Dual-Upright Climbing Machine with Self-Lubricating Slides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing climbing exercise machines suffer from instability, reduced movability, safety concerns, and high maintenance needs, along with aesthetic drawbacks and inefficient resistance mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A climbing exercise machine design featuring two uprights with handles and foot pedals mounted on reciprocating, self-lubricating slides and linear rails, interconnected by belts and an axle, providing a stable and movable platform for simulating continuous vertical climbing motion, with optional electronic systems for digital content delivery and adjustable resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a large and unstable base is used in prior climbing exercise machines, then the machine structure is simplified, but the machine's weight increases significantly, movability decreases, and safety risks increase due to potential rocking or tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The machine frame is divided into two separate uprights instead of a single central structure, with each upright independently supporting a handle and foot pedal. This segmentation distributes the weight and improves stability without requiring an overly large base.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-central-axis configuration to a dual-upright configuration, adding dimensional distribution to the structure. This spatial redistribution improves stability and reduces the need for a large base while maintaining structural integrity.
2Device complexity
If a single central track interconnecting both handles and both foot pedals along a single axis is used, then the machine structure is simplified, but stability decreases, movability is reduced, and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The single central track is segmented into two separate tracks, each associated with one upright. This allows independent movement of handles and foot pedals on each side, improving stability and enabling more natural climbing motions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic, independent movement of each handle and foot pedal along its respective track, rather than constraining all components to a single rigid axis. This enhances stability and safety while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If slides and belts are used in climbing exercise machines, then the climbing motion is enabled, but maintenance requirements increase due to frequent lubrication needs and potential failure, shortening the machine's useful life
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-lubricating slides that automatically provide lubrication without requiring external maintenance. This eliminates the need for frequent manual lubrication, reduces maintenance requirements, and extends the machine's useful life while maintaining smooth climbing motion.
4Force
If hydraulic resistance mechanisms with piston-driven systems are used, then resistance is provided, but the system produces a jerky feel, is prone to leaks creating hazardous situations, and requires difficult calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the hydraulic resistance mechanism with a purely mechanical system using springs and pulleys. This substitution eliminates the jerky motion, leaks, and calibration difficulties associated with hydraulic systems while providing smooth, adjustable resistance through mechanical means.
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise machine creates a simulated continuous resisted climbing motion. The machine includes a floor- or ground-contacting base frame and two or more substantially vertically oriented uprights, wherein at least one upright is rigidly connected to the base frame. The machine further includes two handles and two foot pedals, each handle and each foot pedal being movably engaged with an upright for linear reciprocating motion along the upright. The handles and foot pedals are interconnected so that they move concurrently. An adjustable resistance mechanism may be operatively connected to the interconnection of the handles and foot pedals to provide adjustable resistance for the simulated continuous climbing motion.