Massage Headrest Assembly With Parallel Resilient Face Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing massage devices lack a headrest assembly that provides improved comfort, adjustability, and support for the face while minimizing weight and profile, and often require complex assembly and alignment procedures.

Innovation Solution

A headrest assembly featuring a support frame coupled to a massage device, with a resilient assembly including multiple subassemblies that provide adjustable and ergonomic support, featuring a four-bar linkage mechanism for height and tilt adjustment, and a design that minimizes the visibility of connectors to prevent user contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a traditional headrest design is used, then structural strength is maintained, but weight and profile size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadrest weightVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The headrest is divided into multiple independent resilient members (first resilient member, second resilient member, third resilient member) that are separately coupled to the support frame. Each member can be optimized for minimal weight while maintaining individual structural integrity, and collectively they provide the required overall strength through distributed load bearing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The headrest employs resilient members with cantilevered beams that can dynamically deflect and return, providing structural strength only when needed during use. When not in use, the members return to a compact configuration, reducing the effective profile and weight impact. The resilient nature allows the structure to adapt to loading conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a complex assembly mechanism is used, then adjustability and support quality improve, but assembly difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The headrest is designed as a modular assembly with distinct components (support frame, resilient members, cover) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. The resilient members are separately coupled to the frame, allowing for simplified step-by-step assembly without requiring complex alignment procedures for the entire structure at once.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient members are designed to be self-coupling to the support frame through their cantilevered beam structure. The natural elasticity and geometry of the members facilitate their own positioning and attachment to the frame, reducing the need for complex external assembly mechanisms or precise manual alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If connectors are positioned for structural stability, then structural integrity is maintained, but user comfort decreases due to contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiduser discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The arm connector, which is a structural component necessary for maintaining the stability of the support arms, is extracted from the user contact zone. It is positioned away from the face engagement area, specifically located between the forehead and cheek regions rather than directly under the face, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of user contact with connectors while preserving its structural function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If multiple resilient subassemblies are used, then comfort and support quality improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecomfortVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient assembly is segmented into multiple independent resilient members (first, second, and third resilient members) that can be manufactured using similar processes and coupled to the frame in a standardized manner. This segmentation allows for comfort optimization through multiple contact points while maintaining assembly simplicity through repeated use of the same coupling methodology for each member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 headrest assembly offers enhanced comfort and adjustability, reduces weight and profile, and simplifies assembly by allowing easy insertion and adjustment, while ensuring the user's comfort and reducing the likelihood of contact with the connector.

Implementation Method 1

The resilient member can include a resilient first beam having a first end that cantilevers away from the support frame. Further, the resilient member can include a resilient second beam that is attached to the first end of the first beam and cantilevers away from the first beam.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2939570B1Headrest assembly for a massage device
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 EARTHLITE MASSAGE TABLES INC
  • EP2939570B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2939570B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2939570B1 patent drawingFigure 2BB

AI summary

A headrest assembly (212) for supporting a face of a user (16) of a massage device (10) includes a support frame (226) and a resilient assembly (220). The support frame (226) is coupled to the massage device (11). The resilient assembly (220) includes a first resilient subassembly (256) that is coupled to the support frame (226), and a second resilient subassembly (258) that engages the first resilient subassembly (256). The first resilient subassembly (256) and the second resilient subassembly (258) cooperate and act in parallel to support the face of the user (16). The first resilient subassembly (256) can include a plurality of spaced apart resilient members (360).