Adjustable Blade Resistance via Sliding Seat Radius Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise machines, such as rowing machines, fail to effectively adjust blade resistance by varying the degree of opening and closing of the blades, limiting the range of resistance adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a rotating shaft with blades pivotally connected to a sliding seat, allowing the blades to rotate synchronously around the shaft, where the sliding seat's movement adjusts the opening and closing angle of the blades, altering the radius of rotation and thus the resistance, facilitated by elastic members and transmitters for smooth operation and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the number of blades is increased to increase resistance, then the resistance increases, but the overall width and occupied space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blade radius is made dynamically adjustable through a sliding mechanism. The sliding seat can move along the rotating shaft to change the radial position of the blades, allowing the resistance to be adjusted without changing the number of blades or the overall device dimensions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing variable resistance within a fixed spatial footprint.
2Force
If the tilting angle of the blades is adjusted to change water resistance, then the resistance is adjustable, but the degree of opening and closing of the blades cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a dynamic radial adjustment mechanism through the sliding seat that moves along the rotating shaft. This allows the blade radius (distance from the shaft axis to the blade) to be continuously adjusted, providing an additional degree of freedom for resistance control beyond just tilting angle adjustment. This enhances the adaptability of the resistance adjustment system.
3Force
If the radius of rotation of the blade is changed to adjust resistance, then the resistance magnitude changes, but the sliding seat movement stability and smoothness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting member acts as an intermediary between the sliding seat and the blade pivot portion. It translates the axial movement of the sliding seat into radial movement of the blade, while maintaining stable and smooth motion through its pivot connections. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the resistance adjustment is achieved without compromising the stability and smoothness of the sliding seat movement.
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
Enables stepless adjustment of rotational resistance, increased contact area with fluid, and reduced overall size, while maintaining stable and smooth movement of the sliding seat, enhancing user training flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member disposed on one side of the sliding seat away from the blade seat. The elastic member has one end against the base frame and another end against the sliding seat. After the adjustment force drives the sliding seat to move away from the blade seat in the axial direction, the sliding seat and the base frame compress the elastic member, and the elastic member stores a first elastic potential energy. When the adjustment force is removed or reversely applied, the elastic member releases the first elastic potential energy, and the elastic member drives the sliding seat to move in the axial direction to reset or approach the blade seat.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for adjusting a blade resistance includes the steps of providing an external force to drive a plurality of blades to be rotated synchronously in a fluid to obtain a rotational resistance; providing an adjustment force to change a radius of rotation of the blades along with an opening and closing angle, thereby changing the magnitude of the rotational resistance. Thereby, the degree of opening and closing of the blades is adjustable, and the rotational resistance is steplessly adjusted.