Couch Catch Element for Water Massage Nozzle Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The flexibility and elasticity of the lying surface in on-water massage devices, necessary for effective massage, lead to a risk of damage to the nozzle mechanism when a patient sits or stands, as the surface can be pushed into the tub, potentially blocking or damaging the nozzle carriage mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A lying surface catching element is installed below the unloaded surface, designed as a flexible but inextensible lattice or net, positioned to absorb point loads without impeding the massage water jet and ensuring the nozzle mechanism's movement is not obstructed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lying surface is made flexible and elastic to transmit massage effect, then the massage effectiveness is improved, but the risk of damage to the nozzle mechanism increases when patients sit or stand
Solution Approach 1:
A catching element is installed in the tub at a distance below the unloaded lying surface to prevent the lying surface from being pushed too deeply into the tub interior when patients sit or stand. This catching element acts as a protective barrier that limits the maximum displacement of the lying surface, thereby preventing damage to the nozzle mechanism before such damage can occur.
2Reliability
If the lying surface is made thin and flexible to reduce damping, then the massage jet effect is improved, but the structural strength to resist point loads is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The catching element serves as an intermediary protective structure between the thin flexible lying surface and the nozzle mechanism. It absorbs and distributes point loads from patients sitting or standing, preventing these concentrated forces from being transmitted directly to the thin lying surface and subsequently to the nozzle mechanism, thereby protecting the system without requiring the lying surface to be thicker or stronger.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A water massage device comprising a tub which is covered at the top by a lying surface film (4) or the like stretched over it, serving as a lying surface for a patient, and in the interior of which is a jet mechanism with at least one jet supplied by a pump, wherein inside the tub a lying surface catching element (7) is arranged at a distance below the lying surface film (4) but above the jet mechanism, which is at least substantially non-stretchable.