FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a pulse electromagnetic wave treatment apparatus for pain relief and health protection, and more specifically, to a variable frequency pulse electromagnetic wave treatment apparatus which consists of an external casing and an internal circuit comprising a power supply section, a pulse generating and controlling section, an electromagnetic wave generator, a power control and protection circuit for the electromagnetic wave generator, a time function controlling circuit, and a timing and time displaying circuit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, commercially available similar products for health protection, such as electrical acupuncture apparatus, magnetic massagers etc.. either use an electric pulse generated by an internal circuit to stimulate the skin of human body (e.g. the electrical acupuncture apparatus), or apply a mechanically reciprocal movement generated by driving a motor to human body (e g various electrical massagers), or utilize a magnetic field generated from magnets fixed in a massager by manually massaging to give beneficial effects to human body (e.g. moon cab massagers) Of diem both the electrical acupuncture apparatus and electrical massager arc bulky. Although some of them are also provided with magnets, the magnets act only as an additional means: and like the case with the moon cab massager, the magnetic intensity for treatment is weak Consequently, these products for health protection have drawbacks of a unitary using manner, and inconvenience to carry, and when using these treatment appliances, one has to take a loot of care, need great effort, and take a lot of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a variable frequency electromagnetic wave generator which can adjust pulse frequency and duration in response to heartbeat frequency of human body.

This variable frequency electromagnetic wave generator has advantages of a smaller size and of longer operating time.

In order to attain the above object, the variable frequency electromagnetic wave generator in accordance with the present invention may either consist of a single unit, or of a single main unit and one or more subunits connected in series, the main unit comprising an extemal casing with a top case and a bottom case clipped together with each other, and an internal circuit located therein.

In the external casing of the main unit are installed a timing display screen connected with the internal circuit, a switch button, a preset button, a reset button, a power socket and a hole for controlling pulse frequency. One or more holes for passing magnetic flux are provided in the bottom case, and a belt shaft is mounted at both ends of the extemal casing, respectively.

The internal circuit consists of a power supply section, a pulse generating and controlling section, an electromagnetic wave generator, a control and protection circuit for the electromagnetic wave generator, a time function controlling circuit and a timing and time displaying circuit.

The power supply section provides an operational voltage for the whole internal circuit.

In the pulse generating and controlling section, the pulse generating section includes a pulse signal generating circuit which supplies an electric pulse signal to the electromagnetic wave generator.

In response to the heartbeat frequency of a wearer of the apparatus, the electric pulse signal can be obtained by means f a variable frequency RC oscillator circuit which can adjust and vary the pulse frequency by means of the pulse frequency controlling hole in response to the heart beat frequency. Besides, the pulse signal can also be obtained by means of an extemal heartbeat frequency sensor directly bonded to human body for sensing the heartbeat frequency of the wearer and generating a synchronous pulse signal therewith which is then amplified and filtered (so as to form an electric pulse driving signal).

The power control and protection circuit for the electromagnetic wave generator is connected between the pulse generating and controlling section and the electromagnetic wave generator and is proudcd with a voltage ana a current for operation by the pulse generating and controlling section so that it can disenable operation of the whole internal circuit for the purpose of protection when the voltage and current of the power supply abnormally van

The pulse generating and controlling section outputs an electπc pulse dπving signal in response to the wearer s heartbeat for enabling operation of the control and protection circuit for the electromagnetic wave generator and the electromagnetic wave generator in the next stage The electromagnetic generator includes a pluralitv of core coils and generates an electromagnetic wave when receiving an electπc pulse from the pulse generating section

In the timing and time displaung circuit, a timing circuit compπses

- a timing start/stop terminal for controlling timing start and stop and prouding a stable timing function to a quartz oscillator circuit and the time displaying circuit

- an adjustment terminal for adjusting a timing pulse frcqucπcλ and for presetting pulse counting time

- a dπving terminal for dπving a liquid crystal display to dispiav time

- a tπgger terminal connected w ith the time function controlling circuit, which outputs a stop tπggcr signal at the preset time to disenable the time function controlling circuit and stops generation of the pulse the pulse generating circuit when the preset time amves

- a buzzer terminal connected with buzzer 14 which outputs a buzzer signal when preset time arm es

The time function controlling circuit is connected with the timing and the time displaung circuit and with the pulse generating section, its input being controlled by die tπgger signal from the timing and time ιng circuit and the timing start stop signal, and is output being connected to the pulse generating circuit for controlling generation of and stop of the oscillating pulse

When the power supph section is energized the whole internal circuit is in a readv mode Λi, a signal is input into the tune function controlling circuit via the timing start/stop terminal it starts operation and enables operation of the pulse generating and controlling circuit While the tπgger

terminal of the timing circuit outputs a signal, the pulse generating circuit stops operation since the time function controlling circuit stops operation

