Electromagnetic Massage Module for Low-Noise Intensity Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Massage apparatuses face challenges in reducing operating noise and subdividing massage intensity, which affects user satisfaction and the ability to provide varied massage modes.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a massage module with a massage ball unit using an electromagnet, a bracket unit, and a controller to control the movement of massage balls, allowing for different velocities and modes such as low-noise pressing, tapping, and vibration, reducing noise and enabling adjustable massage intensity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a gear-based motor power transmission system is used in the massage module, then the massage apparatus can provide sufficient driving force for massage operations, but operating noise increases and the ability to subdividing and controlling massage intensity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor power transmissionVSAvoidoperating noise

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional gear-based mechanical power transmission system with an electromagnetic drive system. The massage ball unit includes an electromagnet that directly drives the massage ball without requiring mechanical gears, thereby eliminating gear-related operating noise while maintaining sufficient driving force for massage operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables precise control of massage intensity by varying electrical parameters (current, voltage, frequency) supplied to the electromagnet. This allows for subdividing and controlling massage intensity at multiple levels, replacing the coarse control of mechanical gear systems with fine-grained electrical parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If a gear-based motor power transmission system is used in the massage module, then the massage apparatus can provide sufficient driving force for massage operations, but the ability to subdividing and controlling massage intensity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor power transmissionVSAvoidmassage intensity control

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional gear-based mechanical power transmission system with an electromagnetic drive system. The massage ball unit includes an electromagnet that directly drives the massage ball without requiring mechanical gears, thereby eliminating gear-related operating noise while maintaining sufficient driving force for massage operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables precise control of massage intensity by varying electrical parameters (current, voltage, frequency) supplied to the electromagnet. This allows for subdividing and controlling massage intensity at multiple levels, replacing the coarse control of mechanical gear systems with fine-grained electrical parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If traditional massage modules are used, then the structure is simpler, but the variety of massage modes (pressing, tapping, vibration) and user satisfaction are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule structureVSAvoidmassage mode variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic massage ball unit that can perform multiple massage modes (pressing, tapping, vibration) by varying the drive frequency and amplitude of the electromagnet. The massage ball is configured to be movable and capable of different motion patterns, allowing a single module structure to provide diverse massage experiences without requiring multiple separate modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution reduces noise and enhances user satisfaction by allowing for precise control of massage intensity and variety of massage modes, improving the overall massage experience.

Implementation Method 1

a massage ball unit including an electromagnet and a massage ball

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

the massage ball being movable by the electromagnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnet: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS20240033174A1Massage apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.02.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A massage apparatus including a base frame; a seat frame coupled to the base frame to form a seating surface; and a massage module disposed at a rear of the seating surface to be movable between the base frame and the seat frame, wherein the massage module includes a module base, a side frame coupled to the module base to be rotatable in forward and backward directions, a driving shaft disposed to pass through the side frame and rotate inside of the side frame, a bracket unit connected to the driving shaft and configured to be movable according to rotation of the driving shaft, and a massage ball unit including an electromagnet and a massage ball, the massage ball unit coupled to the bracket unit to advance and retreat based on movement of the bracket unit, and the massage ball being movable by the electromagnet.