Patent Application
20200315910
The present invention relates to a fatigue reducing device.
Conventionally, a technique in which a vibration device is provided in a seat of a vehicle to thereby apply vibration stimulation to a driver of the vehicle has been known. The vibration stimulation can reduce a fatigue feeling of the driver.
Some muscles are however required to be in moderately tensed states when a driver is driving and a fatigue feeling reduction effect can be deteriorated when the vibration stimulation of relaxing muscular tension is applied to such muscles.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fatigue reducing device capable of reducing a fatigue feeling effectively.
A fatigue reducing device according to an embodiment of this invention, for an example, comprises: a determinator that determines whether or not an occupant sitting on a seat of a vehicle is driving the vehicle; and a controller that controls, in a case where the determinator has determined that the occupant is driving the vehicle, a vibration device provided in the seat to apply vibration stimulation at a first frequency causing muscular tension to a second muscle that is an antagonist muscle to a first muscle that is a massage target. Accordingly, muscular tension of the first muscle is therefore moderately relaxed by the muscular tension caused in the second muscle, thereby reducing a fatigue feeling effectively.
With respect to the fatigue reducing device according to an embodiment of this invention, for an example, the controller controls, in the case where the determinator has determined that the occupant is driving the vehicle, to apply the vibration stimulation at the first frequency to the first muscle, and then, apply the vibration stimulation at the first frequency to the second muscle. Blood flow of the first muscle is therefore increased by the muscular tension caused in the first muscle and as a result, persistence of the fatigue feeling reduction effect can be improved.
With respect to the fatigue reducing device according to an embodiment of this invention, for an example, the determinator further determines whether or not the occupant is resting, and the controller controls, in a case where the determinator has determined that the occupant is resting, to apply vibration stimulation at a second frequency causing relaxation of muscular tension to the first muscle. The muscular tension of the first muscle is actively relaxed when the occupant is resting and no muscular tension is required, thereby reducing the fatigue feeling more effectively.
With respect to the fatigue reducing device according to an embodiment of this invention, for an example, the determinator determines, in the case where the determinator has determined that the occupant is driving the vehicle, whether or not the occupant needs to rest based on a frequency of executing massage, and the controller suggests resting to the occupant in a case where the determinator has determined that the occupant needs to rest. An effect by massage in driving can be recovered by causing the occupant to rest, thereby reducing the fatigue feeling more effectively.
With respect to the fatigue reducing device according to an embodiment of this invention, for an example, the controller applies the vibration stimulation at the second frequency to the first muscle and suggests a method of a stretch to the occupant. The occupant can therefore relieve his(her) fatigue feeling also by stretching during resting, for example, thereby reducing the fatigue feeling more effectively.
Hereinafter, a fatigue reducing device in an exemplary embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 1 for description, as an example.
In the embodiment, the vehicle 1 may be, for example, an automobile (internal combustion engine automobile) using an internal combustion engine (the engine is not illustrated) as a drive source, an automobile (electric automobile, fuel cell automobile, or the like) using an electric motor (the motor is not illustrated) as a drive source, or an automobile (hybrid automobile) using both of them as drive sources. Various transmissions may be mounted on the vehicle 1 and various devices (systems, parts, and the like) necessary for driving the internal combustion engine and/or the electric motor can be mounted thereon. Systems, numbers, layouts, and the like of devices related to driving of wheels 3 of the vehicle 1 can be variously set.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
A monitor device 11 is provided on a center portion of the dashboard 12 in the vehicle width direction, that is, the right and left direction in the vehicle cabin 2a. A display device 8 and an audio output device 9 are provided on the monitor device 11. The display device 8 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescent display (OELD). The audio output device 9 is, for example, a speaker. The display device 8 is covered by, for example, a transparent operation input device 10 such as a touch panel. The occupant can view an image displayed on a display screen of the display device 8 through the operation input device 10. The occupant can execute operation input by operating the operation input device 10 by touching, pressing, and moving it with fingers or the like at a position corresponding to the image displayed on the display screen of the display device 8.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Antagonistic actions between muscles will be described. As illustrated in
Muscular reaction to the vibration stimulation has dependency on frequency. Application of vibration stimulation at a certain frequency to a muscle tenses the muscle, whereas application of vibration stimulation at another frequency to the muscle relaxes the tension of the muscle. The frequency causing the muscular tension is, for example, 80 to 100 Hz and the frequency causing relaxation of the muscular tension is, for example, 40 to 60 Hz.