The electromagnetic wave treatment apparatus in accordance with the present invention further compπsc one or more subunits connected in scπes which consist of an extemal casing ith a top case and a bottom case clipped together with each other and an internal circuit located therein One or more holes for passing magnetic flux are provided in the bottom case The internal circuit substantialh included core coils associated with an input of the electromagnetic wave generator in the main unit

In a structure consisting of the main unit and the subunits. the main unit and the subunits are movabh hinged b\ means of an upper cover and a lower co\ er fastened to respective beit shaft The belt shafts of two units at both ends arc provided with a belt rcspcctiveh for being fixed to human

The electromagnetic treatment apparatus for pain relief and health protection in accordance w idi the present invention under control of the whole internal circuit, can durabh and stable supph an electromagnetic wave whose frequency can be vaπcd in response to the heartbeat of human bod\ and whose duration can be adjusted easih This treatment apparatus is of smaller size, is worn and is utilized easih without needing the wearer s effort much Consequcnth the treatment apparatus of the invention is able to effcctiveh reduce the load ot the user s pumping blood and to relieve muscle pain, fatigue neuralgia and rhcumatalgia

The prefeπed embodiments of the present invention ill be further descπbed in detail hereinafter w ith reference to the accompanung drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG I is a block diagram of the circuits of the first and second preferred embodiments of the present i m ention

FIG 2 is a circuit diagram of the first preferred embodiment of the present inv ention

FIG 3 is a circuit diagram of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention

FIGS. 4a. 4b, 4c and 4d show the heartbeat pulse frequency sensor

FIGS. 5a. 5b. 5c. and 5d are top, front, bottom and side views of the core and coils of the electromagnetic wave generator of the first and second embodiments of the present invention, respectively

FIGS 6a. 6b. and 6c are top. front and bottom views of the extemal configuration of the first and second preferred embodiments according to the present invention, respectively

FIGS 7a. 7b and 7c are top, front and bottom views of the internal configuration of the first and second preferred embodiments according to the present invention, respectively

FIG 8 is a block diagram of the circuits of the third and fourth preferred embodiments according to the present invention

FIGS 9a. 9b and 9c are top, front and bottom views of the external configuration of the third and fourth preferred embodiments according to the present invention, respectively

FIGS 10a and 10b are top and front views of the internal configuration of the third and fouπh prefeπcd embodiments according to the present invention, respectively

FIG I I is a side view of the third and fourth embodiments under operation state

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The pulse electromagnetic wave treatment apparatus of the present invention consists of an external casing with a top case and a bottom case clipped together with each other and an internal circuit located therein

FIG I shows basic circuitry of the present invention, that is. an electric pulse is generated an electric pulse generating circuit, and then an electromagnetic wave is transmitted means of an electronic control circuit driving and controlling a pair of coils, while the transmission of electromagnetic waive is timed and displayed through the electronic circuit s controlling a tuning and displaying circuit.

The circuit of the first preferred embodiment of the structure, as described above, according to the present invention comprises power supply section D. pulse generating and controlling sections B2 and B l. electromagnetic wave generator E. electromagnetic wav e power controlling and protection circuit B3 and C. and timing and displaying circuit A and time function

controlling circuit A As shown in FIG 2. power suppiv section D feeds Λ C voltages for operation to each circuit One manner of supplying power is that extemaih provided is a separate transformer an input of which is connected to A C supph means and an output of which is plugged into power socket 10 in the casing of the apparatus of the invention and an \ C lower voltage after transformation is fed to power supph D in which the voltage is rectified and regulated for supplying to the other sections of the internal circuit Another manner of supplv ing power is that provided is a converter, and output of which is plugged into power socket 10 in the casing of the apparatus of the invention, and an input of which is connected to a D C power source of 12V as a power supply section

The pulse generating and controlling section consists of pulse generating circuit B2 and pulse controlling circuit B l the former circuit generating an electπc pulse through its inner RC oscillator and the latter circuit varung and adjusting the pulse frequencv bv arranging a \ aπable resistor in the RC oscillator

The electromagnetic wave generator E consists of mo core coils T A and T4A for inducing an electromagnetic wave of corresponding frequencv to that of the received electπc pulse from pulse generating circuit B2 In FIG a - 5b is shown the specific structure of the electromagnetic wave generator the core of which is formed of a plurahtv of E-sihcon steel plates superposed ith coils ound around a plastic mandrel 20

The power control and protection circuit for electromagnetic wave generator B3-C is coπnecied between thi pulse generating and controlling circuit and the electromagnetic wave generator I and is prov ided with a voltage and a current by the pulse generating and controlling circuits B2 and B l to enable operation of a silicon controlled rectifier in the power control and protection circuit C for electromagnetic wave generator When the voltage and current of the power souree abnoπnalitv van a protective element RUE connected w ith the rectifier functions cut-otf disenabling operation of all circuits for the purpose of protection

As to the timing and displaung circuit A its timing circuit emplov s a commercial av ailable integrated circuit such as IC HT 1330 which includes

- timing start/stop terminal A-8 for controlling start and stop of timing and for providing a stable timing function to the quartz oscillator circuit A3 and to the time displaying circuit A- 2.

