Patent Publication Number: US-10780016-B2

Title: Vertical motion adjuster for thermotherapy device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/884,209, filed May 8, 2013, which is a national stage application of International Application No. PCT/KR2011/008519, filed Nov. 9, 2011, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0064845, filed Jun. 30, 2011, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0110787, filed Nov. 9, 2010, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a therapy device for acupressure therapy and massage, and more particularly, to a vertical motion adjuster installed at a thermotherapy device capable of simultaneously accomplishing a pressing acupressure therapy effect and a pushing acupressure therapy effect. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent times, a generally used thermotherapy device has been developed into a bed type thermotherapy device to maximize a therapy effect of a user&#39;s spine area for thermotherapy and far-infrared radiation. 
     Nowadays, most of the bed type thermotherapy devices employ a curved rail conforming to a spine area of a human body in order to provide a more accurate and precise effect on the user&#39;s spine area. However, the thermotherapy device that employs the curved rail of the related art has not been able to accomplish an acupressure therapy and massage effect with the same pressure on the neck area and the waist area corresponding to a user&#39;s therapy area. Since the curved rail of the related art is standardized and the standardized shape is always moved upward and downward in a state in which the curved rail is mounted in a mat once, in the case of users having different body sizes, a moxibustion device has not been able to accomplish the acupressure therapy and massage effect with the same pressure. 
     SUMMARY 
     In order to solve the foregoing and/or other problems, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a vertical motion adjuster for a thermotherapy device capable of simultaneously accomplishing a pressing acupressure therapy effect and a pushing acupressure therapy effect. 
     The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention may be achieved by providing a vertical motion adjuster for a thermotherapy device including: a conveyance unit provided with a movable member configured to move along a mat; a support unit having one side coupled to the conveyance unit; and an elevation unit installed between the conveyance unit and the support unit and configured to raise or lower the other side of the support unit. 
     The elevation unit may include a guide member; and a rotary member in contact with the guide member. 
     A gear surface may be formed at one side of the guide member, and the rotary member may be a pinion meshed with the gear surface. 
     The gear surface may be formed inside the guide member, and the pinion may be disposed inside the guide member to come in contact with the gear surface. The plurality of guide members and the plurality of rotary members may be provided. 
     The plurality of guide members and the plurality of rotary members may be provided. 
     A driving member configured to rotate the rotary member may be installed at the conveyance unit. 
     A gear box configured to transmit a rotational force of the driving member to the rotary member may be installed between a rotary shaft of the rotary member and a rotary shaft of the driving member. 
     The conveyance unit and the support unit may be hinged through a hinge unit. 
     The hinge unit may include protrusion members installed at both sides of the conveyance unit; connecting members installed at both sides of the support unit; and hinge members passing through the protrusion members and the connecting members. 
     A support frame on which a moxibustion device is mounted is installed at an upper surface of the support unit, and the support frame is pivotally installed at a pivot shaft. 
     A first resilient member having one end supported by the support unit and the other end supported by the support frame may be installed at the pivot shaft, and the first resilient member may be configured to apply a resilient force to the support frame such that one moxibustion device adjacent to the coupling position of the conveyance unit and the support unit is moved upward. 
     A temperature detecting member configured to detect a temperature of the moxibustion device may be provided, and a second resilient member configured to apply a resilient force in a direction in which the moxibustion device is moved upward may be installed at the temperature detecting member. 
     The second resilient member may be a coating surrounding the temperature detecting member. 
     An upwardly moving distance of the one moxibustion device adjacent to the coupling position of the conveyance unit and the support unit is different from an upwardly moving distance of the other moxibustion device opposite to the one moxibustion device with respect to the pivot shaft. 
     The upwardly moving distance of the one moxibustion device is larger than that of the other moxibustion device. 
     Inclination angles may be formed at a lower end of the support frame, and the inclination angle directed toward the one moxibustion device may be set to be smaller than the inclination angle directed toward the other moxibustion device. 
     A protrusion may extend downward from a lower end of the support frame, inclination angles may be formed at a lower end of the protrusion, and the inclination angle directed toward the one moxibustion device may be set to be smaller than the inclination angle directed toward the other moxibustion device. 
     An absorption member protruding upward toward the lower end of the support frame may be formed at the upper surface of the support unit, and a height of the absorption member protruding upward toward the one moxibustion device may be larger than that of the absorption member protruding upward toward the other moxibustion device. 
     A gear member having a gear surface formed at one side thereof may be installed at the guide member, and the gear member may be configured as a detachable structure. 
