Adjustable Arcuate Foot Pedal Path for Exercise Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise machines for simulating walking or running lack adjustability in foot pedal paths, do not incorporate upper body exercise, and fail to provide guided lateral movement, limiting user engagement and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An exercise device with pivotable foot supports and adjustable linkage assemblies that allow for a range of arcuate paths, interconnected with resistance mechanisms and manually graspable input arms, enabling selective adjustment of path segments and resistance levels to enhance user engagement and exercise variety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If foot pedals are pivoted in an elliptical or arcuate path with angular degree changes of more than 3-30 degrees, then the exercise machine simulates walking or running motion, but the path of travel is not adjustable and limits user engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage assembly incorporates adjustable components that allow the foot pedal path to be dynamically changed between multiple discrete arcuate paths. The adjustment mechanism enables users to select different path segments while maintaining the mechanical integrity and smooth motion characteristics of the original design.
Solution Approach 2:
The overall arcuate path of travel is divided into multiple discrete segments or paths. Each segment represents a different portion of the possible foot travel arc, and the adjustment mechanism allows selection between these pre-defined segments, providing variability without requiring complete redesign of the linkage system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the foot pedal path is fixed with no adjustment provisions, then the device structure is simpler, but user engagement and exercise variety are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism allows the foot pedal path to be changed between multiple discrete arcuate paths, providing dynamic adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure that is feasible to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the foot pedal path by allowing selection between different arcuate paths with varying radii, centers, and angular ranges. This parameter variation provides exercise variety while using standard mechanical adjustment components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If elliptical machines pivot foot pedals by more than 10-30 degrees, then walking or running motion is simulated, but there is no provision for upper body exercise or guided lateral movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines lower body foot pedal movement with upper body handle or hand grip movement into a single interconnected mechanism. Both components move simultaneously in coordinated back-and-forth directions, providing full-body exercise while maintaining a unified mechanical system rather than separate independent mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The exercise device provides multiple functions including lower body leg movement, upper body arm movement, and guided lateral motion within a single integrated system. This multi-functionality is achieved through mechanical interconnections that coordinate the movement of different body parts simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise device having a frame, first and second foot supports suspended on the frame by first and second linkage assemblies, one or the other or both of the frame linkage assemblies being interconnected to an adjustment device that is selectively adjustable by a user to select one of a plurality of discrete segments of a master or overall path of arcuate travel and to a lateral adjustment device that enables the user to selectively adjust a path of travel of the foot supports a selected angle relative to a central axis of the exercise device.