WHAT IS PALMARTECH?
PalmarTech is a Stevens Institute of Technology student engineer group whose goal is to build a cutting edge and innovative back muscle recovery device. Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, one of the top reasons that employees miss work and the second most common reason for a visit to the doctor's office. In fact, it is estimated that 80% of the population will experience back pain and soreness at least once during their lifetime and half of the American workforce claim to having back pain every year.
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The goal of our project is to design an easy to use, customizable, and affordable physical therapy grade massage for the at home user. Our product will provide a solution to help alleviate, if not eliminate the back discomfort felt by society. The team’s objective is to design and build a muscle recovery massage apparatus in which the user can lie down or sit up in for a short period of time that will target the back area utilizing a set of rollers and an inflatable harness.
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Our device the ALLEVIATE1 will include a control unit, a massage roller system, and a vest attachment for the user’s torso. The vest will use air compression to add additional pressure and force to allow for an effective and comfortable deep tissue massage. The control system will direct the massage rollers to travel up and down the back of the device to provide a full back muscle recovery massage. Users will also have the capability to mechanically widen or narrow the massage rollers to fit their back size. The ALLEVIATE1will be versatile and can be personalized for all users allowing for thousands of types of different recovery massages based on strength, location, and roller speed.
Electrical System
Massage Mechanism
Air Compression
Chair Structure
ALPHA PROTOTYPE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Alpha prototype will use a stepping motor to drive the massage roller mechanism up and down the device. The stepping motor will be connected to a drive carrier to operate properly. The whole device will be controlled by an Arduino UNO which is programmed with PALMAR Tech's custom code.
The system will be powered by an AC/DC power supply and connected based upon the Fritzing diagram shown on the right.
Electrical System Mock-up PHASE 4
Electrical System Schematic PHASE 4
MASSAGE MECHANISM
The PALMAR Tech I's innovative massage system is based around using a ball screw connected to a stepping motor. The ball screw will drive the massage ball rollers through the rail system up and down the back of the device. The outer rail will be comprised of an CNC aluminum piece which will act as a guide.
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The mechanism will also use a linear carriage and rail system to widen and narrow the massage rollers. These will be directly attached to the CNC aluminum outer rail and controlled through a system of gears. The user will be allowed to use a knob an control the rollers width to their liking.
Electrical System Mock-up PHASE 3
Ball Screw Mechanical Massage System
Mechanical Massage System Video
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Pressure Test
A pressure test was performed to determine the average amount of pressure needed to provide an effective deep tissue massage. Due to individuals being of unique and various sizes, the numeric value of correct pressure fluctuated.
Contact Mechanics
The team researched and studied into contact mechanics to make sure the right information was known about how the rollers affect human muscular tissue. Equations were found online and used to find safe pressure force limits for the group to have.
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Torque about a Point
A torque analysis was performed to determine the average amount torque would be placed on the ball screw. Numeric force values were determined beforehand and utilized in Torque equations as well as average human torso dimensions.
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Max Load Calculations
A maximum load calculation was performed to determine the maximum force that could be placed on our device. A simple beam deflection equation was utilized to solve the equation as well as a pre-defined material of AISI 10SS Alloy Steel.
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Max Bending Calculations
Maximum bending stress equations were performed on both the Stepper motor and the DC gear motor due to them carrying load from the device and the user. The max Yield Strength and Deformity was found to make sure the device would properly work under normal human load.
COST/BUDGET
PALMAR Tech's goal is to create an affordable and effective product. The current average price of back recovery chair devices is $2500. This price point is out of range for many individuals which is why the ALLEVIATE1 will be sold at a price point under $1000.
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The final budget of the ALLEVIATE1 stands at $608.44. This is under the current total budget of $700 that PALMAR Tech has giving the team $91.56 extra for unforeseen circumstances in the future. Seen below is the final Bill of Materials for the ALLEVIATE1 Alpha prototype and each systems cost of the device.
ALLEVIATE1 Alpha Prototype Design
Final Alpha Prototype Bill of Materials