- adjustment terminal A7 for adjusting the timing pulse frequencv and presetting the pulse counting time

- reset terminals A-6 and A7 for controlling the readjusting of the timing,

- displav dπving terminal A-2. for dπving the liquid crvstal displav to displav time

- tπggcr terminal A-10 connected with the time function controlling circuit B l which outputs stop tπgger signal at the preset time to disenable the operation of the time function controlling circuit B l and at the same time to disenable the pulse generating circuit B2 to stop outputting the pulse buzzer terminal A-4 connected ith buzzer 14 which outputs a buzzer signal when the preset time arπvcs

The timing and displav ing circuit A-l is connected w ith the displav dπv ing terminal A2 of a timing pulse integrated circuit and a displav unit is formed of a liquid cr stal displav dev ice for displav ing the pulse frequencv and duration

Two inputs of the time function controlling circuit B are connected with the timing circuit A, for receiv ing a start stop signal and a stop tπgger signal from circuit A and an output of circuit B is connected with the pulse generating and controlling circuit for outputting the stop tπgger signal to the latter circuit

Operation of the timing and displav ing circuit and the time function controlling circuit A and B is as follows When an signal is input to the adjustment terminal \-7 of the timing and displav ing circuit A. enabling operation of the timing circuit the liquid crv stal displav A-l will πse from 1 minute or 0 01 to the preset time i e 59 minutes or 0 59 If the signal is continualh input to the adjustment terminal A-7 the liquid cn stal displav w ill reset to state 0 00 and cvcling on After the liquid crvstal displav A- l displavs the preset time when a signal is input to the timing and displav ing circuit A and the time function controlling circuit B through the start/stop terminal and the timing circuit and the liquid cn stal displav begin counting down and arπve a further preset time the tπgger teπiunal A- 10 outputs a signal disenabling the time

function controlling circuit B l and the pulse generaung circuit B. whereby the electromagnetic wave generator stops outputting an electromagnetic wave, while buzzer A-4 of the timing circuit A issues a buzz noise immediately

The second preferred embodiment of the invention, is shown in FIG 3. its basic components being identical to those in the first one (see FIG 2) described hereinbefore It also compπses power supph section D. pulse generating and controlling section F. electromagnetic wav e generator E. electromagnetic wave controlling and protection circuits B3 and C. timing and displaying circuit A. and time function controlling circuit B 1 The only difference beuveen the first and the second embodiments is in the pulse generating and controlling sections B and F In the pulse generating and controlling section B of the first embodiment, an oscillator circuit of adjustable pulse frequency generates an electπc pulse of frequency corresponding to that of heartbeat of human body and adapts the frequency of electromagnetic wave to that of the heartbeat of human bodv through manual adjustment The second embodiment consists of a heartbeat sv nehronous pulse generating circuit F which generates an electromagnetic wav e automatically synchronous with the heartbeat of human body Circuit F compπses a heartbeat pulse frequencv sensor F-d which senses the heartbeat pulse of human bodv and converts it into an electπc pulse signal The electπc pulse signal is amplified by an amplifier circuit F-a. filtered by a filter circuit F-b, to eliminate a noise and power-amplified by a power amplifier F-c which outputs a pulse signal synchronous with the heartbeat frequency The pulse signal dπves an electπc wave generator E through an electromagnetic wave power controlling and protection circuit B3 to issue an electromagnetic wave of corresponding frequencv

FIGS 4a to 4d depict the top, side cross-sectional and side views of the heartbeat pulse frequency sensor and the diagram of an output plug of the sensor, respectivch When using the sensor, one sticks an adhesive plaster 42 on the bottom surface of cover 41 of the sensor to his body so that a heartbeat pulse frequency sensor head 43 can sense the heartbeat of human bodv . and convert it into an cicctπc pulse signal which is fed to the amplifier circuit F-a inside the synchronous pulse controlling circuit F from output plug 45 via shield wire 44