In the embodiment, the fatigue reducing device at least applies the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension to the antagonist muscle to a massage target muscle when the driver 200 is driving, in order to enhance a fatigue feeling reduction effect on the massage target muscle. The fatigue reducing device applies the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension to the massage target muscle before applying the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension to the antagonist muscle when the driver 200 is driving, in order to enhance persistence of the fatigue feeling reduction effect. The fatigue reducing device applies the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the relaxation of the muscular tension to the massage target muscle when the driver 200 is resting.
In the embodiment, the shoulder muscles (trapezius muscles) and the lower back muscles (right and left latissimus dorsi muscles) in which a fatigue phenomenon in driving frequently occur are the massage target muscles, as an example. The vibration devices 40 are disposed in the backrest portion 2d of the seat 2b in order to massage the massage target muscles effectively. As illustrated in
Two vibration devices 40a of the six vibration devices 40 are disposed so as to form a pair of right and left vibration devices in an upper portion of the backrest portion 2d and can apply the vibration stimulation to the right and left trapezius muscles (parts 210a illustrated in
A vibration device 40c1 and a vibration device 40c2 are disposed at positions corresponding to a part 210c1 and a part 210c2 illustrated in
The above-mentioned arrangement of the vibration devices 40 is an example. An arbitrary muscle may be set as the massage target. The vibration devices 40 may be arranged at arbitrary positions corresponding to the massage target muscle in the seat 2b. The vibration devices 40 may not be buried in the seat 2b. The vibration devices 40 may be included in a seat cover covering the seat 2b or a cushion interposed between the seat 2b and the driver 200 for provision.
Next, a fatigue reducing system including the fatigue reducing device in the vehicle 1 in the embodiment will be described.
The ECU 14 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) 14a, a read only memory (ROM) 14b, a random access memory (RAM) 14c, a display controller 14d, an audio controller 14e, and a solid state drive (SSD) 14f (flash memory). The CPU 14a controls the vehicle 1 overall. The CPU 14a can read a program installed and stored in a non-volatile storage device such as the ROM 14b and execute operation processing in accordance with the program. The RAM 14c temporarily stores therein various pieces of data that are used in operation in the CPU 14a. The display controller 14d executes synthesis of image data that is displayed on the display device 8 and other processing in the operation processing in the ECU 14. The audio controller 14e mainly executes processing of audio data that is output from the audio output device 9 in the operation processing in the ECU 14. The SSD 14f is a non-volatile rewritable storage and can store therein data even when the ECU 14 is powered OFF. The CPU 14a, the ROM 14b, the RAM 14c, and the like can be integrated in a single package. The ECU 14 may use another logical operation processor or another logical circuit such as a digital signal processor (DSP) instead of the CPU 14a. Furthermore, a hard disk drive (HDD) may be provided instead of the SSD 14f, or the SSD 14f and the HDD may be provided separately from the ECU 14.
The configurations, arrangement, electric connection forms, and the like of the above-mentioned various sensors and actuators are examples and can be variously set (changed).
The determinator 51 determines whether or not the driver 200 is driving the vehicle 1 and whether or not the driver 200 is resting. Determination criteria of whether or not the driver 200 is driving the vehicle 1 and whether or not the driver 200 is resting are not limited to specific criteria. The determinator 51 determines whether or not the driver 200 is driving the vehicle 1 and whether or not the driver 200 is resting, based on, for example, a signal from a global positioning system (GPS) (not illustrated), the braking system 18, the steering angle sensor 19, the accelerator sensor 20, the shift sensor 21, or the like.
