Shockwave Generator Kinetic Energy Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic shockwave generators experience significant loss of kinetic energy due to the lack of efficient mechanisms to reverse the motion of the impactor without energy loss, which affects the effectiveness of the therapeutic treatment.
Innovation Solution
The use of the same magnets to accelerate the impactor in both directions, combined with a bouncer magnet at the end section to ensure no kinetic energy is lost during reversal, and a shock transducer with a convex contact face for efficient energy transfer to the patient's body part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a pneumatic or electromagnetic accelerator is used to move the impactor, then the impactor can be accelerated into the impacting direction, but kinetic energy is lost when the impactor needs to be reversed
Solution Approach 1:
The same coil magnets are used to accelerate the impactor in both the impacting direction and the return direction. The coil magnets positioned at different locations along the channel can be selectively activated to propel the impactor forward toward the applicator head and backward toward the start position, eliminating the need for separate acceleration mechanisms and reducing energy loss during direction reversal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical reversal mechanisms (such as physical bouncers or mechanical reversers) with an electromagnetic field-based reversal system. By deactivating the front coil magnets and activating the rear coil magnets, the impactor is pulled back by magnetic attraction, substituting a mechanical reversal process with an electromagnetic one that conserves kinetic energy.
2Ease of operation
If a bouncer is used to bounce back the impactor, then the impactor can be reversed, but kinetic energy may be lost during the bouncing process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical bouncing mechanisms with an electromagnetic field-based reversal system. Instead of relying on physical contact with a bouncer that would cause energy loss through deformation and heat, the system uses coil magnets to create magnetic attraction that pulls the impactor back smoothly, converting mechanical bouncing into electromagnetic propulsion.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil magnets act as an intermediary between the impactor and the channel walls, mediating the reversal process through magnetic fields rather than direct mechanical contact. This intermediary electromagnetic field transfers energy to the impactor without the energy losses associated with mechanical bouncing surfaces.
3Device complexity
If the impactor is accelerated only in one direction, then the impacting mechanism is simple, but the impactor cannot return to its starting position efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The coil magnets are designed to perform multiple functions: accelerating the impactor forward toward the applicator head and accelerating it backward toward the start position. By controlling which coil magnets are activated, the same components handle both directions of motion, maintaining simplicity while enabling efficient cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates through periodic activation of different coil magnet sets. The front coil magnets are activated to propel the impactor forward, then deactivated while rear coil magnets are activated to pull it back. This periodic switching creates a continuous cycling motion that maintains high productivity without requiring complex dual-directional acceleration mechanisms.
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
This approach minimizes kinetic energy loss, allowing for more effective generation and transfer of shockwaves, enhancing the therapeutic efficacy by maintaining energy throughout the process and enabling adjustable impacting frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
an impactor movable up and down in the channel by electromagnetic interaction
Implementation Method 2
The coil magnets can for example be annular coils, integral in the wall of the channel
Implementation Method 3
the end section may for example comprise a bouncer, such as a permanent magnet, e.g., a ring magnet or disc magnet, with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the impactor
Implementation Method 4
Such a permanent magnetic bouncer has the advantage that no kinetic energy is lost during bouncing
Implementation Method 5
the impactor impacts an applicator head and generates a mechanical pressure wave to be transferred to a patient's body part
Implementation Method 6
generates a mechanical pressure wave to be transferred to a patient's body part
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
Shockwave generator (1) comprising a body (3) with a channel (5) extending between an applicator head and an end section, an electromagnetically driveable impactor slideable in the channel, and at least one coil magnet for thrusting the impactor (11). The shockwave generator comprises a control unit (17) programmed to reverse the polarity of the at least one coil magnet. The polarity of the one coil magnet is reversed when the impactor magnet (11) is bounced by a bouncer magnet (19).