With reference to FIGS 6a to 6c and 7a to 7c which show the external and internal configurations of the first and the second embodiments of the invention, the external casing is

formed of top case 3 and bottom case 12 clipped together w ith each others, and in the casing t-hcre is provided with the internal circuit as shown in FIG 2 compπsing pπman circuit board 13 secondan circuit board 13- 1 functional kev circuit board 17 and all other functional circuit means

On top case 3 a rectangular w indow is provided so that liquid c stal displav screen 4 of the timing and displav ing circuit section on pπmarv circuit board 13 under top case 3 manifests itself for a user to observe time counting Right above screen 4 a transparent plastic film 7 is fixed to top case 3 so that the user can best identifv the displayed contents

On top case 3 arc arranged a switch control button 8 a preset button 9 as well as a reset control button 8A which extend through rubber elastic bushes 18 and 24 and are connected to functional kev circuit board 17 in the external casing Switch control button 8 is used for controlling start/stop of timing counting of timing and displav ing circuit Λ preset button is used for controlling presetting and adjusting tuning As preset button 9 is pressed down the preset time can be adjusted w ithin a range from 1 to 59 minutes

On top case 3 is mounted an indicator light 2 which is connected to an input of a coil in a electromagnetic wave generator E of the internal circuit When electromagnetic wave generator E operates the indicator light changes its lightness depending on vaπation of frequencv of the electπc pulse informing the user of operation state (turn on/off) and frequencv characteπstic of the electromagnetic wave

One or more through holes 5 arc also provided on top case 3 Corresponding to the holes buzzer 14 is arranged w ithin the external casing, being connected to timing and displav ing circuit A Timing circuit A-4 controls buzzer 14 to issue a buzzing noise for prompting die user

As shown in TIG 6 a pluralitv of parallel holes for passing magnetic flux 1 1 are provided on bottom case 12 When electromagnetic wav e generator E operates the electromagnetic wave generated bv generator E can be applied to the abutting human bodv through these holes on bottom base 12

Furthermore, in a place where top and bottom cases 3 and 12 are clipped together, through hole 10 is provided for inserting a power plug thereinto when an extemal power source is utilized, and hole 10- 1 for controlling pulse frequency is also provided Both ends of the external casing each are provided with belt shaft 16 to which belts land 6 of an adjustable length arc fastened, respectively When using the apparatus, one tic the belts to his arm. leg or other small affected parts

As shown in FIGS 7a to 7c. electromagnetic wave generator E of this embodiment includes two assemblies of cores 15 and coils 19 paralleled through conductors These assemblies are arranged within the extemal casing between man circuit board 13 and bottom case 12. their positions aligned with holes for passing magnetic flux 1 1

FIGS 8. 9a - 9c. and 10a - 10b show circuitn and overall configuration of die third and the fourth embodiments according to the present invention As show n in these figures, the apparatus consists of main unit I and one or more subunits II. III. The main unit corresponds to that of the first and the second embodiments, except that the belts are not fastened to belt shafts 16 at both ends of the main unit, which shafts are movably hinged to those at both ends of the subunits through upper shaft cover 36 and lower shaft cover 37 buckled to respectiv e shaft Belts 1 and 6 of an adjustable length are fastened to two subunits at the farthest ends of the apparatus, for tying larger affected parts of human body

An internal circuit of the subunits oniv compπscs electromagnetic wave generator E formed of two cores 15 and their coils I*' wound around coil mandrels 20 Electromagnetic wav e generator E is connected in parallel to section F in the main unit through conductors 27 the circuit arrangement being shown in FIG 8 The subunits are driven by the internal circuit of the main units, their operation pπncψles are identical to those shown in FIGS 6a - 6c and 7a - 7b In contrast to the main unit, in positions of the external easing of the subunits corresponding to indicator light 2. liquid cry stal display screen 4, display film 7. sw itch control button 8. preset button 9. power socket 10 and hole for controlling pulse frequencv 10- 1 of the main unit, decorative pieces 32. 33. 10 and 35 of similar shapes are provided so that the appearances of the main unit and subunits may look uniform Other coiifigurational features of the extemal casing of the subunits are identical to those of the main unit

In the third preferred embodiment of the invention, the internal circuit of the main unit includes an oscillator circuit of variable frequency, and in the fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, the internal circuit of the main unit includes a heartbeat sensing circuit FIG 11 shows a side view of the third and the fourth embodiments of the invention under operation, a buckle or hook at ends of the belts being for connection and fixation.

Each section of the internal circuit of the present invention can be formed of associated integrated circuits.

As mentioned above, the manners of operation and connection of the circuits and decoration of the appearance of the invention are obviously not limited to t-he above description of these embodiments A person skilled in this art can make various changes and modifications without departure from the concepts and spirit of the present invention Therefore these changes and modifications should fall into the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims

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II