Multi-Treatment Adapter Assembly for Vibration-Secure Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing therapeutic massage devices face complications in changing components, and the vibrations during use cause them to become loose, necessitating a system that securely attaches multiple treatment elements to a reciprocal massage or therapeutic treatment device.
Innovation Solution
An adapter assembly with a main body portion featuring top and bottom attachment members, arms, and detents or balls for secure attachment of treatment members to a reciprocal massage or therapeutic treatment device, ensuring stable connection and easy interchangeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple attachment mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the treatment members may become loose during use due to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism uses spring-loaded balls that dynamically adapt to the treatment member surface. The balls are biased outward by springs to engage with detents on the treatment member, providing automatic adjustment and maintaining secure engagement despite vibrations or position changes during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is divided into multiple independent ball-detent pairs distributed around the circumference. Each ball-detent pair independently secures the treatment member, so that if one engagement point experiences stress or misalignment, other points maintain the secure connection, preventing the treatment member from becoming loose.
2Productivity
If multiple treatment members are attached simultaneously, then the productivity and treatment effectiveness are improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of attachment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism uses identical ball-detent pairs at multiple locations around the circumference, all functioning according to the same principle. This universal design allows the same simple mechanism to secure multiple treatment members simultaneously without requiring different attachment systems for each position, thus increasing productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple treatment members are attached to a single hub structure that integrates all attachment points. The hub combines multiple ball-detent mechanisms into one unified component, allowing simultaneous attachment of several treatment members while maintaining a compact, organized structure rather than having separate attachment systems for each member.
3Reliability
If a secure attachment mechanism with multiple engagement points is used, then the reliability and stability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded balls provide dynamic engagement where the springs automatically adjust the engagement force. This dynamic mechanism maintains reliable attachment without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, as the springs self-regulate to provide consistent securing force across multiple engagement points.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is self-securing through the spring-loaded balls that automatically engage with detents on the treatment member. The springs provide continuous outward bias to maintain engagement, and the detents provide automatic positioning, eliminating the need for additional locking mechanisms or complex assembly procedures despite having multiple engagement points.
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 adapter assembly provides a secure and stable attachment of multiple treatment members to the device, preventing loosening during use and simplifying the process of changing components, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and reliability of the massage or therapeutic treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring-loaded ball (144) configured to engage with a first detent (124)
Implementation Method 2
The adapter assembly includes a main body portion (102) having a first spring-loaded ball (144) configured to engage with a first detent (124)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An adapter assembly for use with a reciprocating treatment device that includes a main body portion having at least a first top male attachment member or a first top female attachment member on a top thereof and at least first and second bottom male attachment members or first and second bottom female attachment members on a bottom thereof.