Foldable Back Massage Device with Hinged Handle Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing massage devices require significant flexibility and dexterity to reach hard-to-reach areas of the back, limiting their usability for most individuals due to short handle lengths and anatomical constraints.
Innovation Solution
A back-massaging device with a U-shaped housing and hinge-attached foldable frame arms and handles, allowing the device to be unfolded and locked around the body for easy access to hard-to-reach areas without requiring extensive flexibility or dexterity, featuring a motor-powered massage head with adjustable intensity and a compact foldable design for storage and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the handle length is increased to reach hard-to-reach areas, then the accessibility to back areas is improved, but the device becomes harder to store and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is divided into multiple segments that can be folded relative to each other, allowing the handle to be extended to a longer length during use for reaching hard-to-access areas, and folded into a compact configuration for storage and transport
Solution Approach 2:
The handle transitions from a static fixed-length design to a dynamic adjustable-length design, allowing the user to extend the handle when needed and retract it when not in use, optimizing both accessibility and storage convenience
2Ease of operation
If the handle is made shorter for easy storage, then the device becomes more compact, but the user cannot reach hard-to-reach areas of the back
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is divided into multiple segments that can be folded relative to each other, allowing the handle to be extended to a longer length during use for reaching hard-to-access areas, and folded into a compact configuration for storage and transport
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented handle sections are nested within each other when folded, similar to a telescoping structure, allowing the long handle to be compacted into a small package for storage while maintaining full extension capability during use
3Reliability
If extreme flexibility and dexterity are required to use the device, then the massage effectiveness is improved, but the device becomes unusable for most individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The device itself acts as an intermediary that provides the necessary reach and positioning capability, eliminating the need for the user to have extreme flexibility and dexterity. The mechanical structure of the device with its extendable handle and positioning mechanisms performs the function that would otherwise require human physical capability
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to position and maintain itself in the correct orientation and location on the body through its mechanical structure and locking mechanisms, reducing the need for continuous manual adjustment and maintaining stable massage pressure without requiring user flexibility
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
Enables effective massage of hard-to-reach areas with minimal flexibility or dexterity, offering improved accessibility and convenience compared to traditional massage devices, while also being compact and easy to handle and store.
Implementation Method 1
a motor contained within the housing
Implementation Method 2
hinge-attached frame arms which connect to first and second hinge-attached handles
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to the field of massage or therapy devices. The device has a generally u-shaped housing that contains an internal motor and hinge-attached frame arms which connect to hinge-attached handles. The rear surface of the device includes a massage head that can be activated via a plurality of buttons located on the top surface of the housing or the handles. Further, the device can easily fold for storage, handling or transport purposes. During use, the device can be placed around the back or portion of the body of a user in an unfolded and locked state such that a user can massage otherwise hard to reach areas.