Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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[DESCRIPTION]
[Invention Title]
RESPIRATION ADJUSTMENT DEVICE
[Technical Field]
The present invention relates to a respiration
adjustment device which helps a user to achieve relaxation
of mind and body and further assists promotion of health of
the user by physically operating on the user's nose to
appropriately adjust and correct the user's respiration made
through nostrils.
[Background Art]
From ancient times, in the Orient including Korea,
China and India, it has been recognized that a respiratory
method of a person has a significant effect on the health of
mind and body of the person. Accordingly, the respiratory
method has occupied an important place in mind and body
training methods of various religions and martial arts.
At present, abdominal breathing, thoracic breathing,
hypogastric breathing and alternate :breathing are widely
known as the respiratory methods. The alternate breathing
is a kind of the respiratory method carried out by yoga
trainees and is directed to a method of performing the
respiration by alternately selecting one of two nostrils.
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Since the respiration is made through one of the nostrils in
the alternate breathing, the air flow is rapid during
inspiration and expiration, and thus the respiratory organs
including the nose, bronchus and lungs are cleared.
Moreover, it is known that the alternate breathing has an
effect on nervous diseases such as insomnia, hypertension,
depression, anxiety, and the like. Furthermore, it provides
a balance between sympathetic nerves and parasympathetic
nerves and between all functions of mind and body, thus
having a positive effect on chronic diseases caused by a
physical imbalance. Accordingly, the alternate breathing is
widely used as a respiratory method of mind and body
trainees and used together with the abdominal breathing or
the hypogastric breathing.
When a mind and body trainee performs the alternate
breathing, he or she selectively closes and opens the nasal
vestibule corresponding to the anterior portion of the nasal
cavity using fingers. However, since the method of using
the fingers in the alternate breathing is based on conscious
activity of the trainee, it may interfere with the
concentration in the mind and body training and further
cause an inaccurate alternate breathing. It is reported
that the wrong respiration may cause a headache or obstruct
the relaxation of mind and body.
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[Disclosure]
[Technical Problem]
The present invention is directed to a respiration
adjustment device which is put on a user's face and enables
the user to perform an alternate breathing effectively.
[Technical Solution]
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a
respiration adjustment device comprising: a main body held
on a user's face and including a pressing means for pressing
the user's nose to close and open nostrils; and a control
box for providing a drive signal for driving the pressing
means to the main body.
The main body may further comprise an earphone, and
the control box may provide a voice signal to the main body.
The main body may further comprise a visual field cut-
off plate for cutting off the user's visual field from the
external environment.
The main body may further comprise a display means for
providing an image to the user, and the control box may
provide image information to the main body.
The main body may further comprise a perfume
generating means.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a
respiration adjustment device comprising: a main body held
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on a user's face; and a control box electrically connected
to the main body and providing a drive signal to the main
body, wherein the main body comprises first and second
pressing means installed adjacent to both sides of the
user's nose and pressing the nose from the sides to close
and open nostrils, first and second drive means for driving
the first and second pressing means, respectively, and a
holding means for holding the main body on the face.
The main body may further comprise a voice output
means for outputting a voice signal.
The voice output means may be an earphone, and the
main body may further comprise an earphone holding means for
holding the earphone.
The control box may provide a voice signal to the main
body.
The main body may further comprise a visual field cut--
off plate for cutting off the user's visual field from the
external environment.
The visual field cut-off plate may be detachably
connected to the main body.
The main body may further comprise a display means for
providing an image to the user, and the control box may
provide image information to the main body.
The main body may further comprise a perfume
generating means.
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The holding means may be foldably connected to the
main body.
The respiration adjustment device may further comprise
a receiving case for receiving the control box, wherein the
receiving case may comprise a belt fixing clip and a support
foldably connected to the rear surface of the receiving case
and supporting the receiving case in the vertical direction.
The control box may further comprise a memory card
holder for inserting a memory card.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a
respiration adjustment device which is applied with an
external drive signal to adjust a user's respiration, the
device comprising: a main body held on a user's face; first
and second pressing means installed adjacent to both sides
of the user's nose and pressing the nose from the sides to
close and open nostrils; a drive means for driving the first
and second pressing means;
and a holding means for holding the main body on the face.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a
respiration adjustment device comprising: a main body held
on a user's face; first and second pressing means installed
adjacent to both sides of the user's nose and pressing the
nose from the sides to close and open nostrils; a drive
means for driving the first and second pressing means; a
control means for controlling the drive means; and a holding
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means for holding the main body on the face.
