Axial-Motor Treadmill Drive for Compact Low-Wear Belt Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gymnastic machines with sliding belts and electric motors have large volumes, complex kinematic chains, high wear, and require significant space due to radial-flow motors, necessitating bulky housings and frequent maintenance, with limited efficiency at high revolutions and torque.
Innovation Solution
A gymnastic machine with a base structure featuring a front and rear transmission assembly, using an axial electric motor with a stator and rotors, where the stator is fixed to lateral longitudinal members, and the motor is integrated into the rear transmission assembly, reducing volume and wear, and allowing direct coupling to the cylinder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If radial-flow electric motors are used to drive the sliding belt, then sufficient power and inertia are achieved, but the machine occupies large space and requires bulky housings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional radial-flow electric motor with an axial-flow electric motor. This substitution changes the fundamental mechanical configuration from radial magnetic field orientation to axial magnetic field orientation, allowing the motor to deliver equivalent power and inertia while occupying significantly less space and eliminating the need for bulky forward housings.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a radial-flow motor configuration where the magnetic field operates in the radial direction to an axial-flow motor where the magnetic field operates in the axial direction. This dimensional change in the magnetic field orientation enables compact integration of the motor within the frame structure without requiring additional forward space.
2Force
If radial-flow electric motors with housings are installed forward of the sliding belt, then motor power and inertia are preserved, but the machine volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the radial-flow motor system with an axial-flow motor system. This replacement maintains the necessary torque output and inertia characteristics while dramatically reducing the volume required for motor housing and associated mechanical components.
3Reliability
If complex kinematic chains and rigid mechanisms are used for drive transmission, then reliable power transmission is achieved, but wear increases and maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical kinematic chains with a direct-drive configuration where the axial-flow motor couples directly to the rear cylinder. This eliminates intermediate transmission mechanisms, rigid linkages, and associated wear-prone components, thereby maintaining reliable power transmission while significantly reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the complex intermediate transmission mechanisms from the drive system. By using direct coupling between the axial-flow motor and the rear cylinder, the design eliminates unnecessary mechanical components that would otherwise require maintenance.
4Volume of moving object
If axial electric motors are used with direct coupling to cylinders, then machine volume is reduced and maintenance is minimized, but sufficient torque at low revolutions must be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of the axial-flow motor to ensure sufficient torque delivery at low rotational speeds. By adjusting magnetic field strength, coil configuration, and rotor-stator geometry, the motor delivers the required torque for driving the sliding belt even at low revolutions, enabling direct coupling without transmission mechanisms.
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 solution achieves a compact design with reduced maintenance needs, high efficiency at low revolutions, and direct coupling to the cylinder, enhancing user safety and exercise adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor, having at least one stator and at least one rotor, said electric motor being of axial type
Data Source
AI summary
A gymnastic machine including a base structure having a front transmission assembly and a rear transmission assembly, wherein the base structure includes two lateral longitudinal members between which a sliding belt slides, a sliding belt, associated to the base structure, on which a user can perform a gymnastic exercise, wherein the sliding belt is configured to rotate by means of the front transmission assembly and rear transmission assembly according to a sliding direction, wherein the sliding belt is arranged between the two lateral longitudinal members and an electric axial motor, having at least one stator and at least one rotor, the electric axial motor being kinematically coupled to the front transmission assembly, or to the rear transmission assembly, for moving the sliding belt, the electric axial motor being of axial type.