Rotating Thermotherapy Device Heating Element Contact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermotherapy devices experience reduced thermotherapy effect due to the spacing between the heating ceramic and heating element, leading to inefficient heat transfer and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A thermotherapy device design where the heating part rotates together with the ceramic part, utilizing a heating element, a transfer member for heat transfer, and a power supply part with an electrode member to ensure stable current supply, minimizing heat loss and improving power efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the heating ceramic and heating element are spaced apart to allow rotation, then the heating ceramic can rotate relative to the heating element, but the heat transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A transfer member is introduced as an intermediary component between the heating element and heating ceramic. This transfer member rotates together with the heating ceramic while being supplied with current through a sliding contact, enabling both rotation capability and efficient heat transfer to occur simultaneously.
2Loss of energy
If the heating part rotates together with the ceramic part, then heat transfer is improved, but maintaining stable electrical contact becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A sliding contact in the form of a flexible conductive component is used to supply current to the rotating heating part. This sliding contact maintains continuous electrical connection through relative motion, allowing the heating part to rotate while receiving stable power supply.
3Reliability
If the heating part is fixed and non-rotating, then electrical connection is stable, but the friction between heating ceramic and cover increases causing wear
Solution Approach 1:
The heating part is merged with the heating ceramic to form a combined rotating assembly. This allows the heating ceramic to rotate together with the heating element, reducing friction between the heating ceramic and cover while the sliding contact system maintains stable electrical connection for the entire rotating assembly.
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 achieves improved heat transfer and enhanced thermotherapy effects by ensuring the heating part and ceramic part are in contact, reducing heat loss and maintaining stable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a heating part which is inserted in the inner space and has a heating element for generating heat so as to heat the ceramic part
Implementation Method 2
a transfer member for transferring the heat generated by the heating element to the ceramic part
Data Source
AI summary
A thermotherapy device is capable of being supplied with an electric current from a power supply part in a non-rotating state even when a heating part for heating a ceramic part rotates together with the ceramic part. To this end, the thermotherapy device comprises a ceramic part having an inner space formed therein; a heating part which includes a heating element inserted into the inner space and emitting heat such that the ceramic part is heated, and a transfer member for transferring, to the ceramic part, heat generated from the heating element; a power supply part having an electrode member so as to supply an electric current to the heating part; and a support part for supporting the ceramic part, wherein the heating part may rotate relative to the electrode member such that the heating part rotates together with the ceramic part.