Low-Frequency Pad Unit Tactile Feedback Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-frequency treatment devices face usability challenges due to difficulty in providing effective feedback when attached to areas like the back, where visual or auditory notifications are hindered, leading to resistance and increased device size and cost.
Innovation Solution
A low-frequency treatment device that integrates an operation unit with a pad unit, supplying a notification pulse current distinct from the treatment pulse current to provide intuitive feedback, eliminating the need for speakers or vibrators, thus reducing device size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual feedback through display is provided on the treatment device, then operation feedback is improved, but usability deteriorates when device is attached to back or hard-to-see areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the user's own body as an intermediary medium to transmit operation feedback. When the user presses the operation button, the control unit causes the pad unit to output a notification pulse current that provides tactile feedback through the user's skin, allowing the user to perceive their own operation without needing visual display.
2Loss of information
If speaker is installed for audio feedback, then operation notification is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pad unit serves multiple functions: it outputs both the low-frequency pulse current for treatment and the notification pulse current for operation feedback. By making the pad unit multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate audio feedback components like speakers, thereby reducing device size and cost.
3Loss of information
If vibrator is installed for vibration feedback, then operation feedback is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pad unit is designed to output both treatment pulse current and notification pulse current. The notification pulse current utilizes the electrical stimulation capability of the pad unit itself to provide tactile feedback, eliminating the need for separate vibration motors or vibrators.
4Ease of operation
If notification pulse current is supplied through pad unit, then operation feedback is improved without increasing device size, but electrode misalignment may occur due to vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The notification pulse current is designed with specific parameters (frequency, amplitude, pulse width) that are optimized to provide tactile feedback without causing strong muscle contractions or vibrations. By carefully controlling these parameters, the patent achieves effective feedback while minimizing the risk of electrode displacement.
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
Enhances usability by allowing users to intuitively recognize operations without visual or auditory interference, preventing misalignment, and maintaining device compactness.
Implementation Method 1
a notification pulse current that provides another electrical stimulus configured to notify the user of receipt of the operation
Implementation Method 2
a low-frequency pulse current that provides an electrical stimulus for treatment
Data Source
AI summary
A low-frequency treatment device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a pad unit, an operation unit that receives an operation from a user, and a processor. The processor causes the pad unit to supply a low-frequency pulse current that provides electrical stimuli for treatment. The processor causes the pad unit to supply a notification pulse current that provides electrical stimuli, different from the electrical stimuli for treatment, to notify the user of receipt of the operation to the operation unit.