Adjustable Stride Elliptical Machine with Drive Screw Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional elliptical exercise machines have limited adjustable stride length options, which fail to accommodate users of varying sizes and preferences, leading to an inflexible workout experience that cannot meet the needs of different muscle groups or intensity levels, particularly in interval training where quick adjustments are necessary.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable stride elliptical exercise machine with a frame, swing arm, crankshaft, and an adjustment mechanism that allows for quick and wide-range stride length adjustments through a drive screw and nut system, enabling smooth and robust changes in stride length without significantly altering the vertical motion, thus accommodating various user preferences and workout plans.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional elliptical machines use fixed ratio movement mechanisms, then the machine structure is simple, but the stride length adjustment range is limited and cannot accommodate users of varying sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestride length adjustment rangeVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustability by allowing the swing arm arc of rotation to be changed during operation. The adjustment mechanism modifies the geometric parameters of the elliptical path, enabling the machine to adapt to different user sizes and preferences rather than being fixed at a single configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism is segmented into independent components including a swing arm, elongated rail, footskate, and adjustment mechanism with drive screw. This segmentation allows the stride length parameter to be adjusted independently without affecting other functional aspects of the machine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If elliptical machines allow stride length adjustment, then user customization is improved, but the adjustment process is slow and cannot meet interval training requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment speedVSAvoidadjustment smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional manual adjustment mechanisms with a drive screw and nut system that enables faster adjustment. This mechanical substitution allows for quick reconfiguration of the swing arm arc while maintaining smooth motion transitions during the adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the machine allows wide range stride adjustments, then user comfort is improved, but the vertical motion may be significantly altered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestride length variabilityVSAvoidvertical motion consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is designed to locally modify only the horizontal stride length parameter by changing the swing arm arc of rotation. The elongated rail and footskate configuration ensures that vertical motion characteristics remain relatively consistent while allowing significant variability in horizontal stride distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The machine provides a customizable and comfortable workout experience by allowing quick adjustments in stride length, enabling users to switch between different exercise motions and intensities, reducing impact on joints, and maintaining a smooth motion during adjustments, suitable for interval training and accommodating various user sizes.

Implementation Method 1

a drive screw screwably connected to a nut, said nut being rigidly attached to said adjustment bracket; wherein, rotation of said drive screw causes said adjustment bracket to rotate relative to said vertical riser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS9636540B2Adjustable stride elliptical motion exercise machine with large stride variability and fast adjustment

Publication Date: 2017.05.02 TRUE FITNESS TECH INC

AI summary

Elliptical exercise machines with a footskate on a reciprocating rail that provides for the ability to alter the horizontal stride of the user utilizing the machine, without significantly altering their vertical stride height on the machine. This is generally performed by altering the angle through which any point on the rail can, and does, move. Such adjustment may be performed by having the rail attached to a swing arm, where the arc of rotation of the swing arm relative to the frame is altered.