Adjustable Crank Arm Segmentation for Exercise Device Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional crank-driven exercise devices lack adjustable crank mechanisms, which restrict user customization and therapeutic effectiveness, as they typically have fixed crank angles and lengths, limiting the ability to tailor resistance and motion to individual user needs.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a crank arm with a proximal and distal section, where the proximal section is connected to a spindle and the distal section is selectively rotatable and adjustable, allowing for variable crank lengths and angles, enabling users to customize their exercise experience by altering the crank articulation angle and effective crank length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed crank mechanism is used, then the device structure is simple, but user customization and therapeutic effectiveness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The crank arm is divided into multiple sections (first section connected to spindle, second section connected to user input, and intermediate sections) that can be selectively connected or disconnected. This segmentation allows the crank length and configuration to be adjusted while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The crank mechanism transitions from a static fixed-length design to a dynamic adjustable design where the crank arm length and configuration can change during operation. This is achieved through selectively engageable connections that allow the crank to be reconfigured between different operational states.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the crank arm is made adjustable with multiple sections, then user needs can be accommodated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate sections of the crank arm are designed to serve multiple functions: they can be connected to extend the crank length, disconnected to shorten it, and potentially repositioned to alter the crank configuration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for entirely separate components for each adjustment scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional sections are merged into a single crank arm structure that can be selectively assembled. Rather than using separate adjustable mechanisms or multiple complete crank arms, the invention combines all necessary sections into one integrated component system that can be configured as needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed crank length is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but therapeutic effectiveness for different users is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The crank arm is manufactured as separate sections that can be produced using standard manufacturing processes and then assembled through selective connection. This segmentation allows each section to be manufactured independently with standard tolerances, simplifying production while enabling custom configurations through assembly variation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A crank-driven exercise device (100). The crank-driven exercise device (100) includes a frame (102), a spindle (202) rotatably connected to the frame (102), a crank arm (104) connected to the spindle (202), and a user input (208) connected to the crank arm (104) configured to receive a force from a user. In some embodiments, the crank arm (104) includes a proximal section (204) and a distal section (206). The proximal section (204) may be connected to the spindle (202) at a spindle interface (302), the distal section (206) may be rotatably connected to the user input (208) at a user input interface (306), and the distal section (206) may be selectively fastenable and selectively rotatable relative to the proximal section (204) at a crank interface (304).