Anti-Static Bearing Assembly for Grounding Elliptical Armrest Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elliptical machines suffer from incomplete static electricity grounding due to non-conductive plastic bearing seats, leading to safety risks and impaired user experience.
Innovation Solution
An anti-static bearing assembly with a conductive part integrated into a plastic or rubber bearing seat, allowing static electricity on armrest swing rods to be transmitted to the stationary shaft for grounding, using a conductive part with specific extensions for stable contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic bearing seats are used, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture are improved, but static electricity conduction capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing seat is constructed as a composite structure combining plastic material with an embedded conductive component. The conductive part is inserted into a guide hole and extends into a placement slot on the bearing seat, creating a hybrid structure that leverages the manufacturing advantages of plastic while incorporating the electrical conduction properties of conductive materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive part acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the insulating plastic bearing seat and the conductive armrest swing rod. It receives static electricity from the armrest swing rod through the placement slot and transmits it to the bearing mechanism, enabling conduction without requiring the entire bearing seat to be conductive.
2Quantity of substance
If plastic bearing seats are used, then material cost is reduced, but static electricity transmission capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive part serves as a mediator that enables static electricity transmission through the otherwise insulating plastic bearing seat. It contacts the armrest swing rod at the placement slot and transmits static electricity to the bearing mechanism, preventing charge accumulation while maintaining the cost benefits of plastic construction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire bearing seat conductive, the conductive property is localized to specific regions where it is most needed - the guide hole for receiving the conductive part and the placement slot for contacting the armrest swing rod. This localized approach achieves conduction functionality while minimizing material costs.
3Reliability
If conductive part is added to bearing seat, then static grounding capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive part is merged with the bearing seat assembly as an integrated component rather than a separate attachment. The guide hole and placement slot are designed into the bearing seat structure itself, and the conductive part is inserted and retained within these features, combining multiple functions into a unified assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing seat structure itself provides the mounting and retention features for the conductive part through the guide hole and placement slot design. The placement slot allows the conductive part to be self-retained through interference fit or mechanical retention, eliminating the need for additional fastening mechanisms or complex assembly procedures.
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
Ensures complete static grounding, improving safety and reliability by preventing static electricity from affecting user experience and reducing material and processing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first end of the conductive part is inserted into the guide hole and is in conductive contact with the bearing mechanism, and a second end of the conductive part is placed in the placement slot and at least partially protrudes from the outer circumferential side of the bearing seat, such that the second end is capable of being in conductive contact with the armrest swing rod
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an anti-static bearing assembly and an elliptical machine. The anti-static bearing assembly includes a bearing seat, a bearing mechanism, and a conductive part, where an accommodating slot hole is provided in one side of the bearing seat, the bearing mechanism includes a bearing inner ring and a bearing outer ring, the bearing outer ring is connected to the bearing seat, a guide hole is provided in the bearing seat, a placement slot is provided in the bearing seat, a first end of the conductive part is inserted into the guide hole and is in conductive contact with the bearing mechanism, and a second end of the conductive part is placed in the placement slot and at least partially protrudes from an outer circumferential side of the bearing seat, such that the second end of the conductive part can be in conductive contact with the armrest swing rod.