Automatic walking machine
By improving the rotating pivot structure and material selection, the problems of high noise and insufficient support of the motion device were solved, achieving a stable connection and reduced costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUO XUEQIAN
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-18
AI Technical Summary
Existing motion devices are complex in structure, expensive, and lack sufficient support nodes, resulting in high noise, easy damage, and short service life.
The improved rotary pivot structure, which uses a raised connecting seat and bolts on the lower housing for fixing, combined with an integrally molded central shaft and a swing arm made of nylon and glass fiber, reduces noise, improves connection strength, enhances stability, and lowers costs.
This resulted in reduced noise, more stable connections, extended service life, and lower manufacturing costs and assembly difficulty.
Smart Images
Figure CN2024144161_18062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Automatic walking machine Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a device for exercising the lower limbs of the human body, specifically to an automatic walking machine. Background Technology
[0002] It is well known that physical exercise is essential for maintaining overall health and promoting the efficient functioning of various parts of the body, such as the legs and arms. However, with the fast pace of life and changes in work patterns, many people spend their days sitting while performing their daily tasks or work, rarely having time for physical exercise. Even short bursts of high-intensity exercise can easily cause muscle and joint injuries. Over time, this lack of physical activity can negatively impact individual health.
[0003] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a low-cost, reliable, and conveniently sized, configured, and overall structured exercise device. US Patent Publication No. US8550963B1 discloses a "leg exercise assembly" that uses a motor and cam assembly to drive two foot supports capable of forward and backward translation, thus passively exercising the feet. However, this product has a relatively complex structure, resulting in high weight and cost. European Patent Publication No. ES2000002939 discloses a "seated lower limb exercise system" for using a footrest to exercise the legs while seated, transmitting reciprocating motion through supports for resting the feet. However, due to insufficient support of key connecting structures such as the rotating pivot structure, which are prone to damage, and the rigid fixing of the motor and other components, the connections are susceptible to vibration and loosening, leading to potential failure of the fit. Therefore, further improvements are needed. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In response to one or more of the existing problems, such as high cost and insufficient support node structure, the present invention provides an automatic walking machine. Through improvements such as the rotating pivot structure, it solves the noise problem, reduces costs, and extends service life.
[0005] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: an automatic walking machine, comprising a housing, a drive mechanism disposed within the housing, and a driven reciprocating swing arm, and a foot support disposed outside the housing and pivotally connected to the swing arm. The housing comprises an upper housing and a lower housing, the lower housing having a protruding connecting seat, the connecting seat having threaded holes arranged circumferentially upwards; and an integrally formed central shaft, the central shaft comprising a base and a shaft located on the base, the shaft being pivotally connected to a central shaft hole disposed in the middle of the swing arm, the base sitting on the connecting seat and being fixed by bolts engaging with the threaded holes.
[0006] This invention provides a more robust and stable support structure by providing a protruding connecting seat on the lower housing. The base and the connecting seat are directly fixed by bolts with threaded holes arranged around the circumference. The bolts fix the base and the connecting seat from top to bottom in one go, which is convenient. At the same time, the one-piece molded central shaft reduces the processing of the connection between the base and the shaft, making the assembly of the leg exerciser simple and quick, and reducing the assembly cost.
[0007] Preferably, the base is disc-shaped and has several through holes. The threaded holes are formed by fixing a copper nut on the connecting seat, with one end of a bolt passing through the through hole and threadedly engaging with the copper nut.
[0008] This invention increases the connection strength and improves the stability of use by fixing the connector with a copper nut. It enables direct fixed connection between the connector and the base, saves space for installing connectors, and allows the originally thin lower shell to withstand the main force. It is also very convenient to install.
[0009] Preferably, the connecting seat is provided with a protruding positioning post and an outer ring that is higher than the end face of the connecting seat. The outer ring is adapted to the base and cooperates with the positioning post to limit the position of the base.
[0010] The outer ring structure enhances the overall strength of the connector, while its elevation above the connector confines the base within it, limiting horizontal movement and reducing shear force on the connecting bolts. The outer ring, in conjunction with the positioning post, allows for quick positioning of the base when seated on the connector, facilitating rapid connection and fixation of the bolts and copper nuts.
[0011] Preferably, a support platform is provided on the base around the shaft, and the base, shaft and support platform are an integral part, with the support platform supporting the bottom end of the central shaft hole.
