Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Kazuya Hiyamizu

Hideaki Aoki

Kazushige Kakutani

Keiji Kishimoto

Yoshihisa Fujiwara

Torahiko Nonoue

Takao Kuraseko

Masao Kume

Koichi Yoshizaki

Kunihiko Hori

Shigeki Yoshida

Toshiki Koma

Yuka Yoshida

The invention provides a massage machine for health care which comprises a living body information sensorfor detecting living body information of the autonomic nervous system of the person to be massaged, a control circuitfor judging the psychological state of the person based on the living body information detected, and a memoryfor holding histories of psychological states of persons to be massaged. The machine is adapted to judge the physical condition of the person based on the history of psychological states of the person, and to judge whether the condition of the person's health is improved by massage so as to utilize the result of judgement as guidelines for health care.

Massage machine and physiological quantity measuring circuit for use in the machine

A massage machine is provided which is adapted to give a suitable massage in accordance with the degree of stiffness or degree of relaxation of the person to be massaged, based on the results obtained by measuring the body outline of the person and physiological data as to the person such as the pulse rate and skin temperature. The massage machine measures the body outline of the person, and measures physiological data concerning the person which is produced by massaging the person. The body outline of the person, such as the position of the neck, shoulder, back and waist is measured, and the measured physiological data is used to discriminate between the part of great stiffness and the part of low stiffness so as to give an effective massage in accordance with the degree of stiffness.

Massage machine

A washing machine according to the present invention includes a pressure sensor provided at a rod holding plate holding a suspension rod with which an outer tub is suspended. The pressure sensor is constructed so that a coil is wound around a magnetostrictive element whose magnetic characteristic changes when it is expanded, compressed or twisted by an external force. The change in the magnetic characteristic is converted to the change in the inductance of the coil, and an oscillating signal of a frequency corresponding to the inductance generated. Based on the frequency of the signal, the load on the pressure sensor is detected. Before supplying water, the amount of the laundry contained in a wash-and-extraction tub is detected based on the output of the pressure sensor, and an object water level corresponding to the amount is determined. After that, a water supply valve is opened to start supplying water into the wash-and-extraction tub. The weight of water supplied is monitored based on the output of the pressure sensor, and the weight is converted to a water level. When the monitored water level has attained the object water level, the water supply is stopped. Thus, the pressure sensor functions not only as a load detector but also as a level sensor.

Washing machine or an apparatus having a rotatable container

Growing community of inventors

Hirakata, Japan

Kazuya Hiyamizu