Oscillating-Drive Mechanism With Rolling Contact for Massager Friction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing rotational and oscillating transmission mechanisms in massage devices suffer from high friction and lubrication issues, leading to motor overload and reduced lifespan due to the deformation and migration of lubricating oil, which affects the normal operation of the massage head.
Innovation Solution
An oscillating-drive mechanism with a support member, oscillating arm, and transmission member, where the oscillating arm maintains an inclined posture relative to the rotary axis, and the transmission member includes a second transmission portion that rotates relative to the oscillating arm, reducing friction through a smaller contact area and using ball bearings for rolling friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotational and oscillating transmission mechanism is used in the massager, then the massage head can perform continuous rotational and oscillating motion providing diverse massage effects, but the lubricating oil migrates and depletes from the contact surfaces, causing increased friction and motor overload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spherical support body with a spherical inner cavity that receives the oscillating arm. The spherical geometry creates a point contact or small area contact between the oscillating arm and the support body, significantly reducing the contact area compared to flat surface contacts. This curvature-based design minimizes the area from which lubricating oil can migrate, thereby reducing lubrication depletion and friction during continuous rotational and oscillating operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: the support body, the oscillating arm, and the massage head. The oscillating arm acts as an independent segment that rotates relative to the support body, allowing the oscillating motion to be decoupled from the rotational motion. This segmentation isolates the high-friction oscillating contact from the lubrication system, improving reliability while maintaining versatile massage functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the massage head support body axis is not collinear with the motor output shaft, then the massage head can achieve oscillating motion, but the angle of the support body changes synchronously with motor rotation, demanding higher lubrication efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical support body and spherical inner cavity create a curved contact interface that accommodates angular changes during rotation. The spherical geometry allows the oscillating arm to maintain stable contact with the support body even as the angle changes synchronously with motor rotation, distributing the lubrication demand more evenly and reducing peak friction requirements.
3Ease of operation
If repeated compression and friction occur between the support body and flexible layer, then the massage head can function normally, but lubricating oil flows to non-critical areas, causing the transmission mechanism to get stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical contact interface concentrates the lubrication requirement to a small area, making it easier to maintain adequate lubrication despite oil migration. The curved surface geometry also helps contain the lubricating oil at the contact point through capillary action and surface tension, preventing it from flowing to non-critical areas during repeated compression cycles.
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 mechanism effectively reduces friction, preventing motor overload and improving the stability and lifespan of the device by transferring friction to a smaller contact area and utilizing rolling friction, allowing for smoother operation and enhanced massage performance.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing rolling friction
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an oscillating-drive mechanism for a massager, including a support member, an oscillating arm, a transmission member, and a motor; the support member includes a first support portion, which is connected to the oscillating arm and configured to support the oscillating arm to form a plurality of support points, the plurality of support points are arranged about a first rotary shaft, and the oscillating arm is rotatable in any direction about a center defined by the plurality of support points; the transmission member includes a first transmission portion and a second transmission portion; the second transmission portion abuts against the oscillating arm to drive the oscillating arm to move in a rotational direction of the motor; and the oscillating arm maintains an inclined posture relative to the first rotary shaft, and the first rotary shaft forms an angle with an axial direction of the oscillating arm.