Thermal Heat Therapy Foam Roller with Integrated Electro-thermal Film

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional massage rollers lack thermal capability, making them therapeutically limited in relieving muscle and connective tissue tension, and existing methods to incorporate heat are inefficient, dangerous, or uncomfortable.

Innovation Solution

A foam massage roller with a battery-operated heating element and a perforated thermally-permeable body, featuring a cylindrical roller core with radial interior supports and an electro-thermal film heating element, providing safe and effective heat distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional massage rollers are used without thermal capability, then the device structure remains simple, but the therapeutic effectiveness for relieving muscle and connective tissue tension is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic effectivenessVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the massage roller function with a heating element into a single integrated device. The heating element is embedded within the roller structure, allowing simultaneous thermal therapy and mechanical massage action, thereby resolving the contradiction between therapeutic effectiveness and device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The massage roller is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical massage through rolling motion and thermal therapy through the integrated heating element. This multi-functionality enhances therapeutic effectiveness while maintaining a unified device structure rather than requiring separate heating equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If heating pads are wrapped around the roller to achieve heating effect, then thermal capability is added, but the operation becomes cumbersome and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidoperational convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is permanently integrated into the roller structure rather than being a separate wrap-around component. This integration eliminates the need for users to manually attach and adjust heating pads, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining safe and consistent heating capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If the roller is filled with heated liquid to provide thermal therapy, then heating effect is achieved, but the device becomes heavy and handling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal therapy capabilityVSAvoidroller weight

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the liquid-filled heating system with an electric heating element powered by a battery. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy liquid content while providing controlled thermal therapy, thereby reducing the roller's weight and improving handling convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If a battery-operated heating element is integrated into the roller, then safe and effective heat distribution is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafe and effective heatingVSAvoidinternal structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element and battery are nested within the roller's internal structure in a compact arrangement. The heating element is positioned within the roller core, and the battery is integrated into the handle or end cap, creating a nested configuration that minimizes structural complexity while ensuring safe and effective heat distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 solution effectively relieves muscle and connective tissue tension, offering a comfortable thermal option for exercise, stretching, and core strengthening, enhancing user comfort and therapeutic benefits.

Implementation Method 1

a battery-operated heating element... an electro-thermal film heating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a perforated thermally-permeable massage roller foam body... perforated heat exchanging foam body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11278468B2Thermal heat therapy foam roller

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 DAVIS RICHARD

AI summary

A thermal heat therapy massage roller which includes a cylindrical roller core with interior structural supports, a heating element, a pliable thermally-conductive foam roller body, which is battery operated and due to its thermal capabilities is effective in relieving painful muscle or connective tissue conditions and provides a comfortable thermal option as an exercise, stretching, and core strengthening apparatus.