Massage Head with Oscillating Drive for Counter-Rotating Rollers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing massage devices for skin massage are complex, not ergonomic, prone to mechanical reliability issues, and can be painful, especially on facial skin, with designs that are costly and unreliable.

Innovation Solution

A massage head with a motor and transmission system featuring counter-rotating massage rollers, a simple and ergonomic design, adjustable spacing, and a return mechanism to ensure comfortable and effective skin manipulation, suitable for domestic use by users without professional skills.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a transmission mechanism is used to drive massage rollers in opposite directions, then the massage function is achieved, but the device becomes complex and less ergonomic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveergonomic useVSAvoidtransmission mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a complex transmission mechanism to drive two separate rollers in opposite directions, the invention inverts the approach by using a single oscillating head that naturally produces counter-rotating motion at its extremities. This eliminates the need for complex gear transmissions while achieving the same massage effect through geometric inversion of the motion path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential function of opposite-direction rotation from the complex transmission mechanism and achieves it through the inherent oscillation geometry of a single head. By taking out the unnecessary transmission components, the device becomes simpler and more ergonomic while maintaining the core massage functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If significant forces are applied against the rollers during massage, then effective skin manipulation is achieved, but mechanical reliability problems occur with risk of breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemassage effectivenessVSAvoidmechanical reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a resilient, oscillating head that dynamically adapts to applied forces rather than relying on rigid roller structures. The head's natural oscillation and flexibility allow it to absorb significant user-applied forces without mechanical breakage, while still delivering effective skin manipulation through controlled counter-rotating motion at its extremities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and motion parameters of the massage element from static roller rotation to dynamic oscillation. This parameter change allows the system to tolerate higher forces during massage while maintaining reliability, as the oscillating head can flex and adapt to force variations without the rigid mechanical constraints that cause breakage in traditional roller systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If known massage heads are designed to rotate rollers in opposite directions, then skin massage is achieved, but the design becomes complex making manufacture expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidhead design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of two separate rollers and their complex transmission mechanism into a single oscillating head structure. This consolidation simplifies the design, reduces the number of parts to manufacture, and lowers production costs while maintaining the essential function of delivering counter-rotating massage action through the head's oscillation geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The oscillating head serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural framework, generates the counter-rotating motion through its oscillation, and delivers the massage action. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate transmission mechanisms and rollers, simplifying both design and manufacture while reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If massage devices are designed for effective skin manipulation, then massage quality improves, but the device becomes less safe and more painful for facial skin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemassage effectivenessVSAvoidpain and safety issues
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient, oscillating head dynamically adapts to different skin types and areas, including delicate facial skin. The natural oscillation and flexibility of the head allow it to deliver effective massage forces while automatically modulating pressure to prevent pain and injury, making the device safe for use on sensitive areas without compromising massage quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4262671B1Massage head with optimised drive for massage device and massage device provided with such a head
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 SEB SA
  • EP4262671B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4262671B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4262671B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a massage head (1), for a massage device (2), comprising a motor (14) and a means (16) for transmitting, to the head, a rotational movement of the motor (14) which comprises an output shaft (17) that rotates around an output axis (D-D'), the head comprising first and second massage rollers (8, 9) which extend along a first axis (B-B') and a second axis (C-C'), and a system (13) for rotating the massage rollers in counter-rotation around the first and second axes, comprising a bevel gear device for converting the rotation of the output shaft into a rotation of the massage rollers, the first and second axes being inscribed in a plane (Pi) secant to the output axis.