Percussive Massage Force Meter Using Motor Voltage Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of percussive massage devices often struggle to determine if they are applying the proper amount of pressure or force during use.
Innovation Solution
A percussive massage device equipped with a force meter that includes a housing, an electrical source, a motor, a switch, and a controller. The controller generates a lookup table correlating motor voltage to applied force, allowing the device to display the force magnitude using LEDs or an OLED screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a force meter and voltage-sensing system are added to the percussive massage device, then measurement precision of applied force is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical force sensing mechanisms with an electrical measurement system. A voltage-sensing resistor is electrically coupled to the BLDC motor to detect motor voltage, which correlates to the force applied by the percussive massage device. The controller then uses a lookup table to convert the measured voltage into a corresponding force magnitude. This electrical substitution simplifies the overall device structure while achieving accurate force measurement.
2Measurement precision
If a lookup table and voltage-sensing resistor are integrated into the device, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components into an integrated system. The voltage-sensing resistor is electrically coupled directly to the BLDC motor, and the controller integrates the voltage measurement, lookup table correlation, and force calculation functions into a single control unit. This merging approach consolidates what could be separate manufacturing steps into a more unified assembly process, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite adding measurement capability.
3Loss of information
If force feedback is provided through display and LEDs, then information availability to user is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simplified visual copying approach to convey force information. Instead of complex graphical displays or numerical readouts, the system uses a series of LEDs that light up in correspondence with the measured force magnitude. This LED representation is a simplified copy or indicator of the actual force being applied, providing intuitive visual feedback to the user while maintaining minimal device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A percussive massage device with a force meter that includes a housing, an electrical source, a motor positioned in the housing, a switch for activating the motor, and a controller configured to obtain a voltage of the motor, generate a lookup table correlating voltage to force applied by the percussive massage device, and display a force magnitude corresponding to the obtained voltage using the lookup table.