The respiration adjustment device may further comprise
a voice signal output means for outputting a voice signal.
In the above configuration, when the drive means drives
the pressing means to be moved to the outside of the main
body, the pressing means presses the outside of a nose to
close a corresponding nostril, thus cutting off the
inspiration and expiration made through the corresponding
nostril. Contrarily, when the pressing means is moved to
the inside of the main body, the external force by the
pressing means pressing the outside of the nose is cut off
to return the closed nostril, thus aiding the inspiration
and expiration made through the corresponding nostril.
Accordingly, with the use of the above-described
respiration adjustment device of the present invention, a
trainee can perform an alternate breathing comfortably
without the user of his or her fingers, thus enabling the
trainee to concentrate on the training of mind and body.
[Description of Drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall
configuration of a respiration adjustment device in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main body
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1 from which a visual field cut-off plate 13, connection
units 15, and earphone holders 16 are separated;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a main part
of the main body 1;
FIG. 4 is a projection view of the main body 1;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an external
appearance of a control box 2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a receiving case 4 of
FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a side view showing the control box 2 held
in the receiving case 4; and
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a circuit
configuration of the control box 2.
[Mode for Invention]
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments in accordance with
the present invention will be described with reference to
the accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiments are
provided so that those skilled in the art can sufficiently
understand the present invention, but can be modified in
various forms and the scope of the present invention is not
limited to the preferred embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external
appearance of a respiration adjustment device in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
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The respiration adjustment device in accordance with
the present invention includes a main body 1 held on a
user's face and a control box 2. The main body 1 is
electrically connected to the control box 2 through a wire 3.
The main body 1 includes a holding portion 10 bent
upward along the shape of the nose and formed in the middle
thereof so as to be held on the user's nose. Moreover, the
main body 1 includes pressing projections 11a and lib for
pressing the user's nose from both sides of the nose.
A wing 12 is hinge-connected to both ends of the main
body 1 to be folded. The wings 12 are used to hold the main
body 1 on the user's face stably. Preferably, the wings 12
are formed of a flexible material. Of course, the wings 12
may have any structure capable of holding the main body 1 on
the user's face stably. For example, the wings 12 may have
a structure capable of being held on the user's ears like a
pair of glasses.
A visual field cut-off plate 13 is detachably
connected to the top of the main body 1. A connection unit
15 for the connection of a fixing band 5 and an earphone
holder 16 are detachable connected to each of the wings 12.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main
body 1 from which the visual field cut-off plate 13, the
connection units 1.5, and the earphone holders 16 are
separated.
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A receiving groove 111 into which the visual field
cut-off plate 13 is inserted is formed on the overall top
surface of the main body 1. In particular, both end
portions of the top surface of the main body 1 are bent
upward and protrude outward more than the other portions so
that the upper portion of the visual field cut-off plate 13
is stably supported in the case where the visual filed cut-
off plate 13 is connected to the main body 1.
The visual field cut-off plate 13 is detachably
connected to the receiving groove 111 of the main body 1.
The visual field cut-off plate 13 is to help a user to
achieve relaxation of mind and body and to concentrate on
the respiration exercise by cutting off the user's visual
field from the external environment while performing an
alternate breathing using the respiration adjustment device
of the present invention. Preferably, the visual field cut-
off plate 13 is formed of a flexible material and may
include a plurality of pin holes 131.
A fixing band connection unit 15 is selectively
connected to the end of the wing 12, if necessary. The
fixing band connection unit 15 is to connect the fixing band
5 for stably holding the main body 1. on the user's face to
the main body 1.
The fixing band connection unit: 15 includes a pair of
guide ribs 151 formed on the upper and lower portions
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thereof for the connection with the wing 12, and a
connecting pin 152 formed on the rear portion thereof for
the connection with the fixing band 5. A locking projection
153 is provided on the front end of the guide rib 151, and a
locking pin 154 is formed in a middle portion of the
connection unit 15. A first connecting groove 121 into
which the locking projection 153 is inserted is provided on
the upper and lower surfaces of the wing 12, and a second
connecting groove 122, into which the locking pin 154 of the
connection unit 15 is inserted, is provided on the both
sides of the wing 12.
