Bendable Sprocket Chain Drive for Durable Massage Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional massage devices are either rigid and unable to adapt to different surfaces or have movable chains that are prone to damage due to tight engagement with sprockets, limiting their usability and durability.
Innovation Solution
A sprocket drive mechanism featuring a driven box connected to motor drive shafts, hollow holders with grooves for bendable chains, and sprockets that allow the chains to rotate and drive kneading elements, enabling flexible operation on chairs or beds while preventing chain removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a movable chain is used to enable the massage device to be bendable and massage a user matingly, then the adaptability is improved, but the chain is engaged by two sprockets tightly which damages the movable chain and reduces durability
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is divided into multiple independent sprockets (first sprocket and second sprocket) that are not tightly engaged, allowing the chain to move freely while still being driven effectively. This segmentation reduces the tight engagement stress on the chain.
Solution Approach 2:
A space is introduced between the first sprocket and second sprocket, creating an intermediary region where the chain can move without tight engagement. This space acts as a buffer that reduces mechanical stress on the chain while maintaining drive functionality.
2Measurement precision
If a fixed rail/chain is used to drive the massage device, then the operation accuracy is improved, but the fixed rail/chain cannot be applicable for a chair or a bed to be bendable which reduces adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The chain drive system is made dynamic by introducing movable components and space between sprockets, allowing the chain to accommodate bending motions while maintaining accurate operation. The chain can dynamically adjust its position to follow the bendable path of chairs or beds.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial parameters between sprockets are changed by introducing a space, allowing the chain to have different engagement conditions at different positions. This enables the system to adapt to varying curvature requirements while maintaining operational accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A sprocket transmission mechanism of a massage device contains: a driven box, a pair of hollow holders, and two bendable chains. The driven box is driven by two drive shafts of a motor beside the driven box. The pair of hollow holders are rotatably connected with the two drive shafts respectively and have two grooves, and the pair of hollow holders are connected inside two inner sides of a chair or a bed respectively. The two bendable chains are accommodated in the two grooves individually. The two drive shafts have four sprockets fitted on two sides thereof individually, and two driven sprockets are rotatably connected between the two sides of the two shafts respectively, such that the two bendable chains are inserted into the pair of hollow holders to mesh with and to drive the four sprockets and the two driven sprockets to rotate individually.