[0012] The base, shaft, and support platform of this invention are integral parts, which are integrally machined, reducing assembly while improving structural strength.
[0013] Preferably, the two ends of the swing arm are respectively fixed with cross shafts, the cross shafts include a pivot end, the foot support includes a pivot part that protrudes downward to form a column, the pivot part has a pivot hole at its center, the pivot end is inserted into the pivot hole, and an oil groove is provided on the side wall of the pivot hole.
[0014] The present invention provides an oil groove on the connecting hole, which can lubricate the pivotal rotation, reduce friction and noise, and reduce the use of lateral and vertical bearings, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
[0015] Preferably, the swing arm is made of nylon with glass fiber, and three to four axial oil grooves are evenly distributed on the side wall of the pivot hole, with the upper end of the oil groove opening at the upper end of the pivot hole.
[0016] The swing arm is made of nylon and glass fiber material combined with the oil groove, which reduces the weight and manufacturing cost of the leg exerciser, while meeting the requirements for noise, strength and wear resistance.
[0017] Preferably, the output of the drive mechanism is hinged to one end of the drive link, and the other end of the drive link is hinged to the swing arm. The two ends of the drive link are respectively provided with hinge holes and hinge rods. The sidewall of the hinge hole is provided with a second oil groove. The hinge rod includes a threaded fixed end and a cylindrical end. The cylindrical end cooperates with the hinge hole, and the lubricant is in the second oil groove.
[0018] The drive mechanism of the present invention is an existing drive structure, but by setting a second oil groove through the drive linkage, the movement is smoother, the noise is lower, and the cost is also lower.
[0019] Preferably, the drive mechanism includes a motor and a reduction swing arm box. The reduction swing arm box has several connecting ears arranged around its perimeter, and correspondingly, several protrusions are provided at the opposite positions on the lower housing. Bolts pass through the connecting ears and fix the connecting ears to the protrusions, so that the reduction swing arm box is suspended in the air.
[0020] The utility model uses protruding pillars to suspend and fix the reduction swing arm box in the air, which can reduce the transmission of noise and vibration, and the suspended space can provide installation space for the double swing arms output by the reduction swing arm box.
[0021] Preferably, a number of spaced upper clamping plates are provided on the upper housing corresponding to the position of the motor, and a number of spaced lower clamping plates are provided on the lower housing corresponding to the position of the motor. The upper and lower clamping plates abut against the upper and lower sides of the motor respectively to clamp and fix the motor.
[0022] By setting up upper and lower clamping plates to clamp and fix the motor, the motor is also in an air-suspended state. The motor and the reduction swing arm box are in an elevated position, which reduces the noise of the leg exerciser. At the same time, it also allows the motor, reduction swing arm, drive linkage and swing arm to be on basically the same plane, reducing shear force and friction.
[0023] Preferably, the lower housing has a groove-shaped structure with crisscrossing reinforcing ribs, and the upper housing has a cover plate-like structure that fastens to the lower housing 12 to form an installation space. The edges of the upper and lower housings are fitted with snap-fit mechanisms. This makes the lower housing more securely mounted. Attached Figure Description
[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the automatic walking machine in this embodiment;
[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the automatic walking machine after the silicone foot pads have been removed;
[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the automatic walking machine after the foot pedal support is removed;
[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the automatic walking machine after the upper shell has been removed;
[0028] Figure 5 is an exploded structural diagram of the main components of the automatic walking machine;
[0029] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the fit between the lower housing and the central shaft;
[0030] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the lower shell structure;
[0031] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the upper shell structure;
[0032] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the foot pedal support structure;
[0033] Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the AA direction in Figure 9;
[0034] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the drive linkage and the hinge rod.
[0035] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the drive linkage structure;
[0036] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure in the BB direction of Figure 12;
[0037] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the cross shaft structure;
[0038] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the central axis structure;
[0039] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure in the CC direction of Figure 15.
