Adjustable Stroke Percussive Massage Device Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing percussive massage devices lack the ability to quickly and easily adjust stroke length for different body areas, making them inefficient for varied muscle tissue treatment.
Innovation Solution
A portable electromechanical percussive massage device with a motor-driven mechanism that allows for adjustable stroke length through a ring gear and pinion gear system, enabling manual operation to change the stroke length by rotating the ring gear to different angular positions, thereby altering the reciprocating motion of the applicator head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional electromechanical percussive massage device is used, then the device can provide percussive massage therapy, but the stroke length is fixed and cannot be adjusted for different body areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the stroke length adjustable rather than fixed. The reciprocating mechanism includes a variable stroke length configuration where the piston can travel different distances along the longitudinal axis, allowing the device to adapt to different body areas and muscle depths while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the stroke length parameter of the reciprocating motion. The mechanism allows the stroke length to be changed between different positions (e.g., first position for deeper muscle penetration, second position for surface-level massage) without fundamentally altering the device structure, thus improving versatility while controlling complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed stroke length design is used, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot accommodate various muscle tissue depths across different body areas
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the stroke length to be changed easily between positions. The user can switch between first and second positions of the reciprocating mechanism without complex procedures, maintaining ease of operation while achieving adaptability to various muscle tissue depths across different body areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating a variable stroke length capability into a single percussive massage device. This allows one device to serve multiple purposes - treating both deep muscle tissues (using first position) and surface-level areas (using second position) - eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of stroke length is implemented, then the device becomes more versatile, but the adjustment mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into discrete positions (first position and second position) rather than requiring continuous adjustment. This segmentation allows for versatile stroke length options while keeping the adjustment mechanism simple and easy to implement, avoiding excessive complexity in the overall device structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and customizable percussive massage therapy by allowing for multiple stroke lengths, accommodating various muscle tissue depths across different body areas with a single device, improving treatment efficacy and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
A motor shaft that rotates about a central axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
The pinion gear rotates within a ring gear. The pinion gear has a second pivot that rotates about the first pivot
Implementation Method 3
A reciprocation linkage is coupled between the second pivot and a piston that moves longitudinally within the cylinder
Implementation Method 4
A crank coupled to the shaft includes a first pivot offset from the central axis
Data Source
AI summary
A percussive massage device includes a cylinder extending along a longitudinal axis. A motor shaft that rotates about a central axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A crank coupled to the shaft includes a first pivot offset from the central axis. A pinion gear is coupled to the first pivot. The pinion gear rotates within a ring gear. The pinion gear has a second pivot that rotates about the first pivot. A reciprocation linkage is coupled between the second pivot and a piston that moves longitudinally within the cylinder. An applicator head coupled to a second end of the piston has an end exposed outside the cylinder for application to a person receiving treatment. An actuator selectively rotates the ring gear to cause the applicator head to have a first stroke length and at least a second stroke length.