Ball Transfer Unit Massage Surface for Spinal Decompression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current massage surfaces do not effectively reduce friction between the body and the surface, making it difficult to easily and effectively stretch the spine, which is essential for decompression and restoring spinal function.
Innovation Solution
A massage surface utilizing multiple ball transfer units with a housing element, low friction coefficient coating, and omnidirectional motion transfer balls to minimize friction, allowing for easier movement and distribution of body weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional solid massage surface is used, then the surface provides stable support, but high friction force prevents easy movement and spinal stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ball transfer units as intermediary elements between the solid surface and the moving object. These ball units act as mediators that convert sliding friction into rolling motion, allowing the massage surface to maintain stability while enabling easy movement and spinal stretching with minimal force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional solid friction-based contact surface with a mechanical system of ball transfer units. This substitution transforms the interaction mechanism from direct solid-to-solid friction to a ball-bearing rolling system, dramatically reducing frictional resistance while maintaining support functionality.
2Ease of operation
If multiple ball transfer units are used to reduce friction, then movement becomes easier, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the massage surface into multiple discrete ball transfer units rather than using a single complex mechanism. Each unit is a simple, independent component that can be easily manufactured and assembled. This segmentation approach reduces overall device complexity while achieving the friction-reduction goal through distributed rolling elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters such as ball diameter, spacing, and material properties of the ball transfer units to achieve effective friction reduction with minimal structural complexity. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the system achieves high ease of movement without requiring an overly complex arrangement of components.
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
The reduced friction surface enables easier spinal stretching and decompression with less force required, promoting muscle rehabilitation and restoring spinal function by distributing body weight evenly and reducing frictional resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of ball bearings disposed within the hollow cup in engagement with the coating; and a motion transfer ball disposed at least partially within the hollow cup in engagement with the plurality of ball bearings, wherein the motion transfer ball is free to rotate in any direction relative to the hollow cup with substantially no friction
Implementation Method 2
a coating disposed within the hollow cup at least on the concave upper surface, the coating formed of a material having a low friction coefficient
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of ball transfer units is used together to form a reduced friction surface. The reduced friction surface lies on a base, and is particularly useful for carrying out a physical activity on, or applying force to, a body part on the surface so as to stretch the muscles and stretch and/or decompress the spine.