Adjustable Exercise Surface Orientation and Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise devices lack the ability to accommodate a wide range of user orientations and preferences, failing to effectively utilize gravitational effects and provide adjustable support systems that change during exercise routines.
Innovation Solution
An exercise device with a user support surface that can change orientation relative to the resistance device and floor, incorporating mechanisms like worm gears, planetary gears, and hydraulic actuators for manual or automatic adjustment, allowing for varied positions and orientations, including horizontal, vertical, and inclined positions, and powered by user-generated energy or external sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the support surface is fixed in orientation, then the device structure is simple, but the user cannot accommodate a wide range of orientations and preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic one capable of changing orientation. The surface can pivot between horizontal, vertical, and inclined positions relative to the floor, and can extend or retract relative to the resistance device, allowing users to assume multiple body positions including upright, reclined, and inverted orientations during exercise
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface is divided into separable components that can be independently adjusted. The surface can pivot at connection points and extend/retract through separate mechanical mechanisms, allowing granular control over orientation and position to accommodate different user preferences and exercise requirements
2Ease of operation
If the support surface orientation is adjustable during exercise, then user comfort and ergonomics are improved, but the device requires complex control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates mechanisms that allow users to manually adjust the support surface orientation and position during exercise without requiring complex automated control systems. The adjustment mechanisms are designed to be operated directly by the user through manual input, eliminating the need for sophisticated electronic controls while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface is pre-configured with pivot points and adjustment mechanisms that enable smooth transitions between orientations. The mechanical design incorporates features that facilitate easy adjustment before and during exercise routines, allowing users to quickly change positions without complex control procedures
3Adaptability or versatility
If the surface can pivot and extend independently, then exercise variety is increased, but the mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot and extend functions are combined into an integrated support surface assembly. The surface incorporates both rotational pivot capability and linear extension/retraction capability within a unified mechanical structure, reducing the number of separate mechanisms needed while maintaining the ability to achieve multiple exercise positions
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides pivot and extend capabilities. This universal design allows the same structural element to perform multiple adjustment functions, reducing overall mechanical complexity while increasing exercise position variety
Data Source
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AI summary
An exercise device is provided which includes a surface for supporting a body of a user and a frame(s) for supporting the surface(s) above a floor. Resistance device(s) are connected to the device for providing resistance to movement of the user. A mechanism(s) may be provided for changing the orientation of the surface relative to the floor during an exercise routine. Also a mechanism(s) may be provided for changing the distance, orientation of the surface relative to the resistance device during an exercise routine. Also mechanism(s) may be provided for changing the orientation of the resistance devise(s) relative to the floor during an exercise routine. And mechanism(s) may be provided for changing the orientation of the surface(s) and the resistance devise(s) relative to the floor and to each other during an exercise routine. And mechanism(s) may be provided for changing the distance of and orientation of the surface(s) to the resistance devise(s) relative to the floor and to each other independently or co-dependently of each other during an exercise routine. The resistance devise(s) may include component(s) for converting user motion into energy, electricity, etc. to power the exercise devise. Display device(s) may be provided to display various information relating to an exercise routine(s) to the user and to other(s). Computer control(s) may be included for controlling the amount of resistance provided by the resistance device(s) and for controlling the distance of the orientation of the supports surfaces from the resistance device(s) and of the orientation of the support surface(s) relative to the floor and to hip extension and flexion. Memory device(s) may be associated with the computer control for storing exercise routine(s), recording the results of performed exercise routines and other information. Input device(s) may be provided with the computer control for user input information and output device(s) may also be associated with the computer control for outputting the results of performed exercise routine(s) and other information.