Wearable Heating Cooling Stimulator for Contrast Bathing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in easily replicating hot and cold contrast bathing, which requires multiple baths and poses hygiene concerns, especially for large groups and individuals with physical difficulties, as existing methods are equipment-intensive and lack adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a heating and cooling stimulator that dynamically alternates between heating and cooling stimulation, controlled by a terminal device and a control unit, which adjusts parameters based on user attributes, operation modes, and stimulated body parts to mimic the contrast bathing effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hot and cold contrast bathing is performed using traditional methods, then recovery from physical fatigue is effective, but the process requires multiple baths and complex equipment maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines heating and cooling functions into a single wearable device that can be attached to the body. The device integrates both heating elements and cooling elements in one unit, eliminating the need for separate hot and cold baths while maintaining the contrast bathing effect for fatigue recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device serves multiple functions: it provides both heating and cooling stimulation, can be used by multiple people sequentially, and adapts to different body parts. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized equipment while maintaining recovery effectiveness
2Temperature
If traditional hot and cold contrast bathing is used, then temperature control is effective, but hygiene concerns arise when used by large numbers of people
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using actual water baths that require cleaning and sanitization, the patent creates a portable copy of the contrast bathing effect using wearable heating and cooling devices. This eliminates hygiene concerns associated with shared water baths while maintaining the therapeutic temperature contrast
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical water-based bathing system with an electronic wearable device system that uses electrical heating and cooling elements. This substitution eliminates the hygiene issues of shared water while maintaining temperature control effectiveness
3Reliability
If traditional contrast bathing equipment is used, then therapeutic effect is achieved, but accessibility is limited for people with physical difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the contrast bathing therapy into separate wearable modules that can be attached to specific body parts. This segmentation allows people with physical difficulties to receive therapy on accessible body parts without needing to enter water or use complex equipment, maintaining therapeutic effectiveness while improving accessibility
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
Enables easy and adaptable hot and cold contrast bathing by dynamically controlling heating and cooling stimulation, improving accessibility and hygiene, and allowing for personalized and efficient recovery from physical fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element that generates heat to apply to the body part, and a cooling element that generates cold to apply to the body part
Implementation Method 2
the heating and cooling stimulator includes a Peltier element
Data Source
AI summary
A control device (20) includes a control unit (23) that dynamically controls an operation of heating and cooling stimulation by a heating and cooling stimulator (30) that repeatedly gives alternate heating stimulation and cooling stimulation to a body part of a user.