     A limit switch may be installed at any one of the conveyance unit and the guide member, a detection protrusion may be installed at the other, and when the detection protrusion enters the limit switch, a lowering operation of the support unit may be stopped. 
     A driving member configured to rotate the rotary member may be provided, and a rotation detection member configured to detect a raising operation of the guide member may be installed at the driving member. 
     The coupling position of the conveyance unit and the support unit may be disposed at a position lower than an upper end surface of the support unit. 
     The conveyance unit and the support unit may be hinged by a hinge unit. 
     The hinge unit may include protrusion members installed at both sides of the conveyance unit, connecting members installed at both sides of the support unit, and hinge members passing through the protrusion member and the connecting member. 
     A pin hole through which a pin passes may be formed in the hinge member. 
     An accommodating space into which the support unit enters may be formed in the conveyance unit. 
     A through-hole through which the elevation unit passes may be formed in a center of the conveyance unit. 
     A reinforcement rib formed along an edge of the conveyance unit to surround the through-hole may be formed at a base surface of the conveyance unit. 
     The plurality of reinforcement ribs may be formed in a lengthwise direction of the conveyance unit. 
     The conveyance unit may be manufactured by a die-casting process such that the reinforcement rib, the side surface plate, and the roller fixing shaft formed at the conveyance unit are integrally formed. 
     A cable configured to connect a circuit member installed under the conveyance unit and a circuit member installed under the support unit may be provided, a long hole through which the cable passes may be formed in the conveyance unit, and the long hole may have a length in a lengthwise direction larger than a length in a widthwise direction. 
     A projection surface curved toward a center of the long hole may be formed at an inner surface in the lengthwise direction of the long hole. 
     A cover member may be installed at an inner surface in the lengthwise direction of the long hole. 
     According to the vertical motion adjuster for the thermotherapy device of the present invention, the following effects are provided. 
     First, since the pressing acupressure therapy effect and the pushing acupressure therapy effect can be simultaneously accomplished as the moxibustion device is moved and raised in an arc shape, the thermotherapy effect as well as the acupressure therapy effect can be improved through the moxibustion device. 
     Second, even in a state in which the resilient member is installed at the support unit and the support unit is raised, the acupressure therapy and massage effect can be effectively provided. 
     Third, the accommodating space in which the support unit is accommodated is formed in the conveyance unit to reduce the size of the apparatus, and the conveyance unit, the support unit and the gear member are configured in a detachable manner, enabling maintenance thereof. 
     Fourth, the through-hole through which the guide member passes is formed in the center of the conveyance unit, and the long hole through which the cable passes is formed in the conveyance unit, improving durability. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a thermotherapy device including a vertical motion adjuster according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the vertical motion adjuster according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the vertical motion adjuster according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the vertical motion adjuster according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when seen from a lower side thereof; 
         FIG. 5  is views showing a state in which a moxibustion device of the vertical motion adjuster according to the present invention is raised,  FIG. 5  showing a perspective view, 
         FIG. 6  showing an exploded perspective view, and 
         FIG. 7  showing a perspective view when seen from a lower side thereof; 
         FIG. 6  is views showing a vertical motion adjuster according to a second embodiment of the vertical motion adjuster according to the present invention, 
         FIG. 8  showing a perspective view when seen from an upper side thereof, and 
         FIG. 9  showing a perspective view when seen from a lower side thereof; 
         FIG. 10A  is a plan view of the vertical motion adjuster according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and 
         FIG. 10B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 10A   
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the vertical motion adjuster according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 10A   
         FIG. 12B  is a side view of a support frame of the vertical motion adjuster of  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  are exploded views of the vertical motion adjuster according to the second embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 14  showing a bottom view of a support unit, and  FIG. 15  showing a bottom view of a conveyance unit; and 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of  FIG. 10A . 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention provides a vertical motion adjuster for a thermotherapy device including: a conveyance unit provided with a movable member configured to move along a mat; a support unit having one side coupled to the conveyance unit; and an elevation unit installed between the conveyance unit and the support unit and configured to raise or lower the other side of the support unit. 
     An embodiment of a vertical motion adjuster for a thermotherapy device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a thermotherapy device including a vertical motion adjuster according to the present invention,  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the vertical motion adjuster according to the first embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the vertical motion adjuster according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the vertical motion adjuster according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when seen from a lower side thereof. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the thermotherapy device according to the embodiment provides the vertical motion adjuster including a conveyance unit  100  having a movable member that can move along a mat, a support unit  200  having one side coupled to the conveyance unit  100 , and an elevation unit  300  disposed between the conveyance unit  200  and the support unit  200  and configured to raise or lower the other side of the support unit  200 . 
