Battery-Powered Percussive Massage Device With Segmented Power Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromechanical percussive massage devices are often expensive, large, heavy, and tethered to electrical power sources, making them cumbersome and noisy, which limits their portability and usability.

Innovation Solution

A battery-powered percussive massage device with a compact design featuring a motor-driven piston system and a flexible transfer linkage made of resilient rubber, allowing for efficient and quiet operation with interchangeable applicator heads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional electromechanical percussive massage devices are used, then effective percussive massage can be applied, but the devices are expensive, large, heavy, and tethered to electrical power sources

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoiddevice size and weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional modules: a handheld percussive unit containing the motor and piston mechanism, and a separate battery pack that can be removably attached. This segmentation allows the main body to remain compact and lightweight while providing portable power, directly addressing the contradiction between effectiveness and portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery assembly is extracted as a separate, removable component from the main device body. This extraction allows the percussive massage device to be compact and lightweight when not in use, while still providing extended battery life and portable operation when the battery is attached, resolving the contradiction between device size and operational capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If conventional electromechanical percussive massage devices are used, then effective percussive massage can be applied, but the devices are noisy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise levelVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible bellows linkage is used to connect the piston to the applicator head, allowing the piston to move freely without rigid mechanical connections that generate noise. This flexible connection reduces mechanical noise while maintaining the percussive massage function, addressing the contradiction between effectiveness and noise level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If manual percussive massage is applied by a massage therapist, then effective treatment can be provided, but the therapist may tire before completing a sufficient treatment regime

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment durationVSAvoidtherapist fatigue
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device provides automated percussive massage through an electric motor that drives the piston mechanism continuously without requiring manual effort from the therapist. The battery-powered system allows extended treatment durations without therapist fatigue, directly addressing the contradiction between treatment duration and physical exertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If battery assembly is integrated into the main housing, then compact design is achieved, but battery replacement and charging accessibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidbattery accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The battery assembly is segmented as a separate, removable module rather than being permanently integrated into the main housing. This segmentation maintains compactness when the battery is attached while providing easy accessibility for replacement and charging when needed, resolving the contradiction between compactness and maintainability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 device is lightweight, portable, and quieter than conventional devices, enabling extended use without fatigue and in quiet environments, while offering adjustable massage settings through various applicator heads.

Implementation Method 1

A flexible transfer linkage has a first end coupled to a second end portion of the transfer bracket. A piston has a first end coupled to a second end of the transfer linkage. The piston is constrained to move within a cylinder along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical bore.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3949931B1Battery-powered percussive massage device
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 HYPERICE IP SUBCO LLC
  • EP3949931B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3949931B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3949931B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery-powered percussive massage device has a battery assembly (132). The battery assembly (132) comprises a battery unit (214) and a battery controller printed circuit board (256). The battery controller printed circuit board includes an input jack (254) to receive electrical charging power and a battery charger controller (860) that controls charging power received via the input jack to charge the battery unit (214). The battery assembly (132) also comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (260) positioned around the periphery of said battery controller printed circuit board (256). The LEDs (260) are driven by the battery controller (860) so that the colour of the LEDs indicates the charged state of the battery assembly (132). A translucent plastic ring (264) is aligned with the LEDs (260). Light from the LEDs is emitted through the translucent plastic ring (264) so as to be seen externally of the battery assembly.