As an example, the determinator 51 determines that the driver 200 is resting when the shift sensor 21 detects a parking position and determines that the driver 200 is driving when the shift sensor 21 does not detect the parking position.
As another example, the determinator 51 determines that the driver 200 is resting when the wheel speed sensor 22 detects a zero value and determines that the driver 200 is driving when the wheel speed sensor 22 detects a value other than the zero value.
The determinator 51 determines massage start timing. A criterion of the massage start timing determined by the determinator 51 is not limited to a specific criterion. The determinator 51 determines the massage start timing based on, for example, input from the driver 200. The input from the driver 200 includes operation input, voice input, and image input.
As an example, the determinator 51 controls the display controller 14d to display, on the display device 8, an input button enabling input indicating the start of the massage to be received. The determinator 51 determines arrival of the massage start timing when the operation input device 10 receives the operation input indicating the start of the massage. A method for receiving the operation input is not limited to the receiving method through the operation input device 10. A hardware button enabling input indicating the start of the massage may be provided on the steering portion 4 or the instrument panel 12. An input button may be configured such that the driver can select whether the shoulders are to be massaged or the lower back is to be massaged.
As another example, the determinator 51 determines the massage start timing based on voice input from a microphone (not illustrated). When the determinator 51 receives input of voice, it analyzes the input voice. The determinator 51 determines whether the input voice corresponds to an instruction to start the massage and determines arrival of the massage start timing when it determines that the input voice corresponds to the instruction to start the massage.
As still another example, the determinator 51 determines the massage start timing based on an image of the driver 200 captured by the image capturing device 32. The determinator 51 stores expressions or gestures in advance, analyzes the image to determine whether or not the driver 200 makes any of the previously stored expressions and gestures. The determinator 51 determines arrival of the massage start timing when the driver 200 makes any of the previously stored expressions and gestures. Alternatively, the determinator 51 may extract an expression or gesture of the driver 200 from the image and analyze whether the extracted expression or gesture corresponds to the instruction to start the massage.
The determinator 51 may determine the massage start timing based on another information.
As an example, the determinator 51 determines the massage start timing based on elapsed time. The determinator 51 measures driving continuation time by a timer (not illustrated), for example. The driving continuation time is time during which the driver 200 continues to drive successively, for example. The determinator 51 determines arrival of the massage start timing when the driving continuation time reaches a predetermined threshold. The determinator 51 may determine the massage start timing periodically by resetting the timer after the arrival of the massage start timing. The threshold for determination of the massage start timing may be varied. The threshold for determination of the massage start timing may be automatically changed depending on conditions such as the speed of the vehicle 1 or a frequency of executing the massage. The driver 200 may set the threshold for determination of the massage start timing in advance. The fatigue feeling can be prevented from increasing by starting the massage in accordance with the elapsed time.
The determinator 51 determines whether the shoulders (trapezius muscles) are to be massaged or the lower back (latissimus dorsi muscles) is to be massaged when the driver 200 is driving the vehicle 1. A determination criterion whether the shoulders are to be massaged or the lower back is to be massaged is not limited to a specific criterion. As an example, the determinator 51 determines whether the shoulders are to be massaged or the lower back is to be massaged based on operation input in the same manner as the determination criterion of the massage start timing. The driver 200 may set whether the shoulders are to be massaged or the lower back is to be massaged in advance.
When the determinator 51 determines that the shoulders are to be massaged, the controller 52 controls the corresponding vibration devices 40 to apply the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension to the trapezius muscles, and then, apply the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension to the latissimus dorsi muscles as the antagonist muscles to the trapezius muscles. As an example, the controller 52 controls the vibration devices 40a to output vibration of 100 Hz, and shortly thereafter, controls the vibration devices 40b1 and 40b2 to output vibration of 100 Hz. An output period of each vibration stimulation can be arbitrarily set. As an example, the output period of each vibration stimulation is 30 seconds. When the vibration stimulation is applied to the latissimus dorsi muscles, the controller 52 controls the vibration devices 40b1 and 40b2 and the vibration devices 40c1 and 40c2 to output the vibration stimulation.
