Self-Powered Exercise Device Using Counterweight Torque Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current exercise equipment that actuates fast twitch muscles through pulse generation often requires complex assembly, occupies significant space, and needs an energy source, making them less desirable for simple, space-efficient, and battery-free workouts.
Innovation Solution
An exercise device comprising a sleeve with a concentrically disposed pipe and counterweights that generates torque pulses when rotated by the user, actuating fast twitch muscles without significant load, allowing for adjustable intensity and space-efficient design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If exercise equipment uses a vibratory pulsing mechanism to actuate fast twitch muscles, then muscle strength is improved, but the device requires an energy source (battery)
Solution Approach 1:
The exercise device utilizes the user's own body movements and gravity to generate the pulsing motion. The counterweight system converts the user's rotational motion into pulsing forces without requiring any external energy source or battery, making the device self-powered
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs counterweights that create pulsing forces through gravitational action. As the counterweights move through their arc, they generate intermittent loading on the muscles, creating the desired pulsing effect without requiring an energy source
2Strength
If exercise equipment uses a pivotal turntable and handlebar configuration, then pulse motion is achieved, but the device occupies significant space and requires complicated assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into simple, modular components: a handle, a shaft, and counterweights. These segments can be easily assembled and disassembled, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the pulse-generating functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex pivotal turntable mechanism, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple rotating handle with counterweights that naturally generate pulse motion through their gravitational arc, simplifying the overall device structure
3Strength
If exercise equipment uses a pivotal turntable and handlebar configuration, then pulse motion is achieved, but the device occupies significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweights are positioned along the shaft in a nested arrangement, with multiple counterweights can be stacked or positioned sequentially along the length of the shaft, minimizing the overall volume occupied by the device while maintaining the pulse-generating mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the space-consuming pivotal turntable with a compact rotating handle mechanism where the counterweights move in a controlled arc, significantly reducing the device's spatial footprint while maintaining effective pulse generation
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 device effectively strengthens muscles by generating torque pulses across various muscle groups, including the arms, back, neck, and chest, without the need for batteries or complex assembly, providing a compact and efficient workout experience.
Implementation Method 1
Rotation of the counterweight generates a pulse onto the user, actuating fast twitch muscles within the arms, back, neck, stomach and chest
Implementation Method 2
The counterweights are rotated about a longitudinal axis of the pipe by the user so as to generate a pulse
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise equipment configured to exercise muscles by require the muscles to generate torque intermittently is provided. The exercise equipment includes a sleeve. A pipe is slidably disposed within the sleeve. The sleeve is concentric to the pipe wherein the outer surface of the pipe is spaced apart the inner surface of the sleeve. A counterweight is mounted to at least one end of the pipe wherein the rotation of the pipe along an orbital path causes the pipe to turn within the bore of the sleeve. The turning of the pipe is a result of the counterweights completing a revolution as the counterweights rotate about the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The turning of the pipe generates a pulse so as to actuate muscular structure within the body of the user.