Massaging Device Controller for Independent Axis Speed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing massaging devices face challenges in maintaining a continuous combined massage action due to delays in applicator movement along different axes caused by varying loads, leading to temporary cessation of movement along one axis and resulting in a simple rather than combined massage action.

Innovation Solution

A massaging device with an applicator driven by multiple units along different axes, controlled by a controller that manages individual speed data to ensure independent movement, using sinusoidal speed variations and feedback sensors to maintain synchronization and smooth motion, allowing for continuous combined massage action without active synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the applicator is driven to make different reciprocating movements along different axes simultaneously, then a combined massaging action is generated, but the synchronization between movements along different axes is disrupted due to varying loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombined massaging actionVSAvoidsynchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The massaging device divides the applicator into multiple independent driving units, each responsible for movement along a specific axis. Each driving unit can operate independently with its own motor, allowing simultaneous movements along different axes without mutual interference, thus maintaining both combined massaging action and synchronization reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically adjusts the speed of each driving unit based on real-time feedback from speed sensors. When varying loads cause desynchronization, the controller modifies the speed parameters of individual driving units to restore synchronous operation, enabling the system to adapt to load changes while maintaining reliable synchronization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the applicator movement is temporarily stopped along one axis to maintain synchronization, then the synchronous point is kept, but the combined massaging action is interrupted and only simple massage action is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronous pointVSAvoidcombined massaging action continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device maintains continuous combined massaging action by allowing each driving unit to operate continuously without temporary stops. The independent speed control enables each axis to adjust its speed dynamically while maintaining motion, ensuring the combined massaging action continues without interruption while still achieving synchronization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller changes the speed parameters of individual driving units dynamically to maintain synchronization. Instead of stopping movement, the system adjusts speed values in real-time based on load conditions, allowing continuous operation while maintaining the synchronous relationship between different axes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the speed of the applicator along one axis is controlled independently from other axes, then the movements are free from interference, but active synchronization between axes is eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent speed controlVSAvoidsynchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses speed sensors to monitor the actual speed of each driving unit and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller compares the actual speeds with the target speeds and adjusts the driving unit parameters accordingly, maintaining synchronization through independent control while ensuring reliable operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Each driving unit operates with independent speed control, allowing it to self-adjust to load variations without interfering with other axes. The system maintains synchronization through decentralized control where each unit serves itself while contributing to the overall synchronized motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7892192B2Massaging device having a controller to give different reciprocating movements to each applicator along different axes

Publication Date: 2011.02.22 PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS CO LTD

AI summary

A massaging device having an applicator driven by a plurality of driving unit to move along two or more different axes to generate a combined massaging action to be applied to the user's body. A controller holds individual speed data each defining a speed at which each of the driving units reciprocates the applicator along each of the different axes, and to control the driving units to reciprocate the applicator in accordance with the associated speed data. The controller controls the speed of the applicator along one of the axes independently from the speed of the applicator moving along another of the axes. Accordingly, the applicator's movements along the different axes can be free from being interfered with each other even being subject to a load, thereby assuring to continue the combined massaging action.