When the determinator 51 determines that the lower back is to be massaged, the controller 52 controls the corresponding vibration devices 40 to apply the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension to one of the right and left latissimus dorsi muscles, and then, apply the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension to the other one of the right and left latissimus dorsi muscles. As an example, the controller 52 controls the vibration devices 40b1 and 40c1 to output vibration of 100 Hz, and shortly thereafter, controls the vibration devices 40b2 and 40c2 to output vibration of 100 Hz. An output period of each vibration stimulation can be arbitrarily set. As an example, the output period of each vibration stimulation is 30 seconds. The controller 52 changes the order of the application of the vibration stimulation for each execution of the massage.
When the determinator 51 determines that the driver 200 is driving the vehicle 1, the determinator 51 determines whether or not the driver 200 needs to rest based on the frequency of executing the massage. To be specific, every time the determinator 51 determines the arrival of the massage start timing when the driver 200 is driving the vehicle 1, the determinator 51 records, in the storage 53, the arrival of the massage start timing as history information 54, for example. The determinator 51 calculates the frequency of executing the massage based on the history information 54 and compares the calculated frequency of executing the massage and a predetermined threshold related to the frequency of executing the massage. When the calculated frequency of executing the massage exceeds the threshold, the determinator 51 determines that the driver 200 needs to rest. The frequency of executing is, for example, the number of times of execution within a most recent predetermined period of time.
When the determinator 51 determines that the driver 200 needs to rest, the controller 52 suggests resting to the driver 200. A suggestion manner is not limited to a specific manner. For example, an image prompting the driver to rest may be displayed on the display device 8. Alternatively, sound prompting the driver to rest may be output from the audio output device 9.
The determinator 51 determines whether both of the shoulders (trapezius muscles) and the lower back (latissimus dorsi muscles) are to be massaged, only the shoulders (trapezius muscles) are to be massaged, or only the lower back (latissimus dorsi muscles) is to be massaged when the driver 200 is resting. A determination criterion whether both of the shoulders and the lower back are to be massaged, the shoulders are to be massaged, or the lower back is to be massaged is not limited to a specific criterion. As an example, the determinator 51 determines whether both of the shoulders and the lower back are to be massaged, the shoulders are to be massaged, or the lower back is to be massaged based on operation input in the same manner as the determination criterion of the massage start timing. The driver 200 may set, in advance, whether both of the shoulders and the lower back are to be massaged, the shoulders are to be massaged, or the lower back is to be massaged when the driver 200 is resting.
When the determinator 51 determines that the driver 200 is resting and the shoulders (trapezius muscles) and the lower back (latissimus dorsi muscles) are to be massaged, the determinator 51 determines which of the shoulders or the lower back is intensively massaged based on the execution frequencies of the massage for the respective parts. For example, when the shoulders or the lower back is massaged when the driver 200 is driving, the determinator 51 records the execution in the history information 54. The determinator 51 selects any of the shoulders and the lower back that have(has) been massaged more frequently in the history information 54 as a target to be intensively massaged. A determination criterion which of the shoulders or the lower back is to be intensively massaged is not limited to the above-mentioned determination criterion.
When the determinator 51 determines that the driver 200 is resting, the controller 52 controls the respective vibration devices 40 to apply the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the relaxation of the muscular tension to the massage target muscle at the part selected by the determinator 51. To be specific, when the determinator 51 selects the shoulders, the controller 52 controls the vibration devices 40a to output vibration of 50 Hz. When the determinator 51 selects the lower back, the controller 52 controls the vibration device 40b1, the vibration device 40b2, the vibration device 40c1, and the vibration device 40c2 to output vibration of 50 Hz. An output period of the vibration stimulation may be arbitrarily set even when it is determined that the driver 200 is resting.
