Battery-powered percussive massage device with pressure sensor

A method of operating a percussive massage device comprising:

• rotating a shaft of an electric motor to rotate a pivot of a crank about a centerline of the shaft;
• coupling the pivot of the crank to a first end of an interconnection linkage of a reciprocation assembly;
• coupling a second end of the interconnection linkage to a first end of a piston constrained to move along a longitudinal centerline;
• coupling a second end of the piston to an applicator head wherein rotational movement of the pivot of the crank causes reciprocating longitudinal movement of the piston and the applicator head;
• measuring a measured magnitude of electrical current through the motor, the measured magnitude of electrical current having a component of current magnitude responsive to a pressure applied to the applicator head;
• subtracting a no-load current from the measured current to determine the component of the measured current magnitude responsive to the pressure applied to the applicator head;
• displaying at least one of a plurality of pressure indicators, each of the plurality of pressure indicators corresponding to a range of pressures, each range of pressures corresponding to a range of components of current magnitudes responsive to a pressure applied to the applicator head.

A percussive massage device comprising:

• a source of electrical energy;
• an electric motor configured to rotate about a shaft;
• a piston constrained to move in a reciprocating motion within a cylinder;
• a linkage configured to couple the electrical motor to the piston such that rotation of the electrical motor causes the piston to reciprocate;
• an applicator head removably coupled to the piston;
• and
• a motor controller coupled to the source of electrical energy and coupled to the motor, the motor controller configured to selectively provide electrical energy to the motor to cause the motor to rotate a speed, the motor controller including a pressure indication system, the pressure indication system configured to measure a magnitude of a current flowing through the electric motor and to subtract a no-load current from the magnitude of the current to produce a calibrated current, the calibrated current having a magnitude responsive to pressure applied against the applicator head, the magnitude of the calibrated current including a plurality of calibrated current ranges, the pressure indication system including a pressure indication display having a plurality of display states, each display state corresponding to a respective one of the calibrated current ranges, each calibrated current range corresponding to a range of pressure applied against the applicator head.