Cupping Device With Soft Rim And Stiff Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cupping therapy suction cups made of single homogeneous materials face difficulties in maintaining suction on smaller or more rounded body parts, and softer cups tend to collapse, making them less effective as massage tools.
Innovation Solution
A suction cup design with an elastic body that can transition from an at-rest to a partially-collapsed configuration, featuring a soft rim for optimal skin adhesion and reinforced structures for shape retention, optionally incorporating a vibration apparatus and light-emitting diodes for enhanced therapeutic effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single homogeneous material is used for the suction cup, then manufacturing is simple, but the cup cannot maintain suction on smaller or more rounded body parts
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup is constructed with different materials having different durometers in different regions: a softer material for the rim area to maintain adhesion on curved surfaces, and a stiffer material for the body to maintain structural integrity and suction. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and suction reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction with multiple materials of different durometers bonded together - a softer material layer and a stiffer material layer - to create a suction cup that combines the adhesion benefits of soft material with the structural stability of stiff material, thereby maintaining suction effectiveness across various body part geometries.
2Shape
If a stiffer material is used for the suction cup, then the cup maintains its shape better, but it cannot maintain suction on smaller or more rounded body parts
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup employs local quality differentiation where the rim region is made of softer material to conform to curved body surfaces and maintain suction, while the body portion uses stiffer material for shape retention. This spatial variation in material stiffness resolves the contradiction between shape maintenance and suction effectiveness on rounded surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining stiffer and softer materials in a composite structure, the cup achieves both shape retention (from the stiff material) and adaptability to curved surfaces (from the soft material at the rim), resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
3Reliability
If a softer material is used for the suction cup, then adhesion to skin is improved, but the cup collapses on itself making it difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup uses softer material locally at the rim to maximize skin adhesion and comfort, while the body is constructed with stiffer material to prevent collapse and maintain usability as a massage tool. This localized differentiation of material softness resolves the contradiction between adhesion and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite construction combines softer material for the rim (providing adhesion) with stiffer material for the body (preventing collapse), thereby achieving both improved skin adhesion and maintained ease of operation as a massage tool.
4Reliability
If the rim is made softer for better adhesion, then skin attachment is improved, but the overall cup structure becomes less stable
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup implements local quality by making only the rim region softer for optimal skin attachment, while maintaining the body structure with stiffer material for stability. This localized softness at the rim without compromising overall structural integrity resolves the contradiction between skin attachment and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material construction allows the rim to be made of softer material for better skin attachment while the body remains structurally stable due to the stiffer material, thereby resolving the contradiction between attachment quality and structural stability.
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 suction cup maintains effective suction on various body parts, including smaller and curved areas, while the vibration and light features enhance therapeutic massage by improving blood flow and tissue relaxation.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the body is elastic and configured so that the body is capable of being squeezed to transition the body from an at-rest configuration to a partially-collapsed configuration
Implementation Method 2
the resulting partial vacuum in the cup causes the cup's opening to be attached to the skin, and suctional force is applied to the skin
Implementation Method 3
The rim and/or a closed end of the body can be less stiff than a portion of the sidewall that is spaced apart from the rim
Implementation Method 4
A vibrator, strap, band, over-molded part, under-molded part, insert-molded part, and/or other suitable structure (e.g., stiffening and/or reinforcing structure) can be associated with (e.g., mounted to, embedded in, and/or otherwise associated with) the body of the suction cup
Implementation Method 5
The suction cup can include, or otherwise be associated therewith, one or more light emitting diodes or other suitable emitters for emitting light, red light, and/or infrared radiation that impinges upon the portion of the user's skin that is undergoing suction therapy
Data Source
AI summary
A suction cup includes a body having a sidewall extending around an interior space and a rim extending around an opening to the cup interior space. At least a portion of the body is elastic and configured so that the body is capable of being squeezed to transition the body from an at-rest configuration to a partially-collapsed configuration, and elastically biased toward the at-rest configuration. The volume of an interior space of the cup of the body is greater in the at-rest configuration than in the partially-collapsed configuration. The rim is less stiff than a portion of the sidewall that is spaced apart from the rim. The relatively soft rim seeks to provide optimal adhesion to the skin of a user, fortification of at least a portion the body of the cup seeks to better maintain its shape for enhanced ease of use, and other features can be included.