Wearable Stimulation Device Deep Muscle Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional abdominal and waist stimulation devices fail to effectively stimulate deep muscles, often relying on tactile warnings and frequency control without actively stimulating the muscles, and do not address the need for specific control parameters like movement stroke, thrust, and reciprocating frequency.
Innovation Solution
A wearable stimulation device with a stimulation unit driven by a voice coil motor, capable of reciprocating with a stroke of 8.8-10.8 mm, thrust of 5.6-7.6 N, and a frequency of 180-220 Hz, combined with a noise signal, specifically designed to target deep muscles like the transverse abdominis and multifidus, without affecting superficial muscles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional tactile feedback devices or low-frequency infrasonic waves are used, then the user receives sensory feedback or superficial induction, but the deep muscles of the abdomen and waist are not effectively stimulated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a voice coil motor to generate high-frequency reciprocating motion (180-220 Hz) with controlled stroke (8.8-10.8 mm) and thrust (5.6-7.6 N), creating mechanical vibration that penetrates deep into the abdominal and waist muscles. This mechanical vibration approach directly addresses the limitation of conventional tactile feedback and low-frequency infrasonic devices by delivering effective deep muscle stimulation through controlled high-frequency oscillation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise operational parameters for the voice coil motor including reciprocating frequency (180-220 Hz), stroke length (8.8-10.8 mm), and thrust force (5.6-7.6 N). These controlled parameter changes enable the device to achieve effective deep muscle stimulation while maintaining safety and comfort, resolving the contradiction between stimulation depth and device complexity through quantified operational constraints.
2Reliability
If high-frequency vibration is applied to stimulate deep muscles, then deep muscle activation increases, but superficial muscles may become stiff
Solution Approach 1:
The voice coil motor generates periodic reciprocating motion at high frequency (180-220 Hz) with controlled amplitude. This periodic action allows the stimulation end to oscillate back and forth, creating deep muscle activation through cumulative effect while the brief contact time at each oscillation peak prevents sustained compression that would cause superficial muscle stiffness. The periodic nature enables penetration depth without prolonged surface pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from static or low-frequency vibration to dynamic high-frequency reciprocating motion with controlled stroke and thrust. The stimulation end moves dynamically between contact and non-contact states with the skin, creating deep tissue stimulation through rapid oscillation while minimizing sustained pressure on superficial muscles. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between deep activation and superficial comfort.
3Ease of operation
If conventional actuators are used for frequency control only, then tactile feedback is provided, but control parameters such as movement stroke, thrust, and reciprocating frequency are not available for deep muscle stimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The voice coil motor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides frequency control (180-220 Hz), controls stroke length (8.8-10.8 mm), regulates thrust force (5.6-7.6 N), and generates mechanical vibration for deep muscle stimulation. This multi-functionality replaces conventional single-purpose actuators, enabling comprehensive control over all parameters necessary for effective deep muscle stimulation while maintaining ease of operation through integrated control.
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 device effectively strengthens deep muscles, increasing their activation and control ability without stiffening superficial muscles, as demonstrated by increased muscle contraction and activation in tests, particularly in combined vibration and noise modes.
Implementation Method 1
The power element is a voice coil motor. The voice coil motor includes a coil part and a magnet part. The coil part is fixed to the immovable end. The magnet part is fixed to the stimulation end. After the coil part is energized, a magnetic field is generated. The magnet part interacts with the magnetic field, so that the magnet part generates a reciprocating motion relative to the coil part.
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable stimulation device includes a wearable member, a stimulation unit, and a driver. The stimulation unit is secured to the wearable member. The stimulation unit includes an immovable end, a stimulation end, and a power element. The power element is connected between the immovable end and the stimulation end for driving the stimulation end to reciprocate relative to the immovable end. The driver is in signal connection with the power element. The driver is configured to output a vibration signal to the power element for the stimulation end to have a stroke of between 8.8 mm and 10.8 mm, a thrust of between 5.6 N and 7.6 N and a reciprocating frequency of between 180 Hz and 220 Hz, thereby stimulating the deep muscles of the abdomen or waist of a human body without affecting the superficial muscles.