Curved Manual Treadmill with Rotatable Walls for Versatile Exercise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curved manual treadmills are limited in the variety of physical exercises they can support, primarily allowing only walking or running, and lack versatility for cardiovascular and muscle-strengthening activities.
Innovation Solution
A curved manual treadmill design featuring a frame with rotating shafts and a physical exercise surface with adjustable elements, including rotatable walls and support structures, allows for bidirectional movement and the integration of resistance mechanisms to enable diverse exercises by altering the direction of user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a curved manual treadmill is designed with a fixed structure and single direction of movement, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the versatility for different physical exercises is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The treadmill incorporates rotatable walls that can change their orientation and position dynamically. The walls are connected to the frame through rotation mechanisms allowing them to move between different angular positions, enabling the treadmill to adapt its structure for various exercise modes including forward running, backward running, and lateral movements
Solution Approach 2:
The treadmill is designed with multiple functional capabilities using a single integrated structure. The rotatable walls and adjustable support structures allow the same device to support multiple exercise types (cardiovascular, muscle strengthening, balance exercises) without requiring separate machines, achieving multi-functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If resistance mechanisms are added to enable diverse exercises, then the versatility for muscle-strengthening activities is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance mechanisms are designed to be automatically engaged and disengaged based on the direction of movement and wall position. The system uses the user's own movement to trigger resistance application, eliminating the need for complex external control systems. For example, when the user moves in a direction that engages the resistance mechanism, the resistance is automatically applied, and when moving in the opposite direction, the resistance is automatically released
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance mechanisms are integrated with the dynamic wall structures, allowing resistance to be applied selectively in specific directions while maintaining freedom of movement in other directions. This dynamic integration enables muscle-strengthening exercises without requiring separate resistance devices for each exercise type
3Adaptability or versatility
If the treadmill allows bidirectional movement with rotatable walls, then the range of physical activities is expanded, but the ease of operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable walls are designed to rotate automatically in response to the user's movement direction and intensity. The system detects the user's intended direction of movement and rotates the walls to the appropriate position, eliminating the need for the user to manually adjust wall positions. This self-adjusting mechanism maintains ease of operation while enabling bidirectional and lateral movements
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 design enhances exercise versatility, allowing users to perform a broader range of physical activities, including muscle-strengthening and cardiovascular exercises, by generating resistance only in specific directions, thus expanding the functionality of a single exercise machine.
Implementation Method 1
the weight force exerted by the user at the first descending portion of the walking/running belt allows to transform the potential energy into kinetic energy and to generate, accordingly, the rotation of the walking/running belt
Data Source
AI summary
A curved manual treadmill for the physical exercises of a user, comprising: a frame extending along a longitudinal direction; a first rotation shaft adapted to rotate around a respective first rotation axis transversal to the longitudinal direction of the frame; a second rotation shaft adapted to rotate around a respective second rotation axis transversal to the longitudinal direction of the frame; a physical exercise surface operatively connected to the first rotation shaft and to the second rotation shaft, so as to generate an endless closed physical exercise path, and a device for resisting the movement of the upper portion of the physical exercise surface operatively associated with at least either the first rotation shaft or the second rotation shaft.