Moreover, a receiving portion 123 to which the
earphone holder 16 is detachably connected is formed in a
predetermined region of the wing 12. The earphone holder 16
includes a pair of guide ribs 161 formed on one side thereof
for the connection with the wing 12 and an earphone
receiving hole 162 formed on the other side thereof for the
reception of the earphone 14.
The fixing band connection unit 15 and the earphone
holder 16 are formed of an elastic material so as to attach
and detach them to and from the wing 12 by external force
applied by the user.
Although not shown in the figure, a penetration hole,
through which the wire 3 is led into the inside of the main
body 1 and an earphone connecting wire 141 is drawn from the
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inside of the main body 1, is formed on the bottom of both
sides of the main body 1.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a main part
of the main body 1, and FIG. 4 is a projection view thereof.
The main body 1 comprises a front plate 17A and a rear
plate 17B, connected to each other. Preferably, the rear
plate 17B is formed of a soft material such as silicon in
view of the contact with the user's face. Moreover, a
buffer member formed of a soft material may be attached to
the rear side of the rear plate 17B, i.e., to a contact
portion that contacts with the user's face.
Penetration holes 171 for receiving the pressing
projections 11 (11a and lib) are formed on the bottom of the
inclined surfaces of the holding portion 10, i.e., at
positions corresponding to the lateral surfaces of the
user's nose. The penetration holes :L71 are connected with
motor holders 172 for receiving motors 18 (18a and 18b).
Moreover, via holes 172a, through which the motors 18 are
electrically connected to a wiring substrate 19 to be
described later, are provided on each one side of the motor
holders 172.
The motor 18 is a step motor in which a drive shaft
reciprocates according to a drive power or a drive signal.
The end portion of the drive shaft is fixedly connected to
the pressing projection 11.
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The wiring substrate 19 is installed on either the
front plate 17A or the rear plate 17B. The wiring substrate
19 is electrically connected to the wire 3, the earphone
connecting wires 141 and the motors 18. The wiring
substrate includes a wiring for applying motor drive signals
to the motors 18 and for applying a voice signal applied
through the wire 3 to the earphones 14. In this case, it is
possible to connect the wire 3 to the motors 18 and the
earphones 14 directly or through a separate wiring without
the wiring substrate 19.
Meanwhile, in FIG. 1, the control box 2 operates the
main body 1 and provides a voice signal such as meditation
music to the earphones 14 of the main body 1. Moreover, the
control box 2 may provide information such as an operation
state of the main body 1 or a respiratory method as the
voice signal. The operation signal of the main body 1 and
the voice signal output from the control box 2 are provided
to the motors 18 and the earphones 14 through the wire 3.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an external
appearance of the control box 2 of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is an
exploded view of a receiving case 4, and FIG. 7 is a side
view showing the control box 2 held in the receiving case 4.
The control box 2 includes a display portion 21 formed
in the front thereof and a plurality of operation keys 221
to 226. The display portion 21 may be a liquid crystal
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display (LCD) The operation keys includes a power key 221
for turning on/off the power source, a meditation music
selection key 222, a respiratory method selection key 223,
an operation time and respiration number per minute
selection key 224, a sub-menu selection key 225 and a help
key 226. The user may set the main body 1 to a desired
operation mode by operating the operation keys 222 to 226.
For example, when the user selects the meditation music
selection key 222, a list of available meditation music is
displayed on the display portion 21 and, in this state, when
the user selects a desired item through the sub-menu
selection key 225 and presses the middle portion of the
corresponding key, the meditation music that the user has
selected is transmitted from the control box 2 to the
earphones 14 of the main body 1.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, a volume control key 227
for adjusting the level of the voice signal output to the
earphones 14 and a screen on/off key 228 for turning on/off
a display screen are provided on the left side of the
control box 2. As shown in FIG. 6, a memory card holder 227
for inserting a memory card 230 is provided on the right
side of the control box 2. Furthermore, a jack holder 229
for connecting a wire jack 31 is provided on the top of the
control box 2 and, although not shown in the figures, a
battery receiving portion for receiving a battery is
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provided on the rear side of the control box 2.
Meanwhile, the control box 2 is detachably and
slidably connected to the receiving case 4. The receiving
case 4 includes a guide rib 41 formed on both sides thereof.
