Segmented Body Support Vibration for Precise Proprioceptive Stimulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibrating systems for corporeal stimulation are ineffective in providing precise and controlled vibration to specific areas of the body, as they often result in random and non-uniform stimulation due to interference from physical contact and lack of adjustment capabilities for frequency, amplitude, and duration.
Innovation Solution
A vibrating system with support elements for the nuchal, dorsal, buttocks, hand, popliteal, and heel zones, each equipped with a vibrating unit controlled by an electronic unit, allowing for precise adjustment of vibration frequency, amplitude, and duration to stimulate specific mechanoreceptors effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional vibrating devices are placed underneath mattresses or cushions, then the vibration coverage area is increased, but the vibration control precision is lost and the stimulation becomes random and dispersed
Solution Approach 1:
The body is divided into multiple specific zones (nuchal, dorsal, buttocks, hand, popliteal, heel zones), and each zone is equipped with its own independent vibrating unit. This segmentation allows precise control of vibration at each body region while maintaining overall body coverage, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and control precision.
2Ease of operation
If the body is supported on conventional fixed supports like chairs or beds, then the user comfort is improved, but the vibration transmission is damped and the mechanoreceptor stimulation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support system provides localized support only at specific body zones rather than continuous support across the entire body. The rigid support elements at vibration zones transmit vibrations effectively while non-supported areas maintain natural positioning, achieving both comfort and effective vibration transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system transitions from static continuous support to dynamic localized support. The body is supported only at specific zones that require vibration stimulation, allowing these areas to move and vibrate freely while maintaining overall body positioning and comfort.
3Device complexity
If fixed support points are used for body vibration, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to stimulate specific mechanoreceptors is lost due to damping effects
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple independent rigid elements positioned at specific body zones, each capable of independent vibration. This segmentation maintains relatively simple individual components while achieving precise stimulation of specific mechanoreceptors at each zone.
4Ease of operation
If generalized vibration is applied to the whole body, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stimulation uniformity is lost and attention is generalized reducing mechanoreceptor activation
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration system is divided into multiple independently controllable units, each targeting specific body zones. This allows the system to maintain operational simplicity through centralized control while delivering uniform and precise stimulation to each specific mechanoreceptor-rich zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Each vibrating unit is optimized for its specific body zone, delivering locally tailored vibration characteristics that uniformly stimulate the mechanoreceptors in that particular area, rather than applying generalized vibration that dilutes the stimulation effect.
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 system enables precise and extensive stimulation of cutaneous mechanoreceptors, promoting proprioceptive resonance, muscle relaxation, and overall body stimulation without interference from other contact points, achieving immediate and sustained benefits like muscle repolarization and reduced pain.
Implementation Method 1
each support element, except in some cases the support element for the nuchal zone, being provided with a vibrating unit for transmitting to the body a controlled vibration
Implementation Method 2
The support elements are made of rigid material so as to allow perfect transmission of the signal wave
Data Source
AI summary
A vibrating system for cutaneous stimulation by means of proprioceptive resonance comprises elements (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) for supporting the user's body which are positioned in specific zones for providing support and for specific administration of the proprioceptive stimulation modulation. The supports consisting of separate elements are situated in the nuchal zone, dorso-lumbar zone, buttocks zone, hand zone, popliteal zone and heel zone so as to keep the body supported only in these zones and in a semi-supine position. Each support element, except in some cases the support element (12) for the nuchal zone, is provided with a proprioceptive stimulation vibrating unit (25, 26, 40, 50, 60, 70) for transmitting to precise zones of the body's skin a controlled vibration upon emission of a programmed command from an electronic control unit (22).