Rigid Support Element for Water Jet Massaging Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The flexibility and elasticity of the patient support sheet in water jet massaging apparatuses lead to localized loading issues, potentially damaging the nozzle mechanism when a patient sits or stands, causing movement obstruction and damage to the nozzle carriage and drive mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A rigid or non-elastic support element, such as a grid-like or net-like structure, is introduced between the flexible support sheet and the nozzle carriage to absorb local loads, preventing deformation and contact with the nozzle mechanism, ensuring the water jet's massaging effect is maintained while protecting the apparatus from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible elastic support sheet is used to adapt to the patient's body shape, then the massaging effect is improved, but the support sheet is pressed deeply into the tub when localized load is applied, potentially damaging the nozzle mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
A rigid or non-elastic intermediate support element is introduced between the flexible support sheet and the nozzle mechanism. This intermediary element absorbs the localized loads when the patient sits or moves, preventing the flexible sheet from pressing deeply into the tub and contacting the nozzle mechanism, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid support element is installed in advance between the flexible support sheet and the nozzle mechanism to provide预先 protection. When localized loads occur during patient movement, the support element absorbs the impact before it can reach and damage the nozzle mechanism, implementing beforehand cushioning
2Productivity
If the support sheet is made thin and flexible for effective water jet transfer, then the massaging effectiveness is improved, but the support sheet allows deep localized deformation under patient load
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is designed with different local qualities: the support sheet remains thin and flexible in the areas contacting the patient for effective massaging, while a rigid support element is positioned in the load-bearing areas to provide structural stability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between massaging effectiveness and structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is segmented into two functional parts: a flexible support sheet for massaging contact and a rigid support element for structural support. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, enabling thin flexible construction while preventing deep deformation
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 solution effectively prevents damage to the nozzle mechanism by distributing localized loads and maintaining the water jet's effectiveness, reducing the risk of mechanical failure and downtime.
Implementation Method 1
A rigid or at least non-elastic support element is disposed between the flexible elastic support sheet and the nozzle carriage and drive arrangement to support any local load
Implementation Method 2
The patient support sheet needs to be a relatively thin flexible and also elastic foil via which the effects of the water jet can be transferred to the body of the patient laying on the support surface effectively in a mostly undamped manner
Implementation Method 3
there is at least one nozzle mechanism with a nozzle to which pressurized water is supplied by a pump for directing a massaging water jet toward the bottom side of the patient support sheet
Data Source
AI summary
In a water jet massaging apparatus having a tub which is covered by a flexible elastic support sheet or foil for supporting a patient and a nozzle carriage with a nozzle and carriage drive arrangement disposed in the tub below the support sheet or foil for directing a water jet onto the support sheet, a rigid or at least non-elastic support element is disposed between the flexible elastic support sheet or foil and the nozzle carriage at a distance from the flexible elastic support sheet or foil so as to prevent the flexible elastic support sheet to come into contact with the nozzle carriage and the carriage drive arrangement.