A clip 42 for connecting the receiving case 4 to a pants
belt, for example, is formed on the rear side of the
receiving case 4 and a foldable support 43 is connected to
both ends of the clip 42. The support 43 is to support the
receiving case 4 to stand on the top of a table, for example.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing a
circuit configuration of the control. box 2. The control box
2 includes the above-described display portion 21, a key pad
22 having the various keys, a memory 23 for storing various
data for the control operation, a processor 24 for
controlling the overall device, a motor driver 25 for
outputting a drive signal for driving the motors 18 of the
main body 1 based on the control data from the processor 24,
a voice codec 26 for converting digital voice data applied
from the processor 24 to an analog voice signal, and a
memory card interface 27 for interfacing with the memory
card 230. The above circuits may be operated by electric
power of a battery, not depicted.
In the above configuration, the memory card 230 may be
selectively used if necessary, and an internal memory of the
processor 24 may be used as the memory 23. Moreover, a
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connector for the connection with an external device may be
further provided for data download. That is, the circuit
configuration of the control box 2 is not limited to a
particular one, and a portion of the configuration may be
excluded or included, if necessary.
When the user selects the power key 221, the processor
24 sets the overall device to an operation state. When the
user sets the operation mode using the meditation music
selection key 222, the respiratory method selection key 223,
the operation time and respiration number per minute
selection key 224 and the sub-menu selection key 225, the
processor 24 outputs a motor drive signal through the motor
driver 25 based on the same to drive the motors 18 of the
main body 1 and, at the same time, outputs a voice signal
such as meditation music to the earphones 14 of the main
body 1 through the voice codec 26.
The operation modes that the user can select in the
above respiration adjustment device include abdominal
breathing (AB), alternate breathing (AL), Ujjayi breathing
(UJ), and Surya-Bheda breathing (SU).
1. Abdominal breathing (AB) mode
In the abdominal breathing mode, the processor 24
simultaneously drives the motors 18a and 18b included in the
main body 1 to perform a repeat operation in which the two
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pressing projections lla and lib are moved to the outside of
the main body 1 and returned back to the inside of the main
body 1 after a predetermined period of time. Here, the time
interval in which the pressing projections lla and 11b are
reciprocated is determined based on the respiration number
per minute set by the user through the operation time and
respiration number per minute selection key 224 and the sub-
menu selection key 225.
Moreover, the processor 24 provides the meditation
music selected by the user to the earphones 14 of the main
body 1 through the voice codec 26, in addition to the drive
of the motors 18a and 18b. Of course, if there is an
information voice to be informed to the user in connection
to the respiration operation, the process 24 provides the
same to the earphones 14 along with the meditation music.
The above-described operation is carried out for an
operation time set by the user through the operation time
and respiration number per minute selection key 224 and the
sub-menu selection key 225.
2. Alternate breathing (AL) mode
In the alternate breathing mode, the processor 24
alternately drives the motors 18a and 18b included in the
main body 1. For example, the processor 24 performs an
alternate operation in which the pressing projection 11a is
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moved to the outside of the main body 1 and the pressing
projection llb is moved to the inside of the main body 1 and,
after a predetermined period of time, the pressing
projection 11a is returned back to the inside of the main
body 1 and the pressing projection llb is returned back to
the outside of the main body 1.
Even in this case, the time interval in which the
pressing projections lla and lib are alternately
reciprocated is determined based on the respiration number
per minute set by the user through the operation time and
respiration number per minute selection key 224 and the sub-
menu selection key 225.
Moreover, the processor 24 provides the meditation
music selected by the user and the information voice to the
earphones 14 of the main body 1 through the voice codec 26,
in addition to the drive of the motors 18a and 18b.
The above-described operation is carried out for an
operation time set by the user through the operation time
and respiration number per minute selection key 224 and the
sub-menu selection key 225.
3. Ujjayi breathing (UJ) mode
In the Ujjayi breathing mode, the processor 24 fixes
the pressing projection 11a corresponding to the right
nostril of the user in a state of being moved to the outside
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of the main body 1 and reciprocates the pressing projection
l1b corresponding to the left nostril of the user at a
predetermined time interval.
For this purpose, the processor 24 drives the motor
18a corresponding to the pressing projection lia to move the
pressing projection lla to the outside of the main body 1.
Then, the processor 24 performs a reciprocating operation
repeatedly in which the motor 18b is driven to move the
pressing projection llb to the outside of the main body 1
and the pressing projection llb is returned back to the
inside of the main body 1 after a predetermined period of
time.
Even in this case, the time interval in which the
pressing projection lib is reciprocated is determined based
on the respiration number per minute set by the user through
the operation time and respiration number per minute
selection key 224 and the sub-menu selection key 225.
