Patent Publication Number: US-2012030970-A1

Title: Magnet vibration device using external pressure and shoe having the same

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of pending International Patent Application PCT/KR2010/002914 filed on May 7, 2010, which designates the United States and claims priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0040167, filed May 8, 2009 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0040170, filed May 8, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a magnet vibration device using external pressure and a shoe having the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a magnet vibration device using external pressure, which has a case with an elastic force and a restoring force and a vibration plate having a magnet and disposed inside the case in such a way as to generate vibration according to changes in the form of the case by external pressure. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recently, as an interest in functional shoes increases, various kinds of shoes with vibration devices therein have been developed. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a shoe having a vibration device. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the vibration device includes a motor  20 , a battery  40 , and a switch  50  mounted inside the shoe for generating vibration. 
     When a wearer starts to walk after wearing the shoe, the switch is pressed by the wearer&#39;s weight, and then, electric current of the battery  40  flows to the motor  20 . When the motor  20  works, an eccentric cam  22  mounted on a motor shaft rotates to generate vibration, and then, the vibration of the eccentric cam  22  is transferred to a vibration plate  30  mounted on the eccentric cam  22 . Accordingly, the wearer can feel vibration from the sole of his or her foot like a foot massage effect. 
     However, such a shoe with the vibration function has several problems in that it requires a periodic exchange of the battery and in that it may not work normally due to a lot of breakdowns of the electric device. Moreover, the conventional shoe with the vibration function has further problems in that it is complicated in structure, and in that it is restricted to be applied to other fields due to a problem of volume. 
     So, new vibration devices, which are simple in structure, have little chance for breakdowns, and are applicable to other fields, are in desperate need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior arts, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a magnet vibration device, which is simple in structure, has little chance for breakdowns, and is applicable to various fields using vibration. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnet vibration device, which is beneficial to a wearer&#39;s health by transferring vibration to the wearer&#39;s body and by transferring a change in magnetic force. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a shoe having the magnet vibration device. 
     To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a magnet vibration device including: a case that is changeable in shape by external pressure and has a restoring force when the shape of the case is changed; a vibration plate disposed inside the case and changed in position in connection with the changed shape of the case; a first magnet mounted on the vibration plate; and a second magnet mounted at a position where a repulsive fore is generated between the first magnet and the second magnet when the position of the vibration plate is changed. 
     Preferably, the magnet vibration device further includes a guide member mounted inside the case, the guide member including a first lever and a second lever that change their relative distance when the case is changed in shape. The vibration plate is joined to one of the first lever and the second lever, and the second magnet is joined to the other one of the first lever and the second lever where the vibration plate is not joined. 
     Moreover, the magnet vibration device further includes a third magnet joined to the case in such a fashion as to generate a repulsive force between the first magnet and the third magnet when the vibration plate is changed in position. The first magnet is located between the second magnet and the third magnet. 
     Furthermore, the vibration plate is mounted on the wall surface of the case and is linked with the change in shape of the case. 
     Additionally, the magnet vibration device further includes stoppers adapted to limit a range of a change in shape of the case. 
     In addition, the magnet vibration device further includes an elastic member disposed inside the case to enhance a restoring force of the case when the case is changed in shape. 
     Moreover, the case has a coated layer formed on the whole outer face thereof. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a shoe having the magnet vibration device mounted in the sole of the shoe in such a fashion that the case is changed in shape when a wearer walks. 
     Furthermore, the magnet vibration device is embedded in a space portion formed in the sole of the shoe and the space portion has a spare space for accepting the change in shape of the case. 
     The present invention has the following effects. 
     First, the magnet vibration device according to the present invention includes a vibration plate that is disposed inside a case with an elastic force and has a first magnet mounted thereon, and a second magnet (or a third magnet) that is disposed inside the case and generating a repulsive force together with the first magnet. Through the above configuration, when the case is changed in its shape by external pressure, vibration is generated due to a position change of the magnets. Accordingly, the present invention can simply realize the structure to generate vibration. 
     Second, the present invention can be used semipermanently because it does not require additional energy sources, and is applicable to various technical fields because of its compact size. 
     Third, because there is a change in magnetic force when vibration is generated and the change in magnetic force is transferred to the sole and skin of the wearer&#39;s food, the present invention is beneficial to a flow of blood. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view for explaining an example of a vibration device according to a prior art. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of a magnet vibration device using external force according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a vibration means according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view showing an operational state of the magnet vibration device using external force according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a magnet vibration device using external force according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematically sectional view showing a used state of the magnet vibration device using external pressure according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7(   a ) is a sectional view of a first example of a case of the magnet vibration device according to the present invention,  FIG. 7(   b ) is a sectional view of a second example of the case,  FIG. 7(   c ) is a sectional view of a third example of the case, and  FIG. 7(   d ) is a sectional view of a fourth example of the case. 
       
