Bidirectional Cable Resistance Using Adaptive Magnetic Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise machines with physical weights are bulky, pose safety risks due to finger damage and injury from dropping weights, and lack bidirectional resistance, leading to inefficient exercise experiences.
Innovation Solution
An exercise machine using flexible members, pulleys, and drums with adaptive resistance systems that adjust seamlessly to user effort, providing both push and pull resistance, and allowing safe stopping mid-motion without heavy weights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If physical weights and plates are used in exercise machines, then resistance force is provided, but the machine becomes bulky and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical weight systems with a magnetic field-based resistance mechanism. A motor-driven drum generates magnetic fields that interact with a conductor disk to create eddy current resistance, eliminating the need for physical weights and plates while providing adjustable resistance forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance force is controlled by changing electrical parameters (voltage, current, magnetic field strength) rather than physical mass. The motor can vary the magnetic field intensity to adjust resistance levels, and the system can dynamically modify resistance during exercise based on user performance.
2Force
If physical weights are used, then resistance is provided, but user safety is compromised due to finger damage and dropping injuries
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing physical weights with a magnetic field-based system, the patent eliminates the primary safety hazards associated with heavy objects. The magnetic resistance can be instantly adjusted or removed without moving physical masses, preventing pinching injuries and dropping accidents.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes sensors that automatically detect user fatigue or improper form and adjust resistance levels accordingly. The motor-controlled drum can reduce or eliminate resistance when the user stops exerting force, preventing injury without requiring user intervention.
3Force
If fixed resistance weights are used, then resistance is provided, but the machine lacks adaptability to user effort and mid-motion stopping
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance system transitions from static fixed weights to a dynamic, motor-controlled magnetic field system. The motor can continuously adjust the magnetic field strength in real-time based on user performance, allowing seamless resistance changes during exercise without requiring weight plate changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that monitor user effort, velocity, and position, feeding this information back to the motor control system. This enables automatic resistance adjustment matched to user capability, and allows safe mid-motion stopping by rapidly reducing magnetic resistance when the user ceases exertion.
4Force
If traditional weight systems are used, then resistance is provided, but the machine complexity and part count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the resistance generation function with the motor assembly. The motor serves dual purposes: driving the exercise motion and generating the magnetic field for resistance. This integration eliminates separate weight stacks, guide rails, and multiple mechanical components required in traditional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Replacing the entire mechanical weight system with an electromagnetic field-based resistance mechanism simplifies the structure. The magnetic resistance is generated through electrical control rather than mechanical mass, reducing the number of moving parts and mechanical linkages.
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 system offers a compact footprint, enhanced user safety, and efficient exercise by adapting resistance to user effort, ensuring safe stopping and bidirectional resistance without bulky weights.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic system, electrical eddy currents, an electric motor, one or more magnets
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic system, electrical eddy currents, an electric motor, one or more magnets
Implementation Method 3
the flexible member may be looped several times around the drum, with the drum securing the flexible member via frictional attachment
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed exercise machines provide adaptive resistance in both directions of cable or flexible member movement. Perceived or felt resistance increases in response to the effort and/or speed of movement exerted by a user. During exercise, a user may become fatigued making further movement or weight support unwanted. With the disclosed embodiments, a user may simply stop their effort and the resistance and movement of the machine will stop. There are no plates or physical weights to harm a user and operation of the machine occurs in near silence. The disclosed embodiments are well suited for both beginner and accomplished athletes as the resistance adjusts seamlessly and continuously to match the force exerted by the user.