     The thermotherapy device includes a thermotherapy mat  1  having a hollow section, and a moving apparatus configured to move the vertical motion adjuster in a major axis direction of the hollow section. According to necessity, an auxiliary mat extending from the thermotherapy mat may be further provided. 
     The moving apparatus includes a motor unit  2 , and a conveyance unit  3  coupled to the vertical motion adjuster and configured to move the vertical motion adjuster forward and rearward in the major axis direction of the hollow section according to a rotational force of the motor unit  2 . Here, the conveyance unit  3  may use various configurations such as a belt, a chain, a screw, or the like. Here, the major axis direction of the hollow section refers to a lengthwise direction of a user&#39;s spine. 
     While not shown, a control unit configured to control the respective devices, parts, and units, an input unit configured to receive a control input of a user, a power input unit configured to provide an external power source, and so on, may be further provided. 
     The conveyance unit  100  of the vertical motion adjuster includes a plate-shaped body, and movable members  110  disposed at both sides of the body. In addition, as described above, the body of the conveyance unit  100  is coupled to the conveyance unit  3  of the moving apparatus. As a result, the conveyance unit  100  can move forward and rearward in the major axis direction of the hollow section. In addition, as one end of the support unit  200  is coupled to the body of the conveyance unit  100 , the support unit  200  can also move with the conveyance unit  100 . 
     The body of the conveyance unit  100  may be constituted by a plurality of pieces, and in this case, an acupressure therapy and massage can be simultaneously performed at various areas of the user&#39;s body. 
     A moxibustion device  210  is placed on the support unit  200  of the embodiment. The moxibustion device  210  includes a cap type moxibustion device and a roller type moxibustion device, which are configured to provide a warm moxibustion effect and an acupressure therapy effect to the user&#39;s neck and waist areas. Accordingly, when the support unit  200  arrives at a position where the acupressure therapy is needed, the support unit  200  is raised and lowered to provide the acupressure therapy effect to the user. 
     One side of the support unit  200  is coupled to the conveyance unit  100 , and the elevation unit  300  is provided at the other side of the support unit  200 . 
     While the one side of the support unit  200  and the conveyance unit  100  may be hinged by a hinge member  430  (to be described later), the coupling is not limited thereto but may be performed by a bolt and a nut, and any kind of coupling is also possible as long as the other side of the support unit  200  can be raised and lowered. 
     The other side of the support unit  200  is raised and lowered by the elevation unit  300 . As described above, since the one side of the support unit  200  is coupled to the conveyance unit  100 , only the other side of the support unit  200  is raised and lowered. That is, the support unit  200  is raised and lowered while forming an inclination angle with the conveyance unit  100 . Preferably, the other side of the support unit  200  is moved in an arc shape about the one side of the support unit  200 . 
     According to the above-mentioned configuration, the moxibustion device  210  installed at the support unit  200  is moved upward and forward so that a pressing acupressure therapy effect and a pushing acupressure therapy effect can be simultaneously provided to the user. 
     A coupling position of the conveyance unit  100  and the support unit  200  may be the front or the rear of the support unit  200 . That is, when the front of the support unit  200  is coupled thereto, the rear of the support unit  200  is moved in an arc shape, and when the rear of the support unit  200  is coupled thereto, the front of the support unit  200  is moved in an arc shape. 
     Here, when a moving direction of the vertical motion adjuster is set as a reference line, any one edge of edges of the support unit  200  perpendicular or crossing the reference line is fixedly coupled to the conveyance unit  100 . 
     The elevation unit  300  is installed between the conveyance unit  100  and the support unit  200  to raise and lower the one side of the support unit  200 , and thus an angle between the conveyance unit  100  and the support unit  200  is varied to raise and lower the moxibustion device  210 . 
     The elevation unit  300  includes a guide member  310 , and a rotary member  320  in contact with the guide member  310 . In addition, the elevation unit  300  may further include a driving member  330  configured to rotate the rotary member  320 , and a gear box  340  configured to transmit a rotational force of the driving member  330  to the rotary member  320 . 
     The guide member  310  supports the one side of the support unit  200 . 
     The guide member  310  has a portion in contact with the rotary member  320  and the portion in contact with the rotary member  320  may have an arc shape. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the other side of the support unit  200  can be smoothly raised and lowered. 