         
           
             
                 
               
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   &lt;Explanation of essential reference numerals in drawings&gt; 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
              
                 
                     
                 
              
             
             
                 
                 
                 
              
                 
                     
                   100: case 
                   110: elastic member 
                 
                 
                     
                   120: coated layer 
                   130: stopper 
                 
                 
                     
                   141: upper member 
                   142: support member 
                 
                 
                     
                   200: vibration means 
                   210: guide member 
                 
                 
                     
                   212: first lever 
                   213: protrusion 
                 
                 
                     
                   214: joining projection 
                   216: second lever 
                 
                 
                     
                   218: joining groove 
                   220: vibration plate 
                 
                 
                     
                   230: first magnet 
                   240: second magnet 
                 
                 
                     
                   250: third magnet 
                   300: shoe 
                 
                 
                     
                   310: space portion 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                 
              
             
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, reference will be now made in detail to a magnet vibration device using external pressure according to the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. 
     The example embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are just the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, and hence, they do not represent all technical ideas and scopes of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that there is no intent to limit example embodiments of the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, example embodiments of the invention are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional view of a magnet vibration device using external force according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a vibration means according to the first preferred embodiment, and  FIG. 4  is a sectional view showing an operational state of the magnet vibration device using external force according to the first preferred embodiment. 
     First, referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the magnet vibration device using external pressure according to the present invention includes a case  100  and a vibration means  200 . 
     The case  100  is made of a soft material with elasticity so that it is compressed and be changed in shape when external force acts and is returned to its original state when the external pressure is removed. Moreover, it is preferable that the case  100  is divided into an upper part and a lower part for easy assembly and disassembly. Furthermore, the case  100  preferably has a coated layer  120  formed on the entire outer face thereof to provide solidity and sealability. 
     Additionally, the case  100  further includes an elastic member  110  disposed below the vibration means  200  inside the case  100  in order to enhance a restoring force when the case  100  is changed in shape by the external pressure. 
     In addition, the case  100  may be formed in one of various section shapes, such as an oval shape, a spherical shape, a hemispherical shape, and so on. Out of the above shapes, the oval shape illustrated in the drawings is the most preferable shape, and other shapes will be described in other embodiments. 
     The vibration means  200  is disposed inside the case  100  and is connected with the change in shape of the case  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the vibration means  200  includes a guide member  210 , a vibration plate  220 , a first magnet  230 , and a second magnet  240 . Moreover, it is preferable that the vibration means  200  further includes a third magnet  250 . 
     The guide member  210  is mounted inside the case  100  and includes a first lever  212  and a second lever  216  that provide a relative sliding by the change in shape of the case  100 . 
     The first lever  212  has one side fixed to one side wall of the case  100 , and includes protrusions  213  formed on both sides thereof and joining projections  214  formed for joining the vibration plate  220  to the first lever  212 . 
     The second lever  216  has a joining groove  218  formed on one side thereof, which is joined with the protrusions  213  of the first lever  212 . Accordingly, the portion of the first lever  212  where the protrusions are formed can be slidably joined to the second lever  216 . Furthermore, the other side of the second lever  216  is fixed to the other side wall of the case  100 . 
     Because the first and second levers  212  and  216  of the guide member  210  are respectively attached to the inner wall of the case  100 , they are relatively slidable according to changes in shape of the case  100 , and hence, there occurs a change in a relative distance between the first and second levers  212  and  216 . 
     The first and second levers  212  and  216  should not be separated from each other during the sliding motion. That is, even though the case  100  is changed in the most compressed state by the external pressure, the first and second levers  212  and  216  must be designed to keep the joined state after sliding. 
     In the meantime, the vibration plate  220  is slidable together with the first and second levers  212  and  216  in a state where an end of one side of the vibration plate  220  is joined to the upper face of the first lever  212  or the second lever  216 . Preferably, the vibration plate  220  is joined to the joining projection  214  formed on the upper face of the first lever  212  and is made of metals with elasticity. 
