Massage Apparatus with Adjustable Gap and Self-Service Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing massage apparatuses rely on the physical strength of the user to administer effective massage, limiting their range of implementation and risking trauma to other muscle groups.
Innovation Solution
A massage apparatus with an openable and closeable frame supporting opposingly-located massage tools and adjustable gap means, allowing for continuous therapeutic force application independent of user strength, featuring detachable subassemblies and a ratchet mechanism for gap control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If massage apparatus rely on user physical strength to administer effective massage, then massage force can be sufficiently applied, but the range of implementation is limited and trauma to other muscle groups may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The massage apparatus is designed to generate and maintain therapeutic force automatically through its mechanical structure (sprung arms, gap adjusting means) without requiring continuous human strength application. The device serves itself by maintaining constant tension on the sprung arms that impart force to the body portion, making the massage force independent of user strength while expanding safe implementation range.
2Device complexity
If fixed gap structure is used in massage apparatus, then device complexity is reduced, but the apparatus cannot accommodate varying body parts or adjust force during treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The gap adjusting means transforms the fixed gap structure into a dynamic system that can be modified during operation. The mechanism allows the gap between opposing rollers to be adjusted while the apparatus is in use, enabling adaptation to different body parts and maintenance of therapeutically effective force without requiring complete disassembly or complex reconfiguration.
3Ease of operation
If manual pressure adjustment is used during massage, then force can be varied for different body parts, but the user must continuously apply physical effort and risk trauma to other muscle groups
Solution Approach 1:
The sprung arms are constantly tensioned to automatically impart force to the body portion, eliminating the need for continuous manual pressure application. The gap adjusting means provides mechanical advantage, allowing force adjustment through simple mechanical operation rather than sustained physical effort, thereby preventing user fatigue and trauma to other muscle groups.
Data Source
AI summary
A massage apparatus and a method of its use for massage of the human body are provided, the massage apparatus including a frame supporting opposingly-located first and second massage tools mounted thereon to define between them a massage gap, wherein a body portion is receivable for massaging. The gap is adjustable while the apparatus is in use, for the massage tools in use to exert therapeutically effective force substantially continuously on a massage-receiving body portion received in the gap. The massage tools are interchangeable with massage tools of other shapes designed to provide different therapeutic effects. The frame is open- and closeable to accommodate limbs of different sizes.