[0040] The labels in the diagram indicate:
[0041] 10-Housing, 11-Upper housing, 111-Rail hole, 112-Upper clamping plate, 12-Lower housing, 121-Connecting seat, 1211-Copper nut, 122-Outer ring, 123-Rib plate, 124-Lower clamping plate, 125-Positioning post, 13-Snap fastener, 14-Control plate;
[0042] 20-Drive mechanism, 21-Motor, 22-Reduction swing arm box, 221-Double-bar swing arm, 222-Connecting ear, 23-Swing arm, 231-Central shaft hole, 232-End shaft hole, 24-Central shaft, 241-Shaft rod, 242-Support platform, 243-Base, 2431-Through hole, 2432-Positioning hole, 25-Cross shaft, 251-Pivot end, 252-Stop, 253-Fixed end, 26-Roller bearing, 27-Vertical bearing, 28-Drive connecting rod, 281-Hinge hole, 2811-Second oil groove, 282-Hinge rod;
[0043] 30-Foot support, 31-Support plate surface, 32-Pivot joint, 33-Pivot hole, 34-Oil groove;
[0044] 40 - Silicone feet, 50 - Circuit board. Detailed Implementation
[0045] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.
[0046] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.
[0047] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0048] Example 1:
[0049] As shown in Figures 1-5, the automatic walking machine includes a housing 10 and a drive mechanism 20 disposed inside the housing, and at least two parallel foot pedal supports 30 disposed above the housing. The drive mechanism 20 drives the two foot pedal supports 30 to reciprocate, thereby moving the user's feet.
[0050] The housing 10 includes an upper housing 11 and a lower housing 12, which enclose the mounting space of the drive mechanism 20 and the circuit board 50 for controlling the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism 20 includes a motor 21, a reduction gearbox 22, and two swing arms 23.
[0051] The two swing arms 23 are connected by a single rod, with a central shaft hole 231, which is pivotally connected to the central shaft 24. The swing arms 23 are made of nylon and glass fiber composite material, which, compared with commonly used zinc alloy, has reliable strength, low cost, is easy to process, and has good wear resistance.
[0052] The central shaft 24 includes an integrally formed shaft 241, a support platform 242, and a base 243. The shaft 241 is a rod extending upward from the center of the base 243. The support platform 242 is a platform protruding from the bottom of the shaft 241. A retaining ring groove is provided at the top of the shaft to cooperate with a retaining spring to limit the swing arm. The shaft 241, support platform 242, and base 243 are integrally formed structures, and the forming methods include casting, forging, and machining.
[0053] As shown in Figures 6-7, the lower housing 12 is provided with a protruding connecting seat 121. The connecting seat 121 has a threaded hole, which is formed by a copper nut 1211 being fixed to the connecting seat 121 by heat fusion or other methods. A corresponding through hole 2431 is provided on the base 243. One end of a bolt passes through the through hole 2431 and is threaded into the threaded hole of the copper nut 121, thus fixing the base 243 to the connecting seat 121. The connecting seat 121 is surrounded by an outer ring 122 that extends beyond the end face of the connecting seat. The outer ring 122 extends beyond the upper end face of the connecting seat 121 and is circumferentially above the base 243.
[0054] Several connecting ribs 123 are provided between the outer side of the outer ring 122 and the lower housing 12. These ribs 123 increase the overall strength of the lower housing 12 and the connection strength between the connecting seat 121 and the lower housing 12, thus allowing the base 243 to be firmly fixed to the connecting seat 121. Furthermore, a bolt passes through the connecting seat 121 from top to bottom and is threadedly connected to it, with a nut embedded in the connecting seat 121. The connecting seat 121 also has a positioning post 125, which is a protruding cylindrical structure, including cross-shaped and cylindrical shapes, etc., which cooperates with the positioning hole 2432 on the base 243, enabling the positioning seat to be quickly positioned and installed, and also serving as a limiting element after installation.
[0055] As shown in Figures 15-16, the central shaft 24 bears the main force, and the fixation of the central shaft 24 has a significant impact on the service life and load-bearing capacity of the automatic walking machine. A vertical bearing 27 is provided between the central shaft 24 and the central shaft hole 231, and a roller bearing 26 is provided between the support platform 242 and the swing arm 23, making the rotation of the swing arm 23 smoother.
[0056] As shown in Figures 4-5, the swing arm 23 has end shaft holes 232 at both ends, through which the cross shaft 25 is installed. Specifically, one end of the cross shaft 25 has a threaded fixed end 253, the other end is a pivot end 251, and a stop 252 is in the middle. The fixed end 253 passes through the end shaft hole 232 and is tightened by a nut. The stop 252 is located above the end shaft hole 232. The end of the pivot end 251 has relatively parallel cut surfaces, which facilitates the fixing of the pivot end 251 with a wrench or other means, and makes it easy to fix the nut.