When the determinator 51 determines that the driver 200 is resting, the controller 52 suggests a method of a stretch to the driver 200. A suggestion manner is not limited to a specific manner. For example, an image for explaining the method of the stretch may be displayed on the display device 8. Alternatively, sound for explaining the method of the stretch may be output from the audio output device 9. As an example, the controller 52 changes the method of the stretch that is suggested to the driver 200 for each part selected by the determinator 51.
Next, operations of the fatigue reducing device in the embodiment configured as described above will be described.
First, the determinator 51 determines whether or not the driver 200 is driving (S1). When the determinator 51 has determined that the driver 200 is driving (Yes at S1), the determinator 51 determines whether or not the massage start timing has come (S2). When the determinator 51 has determined that the massage start timing has not come (No at S2), the process returns to S1. When the determinator 51 has determined that the massage start timing has come (Yes at S2), the determinator 51 determines whether or not the shoulders are to be massaged (S3).
When the determinator 51 has determined that the shoulders are to be massaged (Yes at S3), the controller 52 controls to apply the vibration stimulation of 100 Hz to the trapezius muscles, and then, apply the vibration stimulation of 100 Hz to the latissimus dorsi muscles (S4). To be specific, the controller 52 controls the two vibration devices 40a to output the vibration stimulation of 100 Hz, and then, controls the vibration device 40b1 and the vibration device 40b2 to output the vibration stimulation of 100 Hz. When the controller 52 controls the vibration device 40b1 and the vibration device 40b2 to output the vibration stimulation, it may also control the vibration device 40c1 and the vibration device 40c2 to output the vibration stimulation and thereby apply the vibration stimulation to not only the latissimus dorsi muscle upper fibers but also the entire latissimus dorsi muscles.
When the determinator 51 has determined that the shoulders are not massaged (No at S3), the controller 52 controls to apply the vibration stimulation of 100 Hz to the right latissimus dorsi muscle, and then, apply the vibration stimulation of 100 Hz to the left latissimus dorsi muscle (S5). To be specific, the controller 52 controls the vibration device 40b1 and the vibration device 40c1 to output the vibration stimulation of 100 Hz, and then, controls the vibration device 40b2 and the vibration device 40c2 to output the vibration stimulation of 100 Hz. As for the right and left latissimus dorsi muscles, the order of application of the vibration stimulation is changed for each execution of the processing at S5.
After the processing at S4 or the processing at S5, the controller 52 determines whether the frequency of executing the massage is higher than the threshold related to the frequency of executing the massage (S6). When the controller 52 has determined that the frequency of executing the massage is higher than the threshold related to the frequency of executing the massage (Yes at S6), the controller 52 suggests resting to the driver 200 (S7), and the process returns to S1. When the controller 52 has determined that the frequency of executing the massage is not higher than the threshold related to the frequency of executing the massage (No at S6), the process returns to S1.
When the determinator 51 has determined that the driver 200 is not driving (No at S1), the determinator 51 determines whether or not the driver 200 is resting (S8). When the determinator 51 has determined that the driver 200 is not resting (No at S8), the process returns to S1.
When the determinator 51 has determined that the driver 200 is resting (Yes at S8), the determinator 51 determines whether the massage start timing has come (S9). When the determinator 51 has determined that the massage start timing has not come (No at S9), the process returns to S1. When the determinator 51 has determined that the massage start timing has come (Yes at S9), the determinator 51 determines whether the shoulders and the lower back are to be massaged (S10).
When it has been determined that the shoulders and the lower back are to be massaged (Yes at S10), the determinator 51 determines whether the frequency of executing the massage of the shoulders is higher than the frequency of executing the massage of the lower back (S11).
