Curved Treadmill Belt with Concave Contour and Nested Support Wheels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treadmills require adjustments and lack a curved, low-friction surface that allows users to walk, jog, run, and sprint without manual adjustments, limiting speed control and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A motor-less leg-powered curved treadmill with a closed loop belt supported by end rollers in a low friction manner, featuring a concave upper contour and a taut lower portion, allowing users to control speed by shifting their center of gravity and using a nested array of support wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motor is used to power the treadmill belt, then the belt can move at controlled speeds, but the treadmill loses the natural leg-powered motion and requires manual adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The treadmill belt is designed to be self-powered through the user's own leg motion. As users walk or run on the belt, their leg movement directly drives the belt through the interaction between their feet and the belt surface, eliminating the need for an external motor while maintaining natural speed control through their own exertion level
2Ease of operation
If the treadmill belt has a flat surface, then manufacturing is simpler, but it cannot provide the curved path needed for natural running motion and speed control
Solution Approach 1:
The treadmill belt is formed into a curved three-dimensional path rather than a flat surface. This curvature allows the belt to naturally guide users through a running motion arc, enabling speed control through the interaction between the user's leg motion and the curved surface geometry without requiring complex manufacturing
3Loss of energy
If the treadmill belt is supported by rollers, then friction is reduced and movement is smooth, but the belt surface may lift up and present a flattened appearance
Solution Approach 1:
A curved guide surface is introduced as an intermediary element between the belt and the support rollers. This guide surface maintains constant contact with the belt's upper face, preventing the belt from lifting away from the rollers while allowing the rollers to continue providing low-friction support. The guide surface ensures the belt maintains its curved three-dimensional profile throughout the motion
4Adaptability or versatility
If handrails are added to the treadmill, then users with balance limitations can use it, but it reduces the realistic running experience and adds complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The curved three-dimensional path of the treadmill belt naturally guides users through a running motion arc, providing inherent stability and balance assistance. The curvature itself acts as a guiding mechanism that reduces the need for external handrails, while still allowing users to naturally adjust their position and maintain balance through their own leg motion and the belt's geometric path
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 users to adjust speed instantly and maintain desired speeds without handrails, reducing foot impact and strain on leg joints, while providing a realistic running experience similar to outdoor running.
Implementation Method 1
supported by end rollers in a low friction manner
Implementation Method 2
allows people to walk, jog, run, and sprint without making any adjustments to the treadmill other than shifting the user's center of gravity forward and backwards
Data Source
AI summary
A motor-less leg-powered curved treadmill produced that allows people to walk, jog, run, and sprint without making any adjustments to the treadmill other than shifting the user's center of gravity forward and backwards. A closed loop treadmill belt running between front and rear pulley rollers is formed with a low friction running surface of transverse aluminum, wooden, plastic, rubber or carbon fiber slats attached to each other in a resilient fashion. An essential feature of treadmill is the concave shape of the upper portion of the belt running surface, the treadmill configurations ensure that this shape is maintained during actual use. These configurations prevent the concave upper running surface portion from being pulled taut into a flat shape between the front and rear pulley rollers. The slats of the treadmill each have an end view crossectional I-beam shape, for strength and stability of the slat positioned upon the treadmill belt.