     As the rotary member  320  is rotated while the support unit  200  is lowered, the guide member  310  passes through the conveyance unit  100  and moves downward. As a result, the entire height of the vertical motion adjuster can be reduced. 
     The rotary member  320  is installed to come in contact with the guide member  310  to raise and lower the guide member  310 . 
     A gear surface  311  is formed at one side of the guide member  310 , and the rotary member  320  is a pinion  321  meshed with the gear surface  311 . 
     According to the above-mentioned configuration, the gear surface  311  formed at the guide member  310  is meshed with the pinion  321  to prevent slippage of the contact area between the gear surface  311  and the pinion  321 , and thus, the acupressure therapy and massage effect can be improved. 
     When the gear surface  311  is configured to enable attachment and detachment, maintenance thereof becomes easy. 
     Of course, in the embodiment, the guide member  310  is raised and lowered through a gear mechanism. However, the present invention is not limited to the gear mechanism, and various modifications may be made as long as the guide member  310  can be raised and lowered. Of course, in order to provide the above-mentioned configuration, it is effective to prevent slippage of the contact area between the guide member and the rotary member. For example, a rubber pad may be installed at areas of the guide member  310  and the rotary member  320  in contact with each other to adhere them, and a configuration of a linear motion (LM) guide type may be added to be replaced with the gear mechanism. In this case, according to necessity, the configuration of the guide member  310  may be varied. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the gear surface  311  is formed inside the guide member  310 . The pinion  321  may be disposed inside the guide member  310  to come in contact with the gear surface  311 . 
     Here, the inside is in a direction (a leftward direction of  FIG. 4 ) directed toward the coupling position of the conveyance unit  100  and the support unit  200 . 
     When the pinion  321  is rotated clockwise with respect to  FIG. 4 , the guide member  310  is rotated about the coupling position of the conveyance unit  100  and the support unit  200 . According to the above-mentioned configuration, the guide member  310  can be rapidly raised or lowered. 
     As a radius of rotation is relatively reduced, a length of an arc needed to raise or lower the guide member  310  is also reduced. That is, the guide member  310  can be raised or lowered even when the pinion  321  is relatively slightly rotated, and since the pinion  321  is relatively slightly rotated, power consumption of a motor configured to rotate the pinion  321  is reduced. 
     The plurality of guide members  310  may be installed in a widthwise direction (a direction perpendicular to the reference line as described above) of the support unit  200 . Accordingly, the support unit  200  can be prevented from being inclined toward the one side when the support unit  200  is raised and lowered. 
     A length in the widthwise direction of the guide member  310  may be within a certain range such that the rotary member  320  can easily raise the guide member  310 . 
     When the length in the widthwise direction of the support unit is set to 100, a length in a widthwise direction of the guide member (a leg) may be 1 to 20. 
     When the length in the widthwise direction of the guide member  310  is too short, durability is weakened, the user cannot receive the acupressure therapy and massage, mass production becomes difficult due to the complicated configuration caused by the excessive length, and a space for installation of another component (for example, a motor or the like) is insufficient. In addition, the width can be variously varied according to the number of installed guide members. 
     In the vertical motion adjuster according to the present invention, the conveyance unit  100  includes the driving member  330  configured to rotate the rotary member  320 . A BLDC motor may be used as the driving member  330 . 
     The driving member  330  may be installed under the conveyance unit  100 . Accordingly, it is effective if the rotary member  320  is also installed under the conveyance unit  100 . Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto but the rotary member  320  may be installed in a space between the conveyance unit  100  and the support unit  200 . 
     While the driving member  330  may be directly connected to the rotary member  320 , when the driving member  330  cannot be directly connected to the rotary member  320  due to a structural problem, a separate configuration such as the gear box  340  may be additionally provided to connect them. In this case, maintenance of the gear box  340  and the rotary member  320  can be conveniently performed. 
     Due to the structural problem, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the driving member  330  is mounted such that the rotary shaft is disposed in a longitudinal direction (an x-axis direction, i.e., a direction of the reference line). The rotary member  320  is mounted such that the rotary shaft is disposed in a lateral direction (a y-axis direction, i.e., a direction perpendicular to the reference line). In this case, the gear box  340  is configured to transmit power from the rotary shaft in the longitudinal direction (the x-axis direction) of the driving member  330  to the rotary shaft in the lateral direction (the y-axis direction) of the rotary member  320 . Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto but various members (structures, mechanisms, and so on) may be used to transmit power. 