[0057] The pivot end 251 of the cross shaft 25 is pivotally connected to the foot support 30.
[0058] As shown in Figures 9-10, the foot pedal support 30 includes a support plate 31 and a pivot portion 32. The pivot portion 32 protrudes downward to form a columnar structure, and a pivot hole 33 is provided at the center of the pivot portion 32. A silicone foot pad 40 is installed on the foot pedal support 30. The pivot end 251 passes through the pivot hole 33, and its end is fixed by a washer and a retaining spring. Bearings can be installed at the lower end of the pivot portion 32 and the stop 252, while several oil grooves 34 are provided on the side wall of the pivot hole 33. The lubricating oil in the oil grooves 34 lubricates the connection between the pivot end 251 and the side wall of the pivot hole 33, making the connection between the pivot portion 302 and the cross shaft 25 smoother during rotation and reducing costs. Specifically, three to four axially extending oil grooves 34 are provided on the side wall of each pivot hole 33, evenly distributed. The upper end of the oil groove 34 opens at the upper end of the pivot hole 33.
[0059] The foot pedal support 30 has two pivot joints 32, one at the front and one at the back. The two foot pedal supports 30, which are arranged in a basically parallel manner, are rotatably connected to cross shafts 25 fixed at both ends of the two parallel swing arms 23. Under the support and drive of the swing arms 23, the two ends of the two foot pedal supports 30 move in an arc relative to the two central shafts 24.
[0060] As shown in Figures 3, 5, and 8, a track hole 111 is provided at a position corresponding to the pivot part 32 on the upper shell 11. The track hole 111 is basically an arc-shaped hole arranged below the foot pedal support 30. A control plate 14 is also provided on the upper shell 11.
[0061] The drive mechanism 20 includes a motor 21 and a reduction swing arm box 22. The reduction swing arm box 22 includes a turbine that meshes with the output worm gear of the motor 21. An eccentric shaft is provided on the turbine. The eccentric shaft is connected to a connecting rod. The connecting rod is connected to a double-bar swing arm 221. The double-bar swing arm 221 outputs a certain angle of back-and-forth swing. The output end of the double-bar swing arm 221 is hinged to one end of the drive connecting rod 24. The other end of the drive connecting rod 24 is hinged to the swing arm 23.
[0062] As shown in Figures 11-14, the drive connecting rod 28 has hinge holes 281 at both ends. The hinge holes 281 and the hinge rod 282 cooperate to connect the two ends of the drive connecting rod 28. The side wall of the hinge hole 281 is provided with a second oil groove 2811. The hinge rod 282 includes a threaded fixed end and a cylindrical end. The cylindrical end cooperates with the hinge hole 281, and the lubricating oil in the second oil groove 2811 lubricates the connection.
[0063] The reduction gearbox 22 has several connecting lugs 222 arranged around its perimeter. Correspondingly, several protrusions 122 are provided at opposite positions on the lower housing 12. Bolts pass through the connecting lugs 222 and fix the connecting lugs 222 to the protrusions 122, thus suspending the reduction gearbox 22 and reducing noise caused by gearbox vibration. A copper nut is threaded onto the bolt and fixed to the protrusion 122 by heat fusion or other methods, making the bolt connection more secure.
[0064] As shown in Figures 7-8, several spaced-apart upper retaining plates 112 are provided on the upper housing 11 corresponding to the motor position, and several spaced-apart lower retaining plates 124 are provided on the lower housing 12 corresponding to the motor position. After the upper housing 11 and lower housing 12 are fastened together, the upper retaining plates 112 and lower retaining plates 124 abut against the upper and lower sides of the motor 21 respectively, clamping and fixing the motor 21. The spaced-apart retaining plates reduce vibration transmission and mechanical noise. The upper retaining plates 112 and lower retaining plates 124 can be positioned on the arc-shaped end faces of the motor 21, providing a large contact area and limiting movement on both sides, thus simultaneously serving a fixing and vibration damping function.
[0065] The lower housing 12 has a groove-shaped structure with intersecting reinforcing ribs, and the upper housing 11 has a cover plate structure that is fastened to the lower housing 12. The edges of the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 are provided with snap-fit engagement 13.
