement can be made smoother as a result.

The load reference value generation circuit 111 receives a signal corresponding to the operation mode and strength specification from the one-chip microcomputer 101, and converts it into a signal level to be sent to the push-pull motor control circuit 107 as a target load for the push-pull motor 10.

Next, a method for detecting a massage area will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Load sensor R1~R
4 is attached to the arm 16 (FIG. 2), and sensing is performed by detecting the amount by which the arm 16 is distorted by the load. In step 130 of FIG. 5, the microcomputer 101 outputs an output to the load control reference value generation circuit 111 so as to cause a certain amount of distortion in the arm 16. In step 131, the arm 16 is returned to the lowest position before sensing the load change from bottom to top. In step 132, the pushing motor 10 is stopped at an angle at which the amount of distortion specified in step 130 is obtained, and the upward/downward moving motor 1 starts rotating in the upward direction.

At step 133, detection is performed by the upper limit switch 7a, and it is determined whether or not the load sensing from the bottom to the top is completed. Then, when completed, the part detection routine is ended. In step 134, pulse input from the upward/downward movement detection switch 8 is monitored. If the pulse is received, the process advances to step 135; if not, the process returns to step 133, where the upper limit switch 7a is checked. In step 135, based on the pulse in step 134, a position counter representing the position in the vertical direction is incremented, and inputs from the load sensors R1 to R4 are taken in.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the load sensor input and the vertical position count values taken in at this time. The data of the subject 1 represented by the solid line is the most typical example, and has peaks at the back and head, and a depression at the neck. The subject 2 represented by the broken line also draws a similar curve, but the subject 3 represented by the dashed line has peaks at the buttocks and back, but no peak at the head. Unlike other data, there is a peak at the buttocks because the person is sitting deeply, and there is no peak at the head because the head is above the vertical movable area of the arm 16.

As is clear from these data, the position of each part can be detected by the positions of the peaks and valleys of the curves drawn by the inputs of the load sensors R1 to R4. In step 135, the input values of the load sensors R1 to R4 are compared each time to obtain the positions of these peaks and valleys. When a peak or valley is found, it is stored in the internal memory of the microcomputer 101, and the process returns to step 133 again. The mountain obtained in this way,
Detection of the massage area from the valley position count value is performed as follows.

If two peaks are obtained at a low position, it is determined that the user is sitting deeply, and the valley between them is considered to be the waist position, and the next peak is considered to be the back position. If there is only one peak at a low position, the sitting height of the user is estimated from the distance between that peak and the next valley. Then, based on the sitting height, the distance between the back and the waist is calculated to determine the position of the waist. The next peak is at the back, and the valley is at the neck. From these, it is possible to estimate the sitting height and calculate the shoulder position between them. Furthermore, the next mountain is the head, but it is not particularly utilized in this embodiment.

As described above, by using the pressing force curve (load curve) obtained when the rollers 19a and 19b are scanned along the human body from the lower limit to the upper limit, the position of the neck, shoulders, back, and waist can be adjusted in a sitting manner. , can be easily and accurately detected regardless of gender, age, or race. This allows for more effective treatment by performing appropriate massage according to each location. In this embodiment, the pressing force curve was obtained by keeping the angle of the roller arm 16 constant; however, instead of this, the pressing force curve may be obtained by keeping the pressing force constant and changing the angle of the roller arm 16.

In order to make the roller arm 16 into the shape of a strain-generating body of a beam type load cell, two circular holes are opened and four notches are made as shown in FIG.
~R4 is attached. When the rollers 19a and 19b come into contact with the person to be massaged and receive the reaction force F of the pressing force, tension acts on the strain gauges R1 and R4, and compressive force acts on the strain gauges R2 and R3, respectively. These four strain gauges R1 to R4
is connected to a bridge circuit as shown in FIG. 3, and the pressing force F is determined from the output voltage e2 when a constant voltage is applied to e1. e2 is amplified by an amplifier, and is input to a microcomputer to control the pressing force. Here, the material used for the arm 16 is aluminum alloy A2024, and the processing method is molding.

As described above, when the roller arm 16 is a beam type load cell using strain gauges R1 to R4, the accuracy of the detected load is good (non-linearity, hysteresis, repeatability), so fine control is possible. Treatment software is expanding. Furthermore, since the beam type load cell has a so-called Roberval mechanism, there is little load deviation due to unbalanced loads. That is, when a human body comes into contact with the rollers 19a, 19b, there is no effect even if the contact point between the human body and the rollers 19a, 19b moves, and constant load detection is always performed, allowing more appropriate control. Furthermore, since a beam-type load cell strain body is used for the roller arm 16, it is only necessary to add strain gauges R1 to R4 and a sensor circuit as load detection means, and load detection can be performed at low cost and with high precision.

A conventional chair-type massage machine is equipped with an input device as shown in FIG. 7 or an input device as shown in FIG. That is, the former allows input of height adjustment (high, medium, and low) and vertical adjustment, and is used for automatic driving and full body massage. The latter allows input of vertical adjustment of upper, middle, and lower positions and shoulder position adjustment of 0 to 7, and is used for partial massage. Therefore, when a user wants to massage his shoulders, he has to adjust the massage rollers while actually operating the massager until the massage rollers are at the shoulder position, which takes time.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the chair-type massage machine A according to the embodiment of the present invention can continuously vary the massage part and the massage area, and the variable range is obtained by the part detection means. It is equipped with an input means that is automatically changed based on the massage area. below,
explain in detail.