     A bevel gear, a worm gear, or the like, may be used as the gear box  340  to easily transmit power when the rotary shafts are not parallel to each other. 
     At least one side of the conveyance unit  100  and the support unit  200  are hinged by a hinge unit  400 . The hinge unit  400  includes protrusion members  410  installed at both sides of the conveyance unit  100 , connecting members  420  installed at both sides of the support unit  200 , and the hinge members  430  passing through the protrusion members  410  and the connecting members  420 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the hinge unit  400  functions to rotatably fix one side of the support unit  200  to the conveyance unit  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the protrusion member  410  is constituted by a pair of vertical frames  411  stood up at both sides thereof to provide a sufficient supporting force. The connecting member  420  is inserted between the vertical frames  411 . The hinge member  430  passes through the pair of vertical frames  411  and the connecting member  420  and is fixed thereto to rotatably support the support unit  200 . 
     The vertical motion adjuster according to the embodiment is a one-side opening/closing type in which the one side is raised and lowered. The moxibustion device  210  installed on the support unit  200  is configured to slightly move the user during the acupressure therapy and massage. Since a noise or impact may occur while the moxibustion device  210  is slightly moved as described above, an absorption member  230  such as a rubber material may be disposed between the support unit  200  and the moxibustion device  210 . 
     Hereinafter, an operation of the present invention will be described below. 
       FIG. 5  is views showing a state in which the moxibustion device of the vertical motion adjuster according to the present invention is raised,  FIG. 5  showing a perspective view,  FIG. 6  showing an exploded perspective view, and  FIG. 7  showing a perspective view when seen from a lower side thereof. 
     The support unit  200  basically maintains the conveyance unit  100  in a horizontal state and the moxibustion device  210  in a lowered state. As a result, as described above, the guide member  310  constituting the elevation unit  300  is configured to pass through the conveyance unit  100  to protrude downward as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     As described above, when the driving member  330  is operated to rotate the rotary shaft of the driving member  330  in a state in which a horizontal posture of the support unit  200  is maintained, the rotary shaft of the rotary member  320  connected to the gear box  340  is rotated. 
     As the rotary member  320  is rotated, the guide member  310  in contact with the rotary member  320  is raised. Accordingly, as the guide member  310  installed at the other side of the support unit  200  is raised, the other side of the support unit  200  is raised about the hinge unit  400 , and as shown in  FIG. 5 , finally, the other side of the support unit  200  is inclined upward at a certain angle. 
     When the rotary shaft of the driving member  330  is rotated in an opposite direction thereof, the upwardly inclined support unit  200  is lowered, and when the support unit  200  is returned to the horizontal state, rotation of the driving member  300  is stopped. 
     As described above, when the user receives the acupressure therapy and massage as the support unit  200  is repeatedly raised or lowered, the pressing effect and the pushing effect can be simultaneously accomplished. 
       FIG. 6  is views showing a vertical motion adjuster according to a second embodiment of the vertical motion adjuster according to the present invention,  FIG. 8  showing a perspective view when seen from an upper side thereof, and  FIG. 9  showing a perspective view when seen from a lower side thereof,  FIG. 10A  is a plan view of the vertical motion adjuster according to the second embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the vertical motion adjuster according to the second embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 12A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 10A , and  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of  FIG. 10A . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 12A , the vertical motion adjuster includes a plurality of moxibustion devices  210  disposed on an upper surface of the support unit  200 . The moxibustion device  210  is mounted on a support frame  220  configured to pivot about a pivot shaft  221 . Accordingly, the moxibustion devices  210  can be moved upward and downward to conform to the user&#39;s body curve while the acupressure therapy and massage is performed. According to the above-mentioned configuration, even when the user&#39;s body sizes are different, the acupressure therapy and massage effect can be effectively provided. 
     The moxibustion devices  210  are installed at both ends of the support frame  220 . Two moxibustion devices  210  are fixedly supported by one support frame  220 . Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto but more than two or less than two of the moxibustion devices  210  may be fixedly supported by the one support frame  220 . In addition, it is effective if the moxibustion device  210  is disposed perpendicular to an extension line of the major axis direction with respect to the reference line. 
     One moxibustion device  211  disposed adjacent to the coupling position of the conveyance unit  100  and the support unit  200  and the other moxibustion device  212  disposed at a position opposite to the one moxibustion device  211  with respect to the pivot shaft  221  are provided. That is, the two moxibustion devices (the one moxibustion device and the other moxibustion device) are disposed at front and rear sides with respect to the pivot shaft  221  of the support frame  220 . The other moxibustion device  212  is disposed relatively closer to a coupling surface region of the conveyance unit  100  and the support unit  200  than the one moxibustion device  212 . 