[0066] The term "lateral" in this application refers to the horizontal and vertical direction of the "longitudinal" direction of the pipeline to be installed. "Front" and "rear" refer to the front and rear relative to the transport vehicle, and are generally in the same direction as the "longitudinal" direction of the pipeline.
[0067] The present invention and its embodiments have been described above illustratively. This description is not restrictive, and the accompanying drawings are only one embodiment of the method of the present invention, and are not actually limited thereto. Therefore, if those skilled in the art are inspired by this description and design similar methods and embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention, such designs should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. An automatic walking machine, comprising a housing (10), a drive mechanism (20) disposed within the housing (10), and a driven reciprocating swing arm (23), and a foot support (30) disposed outside the housing (10) and pivotally connected to the swing arm (23), characterized in that, The housing (10) includes an upper housing (11) and a lower housing (12). The lower housing (12) is provided with a protruding connecting seat (121). The connecting seat (121) has a threaded hole arranged around its circumference. The housing includes an integrally formed central shaft (24). The central shaft (24) includes a base (243) and a shaft (241) located on the base (243). The shaft (241) is pivotally connected to the central shaft hole (231) provided in the middle of the swing arm (23). The base (243) sits on the connecting seat (121) and is fixed by bolts and threaded holes.
2. The automatic walking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (243) is disc-shaped and has several through holes (2431). The threaded holes are formed by fixing a copper nut (1211) on the connecting seat (121), and one end of the bolt passes through the through hole (2431) and is threadedly engaged with the copper nut (1211).
3. The automatic walking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting seat (121) is provided with a protruding positioning post (125) and an outer ring (122) that is higher than the end face of the connecting seat (121). The outer ring (122) is adapted to the base (243) and cooperates with the positioning post (125) to limit the base (243).
4. The automatic walking machine according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, A support platform (242) is provided on the base (243) around the shaft (241). The base (243), shaft (241) and support platform (242) are an integral part. The support platform (242) supports the bottom end of the central shaft hole (231).
5. The automatic walking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The swing arm (23) is fixed with a cross shaft (25) at both ends. The cross shaft (25) includes a pivot end (251). The foot support (30) includes a pivot part (32) that protrudes downward to form a column. The pivot part (32) has a pivot hole (33) at its center. The pivot end (251) is inserted into the pivot hole (33). An oil groove (34) is provided on the side wall of the pivot hole (33).
6. The automatic walking machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The swing arm (23) is made of nylon and glass fiber. Three to four axial oil grooves (34) are evenly distributed on the side wall of the pivot hole (33). The upper end of the oil groove (34) opens at the upper end of the pivot hole (33).
7. The automatic walking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The output of the drive mechanism (20) is hinged to one end of the drive link (24), and the other end of the drive link (24) is hinged to the swing arm (23). The two ends of the drive link (28) are respectively provided with a hinge hole (281) and a hinge rod (282). The side wall of the hinge hole (281) is provided with a second oil groove (2811). The hinge rod (282) includes a fixed end with a thread and a cylindrical end. The cylindrical end cooperates with the hinge hole (281). The lubricant in the second oil groove (2811) is...
8. The automatic walking machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The drive mechanism (20) includes a motor (21) and a speed reduction swing arm box (22). Several connecting ears (222) are arranged around the speed reduction swing arm box (22). Correspondingly, several protrusions (122) are provided at the relative positions of the lower housing (12). Bolts pass through the connecting ears (222) to fix the connecting ears (222) on the protrusions (122), so that the speed reduction swing arm box (22) is suspended.
9. The automatic walking machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, Several upper clamping plates (112) are provided on the upper housing (11) at intervals corresponding to the position of the motor (21), and several lower clamping plates (124) are provided on the lower housing (12) at intervals corresponding to the position of the motor (21). The upper clamping plates (112) and the lower clamping plates (124) abut against the upper and lower sides of the motor (21) respectively, clamping and fixing the motor (21).
10. The automatic walking machine according to any one of claims 1-3, 5-9, characterized in that, The lower housing (12) is a groove-shaped structure with intersecting reinforcing ribs. The upper housing (11) is a cover plate structure that is fastened to the lower housing 12 to form an installation space. The edges of the upper housing (11) and the lower housing (12) are provided with snap-fit (13).