Combined Treadmill and Seat Assembly for Single-Leg Rehabilitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional treadmills require users to exercise both legs simultaneously, which is not suitable for physically impaired individuals undergoing rehabilitation or recovery from injuries/surgeries, as they need to exercise one leg at a time to regain strength and improve balance and coordination.
Innovation Solution
A combined treadmill and seat assembly that includes a portable treadmill with a rotating platform and a detachable seat assembly that can be positioned in two ways, allowing the user to exercise one leg at a time, with features like swivel-coupling, stabilizing bars, and adjustable supports for safety and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional treadmill is used, then the treadmill structure is simple and stable, but the user must exercise both legs simultaneously which is not suitable for physically impaired users needing to exercise one leg at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The treadmill is divided into two independent walking surfaces (first walking surface and second walking surface) that can operate independently or simultaneously. This segmentation allows one leg to exercise on one surface while the other leg remains stationary or exercises on the other surface, enabling single-leg rehabilitation training without requiring complex modifications to the overall treadmill structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The treadmill is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate with both walking surfaces active for conventional bilateral exercise, with only one surface active for unilateral rehabilitation exercise, or with adjustable inclines for varied training intensities. This multi-functionality allows the same device to serve both able-bodied users and physically impaired users with different rehabilitation needs.
2Reliability
If a treadmill allowing one leg exercise is designed, then rehabilitation effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly is integrated with the treadmill frame structure, combining two functions into one device. The seat provides support for users who need it during rehabilitation, while also serving as part of the structural framework that supports the walking surfaces. This merging reduces the need for separate support structures and simplifies the overall device while maintaining rehabilitation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat assembly is designed to be movable between different positions (first position facing the first walking surface, second position facing the second walking surface) and can be adjusted or removed entirely. This dynamic configuration allows the device to adapt to different user needs and exercise modes, providing support when necessary while maintaining simplicity when the seat is not needed.
3Ease of operation
If the seat assembly is made movable between positions, then user convenience and exercise variety are improved, but the stability of the treadmill may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly is designed with predetermined stopping positions (first position and second position) that are pre-engineered to align with specific structural attachment points on the treadmill frame. These pre-planned positions ensure that when the seat is placed in either position, it automatically engages with support structures that guarantee stability, eliminating the need for complex locking mechanisms while maintaining both flexibility and structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A combined treadmill and seat assembly includes a portable treadmill, and a portable seat assembly detachably connected to the treadmill such that the seat assembly is selectively disposed between first and second positions while connected to the treadmill. The seat assembly includes first and second seats oriented at oppositely facing axial directions so that the first seat extends towards the treadmill while the second seat extends away from the treadmill. Advantageously, the treadmill platform is registered along a first plane when the seat assembly is positioned at the first position and, the treadmill platform is registered along a second plane when the seat assembly is positioned at the second position. Notably, the first and second planes are horizontally oriented and coplanar such that the treadmill platform remains equidistantly spaced from a ground surface when the seat assembly is situated at the first and second positions respectively.