Sensor-Equipped Percussive Attachment for Adaptive Massage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing massage devices, including percussive therapy devices, often provide ineffective and superficial massages without real benefits, and are not automated for effective massage or recovery.
Innovation Solution
A percussive therapy system with a percussive therapy device that includes a housing, a motor, a switch, a push rod assembly, and an attachment member with biometric sensors, providing therapeutic effects such as vibration, heating, or cooling, and a controller to initiate protocols based on user biometric data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If massage devices provide manual operation only, then device complexity is reduced, but effectiveness and automation of massage are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where sensors detect user biometric data (such as skin temperature, pulse, or muscle response) and the controller adjusts massage parameters (intensity, frequency, duration) based on this feedback. This automated feedback loop enables effective automated massage while managing device complexity through intelligent control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The massage device is designed to autonomously adjust its operation based on detected user conditions without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates massage intensity and patterns by monitoring user response, enabling the device to serve itself in optimizing treatment effectiveness while reducing operational complexity for the user.
2Measurement precision
If percussive therapy devices lack biometric sensors and automation, then device complexity is lower, but massage effectiveness and targeted treatment are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual assessment and mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electronic biometric sensors and automated control systems. Sensors optically or electrically detect physiological parameters, substituting mechanical interaction with electronic measurement, thereby enabling precise biometric detection while managing complexity through electronic rather than mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to handle multiple functions: detecting various biometric parameters, processing this data, and adjusting multiple massage parameters (intensity, frequency, pattern). This multi-functional integration reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing device complexity while enabling comprehensive measurement and control capabilities.
3Duration of action of moving object
If massage devices provide superficial treatment only, then treatment time is reduced, but therapeutic benefit and recovery effectiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through automated cycles that alternate between different massage intensities, patterns, and target areas. The system performs sequences of deep tissue massage followed by lighter recovery massage, creating effective treatment cycles that maximize therapeutic benefit within optimized timeframes, thereby addressing both treatment duration and time efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary assessment of user biometric data before initiating massage treatment. By detecting baseline physiological conditions in advance, the system can pre-program appropriate treatment duration and intensity, ensuring that the full therapeutic benefit is achieved within the necessary time without unnecessary extensions, thus balancing treatment duration with time efficiency.
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 provides automated and effective massage or recovery by adjusting therapeutic effects based on user biometric data, ensuring targeted and efficient treatment.
Implementation Method 1
an attachment comprising a thermal sensor configured to obtain biometric data of the user
Implementation Method 2
a motor positioned in the housing
Implementation Method 3
a push rod assembly operatively connected to the motor and configured to reciprocate in response to activation of the motor
Data Source
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AI summary
A percussive therapy system includes a percussive therapy device that includes a housing, an electrical source, a motor positioned in the housing, a switch for activating the motor, a push rod assembly operatively connected to the motor and configured to reciprocate in response to activation of the motor, and an attachment configured to be operatively connected to a distal end of the push rod assembly of the percussive massage device and to provide at least one therapeutic effect to a user. The attachment may include at least one of an actuator configured to provide the at least one therapeutic effect to the user and a sensor configured to obtain at least one of biometric data of the user and information regarding operation of the percussive therapy device.