Spinal Massage Device With Independent Manipulating Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal massage devices are inefficient in treating the entire back simultaneously due to variations in individual back curvature and size, and they often require extensive time and are less effective compared to treating an extended portion of the back at once.
Innovation Solution
A spinal massage device with multiple manipulating assemblies, each comprising pairs of opposed manipulating members, is designed to adapt to different users by controlling the contact pressure and movement of the members to simultaneously massage an extended region of the back.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a device treats only a portion of the back and moves along the back, then it can adapt to individual back curvature and size, but it becomes time-consuming and less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the back into multiple treatment zones with dedicated manipulating assemblies for the cervical region, shoulder blade area, thoracic region, and lumbar region. Each assembly is independently controllable and can be positioned simultaneously, allowing the entire back to be treated at once rather than moving section by section.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a single-point treatment approach moving along the spine to a multi-point simultaneous treatment approach. Multiple manipulating members are distributed across different longitudinal positions and lateral positions, enabling parallel treatment of multiple back regions at the same time.
2Productivity
If a device treats an extended portion of the back simultaneously, then treatment effectiveness improves, but it becomes difficult to adapt to variations in individual back curvature and size
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulating members are designed with adjustable positions and controllable movements. Each manipulating member can be independently positioned and controlled to match the specific curvature and size of the user's back, allowing the device to adapt to individual variations while maintaining simultaneous treatment of extended back regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Each manipulating assembly is designed with specific characteristics suited to its target region (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, shoulder blade). The manipulating members have different geometries and movement patterns appropriate to their specific anatomical regions, enabling tailored treatment while treating multiple regions simultaneously.
3Productivity
If multiple manipulating members are used to treat extended back regions simultaneously, then treatment effectiveness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple manipulating assemblies share common structural elements and control mechanisms. Each assembly follows a similar design pattern with manipulating members that can be independently controlled, allowing the complex multi-region treatment capability to be achieved through repetition of a standardized modular unit rather than requiring entirely different mechanisms for each region.
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal massage device comprises first to fifth manipulating assemblies of pairs of opposed manipulating members, each manipulating member having a generally rounded contact area and a set of actuators to move the manipulating members progressively controllably into or away from engagement with a user's back, whereby movement of the manipulating members of the second manipulating assembly includes a generally arcuate movement; a controller including logic is arranged to control the respective sets of actuators to move the manipulating members into contact with a user's back, select a massage routine and control the actuators to carry out the massage routine based on generally reciprocal motion; the controller being arranged to control the manipulating members within each of the fourth and fifth manipulating assemblies to move independently to create differential pressure, and being arranged to monitor and adjust contact pressures applied by the manipulating members.