When the determinator 51 has determined that the frequency of executing the massage of the shoulders is higher than the frequency of executing the massage of the lower back (Yes at S11), the controller 52 controls to apply vibration stimulation of 50 Hz to the trapezius muscles, and then, apply the vibration stimulation of 50 Hz to the latissimus dorsi muscles, and then, apply the vibration stimulation of 50 Hz to the trapezius muscles (S12). To be specific, the controller 52 controls the two vibration devices 40a to output the vibration stimulation of 50 Hz, and then, controls the vibration device 40b1, the vibration device 40b2, the vibration device 40c1, and the vibration device 40c2 to output the vibration stimulation of 50 Hz, and then, controls the two vibration devices 40a to output the vibration stimulation of 50 Hz again.
When the determinator 51 has determined that the frequency of executing the massage of the shoulders is not higher than the frequency of executing the massage of the lower back (No at S11), the controller 52 controls to apply the vibration stimulation of 50 Hz to the latissimus dorsi muscles, and then, apply the vibration stimulation of 50 Hz to the trapezius muscles, and then, apply the vibration stimulation of 50 Hz to the latissimus dorsi muscles (S13). To be specific, the controller 52 controls the vibration device 40b1, the vibration device 40b2, the vibration device 40c1, and the vibration device 40c2 to output the vibration stimulation of 50 Hz, and then, controls the two vibration devices 40a to output the vibration stimulation of 50 Hz, and then, controls the vibration device 40b1, the vibration device 40b2, the vibration device 40c1, and the vibration device 40c2 to output the vibration stimulation of 50 Hz again.
After the processing at S12 or the processing at S13, the controller 52 suggests a method of a stretch that is effective for recovery from shoulder fatigue and lower back fatigue to the driver 200 (S14), and the process returns to S1.
When the determinator 51 has determined that the shoulders and the lower back are not massaged (No at S10), the determinator 51 determines whether the shoulders are to be massaged (S15). When the determinator 51 has determined that the shoulders are to be massaged (Yes at S15), the controller 52 controls to apply the vibration stimulation of 50 Hz to the trapezius muscles (S16). To be specific, the controller 52 controls the two vibration devices 40a to output the vibration stimulation of 50 Hz. Then, the controller 52 suggests a method of a stretch that is effective for recovery from the shoulder fatigue to the driver 200 (S17), and the process returns to S1.
When the determinator 51 has determined that the shoulders are not massaged (No at S15), the controller 52 controls to apply the vibration stimulation of 50 Hz to the latissimus dorsi muscles (S18). To be specific, the controller 52 controls the vibration device 40b1, the vibration device 40b2, the vibration device 40c1, and the vibration device 40c2 to output the vibration stimulation of 50 Hz. Then, the controller 52 suggests a method of a stretch that is effective for recovery from the lower back fatigue to the driver 200 (S19), and the process returns to S1.
The inventors of the invention of the present application observed transition of the fatigue feeling that a subject felt, obtained by applying vibration stimulation at various frequencies to muscles of the subject during driving.
The trapezius muscles are required to be in the moderately tensed states when the subject is driving. When the tension of the trapezius muscles is forcibly relaxed by applying the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the relaxation of the muscular tension to the trapezius muscles, the trapezius muscles need to be returned to be in the muscular tensed states after the vibration stimulation and load is imposed on the trapezius muscles.
In contrast, when the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension is applied to the latissimus dorsi muscles as the antagonist muscles, the muscular tension of the trapezius muscles is relaxed by the antagonistic action. The muscular tension is relaxed as a result of adjustment controlled in a living body and therefore excessive relaxation of the tension of the trapezius muscles hardly occurs. Accordingly, the load is less imposed on the trapezius muscles. That is, when the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension is applied to the latissimus dorsi muscles, the fatigue feeling reduction effect of the trapezius muscles is higher than that in the case in which the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the relaxation of the muscular tension is applied to the trapezius muscles.
Further, when the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension is applied to the trapezius muscles before the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension is applied to the latissimus dorsi muscles, the muscular tension of the trapezius muscles is temporarily increased before the muscular tension of the trapezius muscles is relaxed. Blood flow distribution to the trapezius muscles is thereby increased. As a result, in the trapezius muscles, the persistence of the fatigue feeling reduction effect of the trapezius muscles is further enhanced by the blood flow increase effect and the muscular tension relaxation effect by the antagonistic action.