     The vertical motion adjuster according to the embodiment is configured such that the other side of the support unit  200  is raised and lowered in a state in which the one sides of the conveyance unit  100  and the support unit  200  are coupled. That is, the other side of the support unit  200  is raised in an arc shape. As the other side of the support unit  200  is raised, the horizontal state of the one moxibustion device  211  and the other moxibustion device  212  cannot be maintained, and the other moxibustion device  212  is raised to a relatively higher position than the one moxibustion device  211 . 
     As the other moxibustion device  212  is disposed at the relatively higher position than the one moxibustion device  211 , the user&#39;s weight is excessively applied to the other moxibustion device  212  only, and the acupressure therapy and massage effect is provided through the other moxibustion device  212  only. 
     Of course, when the user&#39;s weight is applied to the other moxibustion device  212 , the support frame  220  is pivoted to move the other moxibustion device  212  downward. However, if the other moxibustion device  212  is configured to be moved downward by the user&#39;s weight only, the user may feel pain. 
     In the embodiment, a first resilient member  222  is provided such that the other moxibustion device  212  can be moved downward by a force smaller than the user&#39;s weight. The first resilient member  222  functions to rapidly lower the other moxibustion device  212  and simultaneously rapidly raise the one moxibustion device  211 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , one end of the first resilient member  222  is supported by the support unit  200 , the other end is supported by the support frame  220 , and the first resilient member  222  applies a resilient force to the support frame  220  such that the one moxibustion device  211  is rapidly moved upward. 
     That is, as the first resilient member  222  is provided, a raising operation of the one moxibustion device  211  can be rapidly performed. As a result, even in a state in which the support unit  200  is raised, since the one moxibustion device  211  and the other moxibustion device  212  can be rapidly aligned in the horizontal state, the acupressure therapy and massage effect can be effectively accomplished. 
     While a coil spring or a torsion spring may be used as the first resilient member  222 , the present invention is not limited thereto but any elastic member such as a leaf spring may be used as long as the elastic member can apply a resilient force. 
     In the embodiment, a temperature detecting member  213  configured to detect a temperature of the moxibustion device  210  is provided. However, the temperature detecting member  213  should be in contact with the moxibustion device  210  even while the moxibustion device  210  is moved upward and downward. For this, in the embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the temperature detecting member  213  includes a second resilient member  214 . The second resilient member  214  applies a resilient force in a direction in which the moxibustion device  210  is moved upward. That is, even when the moxibustion device  210  is moved upward, the temperature detecting member  213  is also moved upward by the second resilient member  214 , and the contact state therebetween is not varied. When the moxibustion device  210  is moved downward, since the moxibustion device  210  is moved downward while overcoming the resilient force of the second resilient member  214 , the contact state therebetween is not varied even in this case. 
     While a conventional coil spring or leaf spring may be used as the second resilient member  222  as described above, when a member having a resilient force is used as a coating surrounding the temperature detecting member  213 , the contact state therebetween can be maintained, and the configuration can be simplified. 
     The one moxibustion device  211  and the other moxibustion device  212  are mounted on the support frame  220  to be moved upward and downward while the acupressure therapy and massage is performed. Here, upward and downward moving distances of the one moxibustion device  211  and the other moxibustion device  212  may be different from each other. 
     While there is no problem when the support unit  200  is maintained in the horizontal posture, since the other moxibustion device  212  is disposed at a position relatively higher than the one moxibustion device  211  in a state in which the support unit  200  is raised, the one moxibustion device  211  should be moved upward such that the horizontal posture of the one moxibustion device  211  and the other moxibustion device  212  is maintained. 
     More preferably, an upwardly movable distance of the one moxibustion device  211  may be larger than that of the other moxibustion device  212 . 
     In order for the one moxibustion device  211  to have the upwardly movable distance larger than that of the other moxibustion device  212 , as shown in  FIG. 12B , inclination angles are formed at a lower end of the support frame  220 . Here, an inclination angle α 1  directed toward the one moxibustion device  211  is set to be smaller than an inclination angle β 1  directed toward the other moxibustion device  212 . 