Using the detection results of the massage area obtained as described above, the variable range of the massage area and massage area is automatically changed as follows. That is, FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the automatic change processing. In step 136, the volume value inputted by the input means as shown in FIG. 9 is taken in through A/D conversion. The value at this time determines the position of the sliding volume knob. Then, it is divided into three groups: an area below the back, an area from the back to the shoulders, and an area above the shoulders. Steps 137 to 139 are the calculation formulas after the division.

In step 137, the minimum unit of volume input below the back is determined by dividing the distance between the back and the waist detected in the first term by the resolution of the volume in that range. Then, in the second term, the detected hip position is corrected by multiplying this minimum unit by how far the volume position deviates from the set position of the hip. The same goes for steps 138 and 139, and the process is completed.

According to such a method, FIGS. 9 and 1
When using an input device such as 0, the user does not want to know whether the roller arm 16 is up or down relative to its current position.
You can adjust the massage area using the indications such as ``waist,''``back,''``shoulders,'' and ``neck.'' Furthermore, since the position of the waist is calculated even when the user is seated shallowly on the massage machine, the position can be adjusted to match the user's body shape even if the sitting posture is poor.

[0045] This chair-type massage machine A is further equipped with input means for specifying a massage area and inputting a massage area and massage intensity to the specified area. This input means includes a pain button 31 as shown in FIG.
, a sliding knob 32 for specifying a pain location, a sliding knob 33 for specifying a massage area, and a sliding knob 34 for specifying a massage intensity.

That is, FIG. 12 explains the display section 30 related to this input means in the display operation unit. When the main switch 35 of the massage machine is turned on, the position detection lamp 36 lights up and detection of the massaged area is started. If the massage recipient feels pain in his body during this operation, he presses the pain button 31. The signal at this time is input to the microcomputer, and the count number counted by the vertical movement detection magnetic reed switch 8 is stored.

Each part of the body is estimated from the pressing force curve obtained as shown in FIG. 6, and a human body diagram 37 on the display 30 is formed. Further, the pain location 38 is estimated from the count value of the pain button 31 and displayed on the human body diagram 37. Next, the person to be massaged slides the knob 32 to set it on the pain location 38, and slides the knobs 33 and 34 to input the desired massage area and massage intensity, respectively.

FIG. 13 shows three pain locations 38a, 38b,
This is the case where there is 38c. In this case, the person being massaged first sets the knob 32 to the lowest pain point 38a,
Input the massage area (width) X1 and massage strength Y1. Similarly, the other two pain locations 38b and 38c
, input X2, Y2, X3, Y3. The load pattern 39 thus obtained is unique to the massage recipient. Furthermore, it is possible to set an effective massage to the desired treatment area more quickly than in the conventional case. This is highly effective when there are multiple locations desired for treatment. Note that the pain button 31 can be used not only during the massage site detection operation but also during the normal massage operation.

[0049]

[Effects of the Invention] Since the chair-type massage machine of the present invention is configured as described above, the detection error of the massage area depending on the way you sit down and the detection error of the massage area depending on gender, age, race, etc. It is possible to eliminate this problem and obtain an appropriate massage effect.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural explanatory diagram of the inside of a chair-type massage machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the back.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram of the interior of the chair-type massage machine shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the side.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a strain gauge in a roller arm that constitutes the chair-type massage machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the chair-type massage machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for detecting a massage area in the chair-type massage machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a pressing force curve when detecting a massage area in the chair-type massage machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a massage site input means in a conventional chair-type massage machine.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a massage site input means in another conventional chair-type massage machine.

9 is a front view of a massage site input means in the chair-type massage machine of FIG. 1. FIG.

10 is a front view of massage area input means in the chair-type massage machine of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for automatically changing the variable range of the massage area and massage area in the chair-type massage machine of FIG. 1;

12 is a front view of a massage area and massage intensity input means in the chair-type massage machine of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a load pattern obtained by the input means of the massage area and massage intensity in the chair-type massage machine of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

16 Roller arm 1
9a/19b Massage roller R1~R
4 Strain gauge (load sensor) (pressing force detection means) 32 Knob (input means) 33 Knob (input means) 34 Knob (input means) 101
One-chip microcomputer (control unit) 102
Display operation unit (control unit) 104
Arm upper/lower motor control unit (control unit) 107 Arm push/pull motor control unit (control unit)

Claims (4)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A chair on which a person to be massaged sits;
A massage roller provided on the backrest of the chair so as to be movable up and down, a pressing force detecting means for detecting the pressing force of the roller on the massage area, and a pressing force of the roller based on the detection result by the pressing force detecting means. The controller further includes a control unit that controls the pressure, and further scans the roller from the lower limit of its movable limit to the upper limit along the massage target sitting on the chair, and from the obtained pressing force curve, the massage target's neck, A chair-type massage machine equipped with a part detection means capable of detecting massage parts of shoulders, back, and waist. 2. The pressing force detection means includes a strain gauge provided on a roller arm that allows the roller to be moved up and down by a motor, and the strain gauge detects the pressing force of the roller on the massaged area. chair massage machine. 3. The massage apparatus further comprises an input means that can continuously vary the massage part or massage area, and the variable range of the input means is automatically changed from the massage part obtained by the part detection means. The chair-type massage machine described. 4. The chair-type massage machine according to claim 1, further comprising input means capable of specifying a massage area and inputting a massage area and massage intensity to the specified area.