Thus, application of the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension to the antagonist muscle to the massage target muscle exerts a higher fatigue feeling reduction effect than application of the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the relaxation of the muscular tension directly to the massage target muscle. Further, when the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension is applied to the massage target muscle, and then, the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension is applied to the antagonist muscle to the massage target muscle, the persistence of the fatigue feeling reduction effect is further enhanced.
The inventors of the invention of the present application further observed transition of the fatigue feeling that the subject felt, obtained by applying vibration stimulation at various frequencies to muscles when the subject rested quiet in a sitting posture (that is, the subject who was resting) felt the fatigue feeling.
Thus, when the driver 200 is resting, the fatigue feeling can be reduced more effectively by applying the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the relaxation of the muscular tension directly to the massage target muscle. When the driver 200 is resting, the muscles are not required to be tensed and the muscular tension can therefore be actively relaxed by contrast to the case in which the driver 200 is driving.
As describe above, in the embodiment, the fatigue reducing device at least applies the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension to the antagonist muscle to the massage target muscle when the driver 200 is driving the vehicle 1. When the driver 200 is driving the vehicle 1, the fatigue feeling reduction effect is thereby improved in comparison with the case in which the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the relaxation of the muscular tension is applied to the massage target muscle. That is, the fatigue feeling can be reduced effectively.
In the embodiment, the fatigue reducing device applies the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension to the massage target muscle before applying the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension to the antagonist muscle. When the driver 200 is driving the vehicle 1, the blood flow increase effect and the tension relaxation effect caused by the antagonistic action can thereby be provided for the massage target muscle, thereby further enhancing the persistence of the fatigue feeling reduction effect.
The fatigue reducing device may not apply the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension to the massage target muscle before applying the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the muscular tension to the antagonist muscle to the massage target muscle. Even in this case, the fatigue feeling reduction effect can be improved as indicated in the experiment result in
In the embodiment, the fatigue reducing device applies the vibration stimulation at a frequency causing the relaxation of the muscular tension to the massage target muscle when the driver 200 is resting. When the driver 200 is resting, the muscular tension of the massage target muscle is thereby actively relaxed, so that the fatigue feeling can be reduced effectively. The vibration stimulation at an appropriate frequency is applied to the appropriate part in accordance with whether the driver 200 is driving the vehicle 1 or is resting. The fatigue feeling can therefore be reduced effectively in comparison with the case in which the vibration stimulation at the same frequency is applied to the same part regardless of whether the driver 200 is driving the vehicle 1 or is resting.
In the embodiment, the fatigue reducing device determines whether or not the driver 200 needs to rest based on the frequency of executing the massage when the driver 200 is driving the vehicle 1. When the fatigue reducing device determines that the driver 200 needs to rest, it suggests resting to the driver 200. Frequent massage when the driver 200 is driving weakens the fatigue feeling reduction effect by massage. Suggestion of resting to cause the driver 200 to rest before the fatigue feeling reduction effect by massage is not exerted can recover the fatigue feeling reduction effect by massage, thereby reducing the fatigue feeling more effectively than the case in which the driver 200 continuously drives the vehicle 1 for long time.
In the embodiment, the fatigue reducing device suggests a method of a stretch to the driver 200 when the driver 200 is resting. The driver 200 performs stretching according to the suggested stretch, thereby further reducing the fatigue feeling.
The fatigue reducing device may adjust the timing or contents for prompting the driver to rest in accordance with the frequency of executing the massage on the shoulders and the frequency of executing the massage on the lower back.
The fatigue reducing device may change a method of a stretch to be suggested in accordance with the frequency of executing the massage. As an example, the fatigue reducing device suggests a method of a harder stretch when the frequency of executing the massage is high and suggests a method of a softer stretch when the frequency of executing the massage is low.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-105246 | May 2016 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2017/010508 | 3/15/2017 | WO | 00 |