     In addition, a protrusion  223  extending downward is formed at the lower end of the support frame  220 , and inclination angles are formed at a lower end of the protrusion  223 . Here, an inclination angle α 2  directed toward the one moxibustion device  211  may be set to be smaller than an inclination angle β 2  directed toward the other moxibustion device  212 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the absorption member  230  protrudes upward from an upper surface of the support unit  200  toward the lower end of the support frame  220 . Accordingly, an impact or the like that can be generated due to pivotal movement of the support frame  200  during the acupressure therapy and massage can be absorbed. The absorption member  230  functions to apply a resilient force to the support frame  220  as well as to absorb the impact. That is, the support frame  200  can rapidly maintain the parallel state after the pivotal movement. Here, a height of the absorption member  230  protruding upward toward the one moxibustion device  211  may be set to be larger than that of the absorption member  230  protruding upward toward the other moxibustion device  212 . That is, as the height of the absorption member  230  installed under the other moxibustion device  212  is relatively lower than that of the absorption member  230  installed under the one moxibustion device  211 , the upwardly movable distance of the one moxibustion device  211  is relatively increased. 
     A material of the absorption member  230  may be varied to adjust the resilient force applied from the absorption member  230  to the support frame  220 . 
     While the guide member  310  according to the first embodiment is constituted by the portion extending downward to come in contact with the rotary member  320  and the portion configured to connect the upper end of the downwardly extending portion thereto, the guide member  310  according to the second embodiment is constituted by only the portion in contact with the rotary member  320 . 
     The vertical motion adjuster according to the embodiment is manufactured through an aluminum die-casting process to improve weight reduction, productivity, and quality stability. In order to increase strength, as shown in  FIG. 12A , a gear member  350  formed of steel and having a gear surface  311  formed at one side thereof is installed at the guide member  310 . The gear member  350  may be configured as a detachable structure. Accordingly, the gear member  350  can be easily exchanged with a new one when the gear member  350  is worn due to repeated uses. 
     When the lower end of the support unit  200  comes in contact with the upper end of the conveyance unit  100  upon lowering of the support unit  200 , the lowering operation should be stopped. If the rotary member  320  is rotated to lower the support unit  200  even in a state in which the lower end of the support unit  200  is in contact with the upper end of the conveyance unit  100 , durability may be decreased. 
     In the embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the conveyance unit  100  includes a limit switch  120 , and a detection protrusion  312  is formed at the upper end of the guide member  310  so that the lowering operation of the support unit  200  is stopped when the detection protrusion  312  enters the limit switch  120 , maintaining durability. The conveyance unit  100  may include the detection protrusion  312 , and the limit switch  120  may be installed at the upper end of the guide member  310 . 
     A rotation detection member  331  ( FIG. 4 ) may be installed at the driving member  330  configured to rotate the rotary member  320 . The rotation detection member  331  is configured to detect the raising operation of the guide member  310  and stop the raising operation of the support unit  200  when the support unit  200  is raised to the highest position. 
     A pair of moxibustion devices  210  are arranged on the support unit  200  in a widthwise direction thereof. Accordingly, the user&#39;s body can be evenly pressed at both sides about the user&#39;s spine. 
     In the embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the coupling position of the conveyance unit  100  and the support unit  200  is formed at a position lower than an upper end surface of the support unit  200 . If the coupling position of the conveyance unit  100  and the support unit  200  is formed at a position higher than the upper end surface of the support unit  200 , since the coupling area comes in contact with the user while the acupressure therapy and massage is performed, the user feels irritation and inconvenience. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10A , the conveyance unit  100  and the support unit  200  are hinged by a hinge unit  400 , and the hinge unit  400  is constituted by protrusion members  410  disposed at both sides of the conveyance unit  100 , connecting members  420  disposed at both sides of the support unit  200 , and hinge members  430  passing through the protrusion members  410  and the connecting members  420 . That is, the conveyance unit  100  and the support unit  200  are configured to be easily separated from each other to enable easy maintenance. 
     A horizontal position through which the hinge member  430  passes is formed at a position lower than the upper end surface of the support unit  200 . That is, the horizontal position of the connecting member  420  installed at the support unit  200  and the protrusion member  410  installed at the conveyance unit  100  is formed at a position lower than the upper end surface of the support unit  200 . One end of the connecting member  420  installed at the support unit  200  may extend downward to be inserted into the conveyance unit  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10B , a pin hole  432  through which a pin  431  passes may be formed in the hinge member  430 . The pin  431  may have an R shape. Accordingly, the hinge member  430  cannot be easily separated therefrom while the acupressure therapy and massage is performed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the conveyance unit  100  may have an accommodating space  130  that the support unit  200  can enter. The conveyance unit  100  is constituted by a bottom plate and a side surface plate  160 , and the support unit  200  is inserted into the accommodating space  130  surrounded by the bottom plate and the side surface plate  160 . 
