Percussive Massage Assembly With Reciprocating Deep-Tissue Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing massage devices, including percussive massage devices, often provide ineffective and superficial massages that do not offer real benefits, and are not automated for effective massage or recovery.

Innovation Solution

A percussive therapy device with a brushless motor, a push rod assembly, and a motor mount, which includes a mounting wall with flanges and boss members for secure attachment, along with optional features like an infrared thermometer, heart rate monitor, and software-controlled operation, to provide automated and effective massage or recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If massage devices provide superficial contact, then ease of operation is improved, but therapeutic effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidtherapeutic effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs a motor-driven mechanism that generates rapid reciprocating motion of the treatment structure against the user's body. This mechanical vibration delivers deep tissue massage through controlled oscillations at therapeutic frequencies, penetrating beyond superficial layers to reach muscle tissue effectively while maintaining ease of operation through automated motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment structure is designed to reciprocate dynamically between contact and non-contact positions relative to the user's body. This dynamic motion allows the device to apply therapeutic force during the contact phase while reducing pressure during the retraction phase, enabling effective deep tissue massage without requiring constant heavy pressure from the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If percussive massage devices are used manually, then device complexity is reduced, but therapeutic effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidtherapeutic effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates automated control systems that enable it to perform therapeutic functions independently without requiring complex manual operation by the user. The motor-driven reciprocating mechanism automatically executes massage sequences, adjusting motion parameters to deliver effective treatment while keeping the interface simple for the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated motor-driven system. The motor converts electrical energy to mechanical motion, driving the treatment structure through controlled reciprocating cycles. This substitution eliminates the need for complex manual manipulation while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness through precise automated control of massage parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If reciprocating motion is implemented, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses a motor-driven eccentric mechanism or crank system to generate reciprocating motion from rotational input. This mechanical vibration approach converts simple rotational motor motion into the desired reciprocating linear motion of the treatment structure, achieving therapeutic effectiveness through controlled oscillations while keeping the mechanical design relatively simple and compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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 offers efficient and therapeutically beneficial massage by reciprocating at specific frequencies and amplitudes, providing targeted muscle treatment with adjustable force and temperature control, enhancing user experience through automated protocols and feedback.

Implementation Method 1

a motor positioned in the housing... The motor is a brushless motor with a rotatable motor shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an infrared thermometer, heart rate monitor, and software-controlled operation, to provide automated and effective massage or recovery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4027963B1Percussive therapy device
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 THERABODY INC
  • EP4027963B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4027963B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4027963B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A percussive therapy device that includes a housing, an electrical source, a motor positioned in the housing, a switch for activating the motor, and a push rod assembly operatively connected to the motor and configured to reciprocate in response to activation of the motor. The percussive therapy device includes at least one of a thermal sensor, a heart rate monitor or a heated massage member.