     Additionally, not shown in the drawings, but the vibration plate  220  may be directly mounted on the wall surface of the case  100  instead of the first and second levers  212  and  216 . That is, the vibration plate  220  is located on an upper portion of the first lever  212 , and in this instance, the end portion of the vibration plate  220  may be directly fixed not to the first lever  212  but to the wall surface of the case  100 . Then, the vibration plate  220  can be moved in link with the changes in shape of the case  100 , and it may produce a repulsive force between the second magnet  240  of the second lever  216 , which will be described later, and the first magnet  230 . 
     Meanwhile, the first magnet  230  is a general permanent magnet, which is disposed at an end of the other side of the vibration plate  220 . Moreover, the second magnet  240  is also a permanent magnet and is disposed on one of the first and second levers  212  and  216  where the vibration plate  220  is not joined. That is, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the repulsive force is produced between the second magnet  240  and the lower surface of the first magnet  230  when the first lever  212  is moved in a state where the second magnet  240  is joined to the second lever  216 . 
     Finally, the third magnet  250  produces the repulsive force together with the upper surface of the first magnet  230 , and hence, the vibration plate  220  can be vibrated more smoothly inside the case  100 . The third magnet  250  is joined to the upper face of the case  100  as shown in  FIG. 2 . In this instance, the portion of the case  100  where the third magnet  250  is joined may be thinner than other portions of the case  100 . The reason is that it can produce a better vibration effect because the thinner portion may inherently produce vibration when the repulsive force is created between the third magnet  250  and the first magnet  230 . 
     Now, an arrangement of the first, second and third magnets  230 ,  240  and  250  will be described. The first magnet  230  is disposed at the end of the vibration plate  220 , the second magnet  240  is disposed on the second lever  216 , which is disposed on a lower face of the vibration plate  220 , and the third magnet  250  is aligned on the inner face of the case  100  in such a way as to be located on the upper face of the vibration plate  220 . Accordingly, the first magnet  230  produces the repulsive force among the second and third magnets  240  and  250 , which are respectively disposed on the upper face and the lower face of the first magnet  230 , when the case  100  is changed in its shape. If the first magnet  230  has the N pole at the lower face and the S pole at the upper face, the second magnet  240  must have the N pole at the upper face and the third magnet  240  must have the S pole at the lower face. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the operation of the magnet vibration device according to the present invention will be described. 
     If the external pressure is not applied to the magnet vibration device of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 4(   a ), there is no relative sliding between the first lever  212  and the second lever  216 , and hence, the first magnet  230  fixed to the vibration plate  220  is not vibrated. 
     Meanwhile, as shown in  FIG. 4(   b ), when the external pressure is applied to the upper face or the lower face of the case  100 , the case  100  is compressed and becomes flat. Then, the first and second levers  212  and  216  disposed inside the case  100  take a sliding motion in the opposite direction to each other. Accordingly, the first magnet  230  of the vibration plate  220 , which is mounted on the first lever  212 , and the second magnet  240 , which is mounted on the second lever  216 , get nearer to each other, and the repulsive force is produced between the first magnet  230  and the second magnet  240 , and then, the end of the vibration plate  220  is upwardly bounced and goes up due to the repulsive force. As described above, the vibration plate  220  suddenly bounced up generates vibration for a predetermined period of time due to its elasticity. 
     In this embodiment, the third magnet  250  may be additionally mounted on the upper portion of the first magnet  230  inside the case  100 . Accordingly, the vibration plate  220  produces stronger vibration while moving between the second and third magnets  240  and  250  because a repulsive force may be produced between the first magnet  230 , which is bounced up, and the third magnet  250 . 
     In this instance, because the portion of the case  100  where the third magnet  250  is disposed is thinner than other portions of the case  100 , the thinner portion is vibrated when the repulsive force is created between the first magnet  230  and the third magnet  250 . Hence, not only the vibration plate  220  but also the case  100  may provide vibration. 
     Meanwhile, if the external pressure applied to the case  100  is removed, the case  100  is restored to the initial state due to the restoring force of the case  100  and the elastic member  110 . Additionally, the first and second levers  212  and  216  of the guide member  210  get nearer while sliding, and then, are joined with each other. Due to the sliding motion, the first magnet  230  of the vibration plate  220  mounted on the first lever  212  and the second magnet  240  of the second lever  216  are dislocated from each other, and thereby, the repulsive force is not produced anymore. 
     When the above action becomes repetitive, the vibration plate  220  continuously bounces, and hence, can continuously generate vibration. 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a magnet vibration device using external force according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the case  100  has two vibration means  200  and  200 ′ therein. That is, the vibration means  200  and  200 ′ are respectively arranged at the upper portion and the lower portion of the case  100  in such a fashion as to be symmetric to each other, so that vibration and a magnetic force are generated at the upper portion and the lower portion of the case when the case  100  is changed in its shape. Additional description in relation with the operation of the magnet vibration device having the above structure will be omitted because it can be understood from the operation of the vibration means  200  in the first preferred embodiment, which is previously described. 