     When the support unit  200  enters the accommodating space  130 , a vertical thickness of the vertical motion adjuster according to the embodiment is reduced to form a compact configuration. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , a through-hole  140  through which the elevation unit  300  passes is formed in the center of the conveyance unit  100 . More specifically, the guide member  310  passes through the through-hole  140 . If the through-hole  140  is formed close to the edge of the conveyance unit  100 , a crack may occur due to an impact applied to the conveyance unit  100 . In the embodiment, the through-hole  140  is formed at the center of the conveyance unit to prevent generation of the crack. 
     In addition, in order to effectively prevent generation of the crack, a reinforcement rib  150  is formed at a base surface of the conveyance unit  100 . The reinforcement rib  150  is formed along the edge of the conveyance unit  100  to surround the through-hole  140 . 
     Here, the plurality of reinforcement ribs  150  may be formed in a lengthwise direction of the conveyance unit  100 . The conveyance unit  100  has a length in a lengthwise direction smaller than that in a widthwise direction. This is because cracks are more frequently generated in the lengthwise direction. 
     In the embodiment, the guide member  310  is disposed at the center of the conveyance unit  100 , and the gear member  350  is detachably installed at the outside of the guide member  310  (a leftward direction of  FIG. 12A ). In addition, the rotary member  320  is also installed at the outside of the guide member  310 . The user&#39;s weight is transmitted to the support unit  200  when the support unit  200  is raised and lowered. If the rotary member  320  is installed inside the guide member  310 , the guide member  310  may be spaced apart from the rotary member  320  due to the transmitted weight. Like in the embodiment, when the rotary member  320  is installed outside the guide member  310 , a contact force between the guide member  310  and the rotary member  302  is increased by the user&#39;s weight, and the elevation can be stably performed. 
     When the vertical motion adjuster is not manufactured by the conventional die-casting process, a side surface of the conveyance unit  100  is bent to form the side surface plate  160 , the reinforcement rib  150  is attached to the base surface of the conveyance unit  100  by welding, and a roller fixing shaft  170  is fixed to the side surface plate  160  by welding, so that work becomes complicated and a dimension tolerance is increased due to thermal deformation by the welding. 
     As described above, the vertical motion adjuster according to the embodiment is manufactured through an aluminum die-casting process, and as shown in  FIG. 9 , the reinforcement rib  150 , the side surface plate  160  and the roller fixing shaft  170  are integrally formed, improving weight reduction, productivity, and quality stability. 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  are exploded views of the vertical motion adjuster according to the second embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 14  showing a bottom view of a support unit,  FIG. 15  showing a bottom view of a conveyance unit, and  FIG. 16  showing a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of  FIG. 10A . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , a cable  500  for signal transmission and power supply is installed between circuit members  180  and  230  installed at the conveyance unit  100  and the support unit  200 , respectively. The cable  500  extends from the circuit member  180  installed under the conveyance unit  100  to the circuit member  230  installed at the support unit  200 . Here, the cable  500  may pass through a long hole  190  formed in the support unit  200  rather than an outer edge of the support unit  200  to be connected thereto. If the cable  500  passes through the outer edge of the support unit  200  and is connected thereto, the cable  500  is exposed to the outside and durability may be easily decreased. 
     However, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the long hole  190  through which the cable  500  passes may have a length in the lengthwise direction larger than that in the widthwise direction. This is because when the support unit  200  is repeatedly raised or lowered, the cable  500  is moved forward and rearward in the lengthwise direction. As described above, when the long hole  190  is elongated in the lengthwise direction, since a space in which the cable  500  can move forward and rearward is formed, durability of the cable  500  can be maintained. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , a projection surface  191  curved toward the center of the long hole  190  may be formed in an inner surface having the long hole  190 . This is because the cable  500  comes in contact with the curved projection surface  191  during repeated forward and rearward movement to maintain durability. More preferably, the projection surface  191  may be formed in only an inner surface in the lengthwise direction of the long hole  190 . This because the cable  500  is mainly moved forward and rearward, and if the projection surface  191  is also formed in an inner surface in the widthwise direction, work may become complicated and productivity may be decreased. 
     The foregoing description concerns an exemplary embodiment of the invention, is intended to be illustrative, and should not be construed as limiting the invention. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of devices and apparatuses. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.