Moreover, the processor 24 provides the meditation
music selected by the user and the information voice to the
earphones 14 of the main body 1 through the voice codec 26,
in addition to the drive of the motor 18b.
The above-described operation is carried out for an
operation time set by the user through the operation time
and respiration number per minute selection key 224 and the
sub-menu selection key 225.
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4. Surya-Bheda breathing (SU) mode
In the Surya-Bheda breathing mode, the processor 24
fixes the pressing projection 11b corresponding to the left
nostril of the user in a state of being moved to the outside
of the main body 1 and reciprocates the pressing projection
lla corresponding to the right nostril of the user at a
predetermined time interval.
For this purpose, the processor 24 drives the motor
18b corresponding to the pressing projection 11b to move the
pressing projection llb to the outside of the main body 1.
Then, the processor 24 performs a reciprocating operation
repeatedly in which the motor 18a is driven to move the
pressing projection lla to the outside of the main body 1
and the pressing projection lla is returned back to the
inside of the main body 1 after a predetermined period of
time.
Even in this case, the time interval in which the
pressing projection lla is reciprocated is determined based
on the respiration number per minute set by the user through
the operation time and respiration number per minute
selection key 224 and the sub-menu selection key 225.
Moreover, the processor 24 provides the meditation
music selected by the user and the information voice to the
earphones 14 of the main body 1 through the voice codec 26,
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in addition to the drive of the motor 18b.
The above-described operation is carried out for an
operation time set by the user through the operation time
and respiration number per minute selection key 224 and the
sub-menu selection key 225.
In the above operation, when the pressing projection
11 is moved to the outside of the main body 1, the pressing
projection 11 presses the outside of the nose to close the
corresponding nostril, thus cutting off the inspiration and
expiration made through the corresponding nostril.
Contrarily, when the pressing projection 11 is moved to the
inside of the main body 1, the external force by the
pressing projection 11 pressing the outside of the nose is
cut off to return the closed nostril, thus enabling the
inspiration and expiration made through the corresponding
nostril.
Accordingly, with the use of the above-described
respiration adjustment device of the present invention, the
trainee can perform the alternate breathing comfortably
without the user of his or her fingers, thus enabling the
trainee to concentrate on the training of mind and body.
Moreover, in the above-described device, since the
processor 24 drives the pressing projection 11 at a
predetermined periodic time interval, a beginner who comes
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in contact with the alternate breathing for the first time
as well as an experienced trainee can perform the alternate
breathing safely.
Furthermore, since the above-described device provides
the meditation music to the trainee as well as the drive of
the pressing projections 11, it is possible to improve the
achievement of the training of the trainee.
The invention has been described in detail with
reference to preferred embodiments thereof. However, it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes
may be made in these embodiments.
For example, although the description has been given
to the case where the motors 18 is used as a drive means for
driving the pressing projection 11, an electromagnet or a
hydraulic or pneumatic actuator may be used as the drive
means.
Moreover, in the above embodiment, it is possible to
adopt a display means instead of the visual filed cut-off
plate 13 so that the control box 2 provides image
information for meditation or hypnosis to the main body 1.
Furthermore, it is possible to provide a means for
releasing perfume that helps the user to perform meditation
in the inside of the main body 1 so as to release the
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perfume to the user during the alternate breathing.
In addition, although the description has been given
to the case where the earphones are used as a means for
providing the meditation music or the respiration
information voice to the user, it is possible to install a
speaker for outputting the voice signal instead of the
earphones in the main body 1. And in this case, it is
possible to install the speaker in the control box 2 instead
of in the main body 1.
Additionally, the present invention may include a
separate operation key provided on the main body 1 so that
the user can select the operation of the main body 1 through
the operation key.
Besides, although the description has been given to
the case where the main body 1 and the control box 2 are
implemented as separate devices, the present invention may
configure the main body 1 and the control box 2 integrally
or configure the respiration adjustment device only with the
main body held on the user's face by providing a control
means for controlling the drive of the motor 18 inside the
main body 1.
[Industrial Applicability]
As described above, the respiration adjustment device
in accordance with the present invention enables the user to
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perform the alternate breathing conveniently and effectively
only by putting the device on the user's face. Moreover,
since the respiration adjustment device in accordance with
the present invention closes and opens the user's nostrils
at a predetermined periodic time interval, an inexperienced
user can perform the alternate breathing safely without any
education.
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