     Next, an example where the magnet vibration device described above is applied will be described. 
       FIG. 6(   a ) and ( b ) are schematically sectional views showing a state where the magnet vibration device using external pressure according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is applied to a shoe. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the magnet vibration device of the present invention is embedded in the heel portion of the sole of the shoe  300 . Of course, the heel portion of the sole of the shoe  300  has a space portion  310  to mount the magnet vibration device therein, and in this instance, a spare space for accepting the change in shape of the case  100  must be secured. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6(   b ), when a wearer starts to walk in a state where the magnet vibration device is embedded in the heel portion of the sole of the shoe  300 , the case  100  is changed in its shape by the external pressure generated while the wearer walks. With the change in shape of the case  100 , when the guide member  210  slidably moves, the first magnet  230  of the vibration plate  220  produces among the second and third magnets  240  and  250 , and hence, the vibration plate  220  is vibrated. 
     Accordingly, the wearer can feel vibration of the vibration plate  220 , and hence, can take exercises without boredom because the vibration makes interest in walking or running higher. Furthermore, the first magnet  230  of the vibration plate  220  creates a change in a magnetic field during vibration, and it may promote blood circulation on the sole of the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     Here,  FIG. 6  illustrates an example where the magnet vibration device of the present invention is applied to the shoe for your better understanding, but the magnet vibration device of the present invention can be applied to various fields. That is, not shown in the drawings, but the magnet vibration device may be applied to a belt in such a fashion that it can generate vibration as the case  100  expands ambilaterally when the belt is expanded. Moreover, the magnet vibration device may be also applied to a dynamometer in such a fashion that vibration and the magnetic force are simultaneously transferred to the user&#39;s palm by the grasping strength. 
     In addition, the magnet vibration device may be also applied to a device to measure depth of water by measuring vibration generated when the shape is changed by water pressure. 
     As described above, the magnet vibration device of the present invention is applicable to various kinds of health care devices and can be widely used in various and different industrial fields. 
     Next, various examples of the case  100 , which is changed in shape, will be described. 
     mom  FIG. 7(   a ) is a sectional view of a second example of a case of the magnet vibration device according to the present invention,  FIG. 7(   b ) is a sectional view of a third example of the case,  FIG. 7(   c ) is a sectional view of a fourth example of the case, and  FIG. 7(   d ) is a sectional view of a fifth example of the case. 
     First, it should be understood that the case  100  of the present invention any shape of the case  100  that is changed in shape by the external pressure and restored to its original form can be used, and  FIG. 7  illustrates examples of several shapes of the case for your better understanding. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7(   a ), a case  100 ′ according to the second example of the present invention has horizontal or nearly circular upper and lower sides. Moreover, the case  100 ′ has stoppers  130  disposed at upper and lower portions of both sides thereof to restrict a change range of the shape of the case compressed when the case is compressed by the external pressure. The case  100 ′ having the above shape includes the vibration means  200  as described above, and the vibration means  200  generates vibration according to the case  100 ′ changed in shape by the external pressure. 
     In the meantime, because the case  100 ′ that has the stoppers  130  can be prevented from being completely compressed by the external pressure, it can reduce a period of time for restoring to its original shape, and hence, it provides convenience in use. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7(   b ), a case  100 ″ according to the third example of the present invention has a shape similar to the case  100 ′ of  FIG. 7(   a ) but has double partition walls. The reason is to enhance elasticity of the case that is made of a soft material. Referring to  FIG. 7(   c ), a case  100 ′″ according to the fourth example of the present invention has a hemispherical shape. The vibration means  200  is disposed below the hemispherical case  100 ′″ to thereby generate vibration when the shape of the case is changed. 
     Finally, referring to  FIG. 7(   d ), a case  100 ′″ according to the fifth example of the present invention includes an upper member  141  and support members  142  disposed below the upper member  141  in an X-shape. The vibration means  200  is mounted below the support members  142 , and when the external pressure is applied to the case, vibration is generated by the guide member  210  widened ambilaterally. 
     As described above, in the present invention, any of the case  100  that is changeable in shape by the external pressure without regard to the shape can be used. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to particular matters, limited embodiments and drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed since the embodiments are disclosed in the present invention for better understanding of the present invention, but various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Because the present invention is a device to generate vibration when the external pressure is applied, the wearer can feel vibration when he or she wears body-contact goods in which the vibration device is mounted. Accordingly, because the wearer can enjoy repeated physical activities and feel the action of the external pressure, the vibration device according to the present invention can be usefully utilized in various industrial fields, such as shoes, belts, and so on.